Title: Leatherheads, feature film
Cast: George Clooney, Renee Zellweger
Extra: Stan Hill
Producers: Grant Heslov, George Clooney, Casey Silver
Director: George Clooney
Script: George Clooney, Stephen Schiff, Duncan Brantley, Rick Reilly
Meet Stan
Role: Duluth cop
Sets: Travelers Rest, South Carolina. Charlotte, North Carolina
Hometown: Anderson, South Carolina
Day job: Carolina Auto Auction as a Dealer Representative. www.carolinaautoauction.com
All in the family: My wife Becky, my two sons Braiden (9) and Alexander (4) The Greatest any man could wish for.
Hill: Hey George! Don’t you think a cop would be good in this scene?
Describe when you decided to appear at the casting call and your reaction to being selected. Did you dress up for a particular part?
One of my best friends, Roger Bolt and I had been talking about going over to Haywood Mall for the casting call for a couple of weeks. On Monday (the last day) we finally decided at the very last minute to go. He stopped by my house and we used my garage wall as the background for our pictures. I quickly printed them out and off we went.
The casting call ended at: 7 p.m. and it was almost 6 p.m. and we live in Anderson. Needless to say, we flew to Greenville and made it. We figured that the lines were going to be huge but to our surprise, no waiting.
I really thought I would not have a chance. Roger on the other hand has “that look”. You know the one I am talking about. Well, the very next day, Roger got “the call”. I was kind of disappointed. I already knew I would not make it. Boy was I wrong.
Wednesday afternoon, I got it! I got “the call”. I was surprised and very excited. I was told to report to Batesville Hwy. warehouse for my fitting. I was going to be a Duluth Cop.
Well, a billion thoughts went through my mind. What kind of uniform will I wear? Did I get a badge or a gun? I think I know how Barney Fife feels now. I got the uniform. I got the badge. But, no bullets, heck, but no gun. Not even a night stick. I thought how I can be a cop without a gun? Well, if Andy can do it, so can I.
Well I showed up at the time set for me and was so amazed at all the clothes, props and people there. It took a while to get everything together but what fun I had. I thought this was it and the young lady says you need to go to make up. I thought I was not filming till next week. Well little did I know I was getting a haircut. And a haircut I got. (btw, I don’t have much to cut either.) Now I must add, I looked the part and I looked good! Ha! Ha!
Who was your first call to and what was the conversation when you learned you were going to be in a George Clooney produced movie with the No. 1 male box office star?
I called my wife first. She was like what? I said yep and she too was so excited. I have always wanted to be in a TV show or a movie. When I got to school to pick up my sons, Braiden and Alex, I had to keep my composure for about 3 seconds and then told them their dad was going to be in the “movies”. Well needless to say, I have had so many questions from them and it is still going on today as the premiere approaches. They are so proud of their dad and I hope they enjoy the movie as much as I did being a part of it.
Did you do anything to maneuver yourself closer to the camera or into a scene?
Well of course I did. I and the “other cops” made our way around to every place that the camera was at. We even made suggestions to Ian (the second director) we thought a cop would look good in this or that scene. Now, here we were telling George’s crew how to direct. That’s funny!!
How close did you get to George Clooney? Renee Zellwegger or other actors?
Very close. In fact, I had the opportunity to pass the football to Renee and George. We were standing around waiting for the camera crew to get set up and I heard “Hey Copper”. It was Renee and she passes me the ball. She has a pretty good arm, too. Well, I threw it to George and we kind of passed it around with some of the players and other cops.
What surprised you the most about how a movie was produced?
I was surprised that to get a clip, it may take several hours and many takes. They way the crew took pictures of where we were standing and our positions so the movie would be perfect.
Outside from your participation: What is the best memory you take away from your experience.
I think the best experience were the people. I mean all the people. Everyone was so nice and I never saw the first quarrel, spat or ill word spoken. I met so many wonderful people and I will never forget being on the set at 4:30 a.m. and getting dressed and then to makeup and not one person was unpleasant.
I had the opportunity to meet folks from all walks of life, School administrators, Science teachers, Pastors, retired computer programmers, students, stay at home moms, salesmen and the list goes on.
I want to thank each one of you that I met for making me feel like a “star” I consider it an honor to have worked with each of you and may God bless all of you and your family. Speaking of family. I want to thank my family for supporting me during the filming and putting up with me and my “big head”. I think all of our families are the true stars! Thank you Becky, my best friend and my wife. Braiden and Alex, thank you too for making dad number 1.
Would you work with Clooney again if his company called you?
What do you think?
What would your response be?
Of course George. I didn’t think you would ever call.
See you all on the “big screen”!
Stan
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