Mandy Haley

Title: Leatherheads, feature film
Cast: George Clooney, Renee Zellweger
Extra: Mandy Haley
Producers: Grant Heslov, George Clooney, Casey Silver
Director: George Clooney
Script: George Clooney, Stephen Schiff, Duncan Brantley, Rick Reilly

Hometown: Greenville, S.C.
Work: Administrative Assistant
Cast as: Football fan
Wardrobe: Basically 1920 period long dark wool coat, hat, heels, gloves and hose with seams.
Sites appeared: Ware Shoals, Hughes Academy, Travelers Rest, Charlotte.
What I did with my first acting check: Put in savings!
I just love … all the nice movie making folks. They were very nice despite all of us crazy extras they had to work with.
My anecdote: Having Renee Zellweger telling someone that “we’re gonna party at her house tonight” and pointing at me for my house. Now get real, that was just talk!
My page is dedicated to: My grandchildren McKenzie, Mallory, Graham and Gracie.
Plus:  Making new friends

Pinch me, is this real?
My husband went to casting call back in January without telling anyone or me.  But his efforts to keep it under wraps were spoiled by the Internet and a buddy.  That is another story in itself.  Time passed and we forgot about it until the day he got the call to be an extra and report to wardrobe for fitting.

Several days after his times at locations, he came home and said that I could send a picture of me by him and the casting people might call me to be an extra, too.  I guess he realized how interested I was in what was going on so he decided to attempt to share his new venture with me and introduce me to the Leatherhead casting crew.  

I called our daughter to come over to take some pictures of me and we got them developed at a local pharmacy.  Thus my husband carried my picture in to the people.   I really didn’t feel that this would work out.  Many folks had signed up at the beginning, so why me now.

Well, surprise.  I did get that call!  I was at work and in a conference with my boss.  He realized from my end of the conversation what the call was about and left me to carry on with the call.   I was given instructions as to wardrobe, location, time, etc.  By the time I hung up the phone I was beginning to shake.  Pinch me, is this real?

Long hours but happy memories
This has been an experience that I will never forget.  The hours are long and sometimes could be boring, but one is not alone.  There were many doing the same thing and the anticipation of what would be next and when was a mystery to all.  Everyone was excited, naturally. 

While getting set up for one scene where Rene Zellweger was to come into the stadium, I ended up standing next to her.  Not wanting to be a bother to her and not interrupting set, I was hesitant to try to speak with her.  However, I did ask her how she liked Greenville.   I’m not sure if I can remember her exact words, but she did say that she loved it and…  At that moment I think I was stunned because I realized I was actually speaking with a star on a one-on-one basis and it was all so natural and easy.  She then kiddingly pointed toward me and said, “We are going to her house to party afterwards!”

I did not get to encounter George Clooney on a one-on-one basis, but I did get within 5 feet of him!

Crew, staff were incredible
My personal feeling on behalf of the Leatherheads staff and crew were that they amazed me at their ability to know many of the extras by name – first and last – after just meeting so many of us.  They were friendly yet conducted their work appropriately.

Meeting other people was interesting as well.  All have their own stories and I feel sure they will carry their memories with them for quite a long time. 

Even though the filming in South Carolina is over, the memories and new acquaintances will linger with me.  This was an experience that I shall never forget. 

So thank you, Fred (my husband), for including me in your secret adventure!  And thank you Leatherheads – A to Z!!

Ouch! It was REAL!