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Saturday, July 05, 2008
Video Time: Sweeney Pregnant, Classic Lalanne, Food Matters, And Low-Carb For Health
With the rising popularity of YouTube and other online video capabilities, the information age has jumped to a whole new level. It really wasn't that long ago when the major sources of information were radio and newspapers. Now there's television, DVDs, and all sorts of places on the Internet where you can find just about anything you are looking for (and a whole lot you're NOT looking for!).
I enjoy surfing around YouTube every once in a while because you'll find some real gems if you look carefully. Especially some of the old television programs about health, it's amazing to see how much times have changed and how much they've pretty much stayed the same, too. You'll see that today with a classic clip from health guru Jack Lalanne. There's also BIG NEWS for "Biggest Loser" fans with the host, a new health documentary, and an awesome video espousing low-carb for health. ENJOY!
1. ALISON SWEENEY IS PREGNANT!
The brand new season of NBC-TV's hit weight loss reality show "The Biggest Loser" is already underway being filmed to begin airing in September featuring families in Season 6. Piggybacking on that theme at just the perfect time is this announcement made by host Alison Sweeney this week on the "Biggest Loser" ranch during one of the first weigh-ins of the season. NBC was so excited about the news that they released the video clip to the public.
I couldn't see any faces of contestants in this quick clip, but if you look behind Jillian at around :27, you'll see a surprisingly skinny woman in a midriff shirt/sports bra. I'm wondering if this new season featuring families will have some family members who don't have all that much weight to lose and they are there to support their loved ones who do. Who knows, but I can't wait to see it! CONGRATULATIONS to Alison Sweeney on her great news about having an addition to her family.
By the way, I requested a podcast interview with The Blue Team trainer Bob Harper (who I interviewed at my blog three years ago) and I heard back from his assistant this week that he would love to be on my show. WOO HOO! We're still hammering out the details since his schedule is so crazy, but I'm hoping to air that in early September. YEAH! :D
2. JACK LALANNE WARNS ABOUT SUGAR--50 YEARS AGO!
If you had to choose on iconic figure in the modern history of health who personifies what it means to live a healthy lifestyle, then I don't think many would disagree with the selection of Jack Lalanne for that role. This 90-something year old man is still going strong and he can oftentimes be seen on television these days promoting his juicer or other age-defying techniques for being the strong, happy, and healthy man that he is.
Man, I'd LOVE to interview him because this classic video of him talking about the addictive nature of sugar is precisely the message we need to hear in 2008. It's something people who support livin' la vida low-carb shout loudly from the mountaintops while it is almost ignored as a culprit in obesity and disease by much of the rest of the health establishment crowd who is too hung up on saturated fat to see the forest for the trees. Is it any wonder why 50 years after this video first aired we are STILL dealing with this same mess?
3. NEW HEALTH DOCUMENTARY FILM CALLED "FOOD MATTERS"
There have been quite a few diet and health documentaries in development over the past year or so, including Mary Bissell's My Big Fat Diet, Tom Naughton's Fat Head, CJ Hunt's In Search Of The Perfect Human Diet, and Steve Yu's INSPIRED: The Movie. I am excited about all of these contributions to the discussion about healthy living and now there's another one to add to the list: Food Matters.
I have not had the pleasure of seeing this one yet, but my understanding is it takes a closer examination of health in modern times and laments all the wasted resources that are spent on prescription drugs while chronic disease runs rampant. The filmmakers urge the viewers to get back to our roots when food was used as medicine rather than the next miracle pill from the pharmaceutical companies. AMEN to that!!! This documentary features many interviews with the REAL health experts around the world and seeks to expose the billions of dollars that are made scamming people into thinking they need to be drugged for made-up diseases.
Knowledge is power and Food Matters seeks to arm you with the information you need to take back control of your own health. I am working diligently to get a copy of this to review and share with you as well as an interview with the film's producers so they can talk more about why they decided to make this movie. Should be interesting!
4. OUTSTANDING 450-SECOND LOW-CARB FOR HEALTH VIDEO
Finally, I love finding videos like this one that just lays the pure unadulterated truth about livin' la vida low-carb out there for everyone to see--take it or leave it. Stephen, aka Stevo35972 does just that and in a very direct, concise, and compelling way. Add him to the increasing by leaps and bound list of low-carb YouTubers now and keep your eyes peeled for even more nuggets of truth from him in the future!
Got a video you think I might be interested in? Send the link to me at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. I always love finding GREAT videos that continue the mission of educating, encouraging and inspiring others in their healthy low-carb lifestyle. THANKS for passing on the good ones you find.
In March 2008, I blogged about a new Canadian documentary about a revolutionary documentary featuring a whole community of Canadian Namgis First Nation people who went on a traditional high-fat, low-carb diet to see if that would help curb the trend towards obesity and disease that has afflicted them in recent years. It was an innovative and ingenious experiment to determine if the modern Western influence on their diet was responsible for their decline in health.
Did it work? Uh, DUH!
The results of this remarkable study were unbelievable in light of all the continued negativity about low-carb living that STILL occurs in the media and from so-called health "experts" in 2008. Led by Dr. Jay Wortman, along with assistance from some of the most prominent low-carb researchers and genuine low-carb experts in the world (Dr. Eric Westman, Dr. Mary C. Vernon, Dr. Stephen Phinney, Jackie Eberstein, etc.), the lives of these people experienced quite a turnaround thanks mostly to the healthy low-carb lifestyle they now enjoy which was the original diet of their early ancestors.
To help get the message out about this study featuring a high-fat, low-carb diet, Dr. Wortman had a film crew from Mystique Films come out to document what was happening to the people as they went on this "big, fat diet." As we heard in my podcast interview with the producer Mary Bissell and Dr. Wortman last month, the documentary was a big hit on CBC Newsworld when My Big, Fat Diet aired earlier this year and it has gone on to become one of the most-watched documentaries of the year in Canada. Not too shabby for a film about a dying "fad" diet, huh? :)
During my trip to Phoenix, Arizona for the ASBP/Nutrition & Metabolism conference in April, Mary and Dr. Wortman showed their documentary to a group of bariatic physicians on Sunday morning and these obesity doctors just ate it up! When an announcement was made that there were copies of the DVD available for purchase at the conference store, there were droves of bariatric physicians lining up to get their own personal copy like they were purchasing concert tickets for Hannah Montana for their kids! It was mayhem--and a beautiful thing!!! :D
Up until now, people in the United States have been unable to see this surprisingly funny documentary because it has neither been shown on television here nor has it been made available for purchase on DVD. But after Mystique Films received tons of public demand since it aired in Canada, the filmmakers have finally decided the time was right to release this groundbreaking documentary about the Canadian high-fat, low-carb diet study to the masses. And you're hearing about it first here today at my blog!
Be one of the first people in your area to own a copy of My Big, Fat Diet by clicking here. You can purchase an Individual View version of the DVD (which means for your personal use inside your home) or the Public View version of the DVD (for larger audiences in a group setting) by using PayPal. You can purchase this DVD by using your Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, or PayPal account and the price includes your shipping and handling charges. I cannot think of a better gift for someone you love and care about who needs to hear about how low-carb has changed the lives of real people.
I've been inundated with e-mails from so many readers who have been waiting for this DVD to arrive. Well now it's here, so let's show Mystique Films how much we appreciate all their hard work in bringing this pro-low-carb documentary to us. ORDER TODAY and get extra copies for your doctor, your friends and family with weight and health issues, and anyone else who could stand to benefit from livin' la vida low-carb.
Special THANKS to Dr. Jay Wortman for conducting this study and to My Big, Fat Diet producer Mary Bissell who was at first skeptical about a high-fat, low-carb diet but became thoroughly convinced after she saw the changes happening to them right before her very own eyes. That's the power of this message of a healthy low-carb diet and I can't wait to hear what you think about this DVD!
"Leatherheads" is FINALLY coming to theaters on Friday, April 4, 2008
The wait is almost over and I can hardly contain myself waiting for this Friday when the romantic comedy vintage football film Leatherheads hits movie theaters across America. It was just a little more than one year ago that I was given an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to appear in this major Hollywood motion picture starring two of the hottest stars in Tinseltown today--George Clooney and Renee Zellweger. The experience of being on set for what will surely be one of the top films of 2008 is one I'll not soon forget and the anticipation leading up to this Friday to see if any of my scenes actually made it on the silver screen is killing me right now. I WANNA KNOW!!! :D
For my newer readers, it all started back in December 2006 when a local call for football players in the Greenville/Spartanburg, SC market was put out across the media and my ears perked up. Was it because I had the big strapping body of a football player because of my tremendous prowess in my younger years? HA! Yeah right, that's a good one! Remember, I was the fat kid growing up and actually I played in the band in high school.
And yet there I was waiting in line with over 1,000 other guys who were vying for their chance to be in a big-time movie. That alone was a neat experience and my story very well could have ended there. But then I got a call at the end of February 2007 from the casting director wanting to know if I still wanted to be in the Clooney flick. Uhhhh, lemme think about it--YES YES YES (and did I mention YES?!)!!! In fact, I thought I would be a football-playing extra in the film, but...
It turns out they needed me to play the role of The Doorman for the "Emerson House Hotel" (thus, the EHH on my hat) because of my height and slender body type. Uh, okay...whatever it takes to be in this movie, I'll do it. You can read all about how that glorious all-day Sunday event went in my first experience on the set of Leatherheads in downtown Greenville, South Carolina by clicking here.
I'll never forget the amazing job the wardrobe department did to make that hat work on my big head. Everything about the costume fit perfectly EXCEPT for the hat. My enlarged forehead (gee, thanks Dad!) wouldn't even allow it to come close to fitting. So they ripped the back of the hat out and put in some stretchy material so it would wrap around my head. Never mind the fact my brains felt like they were gonna squeeze out of my ears that day it was so tight! But at least it was on my head! ;)
That wasn't even the most memorable part of my story of being The Doorman, though. It turns out, this role was an integral part of the 30-second scene we were shooting because Clooney's character (Dodge Connolly) rides in on an old-timey 1920's motorcycle in front of my hotel where I am standing guard and parks it right there while swaggering his way off of it looking at me stating sarcastically, "Keep it close now, will ya?" The director instructed me to give him the dirtiest look I could and then shut the door behind Clooney after he enters the building. I'm almost 100% sure this scene will be in the final version of the film (did I say HOPING?!). The camera was just a few feet from where Clooney and I were standing during the scene and we did a bazillion takes of just this scene all day long. It's GOTTA be there!
In fact, George and Renee were in town this past week thanking our area for their hospitality during the filming and promoting the movie. Uh, yeah, I think we'll sell out a few theaters in this area just with all the extras and their families alone! But this Friday will be quite an eventful one for me and Christine because we will be participating in a special Red Carpet Gala just for the extras who were in Leatherheads. I'm getting dressed up in a tuxedo and Christine will wear her favorite black evening dress for the opening night festivities. The press will be there interviewing us about what it was like being on the set, so we'll get our few minutes of glamour and glitz!
But I've already told Christine that I wanna go see the movie earlier in the day around noon on Friday to see if my Doorman scene made it. I was also a fan in the stands for several of the football scenes that were shot in Traveler's Rest, SC and Charlotte, NC, but you'll never be able to make out the faces of the extras in those scenes. I'll be zeroing in on The Doorman scene when I'm watching the movie. It's so exciting and I'll be sure to let you know if I made the film or not (cross your fingers for me!).
Be sure to check out all my Leatherheads posts which include lots of pictures from the set, including exclusive behind-the-scenes photos of Clooney and co-star John Krasinski in action. If you happen to go see this movie, then watch for The Doorman giving George Clooney a "dirty look." That'd be me! Is it Friday yet?!
4-4-08 UPDATE: I'm in the movie!!! Christine and I went to see Leatherheads for the matinee showing at 12:30pm and there was my brief glimpse of cinematic glory about 10-15 minutes into the film. Clooney drives up on his motorcycle in front of the hotel and there I am (all 6'3" of me!) standing at attention in my green doorman outfit. They cut the scene short, but Christine about had a hissy fit seeing me in the movie. :D I'll be blogging more about this after our big Red Carpet Gala event tonight. GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!! :)
Earlier this year I told you about a brand new obesity documentary from a filmmaker named C.J. Hunt who is In Search Of The Perfect Human Diet. He's traveling all across the country meeting with some of the most prominent researchers, doctors, nutritionists, and health experts to figure out the answer to that rather daunting undertaking.
But now C.J. Hunt wants to hear from arguably the most well-informed, enthusiastic, and compelling experts yet--YOU!
That's right, he believes that the bread (low-carb, of course!) and butter of his documentary will come from the REAL LIFE stories and examples of REAL people who have made livin' la vida low-carb their permanent and healthy way to eat. You, me, and everyone who has implemented a controlled-carb, nutrient-dense lifestyle change can help shape the direction of this movie, so keep reading to find out how.
Here's a question that I want you to think about:
Is low-carb just your diet or is it now your personal mission?
In other words, are you actively involved in sharing the low-carb lifestyle with those people in your sphere of influence? Have you committed yourself to giving back to others--paying it forward, as such--for the tremendous benefits you have received from livin' la vida low-carb?
For me personally, I think most of you know the answer to that question. It is INDEED my personally mission to help educate, encourage, and inspire others to begin their own journey on the low-carb lifestyle for the sake of their weight and health. That's why I created so many different avenues for sharing that message, including through my blog, book, podcast, YouTube videos, and my new forum.
With such a miraculous and radical turnaround in my weight and health because of this healthy nutritional approach, I can't help but shout it from the mountaintops and continue to carry on the torch that the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins started some three decades ago. And I'm not alone either with literally a new low-carber popping up seemingly every minute of every day. Look at all the blogs and web sites!!!
What about YOU, though? Is low-carb just a personal dieting tool to you? Or has it become something bigger than a simple diet plan to you? If you believe livin' la vida low-carb is something special that merits an investment of your time, energy, and resources, then what kinds of actions are you doing to try to advance it?
Perhaps you know low-carb is the way that most people should be eating to manage their weight and health since obesity and diabetes have gotten completely out of control in this world of low-fat, low-calorie, portion controlled diets, but you just don't have the time nor do you care to get involved in actively promoting low-carb in the mainstream. Why is that and what is REALLY holding you back?
I know I'm getting a little deep and somewhat personal here, but this is something C.J. is sincerely interested in as an angle for his film and he will be monitoring your responses in the comments section below.
I'll assume since you visit my blog that you have some inkling of a vested interest in seeing the low-carb message actively promoted (after all, it's what I try to do on a daily basis and have been for the past 2 1/2 years). So, if you already are or could be involved in furthering the mission, then how would you do it?
How much time do you devote to sharing low-carb with others? Do you have any special talents that could be used to market the low-carb message? What about tapping into some personal contacts who could help in this effort within your sphere of influence? Finally, are you actively supporting through financial contributions those who are on the front lines of communicating the low-carb agenda?
This is a lot to take in, but it all leads to this question:
How can we all collaborate our efforts into one?
It's the big picture focus and one that I've thought about quite a bit since I began blogging here in early 2005. One of the reasons I got involved so actively was because the pro-low-carb voice was being quashed and its active defenders were few and far between.
After Dr. Atkins died, it was as if all the most ardent supporters went into hiding. What's up with that? Be bold, be strong, and trust that you have the right message for such a time as this. I've personally seen a turnaround in my life because of the Atkins diet and I'll be danged if anyone dares to tell me I can't talk about it!
Get excited and motivated because that revolution that began so many years ago is headed for a fresh new revival in a big way. With the new Gary Taubes book coming out next Tuesday and some truly remarkable research about the healthiness of saturated fat coming very soon, the positive message of livin' la vida low-carb is primed for public consumption. That's something C.J. Hunt is attempting to tap into.
One final thought about In Search Of The Perfect Human Diet is this question:
How do you think this film can help you?
If you could communicate ANYTHING in this documentary about the low-carb life, then what would you want the message to be? How do you think a film like this could or should influence the public's perception of livin' la vida low-carb and of the importance of eating in the way we have evolved to eat?
I realize I've just plopped enough questions in your lap that many of you could write a dissertation about it. But this is YOUR chance to make an impression on a movie that could be a part of the driving force to share the genuine low-carb lifestyle to an audience of people who have probably never heard it before.
Submit your comments below or you can e-mail the filmmaker C.J. Hunt directly at cjhunt3@perfecthumandiet.com. This oughta be REALLY good! I can't wait to read what you have to share.
By the way, you can invest in this upcoming documentary if you believe in the mission of what C.J. is trying to accomplish with it by becoming a Film Angel. You can even sign up NOW to get on the DVD Mailing List which you will want to do since EVERYONE who is reading this will want a copy of this movie to share with their friends and family, right? :D
THANK YOU for getting involved and feel free to get as detailed as you would like in your responses. Feel free to take a few days to think about this if you'd like, but something tells me most of you are already locked and loaded on this one!
9-21-07 UPDATE: Well, not everyone is happy with my assertion that people like me are carrying on the torch of the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins because there were defenders of low-carb living PRIOR to him. Here's what was shared in an e-mail:
Err, Jimmy - given what you yourself have posted about the work of William Banting, amongst others - could we please stop the Atkins Deification? I grant you he popularised it LATELY - but he was hardly the first. Or best.
No offense intended, but it's grating, to me, at least, and it makes it hard to take the rest of your posts seriously...
I've never stated that Dr. Atkins was the first or the best defender of livin' la vida low-carb (and I've not deified, only admired the man for his great work). But you have to admit he is the most famous name associated with this way of eating. Plus, I lost my weight and improved my health on the ATKINS diet, so naturally I'm going to give credit to him for MY experience.
Here was my e-mail response:
THANKS for your opinion, but most people are more aware of Dr. Atkins than they are William Banting. But I agree with you that livin' la vida low-carb goes back much further. And even further than Banting, too. THANKS for reading!
If this kinda petty thing irritates somebody that they think it is "hard to take the rest of your posts seriously," then I have questions about their commitment to the message of livin' la vida low-carb in the first place. But that's just me!
I appreciate all the responses so far, so keep 'em coming! :)
Jimmy Moore with INSPIRED: The Movie director Steve Yu
The debate over what the best diet for weight loss and health rages on, but one independent filmmaker is going deeper in his quest to help those two out of every three Americans who are currently overweight or obese in the United States today.
His name is Steve Yu and his upcoming film is entitled INSPIRED: The Movie. You can watch the trailer for this movie RIGHT NOW (you'll notice somebody familiar in it!):
I've been teasing you about this film over the past few weeks since Steve was in my hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina to interview me for his movie.
Steve and his filming crew were top-notch professionals
What an honor and a thrill it was even to be asked to be a part of something like this! With such well-known and highly-respected diet, health and fitness experts like "The Gazelle" creator Tony Little, former pro wrester Diamond Dallas Page, Dr. Jeff Levine from The Biggest Loser: Season 2, Mindless Eating author Dr. Brian Wansink, Harvard University nutritionists, and many others already on board in support of this project, I have no doubt in my mind this will be a HUGE hit when it releases in 2008.
I talked about my blog and podcast show during the interview
You can check out the official blog for INSPIRED: The Movie for special messages directly from the heart of the director as he has taken this journey over the past two years to give people the hope they have been craving so much. This isn't just another movie about obesity. I sincerely believe this film will impact tens of thousands to become inspired enough to begin their own personal weight loss journey, too. I know that's what Steve would like to see happen.
Posing with Steve and his lovely wife Mariah after the interview
You see, Steve and his beautiful bride Mariah are also inspirational regarding the power of a changed life as both of them have transformed their bodies from slightly flabby blobs of flesh into lean mean muscle machines that look absolutely fantastic! When I saw their before pictures, I was floored! They are an impressive duo.
I shared what was on my heart during the interview
While I was sharing my low-carb weight loss success story with Steve, he became quite intrigued by my brother Kevin who at the time I thought had given up on losing weight. In fact, he captured precisely what I was feeling at the moment about Kevin in this brief video clip from INSPIRED: The Movie. Be sure to subscribe to their YouTube page for more video clips.
Following the interview with me, Steve asked if I thought Kevin would be interested in being in the movie, too. I told him I would ask Kevin and see--not surprisingly, Kevin said YES! But I was also surprised to learn Kevin is now losing weight. Perhaps this experience being filmed in a couple of weeks will be the impetus he needs to FINALLY lose the weight for good. We can hope and pray!
Director Steve Yu listens intently during the interview
While there is creative freedom in making a documentary like this, one of the real challenges is raising the funds to cover the expenses of such an undertaking. INSPIRED: The Movie is no different. If you are as passionate about seeing this movie exposed to the audience that needs to hear it, then consider donating through PayPal or sending a check made payable to INSPIRED: The Movie, 1281 Aalto Main NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30318. A donation of ANY size will be GREATLY appreciated!
Filming my interview for INSPIRED: The Movie in my living room
This is an historic opportunity to be a part of something worthwhile that's bigger and more meaningful than simply going through the motions of life. It's about changing lives, helping people, sharing hope, and, more than anything, giving that despondent dieter a chance to be INSPIRED! What more could you ask for?
But the draw of this movie is THE George Clooney who has notably appeared in the television show ER and in a series of hit blockbuster flicks like The Perfect Storm, Ocean's Eleven, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and countless others. This new movie set to release in early 2008 will be Clooney's most ambitious one yet since he is so heavily vested in its success. I wouldn't be surprised to see this film about the birth of professional football in the 1920's nominated for a few Academy Awards.
Dressing up in period costume was a neat part of being an extra
Although I was only on set for four total days, it felt much longer! It wasn't all glamour and glitz, but it was worthy of several blog posts I wrote here about being on the "Leatherheads" set. Check 'em all out at my "Leatherheads" links blog post.
If you'd like to see even more stories from extras on the "Leatherheads" set, then you will definitely want to check out the new web site called TheLeatherheads.com. The brainchild of fellow "Leatherheads" extra Jim Fair, this is the perfect companion for the movie and serve as a bit of nostalgia for those of us in the North and South Carolina areas who were privileged to play the role of an extra.
This site is still a work in progress, so be sure to check back often for updates. Click here to read the stories of the other extras on the set. THANKS for creating this site, Jim, and I'll cherish my own special "Leatherheads" page at your web site.
A shot of football actors during filming of the movie "Leatherheads"
Ever since I thought I might have a chance at being in "Leatherheads," the upcoming 1920's period film which is actually a romantic comedy about the birth of professional football directed by and starring the one and only Hollywood superstar George Clooney (do you see him in that picture above--probably not since it's so small, but he's the one wearing #7 on the left-hand side), I've kinda felt like good things were about to happen for me.
Then when I got the fateful call late last month that the casting director wanted to use me as an extra in what is sure to be a blockbuster flick when it comes out in early 2008, I was totally surprised but overjoyed at the opportunity.
There's Jimmy Moore in his doorman costume in "Leatherheads"
A few weeks ago, I experienced my first time ever on the set of the "Leatherheads" movie during the taping of a scene where I portray the doorman of a hotel. That was an awesome time since my character was the only extra in the scene that Clooney's character actually talks to. They miked me up to give a line back, but then decided I didn't need one. YES I DO! PLEASE! LOL!
Nevertheless, it was still a fun experience and I thought that was the end of my work as an extra on a Hollywood film. But then I got another call from the casting office for "Leatherheads" earlier this week asking me if I would like to do some more extra work. Uh, let me think about it...HOW MANY WAYS CAN YOU SAY YES?! They said filming would begin on Thursday and last through Saturday if I could make it. You bet your sweet bippy me, myself, and I will all be there.
One of the old-timey cars used on the set of "Leatherheads"
What a weekend it was! The scenes were shot in a town about 45 minutes from my house called Travelers Rest, South Carolina and were all about simulating a football game during the movie where Clooney's team, which he is the quarterback, along with John Krasinski from NBC's The Office, who portrays the rising star of this new football league, are on their way to the big championship game. That's where some nearly 400 or so extras were strategically placed in certain sections of the stands and given instructions to cheer, react, and make the moviegoer believe we are responding to what's happening on the field. Through the magic of CGI, we'll be about 20,000 people when you watch the movie. COOL!
I don't think people have any idea how much time and energy goes into making a two-hour film happen, but I will tell you it's quite exhausting. And I've only been on the set for a few days--I can't imagine what it's like to be a member of the crew for the 5:00am reporting time to be on set and then working until past 8:00pm most nights. You think I'm joking, but those are the grueling hours so they can try to squeeze in every last second of work into each day to make the film what it needs to be.
It was surreal seeing everyone dressed in 1920's attire
You won't hear me complaining about it, though, because this is Hollywood baby! The hourly pay is only $7.00 for extras, but I'd do it for FREE just for a chance to be seen in a film expected to be watched by millions of people worldwide on the silver screen and then when it comes to DVD. Although my second experience on the set began on Thursday, they actually began shooting these scenes in Travelers Rest last Sunday when the co-star of "Leatherheads" Renee Zellweger was on the set. Oh dang, I hate I missed that and wish I'd been there! I still haven't seen her yet.
The extras who were there on Sunday and then again on Wednesday said I was lucky I didn't work those days because the heat was so unbearable. We had record-high temperatures here in the Upstate of South Carolina with the highs reaching in the mid-to-upper 80's in the middle of March. That wouldn't be bad if this was a movie set on a beach or if the costumes were shorts and T-shirts. But they had everyone wrapped up in layers of wool coats, scarfs, and top hats like they wore in the 1920's that got just a wee bit toasty under the baking sun.
This was my outfit as a football fan in "Leatherheads"
When I arrived on the set on Thursday, there was a significant cooling trend that came through and kept the highs in the lower 60's. Ahhhh, much better. Even still, it was very windy, cloudy, and a fine mist of rain was coming down for a while during our filming (FOOTBALL WEATHER!). In fact, at one point the rain began coming down hard enough that they sent us all back inside to eat lunch while they waited for Mother Nature to cooperate. I suppose unpredictable weather is one of those things that filmmakers deal with and can't really control.
We ended up waiting in the extras holding area for about seven hours before a member of the casting crew came in and said, "Okay, you can go home for the day." Yep, that's how it goes. The natives were getting restless from being bored out of our minds doing nothing and we were hoping for more action come Friday. We weren't disappointed. After another 5:00am call time, we were on the set by 8:00am and got in a LOT of filming of various takes, retakes, retakes, and...(did I mention we had some retakes? Hee hee!) before lunch came at 2:00pm.
There were several times when the camera passed right in front of where I was sitting, walking, or standing. It's all orchestrated to make the scene look as authentic as possible. Unlike my scene as the doorman where I'm pretty sure I will be seen, it's hit or miss whether these scenes that the camera caught me in will actually show up in the final cut. We'll just have to wait and see when it hits the big screen.
One of the scenes was with Clooney doing the Statue of Liberty play where Krasinski was supposed to come behind him for the handoff. Unfortunately, these are actors and not athletes, so we saw a few fumblerooskis and dropped balls along the way. It was funny because all of the extras in the stands would start booing them. But it was all in good fun, though, and they eventually pulled the scenes off to make them look believable. Clooney threw a pretty good spiral, too!
Speaking of the aforementioned Mr. Krasinski, who I admittedly had never heard of before this (I just don't get the comedy on The Office), he was a hoot on the set. We were about 100 feet away from him sitting in the stands, but you could hear him cracking jokes and keeping the football actors, extras, and crew loose on the set. I'm sure his name will become QUITE familiar after this co-starring role in "Leatherheads" with Clooney and Zellweger.
One more thing that was funny about Krasinski was when they had him running the length of the field down the sideline for a big play and he'd have to do the take about 10 times. Instead of hopping on the camera cart, he simply turned around and sprinted back to his starting position. That's impressive for an actor although he did look a bit lanky running down the field. I'm sure the magic of Hollywood will make him look like a pro! :)
We were graced with a little extra excitement when one of the football-playing actors portraying the character of "Big Gus" (you'll know exactly who this is when you see the movie--he'll be hard to miss because of his weight) noticed a member of the paparazzi hiding in the woods ostensibly trying to take photos of Clooney for his newspaper or magazine. When "Big Gus" saw this guy, he suddenly started pointing and yelling to the top of his lungs, "Hey, hey, get out of here. I see you, you've been outed. Now get out of here."
Of course, everyone on the set looked in the direction "Big Gus" was pointing and saw an embarrassed photographer scrambling to get away fast enough. As the guy tripped several times while attempting to leave, all the extras start laughing at him and then cheered "Big Gus" for spotting this creep. On Wednesday, police actually snuck up behind another photographer and arrested him, according to the extras who were working that day. The officers found him covered in kudzu attempting to camoflauge himself. It obviously didn't work! Are these people THAT hard up to get a photo of Clooney? Sheez!
I won this "Leatherheads" banner during a drawing on Friday
During some of our downtime in the extras holding area on Friday, they had a drawing for some "Leatherheads" knick-knacks. My name was pulled out of the jar and I won that banner you see above. It'll be a nice reminder of my experience in the film. But I'll have many more memories in my head watching Clooney in his role as both actor and director. This man is very good at what he does and showed it quite often over these past few days. What an honor it was to be a part of his film.
This is the "thank you" letter they gave to the "Leatherheads" extras
As we were wrapping up work on the film for the weekend, all the extras got a signed letter from the Extras Casting Director for "Leatherheads" named Tona B. Dahlquist thanking us for being a part of the movie. Um, I think WE should be the ones thanking YOU for the opportunity to be a part of something like this--so, THANK YOU! I don't know how people do this for a living with all the hard work that goes into it, but it sure is exciting for those of us who live somewhat "normal" lives in comparison.
But my Hollywood experience isn't over yet! They've asked me to travel a couple of hours north to Charlotte, North Carolina for more scenes as a football fan this Thursday, April 5th. If the call time is 5:00am, then I guess I'll be getting up at 2:00am that day to get ready and then drive there. It'll be a long day I'm sure, but hopefully it will be worth my while if I get into the movie for a few more glancing seconds. I'm excited. I'm stoked. Ready or not, world, here I come. :D
I've only got a few seconds to blog so I can get some shut-eye for my loaded weekend that starts at 5:00am on Thursday. So I'll just shoot a few posts up and squeeze in a blog here and there when I can.
Where will I be? Hollywood called again and they want me back for George Clooney's upcoming 1920's movie "Leatherheads." Although I thought originally I was going to portray a football player in the film, they used me as a doorman in the previous scene (I actually got into a scene with Clooney himself delivering a line to me--COOL!).
They'll need me again as an extra in the football stands for filming on Thursday through Saturday about 45 minutes from my house. So, I'll be staying in a hotel near the set and blog when I can. But I expect the taping will go from sun up to sun down every single day the next three days in a row! Wish me luck...or is that break a leg? No, please don't wish that one on me! LOL!
You know, I REALLY wish I was wrong about Chris Sligh on American Idol when I blogged about his weight being a liability in the competition. Although I don't think he helped himself on Tuesday night with a horrid version of the classic song "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The Police, you can't help but think his pudgy appearance might not have appealed to the voting audience very well.
How else do you explain Sanjaya Malakar surviving and not even making the bottom three...AGAIN! I guess radio shock jock Howard Stern and his endorsement of the "Vote For The Worst" campaign is having an impact. People can't possibly like that screechy voice and who the heck has ever seen anyone do a mohawk with pony tails like he had on Tuesday?! That show's getting weirder and weirder to me!
By the way, I got a call from a newspaper columnist in Michigan who read my column about weight being a factor on Idol and the reporter interviewed me for about 30 minutes to get my take about the subject for a feature story that will run either late this week or early next. When the article runs, I'll post it on my blog so you can read it. How about that? Jimmy Moore is now a commentator on entertainment news. HA! Yeah right! But hey, I've got opinions and I shared them quite openly.
I wish I had more time to blog, but my sleepy eyes are setting in and that alarm clock will come buzzing early tomorrow. I'm taking my camera with me this time and I'll get pictures when I'm allowed to. They don't allow them on the set since the movie is set before digital cameras and cell phones were even conceptualized. SEE YA SOON!
Get ready, America, because there are a whole bunch of obesity awareness documentaries coming out in the next year following in the footsteps of surprising hits like Morgan Spurlock's "Super Size Me" and the recently-released Eric Schlosser film "Fast Food Nation."
I am aware of three new documentaries currently in production, including this one looking for people who have been scammed by weight loss gimmicks and another one that will feature a host of experts (including low-carb supporter Dr. Michael Eades, among many others) as well as influential people who are seeking to educate people about getting healthy.
The third one is from a company called ShineBox Media Productions based in Salt Lake City, Utah. This yet-to-be-titled documentary will be examining the political and socio-economic effects of the global obesity epidemic in an edgy, off-the-street account from real people struggling to figure out how we got in this obesity mess to begin with.
Obesity film director Steven Greenstreet and producer Bryan Young
The dynamic duo brainchild behind this movie are film industry veterans Steven Greenstreet and Bryan Young. Young says obesity has become much too large, both figuratively and literally, to ignore any longer.
"The issue of obesity is absolutely staggering," he said. "When you think of the sheer numbers of it, more than 65% of all Americans are overweight or obese, and being overweight or obese causes problems that decrease our length and quality of life significantly. And we're finding that there are more causes to the problem than simply the notion that Americans are eating more and exercising less."
This is a point I make quite often here at my blog and I'm glad to see an independent film company is seeking to get the word out about it as well. I am especially pleased to learn they will expose the special interests in the fast food and soft drink industries who have convinced our government leaders to refrain from criticizing their products when there is clear culpability with what they are selling.
"It's important to note that there were no representatives from any credible medical associations on the list of those attending the President's recent conference on obesity," Young added. "It seems to me that one would want to consult the leaders in the field of obesity when discussing private sector strategies to deal with it."
Since Young's documentary is still in the filming stages and is scheduled for release later this year, he is looking for people to share their story with him. There are two very specific needs he is looking to fill, including an obese single mother who is stressed out as well as a burning-the-candle-at-both-ends overweight business man. Does this describe YOU? If so, then they want your story!
But they are pretty much open to reading the experience of ANYONE who has something relevant to share that is somewhat unique and would fit the overall theme of the film. If you aren't afraid of being filmed and want to take advantage of this opportunity to share your journey--whether you are already a weight loss success or still trying to figure out how you got to be overweight in the first place--then simply send an e-mail to contact@shineboxmp.com.
Don't delay because production will be wrapping up soon! Let them hear from you and all the sordid details of what you have to offer them TODAY.
2-8-07 UPDATE: The filmmakers added a link to this post at their blog today. :)
