By Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com Editor
GAMBIER – I spent a unique Sunday on the campus of Kenyon College as an extra in a feature length film being shot in Knox County this month, “Looking for the Jackalope.” Written by Kenyon grad Karl Shefelman, it’s the story of a Kenyon alumnus who makes a difficult trip from New York City back to Gambier to meet up with his college sweetheart at a class reunion. Our scene was at the beer tent at said reunion across from Peirce Hall. As extras, we didn’t have any lines and were instructed to pantomime talk and pretend to drink beer while the crew filmed a few scenes. Some of the extras got to dance to a great band brought in for the scene.
It was a great experience to see what goes on behind the scenes. Many people made up the crew including camera operators, directors, producers and people running around in black clothes with serious looks on their faces. Since we were unpaid, the crew was extremely nice to the extras, providing us with lunch, water and a dry place to run to when the thunderstorms hit. Some of Knox County’s familiar theater folk were also there as extras, many of whom I had seen the previous weekend in Shrek, the Musical. Speaking of locals, Matt Starr, who played Shrek, is one of Jackalope’s producers. MTVarts’ Bruce Jacklin is the art director and Aaron Moreland the casting director.
I don’t know if the back of my head or maybe my elbow will make it into the film, but being there was quite the experience. I got to meet some interesting fellow extras and got a free lunch on top of that. If you ever have the chance to act as an extra, it’s well worth your time.
To see a teaser of the film click here.
