I thought I'd sidetrack things a bit after seeing this trailer for the film 'The Perks of Being A Wallflower' which was filmed in Pittsburgh and mostly in my own backyard.
The film is based on the book written by Stephen Chbosky who graduated from my high school, and incidentally, the same school where the 'Central Park Jogger' graduated from whose story was featured in an episode of CI. I bought the book and read through voraciously as I just couldn't put it down.
Wanting to keep true to his book, especially with the references to locations, Stephen chose to film in and around Pittsburgh. I've never had filming so close to me and I joined the casting agency in hopes of becoming an extra in the movie. I was called a couple of times but unfortunately when I called back the positions were already taken...I just wasn't fast enough.
A friend of mine got in and was called to be in a few of the scenes.
The trailer shows one of the scenes in which Emma Watts' character stands in the bed of a pickup truck to ride through the Fort Pitt Tunnel. 'The tunnels' or 'tubes' are carved through the highest mountain in Pittsburgh...'Mount Washington', and provide access from the suburban 'South Hills' to the inner city of downtown Pittsburgh.
At the time, the tunnels were closed for the filming of this scene but done at night when less traffic would be effected. Reminded me of the time the tunnels were closed for my brother, who had a fractured skull and needed to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. He was nine years old and thought it very exciting while we the family were beside ourselves with worry. Everything turned out fine, though any hopes of a football career were dashed.
The ride through the tunnel is a source of pride for Pittsburghers because at the other end is one of the most spectacular views of the city...it's breath-taking. And now it is captured on film.
Since I didn't get to be in the film, I did go to a couple of the locations where it was being filmed nearby. The photo I posted below was at a church down the street from where I live. The craft services people were very kind to all of us and arranged for us to take photos. I was one mingled in with a group of young girls who knew who was who but I only really knew of Emma Watts and a couple of others in the cast. The girls were adorable and their excitement was contagious.
This is Zane Holtz who plays the main character's brother. He was extremely nice and gracious.
I visited another location at a restaurant down the street but it was really late at night and my photos didn't turn out well enough to post. All the scenes were being filmed inside and we were barricaded off from really seeing anything save for when the cast marched by.
Still another location was at a theatre, and for a scene showing the cast watching and participating in the movie ''The Rocky Horror Picture Show''. That same theatre is where the movie ran continuously for years...and held a record...and where I first saw it and got initiated by a wallop in the face with a hotdog. Those who are RHPS experts will understand the reference.
''Based on the novel written by Stephen Chbosky, this is about 15-year-old Charlie (Logan Lerman), an endearing and naive outsider, coping with first love (Emma Watson), the suicide of his best friend, and his own mental illness while struggling to find a group of people with whom he belongs. The introvert freshman who is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world.''
The opening is on September 14TH and I can't wait to see it!
