By Jana Cone
TIFTON
May 08, 2007 10:49 pm
—
They came from far and wide Tuesday to audition for “The Legend of Hogzilla” movie. Although the auditions were scheduled to start at 5 p.m., lines started forming outside the Tift Theatre in downtown Tifton by 3 p.m.
The Fox 5 television station out of Atlanta came down to film the “Hogzilla mania” that had hit Tifton.
Dottie Freeman, director of the Tift Theatre, was happy about the auditions. “Anytime I get to show off our theater, I like it,” she said.
All of the movie production crew was on hand early, setting up for the auditions.
Rick Trimm, producer, was busy getting everyone organized.
Shelly Adams, set manager and business partner, was busy assisting. “I’m everybody’s assistant,” she said.
Daniel West, the writer and director, was also on hand.
“The script is almost complete,” he said. “I’d say I have 3/4 of it on paper.”
West said, “Today, no one will be reading from a script. That will be the next step, at the screen test. Today we are just trying to see the way they speak and walk and move. See how they react to things.”
Chris Griffin, the man who killed Hogzilla in Alapaha, made a late arrival. “His boss wouldn’t let him off work early,” Trimm explained.
Bill Coursey, the man who killed Son of Hogzilla in Fayetteville, brought his stuffed hog’s head for viewing. It was the first public appearance for the big hog head.
Everywhere people were wearing Hogzilla T-shirts.
Wayne Cannon was at the start of the line that eventually wound all the way down the sidewalk. Cannon came from Hazelhurst to try out for a part in the locally produced movie.
“I saw it on Yahoo News,” he said. “I’m interested in all aspects of movie-making.” Cannon said that if he didn’t get a part he was hoping he could work behind the camera.
Robert Underwood came over from Fitzgerald. “I hunt hogs,” he said. “I saw that hog head (of Son of Hogzilla). Unbelievable!”
Ten-year-old Russell Quinter was in line with his mother. They drove to Tifton from Watkinsville, near Athens. “He’s a Hogzilla fan,” his mother said.
Eight-year-old Chastity Dillard was one of the youngest try-outs. Her mother, Kimberly, brought her over from Brookfield. “We need to be famous,” she said.
Tyron Smith heard about the auditions from a friend and came over from Homerville.
Jack Mills is a senior citizen from Moultrie who came to try out.
Robin Wilchey came from Warner Robins because she in interested in both horror films and acting. “Put the two together and I’m ready,” she said.
Sixteen-year-old Kaleb Stone was one of the few people from Tifton who came for the audition. “I’m hoping it will be a way out of Tifton,” he said, adding. “It’s time for a change.”
Nineteen-year-old Jessica Corona came over from Moultrie. “I hope I get a part,” she said. “It’s exciting!”
Curt Brown drove in from Dublin. “I love horror movies,” he said. “I watch them when my wife will let me.”
Auditions continue tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the Tift Theatre.
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