Star-struck

I have been working in downtown Sudbury at a physiotherapy clinic for almost 20 years. I start at 7:30 a.m. Things are usually quiet as I drive through back alleyways to get to my parking spot.

Last Thursday, however, (Nov. 3), I was greeted with something a little out of the ordinary. Halfway down the alley, I spotted a police officer, and then some other people, bright lights, and Hollywood actors.

They were filming a movie - right here in Sudbury! Next to my workplace! The movie, as you probably know by now, is called “The Truth,” and features such Hollywood heavyweights such as Andy Garcia, Forest Whitaker and Eva Longoria.

As I parked my car and walked into work, it was impossible not to notice the long trailers parked along Larch Street and the flurry of activity. A sign with the words “The Truth” led extras and other workers to the set, located directly behind the Coulson Hotel. I was grateful I had my camera and was on high alert for celebrity sightings.

My lunch hour was happily spent peering out our upstairs boardroom window, like the paparazzi, checking out the action and taking a few pictures. How exciting to have a bird's eye view, all to myself!

It was interesting to watch how a movie scene comes together, and the equipment and collaboration it takes to get the scene “just right.” It’s definitely a team effort.

I watched as Mike Dagostino, Andy Garcia’s stand-in, walked through scenes and then someone yelled, “Quiet on the Set” as the real Andy Garcia stepped out into the limelight for the final take.

On Saturday, Nov. 12 I found myself, alongside other captivated spectators, young and old alike, in the parking garage at the Rainbow Centre, watching some exciting gunfight scenes and a car chase scene happening right below us on Elm Street.

The gunfire was loud and incited an internal jolt, even through I knew it wasn’t real. Kevin Durand, an accomplished actor who hails from Thunder Bay, was standing on the roof of Pizza Pizza on Elm Street with a sniper rifle!

I was told today, from someone who works at a mine in Sudbury, that Andy Garcia was supposed to go underground today, as he expressed an interest in this.

Unfortunately, that was cancelled when somebody was hurt on set.

Sadly, I did not have a run-in with a celebrity, but many people I know did. When I picked up my coffee at La Boulangerie Du Village on Larch Street this morning, I noticed that Eva, Andy and Forest had graciously autographed Bob’s chalkboard. Bob is easy to make friends with. Have you tried his cookies?

I can’t wait for “The Truth” to be released in theatres and to see the scenes put together. Thank you all for welcoming Hollywood to our doorstep and showing them all that Sudbury has to offer. I think they were able to get everything they needed here, and I hope they enjoyed themselves.

Janet Young is an amateur photographer who likes to share community events with Sudburians.