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February 05, 2008
Part of the Movie
It was amazing! I arrived at Castro Theater not expecting much more than watching the documentary The Times of Harvey Milk. What I got was Gus Van Sant, Emile Hirsh, and several other actors, directors, and producers, on stage talking about the production and their connection to the movie and Harvey Milk.
Watching the film at the Castro Theater was fantastic. Seeing it on the big screen with a theater full of gays was great. Finally, when the movie was over they brought out the SF Marching Band and the SF Gay Mens Chorus.
Finally the shooting (not literally). Two marches, different settings. The first march was the march after Anita Bryants march on family values. It wasn't an angry march but one that needed to be done. The crowd started as casual, unfocused until Sean Penn Harvey jumped up on the stage and spoke. The crowd responded and followed him off and into the march chanting "Gay Rights For All". I got a whistle to blow *giggle*....
They filmed about 5 takes before changing the scene on the same march. As they did, I was amazed when I looked up and saw Sean Penn less that 3 feet from me. He really does looks fantastic as Harvey Milk and the makeup people did a great job.
The second scene for the march had us miming the chants and raising our fists. It makes me remember I'm just an extra by being so silent, however recreating the march made me feel even more connected to San Francisco and the gay community here.
The last scene (I stayed for) was to film the march after the Witchita rulings. For this we were supposed to be pissed. I had found a few people that I knew by now and joking around with each other made it difficult to be pissed off. I didnt expect to be a part of the film until I looked up and noticed more cameras on top of the Castro Theater sign. Who knows, I may see myself or people I know in this movie. How cool is that.
We did the scene about 5 times and before I could handle any more of the cold, I handed in my whistle and decided to grab food and a cocktail. I can hardly wait to watch the movie. This Friday will be another filming of a march. David and I will both participate in that. It should be more fun since he'll be there with me.
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edited: some of the people on stage
photos from Localcolorist on Flickr
Emile Hirsh, Diego Luna, and Gus Van Zandt
Gus Van Sant
Rob Epstein (director of Times of Harvey Milk)
Posted by Des at February 5, 2008 05:33 AM