The question “what do you want to be when you grow up?” reverberates through the years. At 8- years- old my plan was not management and marketing. My childhood dream was to be an actress. Although I chose a different direction later in life, Berry recently gave me the opportunity for my five seconds of fame. Last April, Berry College served as the backdrop for the television pilot “, The Following,” starring Kevin Bacon. Dozens of students were chosen to be extras, I was not one of them. I live by the motto, “where there’s a will there’s a way.” On this occasion, persistence worked in my favor because there was no way Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy and Maggie Grace were going to film here and I not be a part of it.
I knew it was the day of production after stumbling over cords, cameras and a ton of strange men flooding the hallway while walking to my first class, not to mention the cranes outside Green Hall. The day was a giddy rush, actually making it as an extra, professionals choosing your outfits, and seeing famous actors walk by. Our first scene was with James Purefoy and Maggie Grace in one of the Business School classrooms. We spent two hours shooting a scene that would last 30 seconds! I couldn’t have imagined the labor that goes into film production. This experience has changed the way in which I enjoy and appreciate entertainment. This picture was taken the night of the season premiere, January 21,
2013 off the TV, hence the blurriness. I am seated on the front row to
the right of James Purefoy, my signature pink back pack got a debut too.
After completion of this scene I was chosen to be a stand in for Maggie Grace, which means the director and cameramen had me lie where she would so they could set the lighting and angles. This was the highlight of my day, talking with the production crew and director Marcos Siega, who directed Vampire Diaries and Dexter. He took the picture of me lying down for the scene when Maggie Grace is stabbed. After everything was set I got to watch her act out the scene and snap a picture with her!
We filmed three more scenes but I wasn’t featured in any other shots, but my best friend and I did get real close to Kevin Bacon and sit behind scenes on one of the shots. It’s a day I will never forget. Almost a year later, vivid memories thrive of profusely sweating from dressing in sweaters in 70 degree weather, the thrill of the hustle and bustle, and my five seconds of fame on national television. Two of my favorite movies, Remember the Titans and Sweet Home Alabama were filmed at Berry and now one of my favorite TV shows. It’s experiences like these that I am forever grateful I chose Berry. Even though a huge event like that couldn’t have been predicted, Berry College ensures first--hand experience and four years you’ll remember forever.