More than 80 percent of the upcoming film 21 Grams, starring Sean Penn, Naomi Watts and Benicio Del Toro, is shot in Memphis, according to the film’s location scout Alex Graham, a University of Memphis communication major.
According to Graham, who first began work as a location scout for Universal Studios by photographing Memphis last July, Memphis was vying, out of ten different cities, to be the location for the filming of 21 Grams.
“The director and producers picked Memphis for its variety—from urban to upper class,” Graham said.
“There are three economic levels for three characters and their lives converge over one event. Memphis offers a nice cross-section of looks,” Graham said.
Scenes have been shot in Cordova, Bartlett, Chickasaw Gardens and the Highland and Summer area, said Graham.
“Another plus of Memphis is that the people are really friendly. People let you into their homes to photograph and film, while in some places, they slam the door in your face,” Graham said.
Despite the presence of stars Penn and Watts, there have been no security issues, according to Graham, who said he tried to avoid bothering the celebrities.
“On the set you just don’t go up asking for autographs. You realize that they are just doing their jobs like you are,” Graham said.
The extra’s job involves long waits, standing in fake rain, and staying quiet, said U of M student Lauren Rickman.
Rickman said her mother heard an announcement on the radio that extras were needed. She went to the Belz Factory Outlet Mall to apply.
“Application, Polaroid, staple, throw it in the box—it was a very unglamorous process,” Rickman said.
A big box was full to the top with applications, Rickman said.
“I didn’t actually think they were ever going to call me,” Rickman said.
However, according to Rickman, they called her back with specific instructions about what she could and could not wear.
Excessive makeup, fingernail polish, and black or white clothing were forbidden.
Rickman said she had to meet at 6:30 a.m. in Chickasaw Gardens, where they were shooting a house scene.
“For six hours we did nothing—they fed us breakfast in a tent. I took a nap,” Rickman said.
Then Rickman said those in the tent were told to meet at the downtown YMCA. Some were told to park their cars like they were in a traffic jam, and the others were told to change into gym clothes.
“I was selected to stand outside of the YMCA like I was waiting for a ride,” Rickman said.
Firemen came to hook up hoses to hydrants to help make the fake rain, according to Rickman.
“I got soaking wet, and it took forever; I got sick from being out there all day, but it was well worth it,” Rickman said.
Rickman said she was instructed by the extras casters not to talk to Sean Penn or ask for his autograph.
“He messed up his line once and he yelled the “‘f’ word” and punched a wall. I wasn’t expecting it, so it scared me, but other than that he seemed to be a cool guy,” Rickman said.
“He was a foot away. I could have reached out and touched him.”
Watts was constantly on her cell phone, and Penn was always smoking between takes, Rickman said.
Later that night, David Spade showed up on the set, and Rickman said she was able to get autographs for herself and her sister.
Rickman said she was paid $56.55 for 10 hours plus $15 extra for getting wet.
“I absolutely had to do it. I am such a movie buff anyway so I wanted to go behind the scenes. Despite the fact Penn wasn’t very pleasant, the extras were very nice people,” Rickman said.
21 Grams refers to the amount the soul weighs, according to Rickman, who was given certain plot information.
“DelToro plays an ex-con, who hits Watts and her two children in a car accident. Watt’s husband’s heart is donated to Penn, who plays a mathematician with a heart problem, who goes to meet Watts to show appreciation,” Rickman said.
Graham said he was cast for a small speaking part, of about three lines, with Sean Penn. The scene, to be shot this month, is something Graham said he is nervous about because he has no previous acting experience.
“I have gotten to be part of the whole process from square one. I’m going to talk to Steve Ross’ production and directing class about the experience,” Graham said. “But it has really taught me that you can never really learn until you get out there and do it.”
