Matthew at the game

Lisa Smith, a Marshall University majorette, shared this photo of her and Matthew McConaughey at the Green and White game on Saturday, April 22.

From a reader

Here is a picture of my son and daughter with McG during one of the afternoon film shootings downtown. Huntley (with headphones, helping out McG!) and Lauren (black jacket) were in Huntington during their spring break visiting family. My father was Parker Ward Sr., who was killed on the Marshall plane crash. We have enjoyed keeping up with everything on your Web site, since we live in Louisville, Ky. You have had amazing coverage and fabulous pictures. Go Herd!
Thanks!
Stephen Ward

One last week

It seems like only yesterday that the cast and crew of "We Are Marshall" arrived in town. Alas, come Saturday, they will be finished with filming here and move on to Atlanta. If you read my story Sunday about the economic impact of having production here, you probably noticed executive producer Brent O'Connor's comment that it costs nearly $250,000 more to film here each week that it will in Atlanta (because of certain economic incentives). Warner Bros. Pictures' officials said they would prefer staying here, but it's just not economically feasible.

In the meantime, we can expect one last week of shooting here -- with things wrapping up Saturday at Marshall's Green/White game.

On the plus side, I have found out that I will be going to Atlanta sometime in May or early June to cover some of the production there. When I find out more, I will let you guys know. Meanwhile, keep your experiences coming -- I really enjoy reading them.

A quick peck on the cheek

Spring Valley High sophomore Megan Price got a chance to meet Matthew Fox on April 2 while he was filming in Kenova. "That evening after I got home from school, my mom and I walked down to the house (where they were filming) to see what was going on," Megan said. "We got there just as Matthew Fox was getting ready to leave. I ran up to him, got my picture with, and, with his permission, kissed him on the cheek, just as his agent rushed him away. It was one of the most exciting moments of my life!"

Autism Services Center got a quick snapshot of Matthew McConaughey on his way to the stage for the "We Are Marshall" block party on April 1.

Tuesday's fountain scene

Just quickly wanted to note that I enjoyed meeting many of you during Tuesday's Memorial Fountain scene at Marshall, including Dr. Robert Smith, a retired orthopedic surgeon (thanks again, Doc, for taking such good care of me as an 11-year-old with a severely broken left arm).

Thank you, Roe Johnson, for your personal account and for your honest show of emotions. Thanks, Red Dawson, for taking the time to talk, despite lots of demands on your time, including the autograph signings (you're becoming quite the celeb).

And for all of you whom I didn't have the pleasure of meeting -- something very special happened today -- it was in the air like mystical electricity. I'm sure McG and company captured that essence for "We Are Marshall."

Matthew Fox visits Harvest Gospel Studio

Dale Scragg, recording engineer with Harvest Gospel Studio near Lavalette, had the pleasure of hosting actor Matthew Fox last Friday. He said the "Lost" star, who is portraying Red Dawson in "We Are Marshall," appeared to do voice-over work for the hit ABC show. Scragg explained that some of Fox's dialogue in a scene where he's running through the jungle had to be re-recorded and will air on the next upcoming episode, which airs locally at 9 p.m. Wednesday on WCHS-TV.

"He was super nice," Scragg said of Fox. "He hung out for a little bit."

Scragg said he initially received a call from a Warner Bros. Pictures official about an actor needing to do the voice-over work.

"I had not idea who it was," he said. "We do work with national gospel acts, but have never had anything quite like this."

Meeting Matthew Fox

Emily Ferguson, left, Gabbie Marcum, Chelsea Seay and Morgan Ferguson got a chance to meet Matthew Fox in Kenova on April 8. They took this picture with him while the cast was taking a lunch break from shooting scenes on Barger Hill in Kenova. "My daughters and I were there along with some of their friends and Matthew was kind enough to take time out for pictures and autographs," Rhonda Pauley said.

Meeting Matthew Fox/Hollywood needs you

Hey guys,

If you didn't gather from my story (which will be available in print and online Saturday), Matthew Fox is a classy guy. His respect for the Marshall story is evident, and he was a joy to meet during Friday's news conference. I think I'll be watching a lot more "Lost" (thanks, Maureen, for the Season 1 DVD).

One more thing: McG and company need you guys very much on Monday and Tuesday for large crowd scenes. The Monday scene will be one of the most important in "We Are Marshall." Read my stories online for more details and let your spirit be seen and heard.

A brush with fame

Natalie White ran into Matthew Mcconaughey on Thursday outside the old HIMG building while leaving the set. "He came over to the group of people I was standing with, by his truck, and talked to everybody for a few minutes, signed some autographs and took alot of pictures," White said. "He was very nice, and was very happy to accommodate the crowd's request and left everybody with smiles on their faces and good memories."

You can still be an extra/Show your spirit

Hey guys,

Just spoke with Basil Iwanyk, Warner Bros. Pictures' producer of "We Are Marshall." He said filmmakers need thousands of locals to show their spirit during large crowd scenes Monday and Tuesday on Marshall's campus. Filmmakers would like an atmosphere reminiscent of Saturday's block party near the Keith-Albee Theatre. For many more details, read my story in the Friday paper (and online, of course).

Marshall student runs into David Strathairn

We received an e-mail from Justin Carpenter, who spotted Oscar-nominated actor David Strathairn on Marshall's campus Tuesday. Strathairn as he was watching tennis at the tennis courts at Marshall. "It was unbelievable to see such a great actor just standing around on our campus, watching tennis," Carpenter said. "He was very kind and posed for a picture. I thanked him from coming and telling this amazing story of triumph and he couldn't have been more gracious."

Hollywood comes to campus

Anyone on Marshall's campus Tuesday surely must have awed by the sheer amount of equipment and people it takes to make a movie. Aside from the long-awaited star sightings of Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox for many Marshall students, they saw the intricate process of getting equipment to and from sets -- even some trees being sheared to lend the set a mid-November like appearance.

As someone who has never visited a movie set before, I found the behind-the-scenes action quite fascinating.

An Electric Atmosphere

Congratulations, Tri-State. You showed everyone associated with "We Are Marshall" that your spirit is incomparable. The sight of Matthew McConaughey, David Strathairn, McG and others associated with the movie looking into the sun and hearing your rousing reception is something I'll never forget. The atmosphere inside the Keith-Albee Theatre was quieter, but still electric. It was thrilling to be called upon by Ernie Malik, the movie's publicist, to ask a question. I felt a bit star-struck, but asked David Strathairn a question that he answered quite eloquently (see Monday's story in our newspaper).

Well, until next time, guys -- keep those star sightings coming!