|
Every filmmaker will tell you that there is one defining moment when they know their film is going to get made. For The Surfer King, that moment came in June of 2004 when I came home and hit "play" on my answering machine and heard, "Hi Bernie. This is Lindsay Wagner."
After turning down several films (some high-budget) over the course of four months, Lindsay honored us by selecting our film to come out of a "retirement" of five years to raise sons Dorian and Alex. She gathered up the lads (by this time 19 & 21) and headed off to Denver.
Her shooting schedule was pretty relaxed, and she stayed here for about a week. I know everyone has this fantasy about someone like Lindsay showing up and just being the coolest person you’ve ever met, but that’s how it was. She invited folks into her trailer; the boys took off to explore the water park…one night she even offered to cook for all of us (it was a crew of 70 people…).
Not that we didn’t make her work hard. We loaded Lindsay and Randy Wayne into a car towed behind a camera truck and dragged them around the Water World parking lot for four hours (in August, and couldn’t run the air because of sound). Lindsay was fresh and eager for every take. Before shooting, she spent time with Randy Wayne, so he could have an easier time relating to her as "Mom".
For the big crowd scene, she just waded in and became the proud Mom of The Surfer King. Only later in editing did I see what an amazing actress she is; she had put expressions and reacted so well to what I described would going on and intercut with their work. The only concern she had was protection from the sun, which is why you’ll see her in long sleeves and hat.
She has visited Denver several times since (once for our premiere), as has Dorian (now himself a filmmaker). I was fortunate to have her professional attitude, her support and her continued friendship.
Bernard Murray
The Surfer King
Writer/Director/Producer
|
Lindsay with Water World's Steve Loose and Greg Mastrioana. (August 22, 2004)
Lindsay is interviewed on set by Bill Husted of The Denver Post. (August 22, 2004)
Lindsay and Bernard Murray just after the premiere. (April 5, 2006)
|
