Hangin' with Sister Savannah

Making a movie can be a nerve-wracking experience, particularly for a novice such as I. There are so many points to consider, countless people to please, to feed, to counsel, to avoid. And, while Willy and others shouldered so much of the burden in this film, allowing me to remain on the sidelines for the most part, my official title as co-producer still provided me enough anxious moments to last me for.....well, for the time it takes us to get over the first movie and want to do another.

Assuming the anxiety, assuming the fact that I am going to multiply my cigarette habit tenfold, there is still one aspect of film-making that I simply love: hanging out with creative folks - from listening to Ryan Parker's dead-on imitation of some of the cast, to witnessing Corey Parker's dedication to his craft, to kidding around with Matt Bearden and Ryan Howell, to watching Pam Parker Branham do her magic as caterer, associate producer and confidante, to watching Maggie and Anna do their make-up magic, and to having quiet conversations with John Sneed, Gerald Faught, Cookie Ewing. And to hanging around on set with Savannah Bearden, constantly laughing at each other and everyone else, waiting anxiously for action to resume and smoking cigarettes. (Smoking should not be practiced by young people under the age of 21, and should be done by professionals only.)

There are so many memories of standing outside Hillwood, waiting for actors to have makeup applied, waiting for the crew to set the lights, waiting for meals to conclude, waiting, waiting, waiting. But, waiting was made so much easier when I could talk to Savannah.

I have always trusted Willy's instincts and when he told me he wanted Savannah to take the role of Murphy's sister, there was never any doubt as to whether she would equal the task. I laugh when I consider how she must have felt when she learned that she would share her first name with her character. She confessed that it was a bit disconcerting, but I still believe that the name fit her character. Such a good southern name. And so, Savannah became Savannah (there is an essay here for philosophy or psychology students).

I recall so many specific moments watching her professionalism, even after long, long days and nights on set, and while she still maintained a full-time job. The party scene comes to mind. As we waited for the lights to be set, Savannah and I had retreated to the golf cart to smoke, to talk and to wait. I could tell the long hours had taken their toll. Savannah was very tired, as were all the actors and crew, and she still had several very tough scenes ahead of her that night/morning - reaction scenes where only her face would tell the story. No dialogue. Tough stuff. And when she was called to the set, Savannah did her magic, time and again. I was always amazed.

And, then there was the time prior to a happy little scene for Savannah - I can't recall the specific scene - in which her character was to be light-hearted. I chose just that moment to tell her a humorous, albeit poignant, story of a cross-dressing law enforcement officer from Mississippi. After the little anecdote, Savannah looked at me, and laughed/cried, "Tank, why did you tell me that sad story right now?" I just smiled at her and said, "Oh, you'll be fine." And she was. So professional. So much fun to kid with. So much fun to watch on camera. I knew Savannah would become Savannah.

And, so dependable:

"Hey, Savannah, you got your lighter with you?"

"Sure, Tank, if you have a cigarette." DT