Issue date: 4/5/06 Section: Online Exclusive
A chain link fence and three orange traffic cones separated the
hushed fans from the filming of the first on-campus scene of "We Are
Marshall."
The set was open for people to watch at a distance, and what they
saw was beginning of the telling of a story of strength and courage.
But the ball in this scene was round and orange.
Marshall basketball players Mark Patton, Adam Zimmerman and LaVar
Carter hit the basketball court in this scene, and Matthew
McConaughey as coach Jack Lengyel set out to recruit them for the
Young Thundering Herd.
Producer Basil Iwanyk said the first day of on campus filming had
been a good one.
"Things here are great," he said. "We're excited to get going with
things."
The crowd of eager onlookers included two faces that are familiar
with the story. Red Dawson and Jack Lengyel watched filming from the
director's area.
"They are doing a great job out there," Lengyel said. "Both Matthews
look like coaches and they speak like coaches."
At a break in the filming, McConaughey and Matthew Fox, who is
portraying Dawson, greeted the former coaches. As the four talked,
Lengyel joked with Dawson about Fox portraying his character.
"Red, he looks just like you," Lengyel said. "He stands like you."
Connecting the actors to the real characters has been an important
part of the project. Lengyel said he has met with McConaughey to
talk about how things were in 1971 and to say how he recruited
players.
And even when the cameras were not rolling, McConaughey assumed the
role of Lengyel, staying in character the entire day.
More students lined up outside the Memorial Student Center as
filming moved to there for the rest of the day.
Filming continues today with scenes in Morrow Library and at the
Memorial Student Center plaza.