Our ‘Wild’ (movie) Ride….
It was September 2013 and we were driving home from our 2nd home in Mosier, Oregon when I listened to my message on my cell phone from Paula Schiedler (dear friend and co-founder of DSNO - Down Syndrome Network Oregon). “CALL ME! Hollywood is in town and I want to you to submit Iris’ photo!” When I called her back, she explained a movie was being filmed here in Oregon and the director wanted a person with Down Syndrome and the criteria was male or female age 7 to 20 years of age. I asked what movie and she said, “Wild”. “WILD???!!! As in the book??” I asked. “Yeah, I guess so,” she responded nonchalantly. “Oh my gosh Paula, that’s one of my absolute favorite books! But why someone with Down Syndrome, as there aren’t any characters in the book with DS?” “I dunno, but get me a picture of Iris ASAP!” Well, I put off doing it as I thought it was too much of a long shot, not to mention although Miss Iris has no problem performing a dance routine on stage, an acting role and auditioning for a stranger was nearly impossible, in my opinion, and just predicted she would ‘shut down’. Paula pestered me a couple more times and on the last day of photo submissions she pleaded, “C’mon Jos! “ I explained my hesitancy and she somehow convinced me, but I asked what KIND of photo do they want?” “You know – like a black and white head shot from an agency.” “Oh yeah….because I have SO many of those lying around!” I got off the phone, searched on my computer, selected Iris’ school photo I snapped in front of our garage from a week earlier, converted it to black and white and emailed it to Paula to submit. The very next day we received an e-mail from a local casting agency requesting Iris show up at an audition in the next couple of days. “Wow! That’s kinda cool”, I thought. Now the trick will be convincing my daughter of this idea. When I told her about it she was immediately adamant, as she doesn’t like missing school or her friends and she could detect this would be out of her comfort zone. So, I persuaded her with a tiny little lie…I told her that MAAAAYBE if she actually made it into the film, she could meet Po ‘from Kung Fu Panda’ or Megamind! (I know, I know BAD BAD Mama, but obviously I wasn’t feeling confident we’d get this far!) “Oh ALL RIGHT!!!” she snapped in disgust. Phew….
I envisioned the audition as more of an inspection – as if Iris would walk in front of an impatient casting agent, they would look her up and down and then say, “NEXT!” Honestly. Therefore, when we arrived at the filming base sight in Clackamas I was surprised to see a make-up trailer and people hustling around with headsets and clipboards. The admin officials were extremely nice and welcoming to us both and had me quickly fill out some paper work before the audition. While waiting, we learned there were four other teenage boys with DS auditioning ahead of us, so of course that made me believe the director already knew what he desired and made me wonder why Iris was even there. When they lead us to the auditioning room, it was only a guy with a thick French accent who greeted us and I just assumed he was some random casting agent. He had Iris and I sit on a couch and I bluntly asked him about the idea of a character with DS when there weren’t any in the book. He went on to explain he had some family friends with a daughter with DS and she held a special place in his heart, not to mention he had casted a female with DS in one of his other films he directed in Canada. He then proceeded to take Iris through some fun drills, although I warned him that although she was a vivacious girl, she was shy and it took effort to get her to be comfortable with others. She warmed up to him right away and freely followed through with the directed activities he asked of her. We then left the audition, I was in happy spirits telling Iris how proud I was of her, and she would get an ice - cream cone on the way back to school (hoping she wouldn’t raise the promised Kung Fu Panda/Megamind meeting). I was thinking, “Man, that was REALLY neat! And although I’m fairly certain Iris is not what they are looking for, that was SUCH a great experience and will mark that as a ‘highlight’ and interesting experience! However, I will need to ‘Google’ that guy’s name when I get home (who was that masked man??!!....).” You can probably guess I about choked on my snack when I read and discovered it was Jean Marc Vallee, the infamous director of ‘Dallas Buyers Club’. “Holy Schnikey’s Batman!!! I am almost glad I didn’t know who we were meeting with, although reflecting back I probably could have sat up straight on the couch and not scratched my crotch!” Okay, I didn’t truly do the latter, but I was darned relaxed and comfortably jovial, but then again, that just shows you what an amazingly human, kind, personable man Jean Marc is – both Iris and I adored him and were very comfortable from the get-go.
The next day I received an e-mail from the casting agency stating not only did they want Iris in the film, but they wanted me, as well. WHAT???!!! Did I just read that right??!! I think I actually wrote just that in my e-mail response. But when they confirmed, I was guessing it was to keep Iris comfortable in the scene. We were to show up to a church parking lot up in Corbett, Oregon and would be shuttled to the filming site, which was the general store in town. We were also instructed it was TOP SECRET; the location was not to be shared and strict rules of no cameras, no cell phones, no interaction with the actors, no eye contact, no talking, no looking, no touching…basically to curl up in a fetal position in the corner until you are spoken to and called upon – HA!
The night before our shoot, we had to venture back out to Clackamas for dress and make-up approval. I was instructed to bring choices of clothing keeping in mind the book took place in the summer of 1995 (i.e. The grunge look, flannels, ‘Mom jeans’, and they actually provided those description as examples! OH NOOOOO!!!.....) When it came to my review and inspection, the make-up artist looked at me and said, “When you arrive tomorrow – NO MAKE-UP! And your hair is too styled at the moment. Does your daughter have other glasses? Because the turquoise and purple rims weren’t in style in 1995.” I was a bit disappointed as even though this entire debut was about Iris, my vain self couldn’t stop thinking, “Really?? There’s a slight chance I may be flashed on the big screen and she has asked me not to wash or style my hair and wear absolutely no make-up?! Oy vay…” Well, I couldn’t stand it the next morning of and ended up applying my bronzing lotion to my face for at least a little color, which can shimmer in the sunlight.
The following day when we arrived in Corbett we were instructed to park in a church parking lot about a half mile from the set and a shuttle van would pick us up. We had been taken directly to the craft services area (I actually didn’t know what this meant – it’s a catering area where you can order just about any food item you wish. Wow! We thought that was pretty cool! However, I was too nervous to eat).
The night before Iris had signed and brought a copy of the coffee table book “I’m Down With You”, (she is featured on the front cover) for Jean Marc. She was eager to give it to him and right when he pulled up in a car in the craft services parking lot, she waited patiently outside his passenger side for him to end the phone call he was on and get out. We were being asked to quickly load into the shuttle van for make-up, hair and clothes inspection, but Iris was not leaving until she delivered her gift to Jean Marc! He finally got out of the car and gladly, lovingly took it along with a hug for both of us.
It was a beautiful, sunny, fall day when we were taken to the area for the make-up artist’s inspection. They wanted the extras to stand in a line and scan a once over before heading to the actual filming location. Upon arrival, I had quickly learned that Iris would be in the scene with another teenage boy with DS, Daniel, along with his mother and me. Just before inspection the other Mom looked at me and stated (in her British accent), “Yohr wahring make-up!” “No I’m not!” I replied in a panic. “Yes you arh – I see ‘spahkles’ on yohr face!” (evidence of my bronzing lotion). “Huh uh!....” And just as the artists approached us in the line I stepped back into the shaded area next to the make-up trailer to HOPEFULLY disguise my ‘spahkles’ shimmering in the sunlight. They breezed by me with a quick approval and hustled us off to the set. Feeling utterly relieved I dodged the potential, dreadful baby-wipe to the face scenario, I still had to shake off my strong urge to slug the mom in the arm!
In the Corbett general store, the filming crew was busy staging it to appear as if we were in Northern California and changing prices on signs. This took some time and although Iris and Daniel were enjoying a great giggling time together, they began getting antsy by playing with the salt and peppershakers. I told the other Mom I was going to go out and get Iris’ drawing materials to help keep her occupied and quiet. She thought that was a good idea and retrieved Daniel’s sketchpad as well. By the way, we were each briefed of our anticipated roles in the scene and Iris and I were supposed to be shopping together. The other Mom and Daniel were supposed to work the front counter. So, when Jean Marc and the remaining filming crew burst through the front door of the store, greeted us happily and so kindly, and saw us sitting with our kids who were drawing he announced, “YES! I like this! But I am going to move you four over to this corner to this table. Then you two Mom’s pretend to be conversing and let’s get them some hamburgers and French fries to munch on.” I blurted out, “Jean Marc – I don’t do hamburgers and French fries.” “Well what do you want?” “I dunno – how about some cut veggies and fruit or something. I mean isn’t supposed to look like we’re having a meeting versus lunch?” (What in the hell possessed me to blurt out and question the Director’s wishes is beyond me?! Ballsy, I realize and I could not believe I protested, but again Jean Marc is such an easy person to work and interact with!) He turned and barked at his film crew, “Okay! Go make up a plate of sandwiches and carrots or something. And have them sipping on coffee or water as pretend coffee.” BOOM! The plates of food and large paper coffee cups full of water appeared in an instant. These people work FAST!
Soon after, low and behold, the infamous Reese Witherspoon walks into the store with a long, brown, puffy, cozy coat over her clothes for the scene. Her hair was made to look slightly greasy, no make-up, dirt under her fingernails, bruises and scratches on various parts of her body and she STILL looked stunning! She was tinier than I expected. Although we were instructed not to stare, I couldn’t stop watching her of course. She quietly walked over to me, gently stuck out her hand and said, “Hi. I’m Reese Witherspoon. Thank you for coming to work on the set today.” I was so star struck and dumbfounded I giggled like a nervous, little school girl and mumbled with a huge grin, “I knooooow….”. In retrospect, I truly wish I had been quick witted enough to say, “Excuse me? I didn’t quite catch your name, but would you mind fetching me some water? I’m feeling a bit parched and I’m in the movie, you see.” Dang it, that would have been funny (well, to me anyway. What a jackass!). Instead I turned and introduced her to Miss Iris and added, “Although, she only knows you as ‘SUUUUUUSAAAAN’ from the movie, ‘Monsters Vs. Aliens’.”
Since the shoot, so many people have asked me immediately if Reese Witherspoon was as nice as they say and of course, I tell them most definitely. In addition, she is extremely professional, focused, stayed in character the entire time, and yet was kind to everyone. At one point, we had been filming several hours and the other Mom said, “I’m going to go find Daniel some M & M’s or something. They have been sitting here in the sunlight for so long, they are starting to fade!” Seconds later Reese walked over with M & M’s for both the kids, which made Daniel immediately rise from his chair and give Reese a huge hug which she accepted warmly. I am not joking when I say three or four crew members suddenly appear and literally threw bags of munchies, candy, and bottled water on the table for us! (I guess it took the star of the film to get some service around there! Just kidding, but it WAS pretty funny to observe.)
A funny, yet offensive comment from my husband, James, the night before the shoot: “Since it’s only a non-speaking role, you had better be careful with how animated and dramatic you can be.” (Oh ha ha ha!) Yet sure enough, this was noted. One of the characters, Stacie, from the movie walks into the store at one point and because the door squeaks and a bell jingles upon opening, I automatically turned and looked in that direction while the camera was rolling. After a couple attempts, the assistant director hollers, ‘’Cut!” and then calls me out, “Jos – I actually like that you look when Stacie walks in as that would be a natural response, but could you take it down a notch with the swiftness of your look in that direction?” Good Lord, I was laughing so hard inside because James had nailed his predictions. I still giggle to this day at that memory and imitate myself looking over my shoulder in ultra slow motion, yet maintain the flamboyant, bionic woman style effect.
We were wrapping up shooting the last angles of the scene and Jean Marc hollers (in his wonderful, thick French/Quebec accent), “Okay, I am not sure I am going to put dis in dey film, but Reese, I want chu to walk up to Iris and Daniel and ask, “Zu you like my zhooz? And Iris and Daniel you jus’ respond with some sort of head nod, okay?” (Keep in my Reese had her feet wrapped with duct tape around her Teva sandals). “Okaaaaay……ACT-SHONE!!” Reese: “Do you like my shoes?” And unbeknownst to me, Iris peers over the table and down at Reese’s feet and exclaims, “That’s crazy!!!” The entire set burst out laughing, but Jean Marc hollers, “CUT CUT CUT!!!” And runs over to Iris and squats down to look her in the eyes and says, “Iris honey, you cannot speak! No talking, okay sweetheart? Just nod or shake your head, okay? Okay. Let’s try again. Aaaaannd……ACT-SHONE!” “Do you like my shoes?” Which then Daniel leans over the table and yells, “That’s crazy!!!” Again laughter and I LOVE that the older, 14-year boy copied Iris! Jean Marc runs over once again, squats down and says, “Iris. Daniel. When Reese asks you, ‘Zu you like my zhooz, you jus’ shake your head. Like deese. Just shake it side to side, like ‘no no no no no’ Oui? Yes? Okay!!” Of course, our kiddos were spot on the third and final time, but darn that was even going to be worth it if all our time and efforts made it to the cutting room floor as we had been working with our girl to talk or speak out in uncomfortable settings for 8 years and here she did it! Fantastic! The reason the kids weren’t allowed to speak was due to signed paperwork for non-speaking roles and specific pay brackets.
That was a wrap and once again, Jean Marc personally came over to thank us and provide the gracious double cheek kiss. What an amazing experience to work so intimately with such an incredibly talented, artistic, authentic, enjoyable film crew. I also loved hearing Jean Marc and Cinematographer Yves Bélanger speaking French back and forth throughout the filming. I had no idea what they were saying, but it sounded passionate and beautiful, but that’s the French language for you, in my opinion – everything spoken in French sounds gorgeous. Believe it or not, the scene took 5.5 hours to shoot! I have an entirely new respect and appreciation for the complexity and efforts that go into making a film.
After the filming, we were driven back to our cars at the church parking lot and the sweet gal who drove the shuttle van was the only one, so far, who has asked Iris for her autograph. Iris went home and practiced her signature.
A few people have wondered why our names weren’t listed in the credits at the end of the movie and I have to explain that I am certain it’s because it was a brief, non-speaking role. But I have to admit a little wish I had prior to the movie release: so a local, Portland casting agency was contracted to pay us, and when I received my whopping HUGE paycheck (just kidding and I honestly would have done that all for FREE!) it read ‘JEunice Tervo’. Many people are unaware that my ‘given’ name is Eunice, yet I go by ‘Jos’ (long story how I received my nickname). So, obviously the third party casting company accidently mixed my real name with my nickname, which is where my secret wish came into play. I would get the giggles imagining the credits rolling and it stating Iris Tervo and JEunice Tervo….hee hee hee!
On a serious note, this entire journey, from when I first read the book back in January of 2013 and being enamored by Cheryl’s writing, her story, struggles, heartaches, triumphs, and wanting all my friends to read ‘Wild’ to then actually being a part of the film and having it all finally come to fruition on the big screen still feels a bit surreal. Moreover, although I was very excited to actually meet and work with the infamous Reese Witherspoon, I was honestly more eager and hopeful to possibly meet Cheryl Strayed that day. In preparation, I brought a fresh, new copy of the book, ‘Wild’ crossing my fingers, Cheryl Strayed would be present on the set and I could meet her and get her autograph. But no Cheryl that day, which was a bummer, although I DID finally get to meet her in person at the REI ‘Wild’ movie promotional book signing a few weeks before the official Portland release. To be honest, I have a bit of a ‘girl crush’ on Cheryl Strayed as I find her amazingly warm, smart, witty, compassionate, wise, and an incredible writer. When I first read ‘Torch’ (her first novel), I felt as if it was a fictional version of ‘Wild’ and later read my thoughts were confirmed. If you read ‘Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar’, you too will understand and develop the crush as you’ll discover she could easily be a warm, loving, licensed therapist and she comes across as the perfect best friend you hope every person can obtain in their lives. Now that she is podcasting a live version of ‘Dear Sugar’, I am enamored all over again listening to she and Steve Almond’s brilliant advice and feedback to listeners.
With the film release, it all feels like a full-circle moment. My intense feelings revolving around the entire experience have been amplified with the loss of my own wonderful Mama this past September 2014. There were so many relatable mother/daughter moments in the book and film and my neck was wet with tears after the viewing. The movie was beautifully done and Reese’s performance was authentic, raw, and definitely Oscar-worthy! Have I mentioned the music and how I play the soundtrack constantly only feeling tortured and haunted by visions of my own childhood intertwined with the actual movie and Cheryl’s past…it all runs deep for me as music has always affected me emotionally and intensely, so it’s only icing on the cake, but so soulful good!
Although it was all because of Iris we even had this amazing movie making opportunity, I am extremely grateful for this incredible experience and adventure and loved that we were able to share it together…
Night of Portland’s private, Premiere of ‘Wild’ 12.9.14. (I wish I could have brought our Superstar along…)
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