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A MOTHER'S DAY TO TALK ABOUT

 

Saint John, May 03  2005 - Mother's Day is the kind of day that brings a mild form of panic to many families.

 

There are the families that procrastinate and make last minute decisions, or, the families whose creative neurons are doing a slo-mo back flip. In both cases, inspiration and ideas are needed.

 

Well... how about a chance to see Mom on national TV?

 

By showing up at Harbour Station on Sunday morning and spending the day as an extra in the '72 series Canada Russia made-for-television movie, your name will be entered for several draws, including one that gives its lucky winner a walk-on part in the smash TV series TRAILER PARK BOYS. This is an even bigger deal than it appears at first blush, according to the movie's producer, Rick LeGuerrier.

 

"It's an all-expenses-paid trip to Halifax, and a walk-on part in Trailer Park Boys, which is special because they're not doing many walk-ons anymore."

Rick LeGuerrier, Producer

Momentary digression for which this writer is sure you’ll be forgiving: It's hard to imagine there's a single person out there who hasn't heard of Trailer Park Boys, but, if you haven't, it's a gut-busting peek at life in a fictional trailer park, and, it's now spawned a full length feature film, with Bubbles and the boys being green-lighted by industry titan (and fellow Canadian) Ivan Reitman (MEATBALLS; ANIMAL HOUSE; GHOSTBUSTERS), who has produced some of Hollywood's greatest comedic classics, and is a central figure in the creation of what will be a very important cog in Canada's movie wheel -- Festival Centre in downtown Toronto.

Besides the juicy enticement of potentially being seen on what is arguably the most talked about series on television, other draws include a flat screen TV, and a half day spa treatment. The fact that there's no pay for extras starts to seem... well... inconsequential when you get the chance to be on the inside of how a major movie gets made, the chance to do something unique, and the chance to win great prizes just for hanging out.

      

 

So, after a nice Mother's Day breakfast, Dad can pile everyone into the sedan and head to Harbour Station. As producer LeGuerrier says, everyone between the ages of 9 and 99 is encouraged to participate.

 

But, this event is not just for moms and families. With close to 7000 seats at Harbour Station, everyone's being asked to get in on the... ahem... game. Young, old, single, married, with children, childless. Every age, gender, colour, weight and height is being encouraged to participate. All you have to do is show up in dark clothing, sans logos.   

 

The last part bears repeating - back in the early 70s you didn’t see corporate logos splattered all over clothing, so they’re a big no-no. 

 

If you get the nibblies, concessions stands will be open.     

 

LeGuerrier is proud of the effort put forward by everyone on the project. He boasts of a great local crew that includes experienced Saint John hands Mike MacDonald, Scott McCrae and Sean Patterson.

 "We have a tremendous cast and crew - the whole experience has been like doing two movies back to back. We have a fabulous director who knows hockey well and the style of the film is documentary, so it's bringing a lot to the film - it makes the hockey so real and the actors so real."

Rick LeGuerrier, Producer

The scene being shot at Harbour Station this weekend is Game 4 of the heart-stopping Canada Russia hockey series. Played at Vancouiver's Pacific Coliseum, it was the last game played in Canada, just before the Canadian team left for Russia. The Canadians lost, and were booed mercilessly. Phil Esposito made an impassioned speech about the team members playing for their country and doing the best they could. It was an historic and quintessentially Canadian sporting moment. 

The '72 series will wrap in Saint John after a gruelling 39 day shoot. LeGuerrier estimates post-production will finish by Christmas and muses that the series would be a perfect sporting dovetail to the upcoming winter Olympics.