Local man at 2 film locales

Ware Shoals resident liked movie’s setting

April 17, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS — A local man recently spent several days in the 1920s. No, Ware Shoals’ Mike Mattison hasn’t discovered a time machine. He simply spent five days as an extra on the set of the movie “Leatherheads.”
“Leatherheads” is directed by and stars George Clooney and co-stars Renee Zellweger. The movie, which is a romantic comedy based around a 1920s-era football team, has been extensively filming in the Carolinas, with the production stopping in Ware Shoals for several days in early March.
Ironically, Mattison, who has lived in Ware Shoals his entire life and works at Abbeville Area Medical Center, did not participate as an extra when the movie filmed in his hometown.
“I missed the casting call they had at Piedmont Tech for the shoot in Ware Shoals,” Mattison said.
“However, when I heard about the casting call they were having at Haywood Mall in Greenville, I decided to try that one.”
Mattison, who said he has never done much acting and never worked on a film set, said he wanted to be an extra on “Leatherheads” because he feels a special connection to the era.
He said his grandfather, Homer Mattison, helped construct the fieldhouse at Riegel Stadium, which was used when the movie filmed in Ware Shoals. Also, he said his great-grandfather, Robert Seawright, was the first policeman hired in Ware Shoals after the town was incorporated.
“I’ve seen pictures of him in his uniform from that era,” Mattison said. “Then I see the costumes in this movie and they have perfectly captured the fashion of the era.”
Mattison said that after he received confirmation he had been chosen as an extra, he was told he would be part of scenes where he would be in a crowd walking into and attending a football game. The scenes Mattison was involved in were shot in Travelers Rest and Charlotte on March 25, 28, 29 and 30.
A warehouse in Greer is where Mattison said he was outfitted for his costume. He said the warehouse had articles of clothing of all types that accurately reflected the 1920s. He also noted another section of the warehouse was sectioned off and that indoor scenes were being filmed on sets built there.
After getting fitted for a costume, Mattison was given a haircut and sideburn trim that was indicative of the 1920s.
“Back then, men wore suits to ball games,” Mattison said. “It’s not like it is today, where everyone wears a mish-mash of whatever. Back then, going to a game was an affair.”
Mattison said he had to report to the film set each day at 5:30 a.m., with filming going on until 7 p.m. He said the extras — 350 in Traveler’s Rest, 600 in Charlotte — were treated well on the set.
“They treated us fantastic,” Mattison said. “We had breakfast, lunch and snacks every day. There was a large tent where we were housed, with changing rooms for men and women to get into costumes.” Mattison said Clooney came by the tent on multiple occasions to make sure the extras were being treated well.
“Being the director, he was personally involved in all the shots,” Mattison said. “He would come by the tent and talk to different people and make sure everyone was doing all right. He seemed like a really nice guy.”
During the filming at the old Travelers Rest High School stadium, Mattison said the extras were routinely moved around from one section of stands to another to give the impression of a bigger crowd. He said the group was filmed cheering against a white backdrop.
That footage will be duplicated using computer generated imagery to digitally fill out the stands during game scenes in the film.
Mattison said he realizes that, as an extra, any scenes where he is visible in the movie may end up on the editing room floor. However, he remembers one take in one scene that may garner him some screen time.
“It was during the scene where the crowd was walking through the parking lot heading into the stadium,” Mattison said. “Right as I walked up to this old school bus, Renee Zellweger got off the bus and I walked right behind her until the end of the take. Maybe that will be the take they use.”
He said it was routine for Clooney to call for eight or 10 takes of a given scene. However, there were times when only one take was needed for certain scenes.
Mattison said it was amusing seeing actors sit around on breaks in filming talking on cell phones or sending messages on Blackberries while dressed in the garb from 80 years ago. He did say all cell phones, modern watches and other jewelry were strictly prohibited in any area where filming was taking place.
While he said it was a thrill to participate in the filming, Mattison hesitated when asked if he would do it again.
“I don’t know,” Mattison said. “I did this one because of how much the era reminded me of my grandfather and great-grandfather. But, if the filming was close enough, I might do it again.”

Hearing Tiger tales

Lakelands residents hear from Clemson coaches at meeting

April 17, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

Lakelands Clemson fans received autographs and had the opportunity to hear from two of the Tigers most recognizable coaches, among other notable speakers, Monday at the spring meeting of the Greenwood Area Clemson Club at the Greenwood Farmers Market. In addition, one Greenwood resident was honored during the meeting.
Tigers’ football coach Tommy Bowden and men’s basketball coach Oliver Purnell touched on various topics in front of the predominately orange-clad audience.
Bill Burnett, who has spent the past 35 years organizing trips to Tigers games, was presented a plaque for his service.
“It’s great to get the award,” Burnett said. “It’s surprising but I appreciate it. It was 35 years and a lot of fun.”
Before the two coaches spoke, Hap Carr, Clemson’s Alumni Association president, discussed the strides Clemson has taken in the athletic and academic departments. One high point of his speech focused on the 90 percent freshman retention rate at Clemson.
Jason Wilson, assistant director of IPTAY, briefly addressed the parking situation for football games at Clemson.
“The one thing we’ve got to do is expand,” Wilson said. “What we’re learning is we have to add gradually so that we’re not left scrambling as we go into the season. Also, we’re having to change our own and donors’ perspective that parking that may have been bad a few years ago is now really good. It’s really a philosophy change and we just have to adjust to that.”
In regards to the Tigers’ football and basketball teams, Purnell began by drawing applause from the Tiger faithful when mentioning, ‘the growing resume of Gamecocks whippings,’ delivered by his team over the past few years.
When discussing the Tigers’ run to the NIT finals after being snubbed by the NCAA selection committee, Purnell said it came down to two choices.
“We can play how we feel right now and be mad,” Purnell said. “Or we can play with pride and represent our families, ourselves and our institution. That spirit of never giving up is what everyone gravitated to at the end of the year and it speaks volumes about everyone who is associated with Clemson. When looking back on the season and our school-record 25 wins, it was an amazing journey.”
Bowden touched on various topics related to the Tigers’ football program.
Following a joke that revolved around a recruiting snafu involving Bowden, his father Bobby (Florida State coach) and a prized recruit, Bowden talked briefly about Greenwood’s Gaines Adams, who he said has been invited to New York for the upcoming NFL draft.
“Gaines had impeccable character in five years at Clemson,” Bowden said. “The question remains as to who will replace him in the lineup.”
Although Cullen Harper received the starting reps at quarterback throughout spring practice, Bowden acknowledged that freshman Willie Korn has garnered a lot of attention, adding that a possible lineup will be known by the end of the week.
“There’s going to be attention any time you sign a high-profile guy,” Bowden said. “Sometimes they pan out, sometimes they don’t. He (Korn) came in pretty advanced and he’s going to be in the hunt.” As far as last season’s finish and what, if any, changes are expected in the future, Bowden likely has a plan in place.
“We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, we just have to improve on things,” Bowden said. “I think we’re playing up to our ability.”

Obituaries

Harry King

EASLEY — Mr. William Harry King, 84, of 703 East 2nd Avenue, died Sunday, April 15, 2007, at Regency Hospital in Greenville.
Born in Ninety Six, South Carolina, Mr. King was a son of the late Albert Powhatan King, II and the late Nancy Matilda Culbreath King. He was a graduate of Ninety Six High School and Clemson College, Class of 1944. Mr. King served as President of the Class of 1944 and in 1998, he received the Clemson Distinguished Alumni Award. Mr. King was a US Army Veteran, having served during World War II as a First Lieutenant of the 71st Division in Germany and Austria. He retired as President of IPA Southern Textile Machinery. He was a member of First Baptist Church, where he belonged to the R.C. McCall Sunday School Class.
Surviving are his wife, Dorothy Crane King, of the home; four daughters, Sophie Clayton and her husband, Wren, Julia Norman and her husband, Jim, all of Spartanburg, Popie Whitted and husband, Tom, of Greenville, Nancy Tucker of Easley; six grandchildren, Warren Clayton, Harry Clayton and his wife, Meg, Will Norman, Sims and Brooks Whitted, and Henry Tucker; one great-grandchild, Sophie Crane Clayton; a half brother, Drury King; and a half sister, Lula Ann Smith. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Albert Powhatan King, III and four sisters, Sophronia Eddy, Julia Phillips, Juanita King, and Myriam Allen.
Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Chapel of First Baptist Church, with Reverend Dr. John Adams officiating. Escort of Honor will be the McCall Sunday School Class.
Visitation will be prior to the service on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in the church narthex.
Graveside services will be 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the King Family Cemetery in Ninety Six, South Carolina.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 300 East First Avenue, Easley, SC 29640; or to Clemson Fund, Class of 1944, PO Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633; or to the Palmetto Health Baptist Foundation, PO Box 1988, Easley, SC 29641.
Family members express their thanks to the nursing staffs of Regency Hospital and Palmetto Health Baptist Easley.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.

Martha Anderson Banks Norman

MOUNT CARMEL — Martha Anderson Banks Norman, 94, of 349 Highway 823, Mt. Carmel, SC, died Saturday, April 14, 2007, at Savannah Heights Living Center in McCormick, SC.
She was born in McCormick, SC, to the late Andrew (Jack) and Kitty Dubose Anderson. She was married twice, first to the late Robert Banks and later to the late Robert Norman.
She was a member of Spring Grove Baptist Church in Mt. Carmel, SC.
She is survived by four sons, John Banks of Buffalo, NY, Henry Banks, Marion Banks and Arthur Banks of Mt. Carmel, SC; three daughters, Kitty Banks, Mary Robinson and Martha Turman, all of Mt. Carmel, SC; she reared seven grandchildren in the home, Maggie Tucker, Bridgette Blair, Stephanie Beaty, Marion Banks, Jr., Kimberly Johnson, Anthony Banks and Jake Turman; one brother, Andrew Anderson of Calhoun Falls, SC; and one sister, Pinky Boyd of Buffalo, NY; sixty grandchildren; and thirty-nine great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at Spring Grove Baptist Church in Mt. Carmel, SC, at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 2007. Rev. Albert Thompson is presiding, and Rev. Roy Andrews is officiating. Rev. Myron Hill, Rev. Johnnie Waller, Rev. Brenda Lomax, Rev. Isaac Booker and Rev. Robert Belcher are assisting. The body will be placed in church at noon. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Public viewing is Tuesday, April 17, 2007, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. The family will receive friends from 7 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc.
Online condolences can be sent to awmort@wctel.net.
The family is at the home.
Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

Rebecca ‘Bootsie’ Simpson

ABBEVILLE — Rebecca “Bootsie” Simpson, 83, of Abbeville, died peacefully with her family beside her Monday, April 16, 2007, at the Abbeville Nursing Home. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The families are at their respective homes.
Online condolences may be sent to the Simpson family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville is assisting the Simpson family.

Viola Wasson

NINETY SIX — Viola McCarthy Wasson, 85, resident of 1 Blake Road, widow of Henry G. Wasson, died April 15, 2007 at Peachtree Centre in Gaffney.
Born in Ninety Six Feb. 14, 1922, she was a daughter of the late Toyce H. and Alice King McCarthy. She was a graduate of Ninety Six High School and was retired from Duke Power Company after 41 years of service.
She was a member of Ninety Six Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are a daughter, M. Jane Wasson, M.D. of Gaffney; a brother, Boyce Ted McCarthy of Ninety Six; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood, with Rev. Chuck Sprouse officiating.
Burial will be in the Friendship Presbyterian Church Cemetery near Hickory Tavern.
Pallbearers will be Stanley Davis, Andy Owings, Buck Griffin, Larry “Red” Goodman and Lewis Matthews.
The family is at the home on Blake Road and will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 to 2 Wednesday afternoon.
Memorials may be made to Friendship Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 2094 Neely Ferry Road, Laurens, SC 29360.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Wasson family.

Opinion

Government of the people can be confusing to some

April 17, 2007

Acceptance and understanding. The latter affects the former, but sometimes voters don’t see it that way. It’s obvious sometimes among voters and officeholders from South Carolina.
There are times when some voters disagree with decisions made by their elected lawmakers. Much of the time they believe a lawmaker is or isn’t casting votes representative of his or her constituents.
Actually, they are not obligated to vote “the way” constituents want them to vote. Under our system of government they are obligated to vote their own minds ..... what they believe is in the best interests of those they represent.
Ours is a republican form of government. The dictionary defines that as “a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law.”
It may be confusing sometimes ..... but that’s the nature of a republic.