Here it is if you haven't yet been able to watch it. Filmed primarily in MICHIGAN! {yay for the Mitten}
Some interesting details about this movie:
1. Filming locations included the Detroit Yacht Club, (old & new), An old Birch Run diner that has since been bought and renovated, a high school & salon in Hamtramck, Mother Fletcher's - a vintage shop in Ferndale, a tiny house in Ypsilanti, and The Elbow Room, one of my favorite local dive bars.
2.Being a stand-in for Ellen Page included having to be in many of the spots she was to act in, in order to help the cameras prepare for the shot. Watching her in the trailer made me think of all of those places where I had been too, and tons of memories came flooding back. I became so nostalgic, I got teary-eyed!
3. Ellen Page and Alia Shawcat could often be heard singing together on set. They obviously had become good friends and it was cute to witness that.
4. You'd never know it, but I am sitting in the red car in the trailer, it was the day I was Ellen's double, which is different than being a stand-in. (but I got to wear the same outfit.) :D
5. The first time I had to skate on the track I was scared $hitless, because it was a raised track and I'd never skated on a raised track before! Gained many bruises from fallin' on my bum!
6. This movie made me realize how TOUGH roller derby girls are! They kick butt!
7. I was star struck initially mostly by Drew and Jimmy Fallon. I didn't even know who Kristin Wiig was at first, but have since become a huge fan, she's HILARIOUS!
I loved getting hair & makeup done! Although, the hard-core tough girl makeup took some getting used to! I wanted my hair done in a beehive for this one party scene, thinking there was no way my fine hair would stay, and like magic, Drew's hairstylist made it happen! I was SO HAPPY!
I really wish we could have kept those outfits for souvenirs!!
The original 6 Hot Tamales!! You'll see us very briefly in the movie, but we WILL be there! ;) The derby girl with the paint on her face is the REAL Babe Ruthless. She rocked!
Our last night of filming together we went out on the town in Detroit. Good times!
The celebs were very nice. While I got my hair done, Juliette Lewis told me she liked my jeans! (see above picture)
And Eve was cool too, always talking to everyone.
This is the legendary Bob Yeoman, and he was director of photography. He was the BEST, and I was so sad to say goodbye to him at the wrap party. My friend Francesca and I told him that he better give us a picture on the last day, and he did. :)
And of course, I had to get this picture with Bliss Cavendar and Smashley Simpson, aka Ellen Page and Drew Barrymore, respectively! I loved that they were tiny like me.
It was awesome to see these 2 girls having fun at the wrap party at a tiny little bar I've been going to for about 10 years now! It was 6:30 in the morning the next day when I finally left and people were STILL there partying. I couldn't believe it!
Being on that set was definitely one of the best times I've ever had in my life! Not only was it fascinating to watch a real movie being made, but I met some amazing people that have become great friends.
Here are my lucky skates, and I can't wait to see them on screen October 2nd, 2009, opening day for Whip It! Don't miss it!
xo