Talk about going Hollywood. While many dream about getting into the movies, MSU communication major John Whitehead is already in the game.
Whitehead spent the past summer working as a production assistant on the new Johnny Cash biopic filmed in Memphis. The pic, presently called “Walk The Line,”began production in June and stars Joaquin Pheonix of “Gladiator” and ‘The Village” as Cash, with Reese Witherspoon of “Legally Blonde” and “Sweet Home Alabama” as Cash’s wife, June Carter Cash.
Whitehead’s first major job in the movie industry entailed a wide range of responsibilities. In addition to being in charge of mail runs and copy jobs, he also aided in the placement of backgrounds and the directing duties of extras on the set.
“I had typical office duties,” Whitehead said. “But I also got to do alot of hands-on stuff. It was very educational.”
Whitehead also had the privilege of getting to know the film’s director, James Mangold.
“Jim is a very cool guy. He is very good at what he does. I think he has a great eye and knows how to capture a picture.”
As for the vision the picture is taking, Whitehead says the filmmakers are going for a realistic look at Cash’s romance with his wife, June Carter, and Cash’s drug and alcohol usage.
“The film tries to capture what it was like for Johnny. You will see Cash being offered drugs and the abuse he falls into, and you will see how his wife was there to keep him from completely losing it,” Whitehead said.
Some particular moments in the film depicting Cash’s most memorable career moments, such as his recording at Sun Records, his “Ring of Fire” performance at the Grammys and his Folsom Prison concert, left an impression on Whitehead.
“Those particular days of filming really moved me,” he said. “I think we really captured those moments really well.”
As for the stars of the movie, Whitehead has nothing but praise for them, personally as well as professionally.
“Joaquin is really a great guy,” Whitehead said, adding that the actor took care of everyone on the set, from cast to crew to extras. “The day we filmed the Folsom Prison concert, Joaquin bought all the extras snacks and beverages. He even had a party this past Saturday night in Memphis, and I was invited.”
As for the female lead, Whitehead said Witherspoon was very sweet and giving as well.
“I really think people will be surprised by their performances,” he added.
James Mangold, director of “Girl, Interrupted” and “Identity,” helmed “Walk the Line,” a movie budgeted at $28 million. It covers Cash’s life from his boyhood days working on his parents’ cotton farm in Arkansas, his early success with Sun Records in 1950s Memphis, and his superstar days of the 1960s as well as his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction.
The movie also features Robert Patrick of “Terminator 2” fame and country music star Shelby Lynne.
The release date for the film has been set for April 22, 2005 and will be distributed by Twentieth Century Fox.
Whitehead has since returned as a student here at MSU and is in the process of completing his senior year. However, he has not let his academics distract him from his first love- making movies. In fact, he is currently working on his next movie that he wrote and is slated to direct.
“Without giving away too much, my next picture will deal with more personal stuff, such as affairs of the heart and mind. It will be a more personal movie, so I am really excited about that,” Whitehead said.
Robert Tryanski, a lecturer in the communication department, said Whitehead was a hard worker who worked well with other students in the department.
Another one of Whitehead’s instructors, Karyn Brown, shared Tryanski’s compliments.
“When you give John a task, he goes over and beyond the call of duty,” Brown said. “He has his own eye and tries new things, but he keeps his focus on what the assignment is asking for.”
As for what will come after this last year of school, Whitehead says he wants to get out to Los Angeles and get on with what seems to be starting out as a very promising career in film.
“I am ready to get in the game. I want to get my name out there. So we’ll see what’s next.”