Special Paint

I grew up in Des Plaines and I have a lot of friends who still live in the northwest suburbs. When I heard that Lee DeWyze, currently one of the top 5 on American Idol hails from Mt. Prospect, I figured someone I know knows him.

My phone rang early one morning last week - 7:00 a.m. It was my friend and former co-worker Denise. Though we talk only once every six months and see each other maybe once a year, there is no need for identification.

"Laur, I got a great story for you."

"Hey, Den - what's up?"

Denise is a very fun, fun-loving, gregarious person and usually filled with good stories. She told me that she had been painting her house. Denise lives in Palatine and has been going to a paint store near her home for many years. It is still family-owned, still has coffee and cookies for its customers. Through the past couple of months, she bought a few gallons of paint. Each time, a nice young man waited on her. They got to talking and he asked her to come and see him sing.

Denise recounts the story:

"I'm thinkin - yeah, right, hard rock - so I say to him, okay, I'll do that." I didn't go.

"Then I bought a very expensive paint for my bathroom, it was called spa paint. I did not like the color and so decided I would go back to the store and see if I could donate it. I approached my young friend and asked about the possibility of a donation.

"He said, 'Oh, I can fix it for you - no problem. This will be a one-time, no charge thing.' He made up a little receipt and gave it to me. Something made me keep his note. By this time, we were pretty good buds and he was such a nice kid - very kind. He again mentioned his singing gig and said, 'Hey, you didn't come to see me.' I replied yeah, I know, I will try to make it. I had no intention of going to see him, thinking it was not my type of music.

"Shortly after this, I was walking through the living room, American Idol on the TV. I hadn't been paying much attention, just had it on for background noise. I looked over and whom do I see?"

Lee DeWyze - !

Denise has been doing her fair share to ensure he stays on the show - everyone is texting her after they text their vote. There is a blues bar in Mt Prospect who is selling 'vote for Lee' shirts and giving all of the money to charity. It is a great family event.

Denise says that though the judges say he is 'shy' she sees it differently: "Lee is a very, very nice caring kid - kind and humble."

After last night's show, Lee is still 'safe.' - as Denise says, we didn't get the Olympics, maybe we'll have the American Idol.

Hollywood in La Grange Park

Bob Andorka and his sons were eating lunch one Saturday when they noticed two mini buses pull up to their home. About 16 people holding clipboards got out and were looking around, gesturing and talking. The men thought it was part of the census.



Bob did quip however, "Maybe they are scouting for a movie."


Turns out that Bob was right: it was a crew from Beleaguered Castle Film Productions, Inc. of Chicago. After having looked at a few locations in the immediate area, they decided that the Andorka's driveway was perfect for their scene. They talked about what they were thinking of doing, said the insurance information and contracts would be on the way soon and were gone.



"As fast as they were here, they were gone again," says Bob.




In speaking with Natasha Parker, assistant location manager, she indicated that the crew liked the curve of the street. They had been looking around the quarry, but needed a more residential feel to the scene and after driving through La Grange Park, they decided on the Andorkas.







The production company distributed a memo to all households on the 400 block of Waiola stating that the film is called Source Code starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga. The scene that was to be filmed on Waiola was that of a character named Derek who is driving through various parts of the city trying to find a short route to downtown Chicago. The company made arrangements with the La Grange Park Police and the schools in anticipation of the street being closed off for filming. The crew also removed the street signs and cleaned the street as well.

The day arrived - Thursday, April 8.

Everyone forgot about it being garbage day - ! The bins were moved to the backs of the yards for the shoot.

Bonnie Andorka took the day off from work so as not to miss anything. Kate Andorka, currently a student at Illinois State University, had just returned from a semester abroad the night before. Moe, the loyal yellow lab, was only too happy to greet everyone that came into the door. Neighborhood kids came to see the action and their parents were just as delighted that their block was a star.

And it was non-stop activity for the afternoon. The actors and actress who were playing the family arrived about noon. Spo was playing the dad, Laura Atwood was playing the mom and Spo's two sons, Brandon and Logan were the boys in the family. They filled us in on the workings of being in a movie, how you are picked, other things they have starred in and their other jobs.

Stunt man Rick LeFevour arrived to grand fanfare - he performed many stunts in 'The Dark Knight" and kept all of the kids in thrall telling them how he does the stunts, what he needs to suit up, how the cars are padded - he assured us that his mother is not at all surprised with his career of choice - he always was the daredevil.

LeFevour could not have been more gracious - he talked with the kids for about an hour, signing autographs for them all. LeFevour is the guy driving the van down the street.

Left: photo of LeFevour with Kate on his right, Bonnie two to his left and the kids from the neighborhood.

Wardrobe arrived just before the shoot to go over the costumes. The actors bring their own clothing and wardrobe goes through the items to determine which is best suited for the scene. Cameras were set up, directors chairs were in place and it was time for the shoot.

The scene that stars our fair village is this: A white van comes south on Waiola and the family jumps into their Jeep Cherokee that is parked in Andorka's driveway. The scene will play in about 30-45 seconds and we were all there for about 4 hours!

Bonnie Andorka will probably receive a special mention from this crew: she was most gracious, opening her home to all the cast and crew. It was a nippy April day and Bonnie made real hot chocolate (with milk!) for everyone. She received a cap with 'Source Code' on it for her warm welcome from the producer. She assured them all that is was 'midwestern hospitality' but I am sure she will long be remembered by everyone that was in attendance that day.

The film is scheduled for release in 2011.