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Community Corner

Scene in 'Source Code' Shot in La Grange Park

On a chilly day almost a year ago, a production crew came and filmed on Waiola Avenue, with cooperation from residents, for the action movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal set to hit theaters April 1.

Bob Andorka and his sons were eating lunch in their La Grange Park home one Saturday about 18 months ago when they noticed two mini buses pull up to their home. A crew of 16-plus 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."

It turns out, Bob was right: it was a crew from Beleaguered Castle Film Productions, Inc., of Chicago. After looking at a few locations in the immediate area, they decided that the Andorka's driveway on Waiola Avenue was perfect for their scene.

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Natasha Parker, assistant location manager, said the crew liked the curve of the street.

The crew told the Andorka family about what they were thinking of doing, and said insurance information and contracts would be on the way soon, then they were gone.

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

The production company distributed a memo to all households on the 400 block of Waiola Avenue naming the movie to be filmed on their street: the action thriller "Source Code", starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga, about Gyllenhaal's character's mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. The memo also indicated the scene 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 area schools in anticipation of the street being closed for filming. The crew also cleaned the street and removed the street signs.

The day of filming arrived: Thursday, April 8, 2010. Everyone forgot about it being garbage day! The crew moved all of the bright blue bins to backyards for the shoot.

Bonnie Andorka, Bob's wife, took the day off from work so as not to miss anything. Kate Andorka, their daughter, had just returned from a semester abroad the night before. Moe, their loyal yellow lab, was only too happy to greet everyone who came to the door. Neighborhood kids came to see the action and their parents were just as delighted that their block was to be a Hollywood star.

Bonnie Andorka was most gracious to the cast and crew, opening her home and providing real hot chocolate (with milk!) for everyone on the nippy April day. The producer gave her a "Source Code" cap in appreciation for her warm welcome. 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.

That afternoon, activity was nonstop in preparation for and shooting of the scene: A white van driven by a "bad guy" goes south on Waiola and a family jumps into their Jeep Cherokee that is parked in their driveway (the Andorka's driveway).

The actors and actress who were playing the family arrived about noon. An actor who goes by the name "Spo" played the dad, actress Laura Atwood played the mom and Spo's real-life sons, Brandon and Logan, played the boys in the family. The actors filled us in on what it's like to be in a movie, how they got the parts, other productions 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 enthralled 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 a 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 white van down the street in the scene.

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

The scene that stars our fair village will play in about 30-45 seconds—yet, we were all there for about four hours! Check for it when "Source Code" hits theaters on April 1!

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