TEXAS IN HOLLYWOOD - “STICK IT......

Our very own Patty Hannan from Dallas had the opportunity to participate in an upcoming movie about gymnastics. Here is her story.

Texas NAWGJ Judge is a movie star!
Well, not exactly a movie star – but hey, how often do you get asked to go to Hollywood to be in a real movie?! Well, that is exactly what happened to me at the compulsory workshop held in Reno, Nevada in June. Pat Warren, an elite coach and Judge was there and she was hired as the gymnastics technical expert for the upcoming Disney movie, starring Jeff Bridges called, ‘Stick It’. We have been friends for many years and she asked me if I would be interested in being a ‘real’ judge for the movie. I actually thought about it for awhile and then realized, “What the heck! How often do you get to be in a movie!”

So in July, off I went to Hollywood for 2 weeks! We filmed it in the LA Coliseum. I was there for the filming of the U.S. National Championships! I had my dream job – head judge on bars (so technically I guess I was Patty Pinichas!) We were not privy to the entire story line but it is a ‘chick flick’ based on our sport! I got the distinct impression that the judges are not favorably portrayed – I had several close-ups where I made mean faces at the girls who were deliberately scratching my event – in an attempt to be sure the girl (Nastia Liukin) they wanted to win would win. There were some incredible bar routines shot.

There were also gymnasts from France, Spain, China and Australia. Several collegiate gymnasts from the
NCAA ranks were in it also including Andrea Pickens of Alabama. Nastia was so impressive they actually gave her a speaking part. I had to tell Jeff Bridges what he could and couldn’t say and do on bars when he gets really mad at us. You never know what they will keep in or cut out. You may see me or I may just be in the background.

One interesting fact was that for the 14 hour days we put in filming they said they would average about three minutes that would actually make it to the big screen.

One funny story was when I first arrived I had to go to the ‘hair and make up’ trailer. The Lady started
poofing my hair out and she could tell I wasn’t very happy. She said, “I can tell you are not liking this big hair but this meet is taking place in Plano, Texas and the judges there wear lots of make up and big hair.” “WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?” was my astonished reply. “I am a REAL Texas judge – and I/WE don’t wear hair like this! (not since the 80’s anyway!)” We all laughed and I brushed it out a little.

The actresses and actors were very nice – they are an interesting group – they wouldn’t last long in Texas though! Jeff Bridges was also very nice. It was a really fun experience and I told Carole Ide (President of NAWGJ) that I did my best to portray us professionally but you never know how it ends up on the big screen. They told us it would be released in April or late summer – so keep a look out!! The other ‘real’ judge in the photo is Sue Kane from Ohio.

Submitted by Leslie Patterson, Texas SJD