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.
