Residents try to get glimpse of filming for ‘The Best of Me’

Area residents waited anxiously Thursday to try to catch some of the filming going on for the movie “The Best of Me” on Berwick Bay by the International Petroleum Museum and Exposition, commonly known as the “Mr. Charlie.”
Lester Pinn, 48, of Morgan City, who lives on First Street in Morgan City, said “The Best of Me” is the first movie he has watched being filmed. “Anything that the city does that’s positive for the city is a help to the city,” Pinn said.
Pinn worked as a cook on the “Mr. Charlie” in 2002. He used to cook for 35 to 65 people per week, he said. “At the time, it was my first experience getting that close to offshore,” Pinn said.
According to the Internet Movie Database, “The Best of Me” is based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel and stars Michelle Monaghan, James Marsden, Liana Liberato, Sebastian Arcelus and Gerald McRaney.
Paul Walker was cast in the lead role, but after he died, the role was given to James Marsden, according to the Internet Movie Database. The movie centers around a pair of former high school sweethearts who reunite after many years when they return to visit their small hometown, according to the website.
Pinn has lived in Morgan City for more than 30 years and sat outside his home on First Street watching for the pyrotechnics that are supposed to take place. “I would like to see some ka’boom,” Pinn said laughing.
Dwayne Hoskins, 48, of Morgan City, visited Pinn at his home to try to get a glimpse of the filming action, he said. Hoskins saw filming for “All the Kings Men,” which was also filmed in downtown Morgan City. “It’s a great thing for the community. Anything that we can get that’s going to make some money for St. Mary Parish and the city is a beautiful thing,” Hoskins said.
Shawn Pollard, 29, and Richelle Delaune, 58, both of Morgan City, stood atop the seawall in Morgan City overlooking Berwick Bay to attempt to catch some of the filming or explosions.
Delaune watched filming for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” starring Brad Pitt, she said. Delaune’s son met Denzel Washington and got to talk with Washington when he was in town to film “Déjà Vu,” she said.
Delaune went to the balcony overlooking the bay Thursday morning and did not see any filming going on so she came back after lunch. She planned to stay there through the afternoon until she saw something happen, Delaune said with a laugh. “I’m ready. This is what I want to see,” Delaune said Thursday.
Pollard said, “It’s pretty awesome they’re filming a movie.” Pollard went through hazmat, rigging and fire training on the “Mr. Charlie” when he worked for Trussco. “I enjoyed it on the rig. It was a real nice rig, beautiful. For being the very first that was supposed to be out there it’s in good condition,” Pollard said. Pollard was waiting to see an explosion, he said.