Colin Firth, Emily Blunt shoot movie scene in Fairmont (pictures)

Director Dante Ariola, left, talks with actors Emily Blunt and Colin Firth on the set of the movie 'Arthur Newman, Golf Pro,' which was filming a scene Tuesday in Fairmont.

Slide Show - Photos from the Film Set

FAIRMONT -- This sleepy Robeson County town was awakened Tuesday by the hustle and bustle of a production crew filming the upcoming movie "Arthur Newman, Golf Pro," starring Academy Award winner Colin Firth and Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt.

Fans such as media specialist Colleen Macklin traveled for miles to see Firth.

"I'm coming from Burlington," she said, her camera in hand. "I took off from a day of school, paid for a sub, traveled three hours. And I'm willing to do anything legal or illegal in order to see Colin Firth. Whatever it takes."

It didn't take long for a small crowd to gather near the production site at East Thompson and South Main streets.

About 150 crew members were on set to film a scene in front of the Hector McLean Public Library and the vacant Fairmont Youth Opportunity Center across the street. The library was staged as a hotel, while the community center was used as the outside of a chapel.

A new identity

 

In the film, Firth plays a man named Wallace Avery who faked his own death and assumed a new identity as Arthur Newman, a golf pro. He later meets Mike (Blunt), an attractive yet emotionally damaged woman who also is striving to start a new life.

Producer Mac Cappuccino of Vertebra Films said the scene is an important one in the story.
"Wallace (Firth) ... is looking over at this chapel and sees these people getting married. He's looking for Mike, and he can't find her. He realizes that, 'I like this girl.' ... He cares for her almost like a caretaker, but there's also that romantic tension," Cappuccino said.

The scene - although no longer than a few minutes - required multiple takes from different camera angles. Filming lasted for several hours.

As the day continued, more onlookers began to trickle on site, some of whom were planning to vote, as well.

Fairmont residents voted in municipal elections at the library on Tuesday. Voters were required to enter through the back entrance while filming was taking place in the front.

Poll volunteers were often seen peeping out of library windows to get a look at Hollywood in their backyard.

Volunteer Shirley Thompson said seeing the filming was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Across the street, Rose Tencati tried to get a look from her hot dog stand. Business was already brisk when she arrived.

"I do know that they are having a catering service for the crew and the cast. And I think I may get twice as many customers than I usually get, but not much more than that," she said.

Helping the town

 

The filming is expected to be a boon for local businesses and the community as a whole, said Mayor Charles Kemp.

"Before this day is over, there's probably going to be a couple of hundred onlookers, citizens who want to stand around and watch this because this is very unusual for Fairmont," he said. "They may stop and buy a McDonald's hamburger, get gas or stop by a store and buy some clothes. It'll provide a very positive atmosphere for our town."

Staff writer Jessica De Vault can be reached at devaultj@fayobserver.com or 609-0649.