Part 2: Behind The Scenes Of "Wildlife" Movie - Curtis Tucker

ENID, OK – The movie Wildlife, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, was filmed in Enid, Oklahoma. I was an extra in the movie in a couple of scenes and also followed the filming around town. I snapped a great collection of photographs to document the locations in Enid where scenes were shot. See movie clips and my scenes in part one of this article.

Filming began in locations throughout Enid and reports started coming in as to the various locations. I popped over to the area of Enid where the main house was located and immediately saw director Paul Dano and the videographer walking down the street. Most of the film locations were blocked off by police and barricades so snagging photos was not an easy task.

My scene was to be filmed in Hennessey, Oklahoma, about 25 miles south of Enid. I was to be there pretty early for wardrobe and makeup. That morning, a large building in town began filling with all kinds of extras and film crew. We all slipped into costume and stood in line for makeup. I was given a heavy coating of dark brown makeup that made me look rather worn and rugged.

In Hennessey waiting in line for wardrobe and makeup. Thirteen of us were picked to be firefighter extras in the movie. We were fitted in Enid for wardrobe and met in Hennessey for filming. We all received make-up that really darkened our skin and appearance. While on this set we filmed several scenes with Jake Gyllenhaal.

My face after makeup. They used dark makeup on our faces, arms, hands and even fingernails.

A break for lunch while filming in Hennessey. Pizza was on the menu.

The main actors and director had lunch in the same area.

A big part of making a film is waiting. Here we were waiting on the next scene to be prepared. We filmed from early morning to after dark in Hennessey.

A few of our scenes were riding in the back of this truck with Jake. Here they were getting ready for a closeup of Jake in the truck.

This home on W. Maine and Polk was used for several scenes. They had to spray snow in the yard to make it look more like winter. It was cold outside while filming most of this film in Enid.

The crew discussing the upcoming scenes at this location.

Director Paul Dano looking over the location.

The crew filmed a night scene on W. Maine. They had two huge spotlights located a block away in each direction to help add light to the neighborhood. There were a couple of nights of filming very late at this location.

Jake discussing things with director Paul Dano.

Jake checking things out while waiting for the next scene on W. Maine. I think he was looking for me.

The safety crew discussing the upcoming fire scene at the home on W. Maine.

Jake pouring liquid on the front porch. There was a fire strip near the house which was lit to look like the spreading of the fire.

This fire scene on W. Maine took several takes. In one scene the porch actually caught on fire and there had to be repairs made to the home.

Jake and the crew filming the porch fire scene on W. Maine.

Some of the night driving scenes were filmed in the Waverly District in Enid. Paul and the crew were preparing to film from the back of a truck on W. Maine.

The family in the film lived in this house on Cottonwood. Many inside and outside scenes were filmed here. The home was vacant at the time.

Jake and Ed were out playing football to prepare for one of their scenes on Cottonwood.

The auto detail shop on E. Broadway was made to look like a working gas station. Although it was cold during filming there was no snow on the ground. The crew had to add all of the station props and snow.