ENID, OK – Paul Dano brought Richard Ford’s American classic “Wildlife” to the screen, marking his directorial debut. Academy Award® nominees Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan were actors in the period drama along with the young actor Ed Oxenbould.

Although the story was set in Montana, much of the movie was filmed in Enid, Oklahoma and the surrounding area. Filming took place during the end of the year in 2016. Many local residents were used as extras during the filming including myself.

After having a speaking role in my first movie a year before, I had caught the acting bug as far as wanting to be an extra in more films. My ultimate goal was to learn about movie making from behind the scenes so that I could eventually work on my own projects.

When it was announced that “Wildlife” was coming to Enid I thought it would be a great opportunity to see how major motion pictures are filmed and what equipment is used. I signed up with the casting agency and submitted myself for different parts.

It didn’t take long and I was asked to be an extra as a forest firefighter. I wasn’t told anything about the scene other than the date and town. Below are some of my scenes in the movie.

Movie clips from the movie Wildlife. See if you can spot me!

Gyllenhaal and Oxenbould scene in Hennessey. I’m in the middle walking away.

This was my longest on screen shot leaning against this metal shed.

This was the first Wildlife scene we did with Jake. Signing up to go fight fires.

The film will be released on October 19, 2018. Circle Cinema in Tulsa premiered the film on November 9th, 2018 which is where I saw it for the first time.

Continue on for the behind the scenes photos from the movie Wildlife.

The post Part 1: I Was In A Movie With Jake Gyllenhaal appeared first on Curtis Tucker.

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.

The pumps, lights and merchandise in the station were all film props. The snow was blown in by a machine.

The crew blowing snow in for the gas station scene on E. Broadway.

The Turf Bar on E. Maine near the Main Street Bridge was used as a set. Jake and Ed filmed some of their scenes here.

Jake Gyllenhaal spent a little time walking around and checking out the Maine Street Bridge.

Most film locations had the is tent set up for the main actors and directors.

Ed Oxenbould grabbing a snack before filming outside the Turf Bar.

United Supermarket on E. Broadway was also a film location. Several local vintage cars were used in the film.

Ed road his blue bike up and down E. Broadway.

A scene was filmed on N. Washington above the old upholstery shop.

Enid Winnelson on N. Independence was made to look like Millers Fine Cars dealership.

The post Part 2: Behind The Scenes Of “Wildlife” Movie appeared first on Curtis Tucker.