Colorado state Sen. Wiens goes to Hollywood, in Denver
April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News
Thursday, October 4, 2007
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State Sen. Tom Wiens is making his Hollywood debut today in an Eddie Murphy film being shot in Denver.
Crews for Murphy's new movie "NowhereLand" have been in town this week, shooting at Riverfront Park and at Wiens' Sedalia Ranch.
Weins, a Republican, has scored a small speaking part in the film. Today he'll shoot a scene at Green Gables Country Club in Denver.
"Colorado has senators that are obviously natural actors," joked Wiens. "I figure acting worked for Ronald Reagan. Who knows, maybe I'll be governor of California some day."
Filming was to get under way about 2 p.m., with Wiens meeting Murphy's crew at its command post at the Belmar Center in Lakewood.
"They told me to come early so we can do make-up," Wiens said. "They said, 'I know you don't want to do that, but think of it this way, your face will definitely be on the screen and it will be two feet tall.'"
Wiens' "15 minutes of fame" will take place on the golf course. In the scene, Eddie Murphy pitches a stock deal to his buddies.
Murphy's film crew has been traveling back and forth to Wiens' ranch for five months, preparing it for the filming.
The crew also will film scenes on the ranch Sunday, Monday and possibly Tuesday, Wiens said. He is being paid a fee for his ranch and time, but he did not disclose the amount.
Transforming the 1,700-acre ranch into a makeshift Indian reservation has been no small feat.
The crew is building a set to resemble an Indian reservation for an American Indian character who sells magic blankets.
The ranch's horse stalls and barns have been rearranged. Road improvements had to be made to accommodate the film crew's semitrucks.
Next week, Wiens, his 16-year-old daughter and ranch hands will be featured in a scene where they're driving a herd of cattle into scenic vistas.
"It's going to be interesting to see if Hollywood has the know-how to move cattle on cue," he said. "I'm helping them in any way I can so they have a good experience in Colorado."
washingtonam@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5086
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