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The Ringer At The Games |
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The first challenge for the production of THE
RINGER was to authentically recreate the excitement, suspense
and athletic atmosphere of a real Special Olympics - an ambiance
that takes the scheming Steve Barker completely by surprise as
he attempts to "fit in" as a competitor. Before pre-production
even began, the filmmakers traveled to Dublin, Ireland to shoot
footage and witness the 2003 Special Olympics World Games. The
experience was one that would leave a lasting impression with
producer Bradley Thomas.
"Attending the World Games was one of the most moving
experiences of my entire life," recalls Thomas. "We were in the
stadium watching highlights of the torch being carried all
around the world by Special Olympics Athletes when they
announced the torch was about to come into the stadium. A
hundred thousand people rose to their feet with a gigantic
ovation and this young boy ran through the stadium surrounded by
500 policemen, firemen and armed services personnel. He runs up
on the stage while U2's Bono is singing "One Love" and then out
comes Nelson Mandela. So you have this young boy holding hands
with Bono and Nelson Mandela with their arms up in the air. It
was a magical moment that really inspired us all."
With that experience still fresh in their minds, the filmmakers
began to search for a location for the film's 45-day shooting
schedule, ultimately choosing Austin, Texas for its conducive
warm weather, down-home friendliness and growing film community.
"On all of the Farrelly Brothers films we like to create a
comfortable atmosphere where everybody sort of hangs out
together and it's summer camp for three months," explains
producer Thomas. "For this film that was even more important, so
we chose Austin, a city that would let our actors walk around in
shorts and tank tops in the middle of winter." Adds Barry
Blaustein: "Austin's a great city to make a comedy in because
it's such a fun place and it has some of the hardest-working and
most creative crews I've ever encountered. It's a place where
camaraderie is a big part of everything."
To create a kind of Special Olympics boot camp, the filmmakers
invited the entire cast to come to Texas early to develop the
camaraderie and rapport so essential to the film's story.
Director Blaustein recalls: "That period of time blew everyone's
minds and changed all of our perspectives as to what an
intellectually challenged person is really like. I think the
cast also discovered something important -- which is that there
is no one single perspective of it. It was a wonderful bonding
experience that was key to creating the warmth and sweetness at
the heart of the story."
Adds Johnny Knoxville: "I had never really been around
intellectually challenged people much before so it really helped
that everyone came to Austin a little early. We all taught each
other a lot and grew very close to one another in a short period
of time."
On October 14, 2003 principle photography began, and Blaustein
and the rest of the crew watched as the preparation paid off on
camera. "From the opening bell, Johnny and the entire cast and
crew just clicked," notes Peter Farrelly. "I had always feared
that the actors would split into factions; the Hollywood actors
on one side and the intellectually challenged actors and
athletes on the other, but it never happened. Instead the cast
blended together so quickly that initially some of the crew
didn't know who was intellectually challenged and who wasn't."
In the film, Jeffy quickly realizes, to his dismay, that he is
outmatched by most of the Special Olympics athletes...a
storyline that came to life when the production began filming
the competition scenes, and Johnny Knoxville found himself
huffing and puffing in an impossible effort to keep up.
continued... |
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