The pay, experience and industry contacts from working on a big budget movie are sweet, of course. But seeing yourself in the completed version of a Disney movie . . . well, the word "priceless" comes to mind.
Tonight at the Emagine theater in Royal Oak, Metro Detroit actors with roles in “Oz, the Great and Powerful” get to see how the work turned out. The film, which has its public debut Friday, was shot in a Pontiac studio and directed by Birmimngham native Sam Raimi.
Carokl Hopkins of The Oakland Press spoke with some cast members invited to the premiere. “I’m like a kid at Christmas time,” says 45-year-old Ron Causey of Allen Park, who plays a tinker.
Bryan and Laurie Valko of Lake Orion — who were Emerald City residents — worked as the only married couple on the film.
“One of the more memorable days was a late evening during our meal break when an impromptu talent show broke out,” said Bryan. . . . “This is a very talented group and before you knew it many of the extras were taking turns belting out tunes." . . .
Derek Kelly of Shelby Township, who was lead actor James Franco’s stunt double, tells Hopkins:
“I’ve been a big fan of the ‘Wizard of Oz’ since I was a kid. When I walked onto the set, with Glinda’s castle and 200 extras, I felt like Dorothy walking into Oz for the first time.”
