
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 16, 1992                   TAG: 9203160173
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SOMMERSBY IT'S SHOWTIME IN BATH

BATH COUNTY saw its sparse population (4,799) grow considerably last week, when about 1,500 folks, some from as far away as Ohio, showed up for the casting call for "Sommersby."

OK, so the auditions were at the famous Homestead resort - not exactly unaccustomed to having visitors.

Even so, Bath ought to welcome the attention it's sure to get from the movie. "Sommersby," to star Richard Gere and Jodie Foster, will be filmed mostly at Warwickton, a historic mansion in the George Washington National Forest. Other Virginia locations, including Lexington, may also serve as shooting sites. All may benefit from what's been estimated as potentially a $10 million economic boost that comes with movie productions.

Though Virginia has been the host state for numerous film productions in recent years, the George Washington Forest and other locations being considered for "Sommersby" have never been the major backdrop for a star-studded movie. They're mighty pretty places, and it will be nice to see them on the big screen.

"Sommersby" will tell a story about a Confederate officer returning to his plantation - Warwickton will star - after the Civil War.

All told, the production will need 2,500 extras for crowd scenes and bit parts, and the producers say they want to use as many local faces as possible.

The casting director, Tanya Sullivan, says she's pleased with the 1,500 who showed up for last Monday's casting call. Her only disappointment was that very few black people came. "We want to see blacks; we've got some wonderful roles for blacks," says Sullivan.

True, there aren't all that many black people in the immediate area. And some might even be turned off by the buzzwords: "antebellum," "plantation," "Civil War."

On the other hand, the war was an equal-employment opportunity. Some 215,000 blacks served in the Union's army and navy. (Beginning in 1864, blacks were welcomed into the Confederacy army as well.) Black people are main players in Reconstruction history. And movie-making seems to be a "more equal" employment opportunity than it once was. Ask Spike Lee.

When it's time for lights! cameras! action! in "Sommersby," area black residents ought to be there alongside their white neighbors.

by CNB