Stalking Smallville
For the record, no I don’t work for the Smallville production company, nor am I an extra or actor with the show.
I WISH!
No, I’m just an insanely rabid fan who happens to live really close to the studio, and actively stalks the set. and as of Saturday night, some of the actors.
I’ve been a fan of Smallville since 2003. I caught re-runs of Season 2 durning a Smallville Marathon on Space. I was home sick with the flu, and it turned out to be a great distraction from my runny nose and fever. I’m not sure why I didn’t start watching the show sooner, since I’m a Superman nut, but once I started watching, I was hooked. After the marathon, I wanted to start from the beginning and fill in some of the gaps. Ever since, I have been a fan, through the good, the bad and the Doomsday episodes (Still angry about that).
In 2005, I moved to Vancouver, where the show is filmed, so naturally I started mapping out all of the film locations in the area. I managed to do a two day tour with a good friend (and former Smallville nut. He’s not as into the show since I moved away.) We scouted all of the major and minor locations and took pics in front of the buildings and locations. Surprisingly, it was easier than it sounded and a hell of a lot of fun.
Fast forward to this past week-end where I scored THE opportunity of a life time. Thanks to a few decent connections, I attended the Smallville Cast & Crew Christmas party! SCORE 1 for the Fanboy!
I was really excited. What an opportunity, to attend a Hollywood party, for one of my favourite TV shows! I was warned that it was unlikely that many of the actors would be in attendance, and that turned out to be true. Tom Welling (Clark Kent), Erica Durance (Lois Lane) and Allison Mack (Chloe Sullivan) were all mysteriously absent. However, I did meet two amazing cast members.
First, I spotted Cassidy Freeman early on. She’s been playing Tess Mercer, LuthorCorp. CEO in Lex Luthors absence for the past three seasons. When I first noticed her, she was dancing. Palling around with some of the other ladies from the production. I got kinda giddy when I realized it was her.
Next, I spotted this tall fella, sauntering... no strutting across the dance floor over to the bar. My heart actually skipped a beat, when I realized it might be the “Emerald Archer” himself. I had to confirm with one of the other fanboys, but he was pretty sure it wasn’t him. He thought this guy looked too skinny to be him.
For the record I was right.
Justin Hartley plays Oliver Queen/Green Arrow. DC Comics’ modern day Robin Hood, right down to his comic book costume. He’s a billionaire playboy by day, and crime fighting bow and arrow toting vigilante by night. A lot like Batman, but a lot less grumpy. He is easily one of my favourite comic-book characters.
Justin is part of the reason I’m so fond of Green Arrow, and while his portrayal is somewhat different than his comic book counterpart, I really like what he’s done with the character.
As for his swagger, it fits Oliver really well, and I thought for the longest time that it was part of his character. NOPE. It’s all Justin. I don’t think any fan of the show could miss him walking into a room.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Cassidy and Justin were the only two cast members in attendance while I was there. Though I heard a rumour that Tom Welling showed up shortly after I left, but that’s mere speculation.
By the end of the night, my friends were ready to leave, so I had to leap at the opportunity to say hi to Cassidy and Justin.
First, I spotted Cassidy and I politely tapped her on the shoulder and told her how much I loved her in the show.
I was surprised by the pitch of her voice, I know that sounds weird, but in the show, she has a very empowering commanding voice, that of a CEO. In person, her tone is higher and more playful. Just an observation that speaks partly to how talented she really is.
Cassidy was very sweet. She offered to pose for a pic when I mentioned that my other half wanted to meet her, but couldn’t make it to the party. She chuckled and said “Let’s take a pic and show him how much fun we’re having without him!”
Sidebar - She gives good hugs too! Just sayin’!
I had to muster up the courage to go say hi to Justin. Throughout the entire night, he was surrounded by an entourage. That led me to believe that he wasn’t going to want to be bothered by a fanboy. I hovered from a few feet away, trying to catch eye contact, or something.
When Justin realized that I was hovering, he rose to class act status, and gently nudged his friends aside and actually came over to me to say hi. WOW! I was quite surprised. He was SUPER friendly and we managed a few minutes of talk time. I kept it quick, since I didn’t want to bore him with “OMG! you’re so amazing, awesome... I love green arrow...” blah blah blah.
After meeting both Cassidy and Justin, I have some observations.
First of all, I was blown away by how nice they both were. They were SO genuine. I really felt as though they enjoyed just a few minutes with a fan. No Hollywood ego or attitude at all.
Cassidy was hilarious and bubbly, and it really showed my how different her character is from her real life persona. Justin was just as good lookin’ as he is on the show (though not really my type. I know that doesn’t really need to be said, but everyone assumes that since I’m gay and he’s pretty, that I must be into him. Nope. Just sayin’) I also noticed he as remarkably soft hands. Like the kind of hands that had never performed a day of hard, or even medium labour in his life. But what do I care, he’s the freakin’ Green Arrow!
Meeting some members of the Smallville cast was everything I hoped for, and more. Justin and Cassidy were so gracious, and I wanted to thank them both for that.I wanted to also thank my good friend, who went out of his way to arrange for me to be there that night. That experience was something I will never forget, and I wanted him to know how much I appreciated that gesture.
I think my only regret from that night is that I didn’t get a picture with Justin. *sigh*
I really wish I had been more practical and less overwhelmed fan boy. I should have thought that one through a little more.
Ah well... next time?
Cassidy Freeman (Tess Mercer) & I at the Smallville Cast & Crew Christmas Party
December 11, 2010
