5.08.2008

Matt Damon . . . here??!

Never in a million years would anyone think that Decatur, Illinois could be famous for anything but Firestone (remember the recall?) and ADM's smog. But this week they are famous for Matt Damon. He is in town shooting a movie . . . in Decatur, Illinois . . . my hometown . . . it's pretty crazy. My friend, Vickie, knows a girl who is an "extra". And this morning I received all kinds of pictures from his shoot this week. He was downtown shooting a "snow scene" at an old Firestone tire shop that I've driven by a million times.

Remember the Ice Storm of 2006 and the apartment our family stayed in for 9 days? Well, that building back there behind Matt (I mean, "Mark Whitacre"), over his left shoulder, is where we lived.








Oh, why is he here? He is in a movie by Warner Brothers called "The Informant" based on the book "The Informant" which is about a man named Mark Whitacre, who was a top executive for ADM, my father-in-law and husband's company. Mark was an informant for the US Government for price-fixing in other big companies and in turn ended up being caught as a price-fixer himself. Boy, was he in trouble. He went to prison, blah blah blah . . . this was a big big thing. Not only because he committed a major crime, but also because he lived in a small farm town of 1800 people. This was BIG NEWS for our area.

Now, as you can see, it's turning into a movie and Matt Damon is the star. Sorta unreal, eh?

One of the craziest things of all is that Alexis happens to be in town this week and tonight she and I are heading downtown to "our" place for dinner. That is, if we even go to dinner. We know where he's staying, we both have our cameras, do you really think we'll go eat? Hmmmm . . . maybe ;c) So tonight should be interesting and fun and exciting and hopefully we're lucky and run into Matt . . . I mean, Mr. Whitacre :c) And we're going to ADM also . . . hmmmm . . . maybe we'll see him there? He is to still tape there . . . hmmmm. . . .

Oh my goodness, I am such a complete freak (as Alexis would say) :c) That's okay . . . gotta make the most of the exciting parts of life, right? :c)

Here's some more pics . . .





Update: I posted more info in the comment section!

14 comments:

MP said...

LOOK at that feathered hair!! They filmed a movie on my mom and dad's court last summer.. It's kind of exciting isn't it!?!
I keep thinking of the Sarah Silverman video on you tube LOL..

ohAmanda said...

Oh please, STALK him, Val! Please! :)

Michelle said...

So cool! I totally hope you and AJ accidentally bump into him!!

Anonymous said...

Way too cool!!! Totally stalk him. That would be such a great story : )

Unknown said...

You know that really would be hilarious, wouldn't it? And Alexis and I could document it. Okay, so I think maybe we should do this!! :) HA!

I have really been studying the pictures, too, and what cracks me up is how he is dressing. They obviously really study demographic areas because that is so totally how higher-class men in Decatur dress. Even today still. It's pretty hilarious.

So I was also looking up Mark Whitacre today . . . I don't think he's anywhere around this area . . . after released from prison he obviously got outa town! But he has a website!! Mark Whitacre

And here is a little more about when he was sentenced and why: NY Times report from 1999

Does Matt have on a fake nose? It looks bigger than usual???

Unknown said...

P.S. Erin, when you were visiting we walked right where he was taping !!

Oh the highlight of my life . . . these crazy things . . .

Anonymous said...

Hee, hee. That makes us almost famous, right? No? Oh, fine! Please document for us. Please, please! : )

Alexis Jacobs said...

I am armed and ready. Camera and push up bra are ready to go.

See you in an hour!!!

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

I grew up in a small town so I can understand how exciting this would be

Louise said...

Sounds pretty cool!!
Can't wait to see more pics ;)
Enjoy your 'stalking'..lol!

Jen said...

I'm a week late!!! UGH! This is just crazy that he is filming there.... my old town. AAAWWWW!! Val, it was so wonderful to see you. I'm too far away! I miss you and all of my other friends and neighbors so much it hurts!
Tell Alexis I said "hello".
Jen

Unknown said...

awwww jen, i miss you too!!!!!!! love you!

Candi said...

Sounds like a fun night!!

Melissa in Mel's World said...

You guys are too much...I haven't been here in awhile, but man I missed it!!!! Glad to pop over!