Lacking a football team to cheer on, the Boston University marching band has looked elsewhere to showcase its skills, including acting as extras in the new Clint Eastwood film, "Mystic River."
Members of the BU marching band found out they were going to be filmed for a scene in the film about two weeks ago, according to Chris Parks, the director of Terrier athletic bands. Parks said the movie called for a marching band to perform, so the producers called upon BU.
"There was a scene involving a parade in the movie, so they needed a band," he said. The production team contacted the organizers of the East Boston Columbus Day Parade to find out which band was the best, Parks said. Having participated in the event numerous times, BU was chosen.
Band President Jamie Teot said it was slow going in the beginning, but he said it provided a great experience.
"When the process was first proposed, we weren't entirely sure we would be able to do it, but as the process unfolded, we knew we could do it," she said. "We knew it would be good for the BU marching band."
Filming for this scene was completed on Monday, and both Parks and Teot were surprised to find out later on that the scene would not be dubbed over.
"At the beginning I was under the impression that we were going to air band, and that they would dub something on top of it later," he said. "[However] they are going to use the music that BU played."
Parks said this was irregular and that he received a call from the producers the next day confirming that the music the band had played was public domain.
Any material whose copyright had expired is considered public domain.
"I was both surprised and excited to hear about that," Teot said. "I think the BU band sounded excellent and demonstrated the work that they have been doing."
Roger Lussier, a College of Communication sophomore, also took part in the filming and said it was an awesome experience. He said he was starstruck when cast members Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon were within three feet of him.
"I really wanted to go over and talk to them, but I wasn't sure if I would get in trouble for that," he said. Lussier said the compliment he received from Clint Eastwood after the filming was worth being there.
He said, "We were walking back after the cut, and he looked at us, clapped his hands, and said, 'What a band. Excellent.'"
Lussier also said he hopes the band's appearance in the movie will increase awareness about BU's marching band.
Parks said the band received about $4,500 for the shoot, which will be used to purchase new instruments.
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