The Wright Stuff
Veteran of CMP commercials gets called in for movie
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
WATERVILLE — Jim Wright is going from acting in television commercials for Central Maine Power Co. to being an extra in a bar scene for the HBO movie "Empire Falls."
Jim Wright, 40, left, of Cornville, got a call Tuesday night to show up on the set Wednesday as an extra in the HBO film, "Empire Falls." Filming took place at the Bob-In restaurant and lounge on Temple Street in Waterville.
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Wright, 40, showed up on the set at the Bob-In restaurant and lounge on Temple Street about noon Wednesday, ready to roll.
"I auditioned in August and waited in line five hours, and it has paid off," said Wright, of Cornville. "I got my call last night."
Though he was told to show up at 1 p.m. for wardrobe and makeup, Wright arrived early to take in the scene on Temple Street before going to work.
Fans and displaced Bob-In patrons lined the sidewalks to watch the filming, which will continue through Friday, both in and outside the lounge.
Crews have transformed the business into Callahan's Bar, which in the film is owned by Bea Callahan, played by Estelle Parsons. Callahan is mother to Janine Roby, played by Helen Hunt."
On Wednesday, Wright stood off Front Street near the railroad tracks, behind which dozens of vehicles and motor homes belonging to the cast and crew were parked at Head of Falls.
A CMP lineman for 16 years, Wright is well-known in Maine for his television commercials in which he issues the stern warning: "No line's safe to touch — evah!"
Now a transmission supervisor for CMP, Wright landed the television commercial job 12 years ago by being at the right place at the right time, he said.
A CMP advertising official had arrived at a CMP office on Madison Avenue in Skowhegan, according to Wright, who at the time did not know who the man was. Wright was standing with some other workers and decided to see if he needed help.
"He looked lost, so I said, 'You look lost — can I help you?' " Wright recalled. "He said he was waiting for some buddies to go on a fishing trip. Then he turned and said, 'Would you like to be in a commercial?' and I said,'Yeah, right.' "
Since then, Wright has acted in CMP commercials, shot in towns from Harmony to Portland.
"In the beginning, it took me a long time," he said. "I'll never forget it. We did 128 takes for six scenes. Recently, we did three scenes in 12 takes."
At first, he got a lot of ribbing from fellow linemen about his role, but now they are easier on him, he said.
"They all pretty much call me, 'Hollywood,' " he said.
Wright, a former member of the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce who, with his wife, Veronica, helped organize Log Days and Christmas parades in that town for several years, said he understands the significance of having an HBO movie shot in central Maine.
"I think it's great," he said. "I'm really hoping that this can give a nice shot to the economy — that people will want to come up and see where 'Empire Falls' was filmed."
Paul Newman showed up on the set about 10 a.m. He plays Max Roby, father to main character Miles Roby, who is played by Ed Harris. Wright said he was looking forward to being in the bar scene with Newman and Harris. And while he had never been inside the Bob-In, he acknowledged there is a first time for everything.
"I mean, a lot of people have been accused of acting up in the Bob-In — not me — but now I'm going to be!" he said, grinning.
Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com