Albion teen lands small role in movie
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
WATERVILLE — At 14, Tony Takacs likes earning $678 a day as an actor in the HBO movie "Empire Falls."
That's a lot of money for a boy who grew up on a dairy farm in Albion, he acknowledges.
"Once I'm in the union, I could make five grand a week," he says, matter-of-factly.
Takacs is one of only a few Mainers lucky enough to land a speaking role in the movie.
A small part, but a good one nevertheless. He plays Justin, a classmate of Tick Roby (played by Danielle Panabaker), daughter of the main character, Miles Roby.
"It's fun," Takacs said Friday. "It's well-paying. When I'm on set I don't have to go home and milk the cows."
This summer, he read about auditions in the newspaper. While he had no prior acting experience, he decided to take a crack at it.
"Mom said I should try out, so I said, 'OK,' " he recalled.
He waited in line about six hours and then stood in front of a camera reciting one line: "John says he wants to meet you in the parking lot," he said.
He was called back to read again, and then got the part.
Tall, with dark brown hair and blue eyes, Takacs is what you might call a natural-born actor, according to his mother, Claudia.
"He can do anything he sets his mind to, this one," she said.
Casting director Dee Cooke would agree. She said he exhibited a certain quality directors seek.
"Tony just had something about him," Cooke said. "Any actor has to be likeable and there's just something about him that's very likeable, and he's very directable."
After three rehearsals with director Fred Schepisi, Takacs says he has been told he is doing a good job. His first day of filming is scheduled to start today at Waterville Senior High School, where a scene takes place in an art class.
Takacs says he has been getting a lot of good advice from other teenage actors in the movie who are professionals, including Trevor Morgan, who plays Zack Minty, a bully who formerly dated Tick and is friends with Justin. Morgan has appeared in movies including "The Glass House" and "Uncle Nino."
Morgan and his mother have been to the Takacs farm in Albion to visit. Claudia Takacs said the mothers of the young actors all have been very friendly, as have all of the HBO cast and crew.
For instance, she had to drive Tony to the wardrobe trailer parked at the set of Bee's Snack Bar in Winslow the other night, and got some needed help from the crew afterward.
"I had to go home and milk the cows and after wardrobe they took him over to the (film) office and let him stay there 'til I got finished milking," she said. "They're very kind people. You can trust your kids with them. I didn't think that everybody would be so wonderful, so helpful, so kind."
Takacs attended Albion Elementary School and Lawrence Junior High School in Fairfield, and now is a freshman at Kents Hill School in Readfield, where he plays defense on the football team. He also plays the drums.
Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com