Student works on 'Empire Falls'
High school junior loves his daily job as crew locations assistant
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
WATERVILLE — Ryan Cook knows that the experience he is getting working on the set of "Empire Falls" is more valuable than any film course he'll ever take.
Ryan Cook, 17, of Waterville, works on the set of "Empire Falls" this week, where he says he is gaining experience in the film world. Cook aspires to be a movie director. The Waterville High School student and other movie production members are outside the Bob In on Temple Street.
click to enlarge
The 17-year-old Waterville Senior High School junior works several hours a day as a crew locations assistant, doing everything from helping to control crowds to emptying the trash.
"This is amazing — oh, I love it so much," Cook said Thursday at the Bob-In, where Paul Newman, Ed Harris and Aidan Quinn were filming a bar scene.
"You really have to love your job to do this," Cook said of crew work. "These guys work long days and work so hard, but they are so upbeat and raring to go."
At Waterville High, Cook takes a film course which allows him to gain real life experience by interning with the "Empire Falls" crew. He also teaches another film course to younger students as part of a second film course he is taking, and for which he is receiving credit. A film buff, Cook has been making movies since he was 6, he said.
"I acted in my own Power Rangers movie — I acted in it, directed it, and my Dad just ran the camera. I love film. I spend so much money at the movie rental place. I must be their best customer."
When he graduates from high school next year, Cook plans to go to film school and then work on films and make his own films. His ultimate goal is to direct, he said.
At 17, he already has made more than 75 films.
"I'm now working on writing a script for a film on memories of Columbine — the school shooting," he said.
Cook landed his crew internship with help from his father, Randy Cook, owner of Radio Communications, Inc. on Water Street. Lynn "Kip" Kippax, the film's location manager, met the elder Cook at his business, located across the street from the production offices.
"My Dad and Kip met and Dad said, 'My son is interested in film,' " he recalled. "I met with Kip and he liked me so he said I could work."
Cook started working on the first day of filming last month at Bee's Snack Bar in Winslow. He loved every minute of it, doing his own work and then asking crew members about their jobs so that he could educate himself, he said.
"I try to work and learn at the same time. I'm learning how the pieces fit together. When I see credits of movies now, I say, 'I know what that person does.' For example, the grips are people who do the heavy grunt work. They are some of the hardest workers on the set."
Cook said he also is learning a lot from Kippax, whom he describes as an "awesome" boss.
"Kip also is one of the busiest men I know. Not only does he work on the set, he works off the set doing paperwork. He's on the go all the time. I don't know when he sleeps."
Cook said his own father has been a great role model for him, helping him to acquire film equipment to make movies and critiquing his films honestly.
"My Dad has been my biggest supporter in making my films and getting the quality of film that I want," he said. "My Dad is amazing and so knowledgeable and so great. He'll tell me the blunt truth, too. I show him one of my films and I say, 'How do you like it?' and he'll say, 'It's good but you can improve on this,' and that's what makes my films better."
Cook arrives on the set at 6 a.m., works until 8 a.m., goes to school, returns to the set at 2:30 p.m. and works until about 7:30 p.m. He said his school principal, Scott Phair, has been very supportive of his internship and allows him to work on the movie as long as he does his school work.
"I was actually doing my homework on the set this morning," Cook said. "That's how I'm keeping up."
Cook also has been hanging out with actress Danielle Panabaker, who plays Tick Roby — daughter of Miles and Janine Roby, played by Ed Harris and Helen Hunt, respectively.
Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com