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thedrifter
03-06-03, 06:38 AM
MARFORPAC Marines make their silver screen debut
Submitted by: Marine Forces Pacific; Headquarters Marine Corps
Story Identification Number: 200335194642
Story by Cpl. Luis R. Agostini



CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii(March 5, 2003) -- Several Marines from Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Forces Pacific, can now add "mega-action movie star" to their resumes, for their roles in the upcoming movie, "Tears of the Sun," which hits theaters nationwide Friday.

Staff Sgt. Marcus Daniel, Sgts. Sherman Lessane and Douglas Haynesworth, and Cpl. Medehania Baheta, all with MarForPac Headquarters and Service Bn., joined several other service members across the island for supporting roles as members of a Nigerian rebel militia in pursuit of a Navy S.E.A.L. team and the American doctor and refugees they attempt to escort out of central Africa.

The actors were selected during an island-wide casting call, which called for black males who can portray a military look and feel.

Retired Master Sgt. Duwayne Keyes, former Equal Opportunity Advisor for Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, was the Marine Corps' point of contact for the casting call.

During the casting call, the actors auditioning for the roles had to suit up in the proposed rebel Nigerian uniforms and were judged on how well they were able to blend in as rebel soldiers.

Despite the preconceived notions of a typical movie set, the Marines felt right at home. They had the chance to handle a variety of weapons, including AK-47s and rocket launchers, and were also exposed to multiple explosions, all within a jungle-simulated environment.

"There were explosions everywhere," said Baheta. "There was so much stuff going on all at once that you felt like you were really at war."

The Marines also interacted with the film's main star, Bruce Willis, both during filming and down time.

"Bruce Willis came up to us and said, 'Lemme hear your war cry!'," said Lessane, "and we gave it to him."

The Marines said that they adapted well to their roles, which required a constant display of discipline, toughness and bearing.

"The director and casting crew loved us," revealed Lessane. "For us, it only took a few takes to complete the scenes, where as for the civilians, they'd have to shoot over and over again, because they'd be running through the jungle with their weapons, laughing."

Production began on Oahu in late March 2002, and wrapped up early July.

During his stay on the island for filming, Bruce Willis became a frequent visitor to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, and could be found anywhere from the Ulupa'u Crater rifle range, handling M16A2 service rifles, to the softball field, diving for ground balls in intramural softball games with the resident Marines and Sailors.

The Marines-turned-actors are pleased with their experience, which will last them a lifetime.

"There aren't too many times that you get to say that you're in a movie," said Baheta.


Sempers,

Roger