That is MY photo. I don't care if anyone takes it, uses it, publishes it. (Well, I do, but....) I took it. It's on my camera. That is Johnny Depp and he was in my town. It makes me smile just thinking about it. The movie Public Enemies kicked off its filming in my little bitty town. What a festive, exhausting week it was! Fun? Yes. Depleting? Oh yes. Chasing film-makers and movie stars is very hard work!
Because I have other things to blog about, I really need to be brief in my sharing of my prize photo (which is a nothing photo in comparison to some I've seen by other lucky fans). Let me assure anyone who has even a little bit of admiration for Johnny Depp that any respect you have for him is well-founded.
Mr. Depp, as he seems delighted to be called, is a wonderful man. He is beautiful on the outside, but he is even more amazing on the inside. He regularly makes time for meet and greets, even after grueling hours of filming. He's done midnight meet and greets because fans were still waiting. He's done early morning meet and greets after long nights of filming. He's greeted fans in cold miserable weather. He is remarkable in his devotion to giving back to the fans who wait patiently for just a glimpse. And he gives them so much more than they ever expected.
Here's the thing I really want to share about my photo. Johnny Depp is a very private man. His body guard, Jerry, comes out to tell the crowd the rules about being respectful several times before Johnny actually appears. I was fortunate enough to be directly across from the driveway where he walked out to the crowd. What I saw when Johnny Depp appeared was a man who is shy, and even a little apprehensive of a large crowd. I also saw a man who was delighted to be loved by so many and seemed eager to allow some photo opportunities. The moment he appeared was magical, and the crowd was hushed. He is very low-key and quiet, but he is very gentle and kind.
Words really don't describe the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of seeing, up close, one of my all-time favorite actors. He is phenomenally good-looking. He is amazingly generous with his time. He is always amiable to standing crowds during filming; waving and smiling, nodding and tipping his 1930's style fedora. How incredible! I have enjoyed Johnny Depp since the Gilbert Grape days and the "Bennie and Joon" movie. (I missed the 21 Jump Street start).
Bottom line: I did not know the true wonder of Hollywood until it came to my neighborhood (literally)! I have newfound respect for all that is behind-the-scenes of movie making. Wow. Just wow. Michael Mann is methodical and seemingly brilliant. I cannot wait for this movie to arrive in July of 2009! Thank you to the scouts who directed the movie here. We are forever grateful to be part of such a wonderful project, in whatever small way we could.
