Jennifer Maurer

Q-1.       Where are you from, where are you located now, and what are your ties to WV?
A-1.       Weirton, WV and Weirton, WV . I have lived in WV for the past 23 years and graduated from WVU.

Q-2.       What was your position on the film? How did you get the opportunity to work on Super 8? 
A-2.       Location Assistant/Coordinator. As for how I ended up working on the film, I was in the right place at the right time. My father actually introduced me to one of the location scouts and I interviewed with him. As they say, the rest was history

Q-3.       What’s your background in the film industry? What else have you worked on?
A-3.      My background is actually in Public Relations. I had worked on a commercial years ago, but Super 8 was my first of hopefully many films. I found that even though I didn't have a background in film, my specialization in PR helped me in the Locations Department. 

Q-4.       What’s your most memorable experience from your time working on Super 8? 
A-4.       My most memorable experience from my time working on Super 8 would have to be seeing the trailer for the first time during the Super Bowl. I felt an immense sense of pride when seeing a project that I was lucky enough to be a part of being viewed by literally MILLIONS of people. It gave me goosebumps.

Q-5.       Do you believe filming in WV was a good experience for the cast and crew? Why or why not?
A-5.       I certainly believe the filming in WV was a good experience for the cast and crew and especially for the city of Weirton. Weirton is an amazing community with so much to offer and it was just waiting to have its moment in the spot light. The residents provided an amazing amount of support and hospitality to the entire crew. Both the cast and crew raved about how spectacular the city and residents of Weirton were. Many hoped that they would be able to come back and have the same great experience again.

Q-6.       What is something most moviegoers would find surprising about the moviemaking process? 
A-6.       One thing I think moviegoers would find surprising about the moviemaking process is that it takes an entire community and hundreds of people to make a movie. I found it interesting when we were filming a scene with one or two members of the cast appeared to be alone, there were dozens of crew members behind scenes. I definitely have a new appreciation for actors who have to be in those situations. As for community, the outpour of residents who came out to support the movie was astonishing. Everyone in Weirton was jumping at the chance to be in or a part of the movie in one way or another.

Q-7.       What are your future plans?
A-7.       My future plans are to continue to work in the film/TV industry. Since working on Super 8 last summer, I have worked on another movie and a TV pilot. Working on Super 8 ignited a spark that was hidden inside me. I am so excited to work on future projects. There is a rush about knowing that all the hard work that the entire crew puts in the filming process will be captured on film forever.

Deborah Witkowski

Q-1.       Where are you from, where are you located now, and what are your ties to WV?
A-1.        I grew up in Weirton, WV, went to WVU for one year, lived in Pittsburgh, PA for 2 years and in New York City for 5 1/2 years until I returned to Weirton to get married in 1980.  And here I remain - in a house 3 doors from my parents/my childhood home.  There's no place like home...

Q-2.       What was your position on the film? How did you get the opportunity to work on Super 8?
A-2.        I was an Extras Casting Assistant and an Extra.  I met with Sonya Tormoen, Extras Casting Director, and helped out during the casting calls in Weirton and Wheeling. When it came time to put faces and bodies in scenes and office space was available I came on full-time.

Q-3.       What’s your background in the film industry? What else have you worked on?
A-3.        I work for the NBC affiliate, WTOV9, as the Entertainment Reporter and have an on-air weekly segment, "What Would Deb Do", that informs viewers of what the area has to offer each weekend.  I reviewed movies for years on their website.  I am also a Creative Producer for radio and television writing and I produce commercials. I was featured in a film produced by students of Point Park College, Pittsburgh, PA, portraying a mother/widow that was filmed in Pittsburgh and Weirton a few years ago.  One of the production assistants on "Super 8", Mia LaMonica, was part of that crew and I was happy to see her continuing in the industry.

Q-4.       What’s your most memorable experience from your time working on Super 8?
A-4.        Watching the whole process unfold was amazing.  Seeing my hometown transformed and the streets filled with excitement and then seeing the trailers and previews that bring it all to big screens all over the world - W O W!  Meeting JJ Abrams was tremendous and, as an extra, sharing a porch and chatting with Kyle Chandler between takes!  And I will never forget one of my first days at basecamp when I went into the LUCY (ladies restroom) and there was a huge bug on the sink.  I opened the door and a guy was coming my way and saw my distress and asked if he could help.  I asked him to get the bug out and he literally picked it up and just took it away.  I didn't realize at the time that it was Ron Eldard who'd come to my rescue!

Q-5.       Do you believe filming in WV was a good experience for the cast and crew? Why or why not?
A-5.        It was nothing short of awesome.  There were some very long work days and some very hot, cold and rainy ones.  There were a few traffic delays and some long waits in between takes, but through it all people kept the big picture in mind and enjoyed being a part of it.  All I hear now is how exciting it is to see our small town coming to the big screen.  And the production company was very generous to our city in so many ways.  

Q-6.       What is something most moviegoers would find surprising about the moviemaking process?
A-6.        Two things - how many people it takes to make things happen and how long it takes to get things done.  

Q-7.       What are your future plans?
A-7.        See "Super 8", own "Super 8", and continue to have a wonderful life right here in Weirton, WV.

Josh Foglio

Q-1.      Where are you from, where are you located now, and what are your ties to WV?
A-1.      I am from Weirton, WV and have lived there all of my life. Although I was out in LA for a while, my primary residence is still Weirton.

Q-2.      What was your position on the film? How did you get the opportunity to work on Super 8?
A-2.      I was a production assistant. I actually got a call from the production office saying that I was recommended by someone in the community. From there, I was interviewed by one of our second ADs, and was later offered a position. My job was to take care of the cast while they were on set, and I was initially hired only for the WV portion of shooting. Some of my responsibilities included facilitating their travel to and from base camp, making sure that hair, makeup, and wardrobe was aware of the shot so they could prepare the cast accordingly, and ensure that the kids got to and from school. I was fortunate enough to be asked to come to LA with the crew to finish out filming. 

Q-3.      What’s your background in the film industry? What else have you worked on?
A-3.      I am an actor/producer. My latest project is entitled "Crimson Tear," which I acted in and produced alongside two of the partners from Two Ton Films, the production company behind "The Bucket List," "Light's Out" on FX, and the upcoming "Gently Down the Stream." We are aiming to premiere "Crimson Tear" at the Toronto International Film Festival this fall. 

Q-4.      What’s your most memorable experience from your time working on Super 8?
A-4.      I have so many amazing and unforgettable experiences from "Super 8." One of my best memories, however was being asked to come to LA with them. I was on set, when the moms of the child actors called me over to show me an e-mail they sent to one of the producers. In the e-mail they all requested me to come to LA with them. It was one of the sweetest things. Not long after that, the producer from the e-mail called me over and offered me a position on the LA portion of the film. It was an unforgettable experience, and I'm so thankful  that it happened.

Q-5.      Do you believe filming in WV was a good experience for the cast and crew? Why or why not?
A-5.       I definitely think that it was a great experience. Pam and everyone at the film office did an amazing job in assisting the crew to make filming in a town not used to this type of activity as seamless and pain free as possible. I know that as a producer, I can't wait to shoot in WV!

Q-6.      What is something most moviegoers would find surprising about the moviemaking process?
A-6.      I think that most moviegoers would find that the filmmaking process is a lot more involved than they think. There are so many people involved in making a movie and a lot of time and effort go into the process that can easily be forgotten. 

Q-7.      What are your future plans?
A-7.       I have a few projects in various stages of production that I am looking to produce and possibly act in, in the near future. Another goal of mine is to film a movie in WV. With the amazing tax credit and hardworking film office staff, it's definitely a no-brainer!

Q-1.       Where are you from, where are you located now, and what are your ties to WV?
A-1.         I am from Weirton, WV. I am currently living in Weirton and have lived here for 62 years.  I just retired from the Weirton Post Office where  I was employed for 37 years.

Q-2.       What was your position on the film? How did you get the opportunity to work on Super 8?
A-2.        I had the opportunity to drive my '65 Plymouth Barracuda in some of the scenes.  I auditioned for the part of a driver and extra in some of the scenes.

Q-3.       What’s your background in the film industry? What else have you worked on?
A-3.         I have never been in the film industry before this movie.  I have done community theater for more than 20 years in our area.

Q-4.       What’s your most memorable experience from your time working on Super 8?
A-4.         I had the opportunity to shake hands with KYLE CHANDLER.

Q-5.       What is something most moviegoers would find surprising about the moviemaking process?
A-5.         I think what surprised me the most was how time consuming it is. Everything is so PRECISE in each scene.

Q-6.       What are your future plans?
A-6.         If the opportunity arises, I would like to appear in future productions available for a 62-year-old man!

Justina Rasicci

Q-1.        Where are you from, where are you located now, and what are your ties to WV?
A-1.        I'm originally from Weirton, WV. When I was 18 years old I moved to Los Angeles, CA and spent a wonderful six years there working in fashion and film. Ironically, I moved back to WV right before the filming of Super 8. It was fate that I got to work on a big production like Super 8 in my own hometown! Some days I felt like I was in LA, when really it was good old Weirton, WV, the place where I was born and raised!

Q-2.        What was your position on the film? How did you get the opportunity to work on Super 8?
A-2.        My position was in the extras casting department. I was an "extras casting assistant." I actually sent my resume to the extras casting e-mail address that was released to the media in hopes of contacting someone to forward my resume to the wardrobe department. I originially wanted to work in the wardrobe department. I got a phone call from Sonya Tormoen, the extras casting director, and she informed me that the wardrobe department was not yet in Weirton. She was, however, looking for a casting assistant and asked if I'd be interested in interviewing for that position, and of course I said yes. That was the best decision of my life! I got the job and realized instantly that I have a REAL passion for casting!

Q-3.        What's your background in the film industry? What else have you worked on?
A-3.        Living in Los Angeles, there are all kinds of opportunities to work in television and film. When I was in fashion school I wanted to make a little money on my days off so I registered with Central Casting, an extras casting company, to do extra work for different tv shows and movies. I ended up working here and there as an extra and stand-in for several tv shows and some major movies. I even dabbled in acting a bit. I worked on an episode of Criminal Minds as "June Applebee." Working on set was very fascinating to me! It sparked a real interest in wanting to work full-time in film and tv behind the scenes. I got my first Production Assistant position on season 3 of Beauty and the Geek with 3Ball Productions.

Q-4.        What's your most memorable experience from your time working on Super 8?
A-4.        Wow, there are so many that it's hard to pick just one! I would definitely say that all of our casting calls that we held were pretty memorable. I remember the first one we held, we measured the hundreds of people that came through there and I was so used to asking "What's your shoe size?" to everyone that I turned to my co-worker and asked "What's your shoe size?" HAHA. I did not mean to ask him that but that's what came out of my mouth! Our department had many laughs together!

Q-5.        Do you believe filming in WV was a good experience for the cast and crew? Why or why not?
A-5.        Oh definitely! Many of the crew from LA loved working in Weirton, because it was an escape from the hustle and bustle of the hectic lifestyle out there! When filming wrapped for the night, many local buisnesses stayed open a little later than usual to accommodate the film crew. It was really nice for everyone! The community really welcomed the cast and crew with arms wide open!

Q-6.        What is something most moviegoers would find surprising about the movie making process?
A-6.        I think a lot of people would be surprised to see how long it takes to completely capture one scene. I think most people know that it's important to get several takes to make sure that the director gets a perfect shot, but what people forget is that they have to do that from each and every camera angle, which can take a while because they have to move parts of the set around, move the cameras around, bring the extras back and forth to set from holding, and also move all of the lighting fixtures. Also, people would be surprised to see how much detail goes into making a movie. Each department has to put so much creativity and thought into their job. It's really amazing to see everything come together!

Q-7.        What are your future plans?
A-7.        I plan to eventually move back to Los Angeles, CA to pursue casting. This job has really shown me that I have a natural eye for talent. I would absolutely LOVE to be a casting director one day!