They arrived in Decatur on May 1st, and gave us something to talk about besides politics and the economy for over three weeks.

The Informant, starring Matt Damon and directed by Steven Soderbergh, is based on the novel by Kurt Eichenwald that tells the story of Mark Whitacre, a former ADM Corporate Vice President who became the highest-level executive to turn whistleblower in U.S. history. According to publicist Spooky Stevens, the movie is scheduled for release in March 2009.

Our cast for this story includes the movie extras, Decatur residents who shared their experiences with us, and Matt Damon fans, who discovered filming locations throughout the city and were rewarded with photos and autographs from the accommodating star.

Matt Damon, Scott Bakula and Joel McHale filming at the Chinese Tea Garden on May 13th

Tami and Tony Romano attended the Cast Party held at the Beach House on Thursday, May 1. The movie’s production offices on the 6th floor of the Millikin Bank Building were leased from Romano. Tami Romano also played the part of ADM Director of Security’s wife in a bedroom scene filmed on May 3 - a scene where they were awakened in the middle of the night by a phone call.

“What an unbelievable experience,” said Tami. “It’s hard to describe what it feels like to be on a movie set for the first time, and be
filmed in front of a crowd. I didn’t have any lines and the scene was probably only three minutes, but the amount of detail that went into it was amazing. I reported to the work trailer for hair and make-up, which they wanted pretty simple considering I was supposed to be asleep. After wardrobe, I was shuttled to a holding area to wait for filming, which ended up being over two hours. The wait was nerve-wracking, but the PA’s were very attentive - they kept checking on me to see if I needed anything. The kindness of everyone on the set was remarkable.”

Terrie Potter, a regular contributor to Decatur Magazine and marketing specialist at Decatur Memorial Hospital, not only had her
1983 Mercedes Benz used in the film, she was selected as an extra for filming at Hickory Point Mall on Tuesday, May 6, and played the role of store clerk at Walden Books.

“They gave me a secret number to call after 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, that gave me instructions for the next day of filming,” said
Potter. “I was given direction on wardrobe, hair, makeup, and the time to report to casting. I was to wear clothes for going to the movies and Christmas shopping at the mall. I was told to bring a coat, scarf, gloves, and to bring one extra outfit. Hair and make-up was the same as on Sunday - hair coiffed with hot rollers to give it curl and body - they wore bigger hair in the early ‘90s - and to report to casting at the south side of the mall at 12:30 p.m.”

After the mall scenes, Potter headed to the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel with a few of the extras to have dinner with the cast and crew including Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap), Steven Soderbergh (the director), Joel McHale (E Soup) and Melanie Lynskey (Sweet Home Alabama, Two and a Half Men). After dinner, the filming commenced again, but this time, Potter's car was in the spotlight. Filming didn't end for her until 1:00 a.m.

“Afterwards, the cast and crew went into JR’s to relax with food, drinks, and D.J. How do they have the energy? They always have Wednesdays off, so this must be like their Saturday night,” Potter guessed.

Maroa-Forsyth High School senior Chloe Pistorius was also hired as an extra for the one-day shoot at Hickory Point Mall.

Filming at WAND-TV NewsCenter 17 on May 9th

More of The Informant Special Features:

Matt-Mania (photos) | Making Movies in Decatur (interview with Greg Jacobs)

This article originally appeared in the June / July 2008 issue of Decatur Magazine.
It may not be reproduced or redistributed in whole or in part without the publisher's consent.
© Copyright 2008 Decatur Magazine - First String Productions. All rights reserved.