A film crew has been in Chattanooga for the last month scouting locations, building sets and shooting some scenes for "Water for Elephants" starring Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon, according to Missy Crutchfield with the city's Department of Education, Arts & Culture, which oversees the local Film Commission.
Ms. Crutchfield said the locations are being kept private and she did not know if the stars have been or will be here for any of the shooting, which will wrap here in the first week of August. Most of the film is being shot in California, according several Internet sites.
"They love our city because the people are so nice and that they have been able to come in and out without being bothered and that is very important," Ms. Crutchfield said.
"We have to respect that to keep attracting these projects. They are here putting money into our economy, which is great."
Those same Internet sites have reported that casting calls for Chattanooga-area extras went out earlier this week. According to extra-casting.com, producers are looking for white men aged 25-50, and youngsters aged 7-15 who are in good shape and willing to have their hair cut short. They also are looking for white girls aged 9-11. A 5-by-7 color photo and contact information should be mailed to couchupdates@yahoo.com.
The movie is based on Sara Gruen's novel about a man studying to become a veterinarian who finds himself joining a traveling circus called The Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth.