Filming the scenes on Paige’s family farm were made that much more authentic in that the entire sequence was shot on a real working family dairy farm, worked by owners Rick and Dan Miller, along with Rick’s wife Marilyn. The living embodiment of the rural life the filmmakers hoped to create for Paige, her brothers and her parents, the farm was the perfect backdrop for scenes portraying life on the Morgan family’s farm and their home, the loving oasis where Paige spends time off from her busy grind of university classes and her part-time job.
“You read about the hardships of maintaining a family farm, the Millers are living proof,” says executive producer Robin Schorr. “They work 365 days a year. That’s why they have to have their recreation — a pool table in the basement and a swimming pool out back — nearby.”
Delighted to see how much fact in the Millers’ life was consistent with that in the fictional life the writers created for the Morgan family, director Martha Coolidge made sure that Julia Stiles and Luke Mably spent lots of time with the Millers so they could soak up the true meaning of farm life.
“When it came to milking the cows. Julia did really well,” remembers Marilyn Miller, who was impressed by the actress’s natural curiosity. “She was a bit nervous at first, but she got right in there, asked questions and wandered all over the place. She just wanted to know everything.”
Stiles was very enthusiastic about the whole venture. “The coolest thing about being an actress is that you get to experience things you would not normally discover. I grew up in New York City, so I had no idea how a farm works. Now. I know how to milk a cow by hand and by machine, and although I don’t think I can ever drink milk again.” she jokes. “at least I know where it comes from.”
As for Luke, he wanted to look authentically “green” when it came to milking, so he opted out of the training!
Filming on a working dairy farm was not without its challenges, and according to Schorr, it was essential that the production shooting adhered exactly to the cows’ schedule.”
Indeed, life on a farm went on, filming or no filming. In fact, during the production, a tiny Holstein “extra” was born, and because he went right from the womb to a movie set, farm owner Marilyn Miller proudly christened the new calf “Prince” in honor of the film.
The Woodbridge Agricultural Society provided the rural setting for production designer (and ex-racer himself) James Spencer to build a track for the thrilling lawn mower race, during which Eddie displays his prowess behind the wheel to the locals. Lawn mower racing is a subculture hobby popular in the Midwest and the South featuring souped-up mowers that have been rigged to go 60 miles per hour or faster.
To make the scene that much more authentic, the filmmakers sought help from the U.S. Lawn mower Racing Association and 10 members came in to participate in the race. True masters at their craft, these seasoned circuit racers brought their own machines and added an element of reality, not too mention, they fixed the tractors when they broke down.
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