Guard troops meet with Hollywood stars

  • Published
  • By Pfc. Karina Paraoan
  • Alaska Army National Guard PAO
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Members of the Alaska National Guard had the rare opportunity to meet and speak with the stars of the upcoming film, "Everybody Loves Whales," at Hanger 1 at Bryant Army Airfield, Nov. 6.

The cast members of the film who appeared included John Krasinski, Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Dermot Mulroney, Tim Blake Nelson, Rob Riggle, James LeGros and Michael Gaston.

"I thought it was incredible," said Capt. Brett Haker, maintenance officer, Army Aviation Support Facility, Alaska Army National Guard. "It was great to chat with them and see that the stars are really down to earth and patriotic."

Haker had the opportunity to be the technical advisor for several scenes in the movie, providing guidance to the pilot, who was played by Dermot Mulroney.
Everybody Loves Whales is the first full-length feature film to ever be entirely filmed in Alaska.

The movie, based in the year 1988, is an inspiring true story about a small town news reporter and a Greenpeace volunteer who join together to save a family of California gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle.

"It was so gracious of the stars from Everybody Loves Whales to spend time with us after a long day of being on the set," said Capt. Amy Slinker, commander, 134th Public Affairs Detachment, Alaska Army National Guard.

"Having the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with actors like Ted Danson was an opportunity of a lifetime."

The film, directed by Ken Kwapis, is slated to be in theaters in 2012.