Beaufort (SC) Gazette
April 13, 2000
Semper Fi
Hollywood invades P.I.
By Jim Newman, Gazette staff writer
Seven "Marine" recruits gave their impressions on Wednesday of
the
rigors of Marine Corps training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Parris
Island. The only difference - they are actors who are getting a
firsthand taste of what has been called the most rigorous three
months of drilling in all the armed services.
They'll be the focus of NBC's new military drama, "Semper Fi,"
following the lives and experiences of the young recruits as
they
move through boot camp and eventually are assigned to posts
around
the globe.
The show's two-hour pilot will be filmed entirely at the recruit
depot.
All agree that "Semper Fi" is a genuine effort to paint the
Marine
Corps in an accurate and positive light, an endeavor that hasn't
gone
unnoticed by Marine Corps officials.
"This is an ongoing story about very heroic people - all the
people
of the Marine Corps," said Michael Watkins, executive producer
and
director. "Ours is not really to invent any stories, but to tell
the
truth and expose the wisdom."
Jim Uhls, the show's creator, said the Marine Corps has been
helpful
with maintaining a strict level of accuracy in the scripts.
"The spirit we've all brought into this from the creative side
has
always been to honor the Marine Corps, to reflect it
accurately,"
Uhls said. "In any case where we may have gone over the line
here and
there - we want to be brought back into line as much as they
want us
to be."
Vicellous Reon Shannon plays Marine recruit Wade Maddox. He said
his
concept of what goes into making a Marine changed when he
arrived at
the depot.
"Going through what the recruits go through, and what the drill
instructors have put us through - that's a lot," he said. "It's
been
a learning experience, and I hope I can do them justice."
Tammy Townsend, who plays recruit Rita Velez, agreed.
"I'm bruised and I have the marks to show it," she said. "I
never
thought I'd be rapelling over a tower - I'm deathly afraid of
heights. But the sense of accomplishment is incredible."
Actor Michael Pena said their initiation to recruit life when
they
first arrived at the depot didn't last long.
"It basically went on for about 10 minutes and that was all the
10
minutes we needed," he joked.
The "recruits" agreed that one of the greatest challenges to
playing
their roles was the accurate portrayal of young Marines in the
making
- especially as the actors have had only a week or two of
training to
prepare for their roles.
"Once you've had a chance to see it, you really get an
understanding
of what it's all about," said actor Alex Burns. "I think I can
speak
for everybody when I say that we are really trying to do what
recruits do."
It didn't take long for the cast to recognize the bond that was
developing among them, a necessary ingredient that goes into the
teamwork integral to Marine Corps training.
"You do have to work as a team, and you have to think all the
time as
Marines," said actor Steve Burton.
Marine Gunnery Sgt. Ann Hubbard, a Parris Island drill
instructor,
said she was surprised at how much effort the cast applied
toward
getting into their parts.
"I think all the actors have done a tremendous job - their
willingness to learn, their eagerness and their tenacious
attitudes,"
she said. "It's unbelievable how they try to conquer everything
we
throw at them. I'm sure they'll continue to do so."
"Semper Fi" goes into production on Sunday and will air in the
fall.
Jim Newman reports on Jasper County and Lowcountry regional
issues.
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