On the big screen: Find out local extras' experiences filming 'Summer Camp'

HENDERSONVILLE - With the movie "Summer Camp" set to hit theaters on May 31, locals who played extras in the film that stars Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard are beaming with anticipation.

The Henderson County Tourism Development Authority was instrumental in getting "Summer Camp" filmed here, and the TDA's executive director, Michelle Owens, had plenty of experience being at a summer camp. Owens first came to Hendersonville as a camper and later as a camp counselor in the 1990s.

She said the TDA worked tirelessly to convince the production team that Hendersonville was the ideal spot for the film, and that Camp Pinnacle was a great place for the film's main location.

"After all, we are the 'Summer Camp Capital of the South,' and many people, including me, found their way to Hendersonville through their involvement with the summer camps," she said.

"Summer Camp" will hit theaters later this month. There were more than 1,000 local extras who were in the film, and below are some of their stories.

More: Film producer: Crew, stars Keaton, Bates, Woodard loving time in Asheville, Hendersonville

More: 'Summer Camp,' filmed in Hendersonville with Bates, Keaton and Woodard, has a release date

Juls Buckman

I attended Camp Pinnacle in the early 1980s as a child, and it was so fun to go back as an adult. Even though I have lived so close to it, I had never gone back in over 40 years, but it is exactly as I remember it. Filming the food fight scene was my favorite part. I also loved getting to see all the stars, including my all-time favorite Kathy Bates. The actors constantly thanked us for being there even though they were working hard. I’ve already spotted myself in the trailer and look forward to watching the movie.

Beth Cook

On the last day, as the crew began packing up and extras started leaving, I felt that rare, nostalgic angst where one already misses what isn’t yet gone. In the end, we felt like we went to summer camp. We went through all the adventures and all the new people, and we bonded with new friends, who will be friends for life.

Patty MacDuff and her husband, Alan Bonkowski

MacDuff said they worked about four days a week for 3-4 weeks in various scenes. MacDuff said she was a pottery class student while her husband was in the food fight scene. MacDuff said she and her husband were also extras in "A Biltmore Christmas," which also had scenes shot in Hendersonville.

Jeanne and Michael Gilliagan, owners of The Henderson Inn

We had the actress Eugenie Bondurant stay with us for a week directly after filming "Summer Camp." She had a small part in the movie, and she only did it as a last minute thing, as she was asked to do it by her old friend Kathy Bates so they could hang out together. She was a delight to have stay with us and, as we are movie buffs. She saw all of our signed movie memorabilia, and after she left we received a signed picture from her, which is now in the lobby of our Inn.

Ann Whisenhunt

The camaraderie among the extras was extraordinary. We all bonded so quickly. The crew and stars treated us with the utmost respect. It was great fun being an extra on this set.

Dede Norungolo

I have a sister, Risa Couch, who attended Camp Pinnacle when she was younger. When the casting announcement came out, she sent me the information. On the first of my three days, I had to be super calm as Kathy Bates, who was in character as Ginny Moon, walked toward me along the path behind the Camp Pinnacle dining hall. I’m a huge fan of her work and it was all I could do to not say hello. Alfre Woodard called for us to get sunscreen one day; Bates thanked the whole team following the food fight scene, and Diane Keaton smiled at me and touched my shoulder as she walked by me in the dining room.

Lynde Mickey, nursing faculty at Blue Ridge Community College

Alfre Woodard was extremely nice and wanted to really listen to us as nurses on how to play a nurse. She said she “loved it here and all the people are so nice in Hendersonville.” It was a joy to get to spend the day with Ms. Woodard.

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: On the big screen: Find out local extras' experiences filming 'Summer Camp'