Movie based on local author's book filming at BeBop's

The crew transforms BeBop's Restaurant in China Grove into a scene for the movie "Insecurity." The movie, based on a book by local doctor Eric Troyer, is shooting in Rowan and Cabarrus counties for three weeks. Photo by Hugh Fisher.

Eric Troyer, left, and Heather Hale chat during a break from shooting "Insecurity," the film based on Troyer's novel of the same name, at BeBop's in China Grove. Photo by Hugh Fisher.

Crew members set up to shoot a scene for the movie "Insecurity" at BeBop's restaurant. Photo by Hugh Fisher.

Meat Loaf takes a break between shots at BeBop's in China Grove, where scenes for the movie "Insecurity" were filmed Monday. Photo by Hugh Fisher.

Actress Grace Johnston talks to the director between takes at BeBop's in China Grove. Photo by Hugh Fisher.

A booth at BeBop's was transformed into "video village" so the director could review footage shot there Monday. Photo by Hugh Fisher.

Actor Eddie Furlong mugs for the camera with Heather Hale, director of the movie "Insecurity." Photo by Hugh Fisher.

By Hugh Fisher

hfisher@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE — Wayne Bradshaw didn't know what to expect when Jason King, location manager for the film "Witness Insecurity," contacted him about filming at his BeBop's diner.

The first trucks rolled in about 3 a.m. Monday, and after lunchtime crews transformed the diner into a movie set.

"Now I know why it costs so much to get into movies," he joked as he watched a crew of about 60 go about their business.

By afternoon, cameras were rolling, helping make another local man's dream a reality. The movie is based on the novel, "Insecurity," that Eric Troyer, a China Grove physician, wrote and published in 2008.

It's being made into a movie starring Eddie Furlong, Meat Loaf, Ed Asner and Grace Johnston.

"This has been a thrill," Troyer said as he sat in a booth at BeBop's, watching crews make the final preparations for the shoot.

Troyer said the project has taken a lot of time and effort, but it's been worth it.

He has collaborated with screenwriter and director Heather Hale to make the film.

"It's incredible, watching the characters come to life and realizing the power of your words," Troyer said.

As you'd expect, BeBop's is being used as a diner in the film, where the characters played by Meat Loaf, Furlong and Johnston discuss their next move.

Bradshaw said he was contacted by King, and discussed the project with Hale, weeks ago.

They planned the shoot for Memorial Day, when the restaurant could close without affecting business too much.

Decorations were taken down, tables moved and some of the signage rearranged to meet the needs of the movie.

And some locals were brought in to be extras, including Sherry Bradshaw, Wayne's wife, and two BeBop's waitresses.

For Jennifer Leon, who never has been involved in acting, the chance to appear even in a small way was interesting.

She and fellow waitress Kristi Bame serve food and coffee to the characters.

Sherry Bradshaw was set to play a cashier.

The Bradshaws and others stood out of the way while cameras rolled.

"We were kind of skeptical at first," Sherry said — unsure what sort of movie it might turn out to be.

Even more interesting was the transformation of the restaurant.

Several booths became "video village," where computer equipment and monitors were standing by.

A special track was put down for camera dollies to run on.

And, because of copyrights and licensing, a lot of the decorations that normally line the walls had to come down.

But the crew took photos of the restaurant before filming so that everything could go back to its original state afterward.

Locals who watch the movie will want to keep a lookout for the familiar scene, but Troyer said they'll love the story for its message.

Although some elements differ from his novel, Troyer said, the movie has a very strong moral lesson.

He described Johnny Graham, played by Furlong, as "a modern-day Moses."

Graham is placed in a witness protection program after being involved in an organized crime family.

But the program is compromised, and he finds himself on the run.

"My hope is it's a very exciting, thrilling movie to a mainstream audience and a meaningful film for a Christian audience," Hale said.

"Every turning point is a crisis decision, not necessarily a crisis of faith so much as a man rediscovering his ethics."

She expects the film to receive a PG-13 rating.

Hale and Troyer began collaborating two years ago when Troyer decided to try to make his book into a movie.

Both said they were pleased to have found a well-known cast to bring "Insecurity" to the screen.

And all three of the actors who came to town Monday said they were glad to be a part of the project.

"Everybody's awesome," said Furlong, whose credits include the part of young John Connor in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" and as Shane Casey on "CSI: New York.""I just try to make it real for each scene. I'm in the company of great actors," Furlong said of his role as Johnny.

Although he's a platinum-selling rock 'n' roll singer, Meat Loaf was very down-to-earth about his part in the film.

"I love making films. Anytime I can be a part of a project, I love it," he said.

Meat Loaf portrays an undercover U.S. marshal in the movie.

"I like this guy because I get to play two different kinds of distinct personalities." he said. "He's got a bit of Columbo."

But it was Johnston who was the most taken with Rowan County.

During her stay, she's experienced Cheerwine and ranchburgers from What-a-Burger and loved both.

"This was my first time in North Carolina. It's beyond what I expected," she said.

Johnston's early roles included a part in the Bette Midler movie "Beaches."

She played the young daughter of Hillary Essex, Barbara Hershey's character.

More recently, she's starred in "Once More with Feeling" and an episode of "The Closer," among others.

"The people here are extremely nice," Johnston said."Witness Insecurity" will continue shooting in the area during the next two weeks.

One scene is set to be shot at the Gem Theater in Kannapolis.

Asner, who was not in town Monday, will visit later to film a scene at a private home in Salisbury.

The independent film does not yet have a distributor, Troyer said.

It falls under the Screen Actors Guild's modified low-budget category, denoting a movie with a budget of less than $625,000.

Troyer declined to say how much the actual budget was.

But, having invested his own money in making the movie, he said he hopes it will touch people's lives.

"It's been overwhelming at times," Troyer said.

"I'm focusing on the fact that this is possibly a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

But, he added, he hopes this is just the first of more movies he'll make.