Meeting Johnny in Lockport, IL

One of the ladies who is a member of the Depp Impact Over 30 group, had the pleasure of meeting Johnny - AGAIN, LOL - at the Lockport, IL filming of Public Enemies. I could read these stories all day as they always show Johnny to be such a giving, caring, humble person.

Thank you, CiCi, for giving me permission to print your story and picture.

Enjoy.

A Day to Remember
June 27, 2008
Abridged

The night before, my sister-in-law was staying over (My brother works nights), and I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do on Friday. Normally, my weekends are packed with fun things, but this was the first weekend since my separation that I was at a loss for entertainment. I could have stayed home and mowed my lawn like a good person, but I had the need to go somewhere.

My original plan was for us to go (shopping) in Chicago. Then I read on-line that this was the last week of filming for P.E. here. So my search began.

I hit the fan sites, such as The Zone, and JD Reads, but no one knew for sure where they were going to be filming. I finally made it to bed at a quarter to five in the morning and my sister-in-law called me at 8 am on her way to take her daughter to school, so I could check the morning postings. At that time, there was still no known location, so once again I fell asleep. I woke up at 10:30 am and went straight to the computer, and there it was on the Johnny Depp Reads Message Board: "Lockport is the place to be today ~Rob"

The moment I read that, I immediately Map Quested my directions, and franticly dressed, groomed and gathered some supplies. I drove over to my mom's and borrowed her digital camera. Then I was on the road. There was some traffic so it took an hour and twenty minutes for me to get there, and then I followed the PE crew signs to the parking lot. I asked a lawn care maintenance worker where the filming was, and he directed me on how to get downtown. Once I got there, there were vintage cars on both sides of the street. At that time there were little groups of people here and there on either side of the street watching the filming. I drove around a little bit and found a great parking place, and made my way across the street from the shooting.

Johnny was in the back seat of one of the vehicles, with cameras, lights, and crew surrounding him as they filmed a scene. I found it interesting that they only blocked off the road between takes. The town is not set up like Aurora. There are plenty of back streets. I really can't tell you how long I stood there. Once I have the mindset for endurance, I don't really keep track of time. I was there maybe and hour or two?? I took several pictures and enjoyed watching Johnny in a scene! After they broke for a late lunch, I left in search of base camp. I heard it was by the high school, and I had remembered seeing a high school when I first arrived in Lockport.

I was relying too much on the PE signs and when they removed them, I got a little turned around. I said a little prayer out loud, "Please God, help me find where I need to be." No sooner had I finished my prayer when I came to a stop sign - and there was base camp. As it had started to rain, I parked near the sign and crossed the street with my umbrella and picked out a nice spot with a good view of everything. As I stood there taking pictures it dawned on me there is no reason for me to be standing in the rain. I walked back to my vehicle, got out one of the folding chairs, walked back to my spot, and settled down dry and as comfortable as a bug in a rug. Several people unfortunately just either stood or sat on the curb drenched in the rain.

As I sat under my umbrella, I got several smiles from the crew, but one gentleman in particular kept looking at me. Eventually, he made his way over to congratulate me for coming prepared. I told him how I normally have a few fold up seats and umbrellas in the van, because I like to take my daughter to concerts in the park, and parades and the like. That is when he noticed my tattoo of my daughter, and asked where I had it done. When I told him Don Frey the owner of Bugaboo Tattoo in Hammond, he laughed and joked, "Don Frye the Pro-Wrestler? He's in this movie." Then he noticed I had tattoos on the other arm, and when he saw it, he was blown away. I showed him where Johnny signed it in Crown Point, and he thought it was the coolest thing he had ever seen. For the next hour or two, he would periodically bring people over to see my tattoos. First he would show them the one with my daughter, and then try to wow them with Johnny. I so wish I was better with names, because he brought over a completely darling older gentleman. He was awed by it. So much so that he said, "Come on we have to show this to The Man!" I just sat there. He couldn't be implying what I think he was…could he?! When I didn't move, I guess he thought I was worried about my chair. "Come on, you can leave your chair there, it will be alright. Come on, we have to hurry." He didn't have to tell me again! I grabbed my purse, that had the camera in it, and I floated into the sacred encampment. As we walked around the trailer blocking the view of Johnny's trailer, I saw him like a celestial vision clad in 1930's attire, heading to the renowned Ford Expedition. My new guardian angel, shouted over "John, Johnny, you got to see this." He walked up to me and looked me in the eyes with that shy half smile we so adore and said "Hi!" The exact wording from my two guardian angels to Johnny eludes me. If I had my own theme music playing I'm sure some airily, sugary sweet melody of elation would be pouring out my every pore.

He was completely impressed with my daughters tattoo and asked me how old she is, and told me how beautiful Violet is. Then he walked around to my other arm, and once again uttered, "Truly amazing" and asked where I had it done. Thanked me and gave me a hug that made my knees weak. I was floating so high, I once again forgot to breathe! It wasn't until I was back on the sidewalk that I realized I had forgotten once again to make a memory of his scent. [Embarrassing tidbit: I think I might have stepped on his toe at some point here.] I'm not sure how, but I had enough sense left in me to ask, "Would I be over-stepping my boundaries if I asked for a picture with you – with my tattoos showing?" He responded with a "No, no of course not." I handed my camera over to the man who started it all, and Johnny moved in and put his arm around me (STILL squealing inside like a little girl). After the picture was taken, things are a bit hazy… I know I thanked him… He thanked me… Then somehow I was by one of the other trailers giving the guys hugs, and kisses on the cheeks. Then I was magically standing next to my chair on the sidewalk, and being told to stick around. I said, "I don't want to be greedy. I think I'm going to head home." I was told “no, no stay put.”

Some of the ladies started asking me where they took me. I relayed my story to them. That is when it hit me, I didn't breathe in his scent; and all the posts from the group started going through my brain. It wasn't even 4pm, when I made the decision that I was going to stay, and try to ask him what his favorite cologne is.

The only thing that happed between then and the Meet & Greets that is worth writing about was seeing Giovanni Ribisi. I love his acting. I remember watching him in the new Leave it to Beaver series that aired when I was young. I also loved his character on Friends and he played in my favorite episode of X-Files, "D.P.O." He was driven past in an in a big black Ford Expedition, when I recognized him. I smiled and started waving. He just looked at me for a moment, as if to say "Me? Are you waving to me?" Then he smiled and waved back. I was so hoping to get to actually meet him!

As the time neared for Johnny to do the meet and greet, the crowd grew! They were getting restless, but were behaving. Security placed dividers between the crowd and the road, and did the standard, "Johnny will not be signing tonight, but you can take all the pictures you want and he will be here to shake hands, and greet all of you." Johnny appeared around ten thirty. I read the instructions earlier on how to record video on the camera, and held my ground as Johnny neared. When he approached he walked by so quickly, but I made sure to ask the most sought-after question, "Johnny, what is your favorite cologne?" He was obviously not prepared for that, "Cologne? Lagerfeld. Maybe." And now we know!

It was a day I will always remember.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb6Z8t-mOm8

CiCi

Screencaps Are Back

I just finished redoing the screencap gallery, so all of those are back online now. You can find all the galleries here --

http://www.deppimpact.com/gallery/gallery.html

The only screencaps missing are Sweeney Todd, which I still need to make. Other than that, you should be able to access them all.

I still have some galleries to fix, but the ones that are done are marked "completed" on the page.

Thanks for your patience!

Pics from Lockport

Suburban Chicago News offers a slideshow of these photos with a few more of extras, crowds and cars from the filming of Public Enemies in Lockport, IL. (Click to enlarge).

Illinois Sightings

Here's an article from the Southtown Star about Johnny filming Public Enemies in Lockport, IL:

Depp delivers, shows up in Lockport to film
June 28, 2008
By Annie Alleman, Sun-Times News Group

"There he is! There he is!"

The excited scream ripped through the stifling summer afternoon in downtown Lockport, alerting the crowd of onlookers who were wielding phones and digital cameras.

More than three dozen people were crammed onto a stretch of sidewalk on 11th Street, waiting for a sighting of actor Johnny Depp. He was scheduled to film the final local scenes of the movie "Public Enemies" on Friday afternoon, and clearly the word had spread.

At 10 a.m., people already were lining up on the streets. It wasn't until about 1:30 p.m. that Depp appeared, costumed in a white dress shirt, brown pants and suspenders. He got out of a navy blue Ford Expedition at 11th and State streets. When he heard the screams from the crowd, he smiled and waved politely but continued walking north on State Street.

Hardly anyone had been ready for the brief sighting. But they would have other chances Friday - filming was slated to go until 9 p.m.

In the meantime, spectators were treated to State Street traffic being shut down in both directions so old-time cars could drive a loop of about four blocks of the street. Extras in period costumes walked across the street and milled about on cue, resetting themselves several times for the same take.

At one point, "Public Enemies" director Michael Mann stepped onto the sidewalk and talked on a cell phone. He didn't acknowledge the crowd, who urged him to turn around and pose for a picture.

Sharon Gort, of Lockport, was waiting with her daughter, Lex, 13, and her daughter's friend Mia Cochrane, 13, of Homer Glen. They arrived about noon and were shuffled from spot to spot by police and movie personnel.

"He's supposed to come to this place (Mama's Onesti's restaurant) and walk in and deliver a package," Sharon said of Depp.

Lex had brought a silver marker in hopes of getting Depp to sign her "Sweeney Todd"-style bowler hat.

Not all the onlookers, however, were Depp fans. Some liked the idea of seeing an actual movie being shot. Connie Kabellis, of Homer Glen, was one such fan.

"I just like to watch the whole filming process," she said. "I'm amazed that it takes hours to film one short scene."

As the afternoon wore on, the crowd of onlookers grew.

"Think of all this excitement in little Lockport," said Rob Weierman, of Lockport, who was with his son Mike Weierman, watching filmmaking for the first time. "But hopefully not the last. I hope they use Lockport more for filming."

"Public Enemies" is slated for a 2009 release.

Public Enemies

Here are a few pictures to brighten your day. These were taken during filming yesterday (Monday, June 23). The first one - Johnny's dad - was taken last week. Enjoy!

Getting into the 'spirits'

I think Johnny is really getting into this Gangland Chicago thing. First there was a drive-by shooting near the set of Public Enemies, and now he's bringing in his own homemade wine. *heh*

Johnny Depp shipping in home-grown wine to new film set

From thecheers.org

The set of Johnny Depp's new movie is full of booze, thanks to the actor, who is shipping in home-grown wine for the cast and crew.

While filming Public Enemies, with Oscar-winner star has had shipments of his home-grown plonk sent over to the set in Illinois.

"Johnny's a fine wine buff and has his own vineyard in the South of France. He's had 10 crates of his own wine shipped over to keep him going, The mirror quoted a source, as saying.

"He is very serious about his hobby and does everything himself - from selecting the grapes to working the machinery. "He's done wine-tasting courses and has read virtually all there is to read on the subject. Johnny's a connoisseur," the source added.

The actor also shipped over some bottles of his favourite Bordeaux Petrus, which he's been generously dishing out to everyone on set.

"It's fair to say that he's made filming a far more enjoyable experience," the source said.

Depp narrates Gonzo film

Here's a brief item from The Guardian about the documentary Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson that goes into limited release July 4:

Johnny goes Gonzo

Johnny Depp is renewing his association with the late Hunter S Thompson for a new film. Depp became close friends with the man who created Gonzo journalism when he played Thompson in Terry Gilliam's underrated Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas.

I understand Depp has lent his voice to narrate long passages of Gonzo prose for a documentary about Thompson being made by Oscar winner Alex Gibney. Gonzo features archive footage and new testimonies, linked by Depp's narration.

Gibney, whose piercing documentary, Taxi to the Dark Side, is on release in the UK, told me: 'All the words in Gonzo are written by Hunter and it's what I call a feature doc - with fictional elements and recreated scenes - about him and his collaborator Ralph Steadman. Johnny Depp was a delight to work with and watch - he really inhabited the character.'

Journalists go fangirl over Johnny

This confession from some reporters from the SouthtownStar is kind of entertaining. ;-) Too bad they didn't actually get to meet him.

Knee-deep in Depp fans
June 22, 2008
By Kristen Schorsch and Donna Vickroy, Staff writers

Is it his pirate swagger in the Caribbean trilogy? His charming, carefree demeanor in "Chocolat"? Or the way he could cut hair in "Edward Scissorshands?"

What is it about Johnny Depp that turns normally sane, practical journalists into work-ditching, responsibility-dodging women on the prowl?

It's D, all of the above.

In addition to loads of talent, Depp's got a mane of dark hair, a brooding mysterious glare and a body that can go from pirate garb to gangster threads in the skip of a heartbeat.

Which explains why three SouthtownStar female employees begged off work early last Wednesday so we could head to Lockport to try to track him down. We'd heard a rumor that the star of "Donnie Brasco" and "Finding Neverland" was going to be filming a scene for his new movie, "Public Enemies." Depp plays notorious bank robber John Dillinger in the film set to be released in summer 2009.

You might call us Depp groupies. We prefer to call ourselves connosieurs of fine works of art - living art, that is.

So imagine our surprise when we encountered more than 200 people - most of them teens and tweens - packing 11th and State streets.

Humph!

Didn't these folks get our memo: He's ours. All ours.

We were ready for whatever the day might bring and whatever obstacles we might have to overcome to make our dream happen. Neighborhood Star editor Kim Brehm, who referred to herself as the world's greatest "21 Jump Street" fan, called in some markers at Mamma Onesti's restaurant on State Street, giving us a place to hide out during the filming.

SouthtownStar features writer Donna Vickroy thought about throwing together a "stalker kit," replete with scissors, baggies, paper, running shoes and a bail bond card.

"I settled for some permanent markers and two cameras," said Vickroy, whose favorite Depp flick is "Chocolat." "You can't be arrested for that, right?"

We found a gaggle of local middle school-aged girls sipping milkshakes. They, of course, loved Depp too. So much they couldn't stop raving about the actor they hoped to see and match up with their mothers.

"Personally, I think he's hot," said Courtney Lovelace, 12.

"He'd be OK for my mom," said her friend, 12-year-old Chloe Scherh.

"Darn tootin'," said Vickroy. "Why don't you girls just head on home?"

Commentary editor Karen Sorensen, who also swoons over "Chocolat," got right to work shaking down other members of the media, as well store owners.

"Where is he? Tell us what you know," she said, restraining herself from grabbing their lapels.

When we all got word that actor Christian Bale, who plays Melvin Purvis in the film, was supposed to join Depp, Sorensen nearly lost her mind.

"Now my purpose is clear," she said. Now she understood why she had worked late the night before and gotten up before the sun that day to enable her to enjoy a free afternoon of clandestine man-hunting.

"For Christian Bale, I'll gladly put myself in a difficult spot."

From 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. we walked the streets, looking for signs of a town transformed into the 1930s. All we found were windows that covered an air conditioning box on Lockport Vacuum, 1040 S. State St., and white lace curtains strung from top windows at Mamma Onesti's Italian restaurant across 11th Street.

We bought some chocolate at Hollinger's candy store, where we chatted up a grandma, who had no idea who Johnny Depp, was and her teenage granddaughters, who were determined to deliver sweets to Depp and company.

Outside, the streets were lined with crazy fans. Some people dressed up in 1930s clothing hoping to be extras. Others wore pirate costumes, a nod to Depp's character in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series. One mom brought a 6-foot-tall cardboard cutout of the actor, hoping for an autograph for her daughter.

As the sun moved west and the clock ticked on, we began to suspect our star wasn't going to show.

So Hollywood.

The whole operation got canceled about 7:30 p.m.

Sure, we were disappointed. But we can forgive him. If we can forgive that haircut he had in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," we can forgive anything.

Other film sites Johnny Depp's upcoming movie "Public Enemies" recently has filmed in several other Chicago locations. Not that we're stalking him, but we did take note:

* Chicago's Lincoln Park and River North neighborhoods
* Crown Point, Ind.
* Joliet Correctional Center
* Milwaukee and Madison, Wis.
* Paramount Theater, Aurora
* Stateville Correctional Center

Real danger on movie set

Here's a scary little item from the Public Enemies set from the Chicago Tribune:

Drive-by shooting near Johnny Depp's movie set
The Associated Press
12:45 PM CDT, June 21, 2008

Life imitated art on a Chicago movie set when a police officer arrested suspected gang members involved in a drive-by shooting near the filming of Johnny Depp's mobster flick "Public Enemies."

Friday morning's shooting occurred about a block away from the set on the city's South Side. It happened about half an hour before Depp arrived on the set. No one was injured.

A police detective who blocked traffic while film crews worked nearby told WGN-TV that he arrested five juveniles and seized a handgun from their vehicle. One was later charged with unlawful use of a weapon."

Public Enemies" stars Depp as infamous bank robber John Dillinger and co-stars Christian Bale as FBI agent Melvin Purvis.

The movie has filmed in the Chicago area since March.

Latest Dillinger Pics

Here are some of the latest photos from the set of Public Enemies. Enjoy!

More than 'Mr. Stench'

The story about pseudonyms Johnny uses for hotel check-ins gets rehashed every once in a while, but sometimes they add a few more details. Here's the latest from news.com.au:

Mr Stench, Mr Oddpong, Mr Drip Noodle, Mr Donkey Ass – these are just some of the outrageous names Johnny Depp likes to adopt when he wants to avoid publicity or stop people hounding him. You would have thought such names would actually draw attention towards him, but he says it's worked for him in the past.

"Instead of using Smith or Jones, I derive a lot of pleasure from booking airline tickets or checking into hotels under absurd, often indecent pseudonyms," he says.

"I do it when I am certain they don't know who I really am. They probably think I'm weird – well, I suppose I am – but they have to play along with it.

"It's hilarious to get a wake-up call at some ludicrous hour, like 5.30am, and the guy has to say, `Good morning Mr Stench. Good morning Mr Drip Noodle, you have to get up now'."

Father's Day with the Fam

GossipGirls has a handful of photos of Johnny returning to L.A. on Father's Day to spend time with his family.

Hats off

Johnny has shown his generosity once again with a 12-year-old boy in Oshkosh, according to a report from The Northwestern:

Depp tips his hat to Oshkosh boy

12-year-old asked for hat during ‘Public Enemies’ filming and the star delivered

The next time Jack Taylor takes his hat off to Johnny Depp, it actually will be Depp’s hat.

The 12-year-old southside resident received a package in the mail Thursday from Depp’s production company, Infinitum Nihil, containing a variety of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” promotional gifts along with a vintage fedora Depp told Taylor he could have when the “Public Enemies” star was in town in April for filming.

“All I really said was ‘Can I have your hat?’,” Taylor, who will start seventh grade at Grace Lutheran Church this fall, said. “And he said ‘When I’m done with it, it’s yours.’ He was actually pretty cool.”

It took a little more work than that to get Taylor’s promise fulfilled, though. His parents, Kris and Matt Brand, tracked down Depp’s agent, who turned out to be his sister, and told her about what happened. Depp’s agent pulled enough merchandise to ensure Taylor and his siblings, Anthony Taylor, 13, Alexis Taylor, 6, Emily Brand, 3, and Abigail Brand, 1, each got a little something from what ranks as one of their favorite Depp movies along with “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

“It’s not exactly the easiest thing to make all five kids happy, but they did a good job. It’s finally nice to see a celebrity being nice and following through on his promises,” Kris Brand said. “He promised Jack his hat and he followed through. It’s really cool.”

Jack’s new hat, a well-worn fedora that’s vintage in appearance, wasn’t the only personal item enclosed with the package. Depp also wrote Jack a short, personal note telling him to enjoy the hat and the cool “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” stuff and signed it himself.“

It was pretty awesome when it came,” he said. “I didn’t think it actually would come.”

To show his appreciation, Jack penned a letter of his own to send to Depp, though the first draft has been refined a few times with the help of his parents. And his new prized possession will definitely get shown during the summer and at school.

“Nobody believed me at first when I told them about meeting him,” Jack said. “It’s pretty awesome.”

Happy Father's Day

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish Johnny Depp a very Happy Father's Day! I'd also like to wish a Happy Father's Day to any and all father's who might be Johnny fans and read this blog, AND to all the single mothers who are trying to be both mother and father to their children. I wish you all a great day. If your father is alive, CALL or GO SEE him!

Ideally, I would love to publish a picture of Johnny with his children in honor of today, but we know how he feels about pictures of his children being posted so that is why you will not see them here. However, I will leave you with a couple of pics of the man himself, taken over the last few days of filming "Public Enemies."

Have a wonderful day!

No Wedding Today

I know many of you are wondering about the reported wedding today of Johnny & Vanessa. (thank you, Sharon, for reminding me of that). Every year we hear this rumor and it always turns out to be just that. Rumor. However, we now have OFFICIAL word from the "Depp Camp." Below is press release from Johnny's publicist, Robin Baum, from SFGate.com:

Johnny Depp Wedding Reports Not True
June 13 2008

Reports suggesting Johnny Depp will wed longtime partner VANESSA PARADIS at SANDRA BULLOCK's Georgia home on Saturday (14Jun08) have been shot down by the actor's publicist.

Catering trucks, police activity and local gossip led many to believe that Bullock's Tybee Island home near Savannah would be the site of the latest celebrity wedding ceremony.

But Depp's representative Robin Baum says, "There is no truth to these rumours."

That has led Savannah locals to ask who is planning a highprofile wedding at the Speed star's estate.

One says, "Some store employees have signed confidentiality agreements and there are catering trucks and tent rental truck parked up, while I'm told police will be working as security at the mystery event.

"If it is not Depp, it's someone big."

News Catch Up

Hello everyone! As Trish said, my name is Thea and I am thrilled to be here with you all. Please bear with me as I learn my way around. There isn't much to tell about me - but then you aren't here to learn about me are you? ;-) I can tell you that while I was born in Richmond, VA, I have called North Carolina home for most of my life. NC, for those out of the US who may not know, is in the southeastern United States. Aside from being a great admirer of Mr. Depp's, I also love music (especially singing) and enjoy reading, writing stories and poetry, and I love people and animals (I currently have 4 cats).

But enough about me and on to Johnny Depp news.

There are several news items I am including in this post but I know most of them are old news. I would just like to bring us up to date. I see Trish has already posted Happy Birthday wishes to Mr. Depp. I understand he, like most of us, had to work on his birthday. Let's hope he got to see Vanessa & the children on his birthday!

On Sunday, June 1, 2008, Johnny won 2 MTV Movie Awards:
Best Comedic Performance, for At World's End
Best Villain, for Sweeney Todd.

YEAH JOHNNY!!!



Johnny Depp is currently filming in Milwaukee, WI and still meeting and greeting his fans.










In a recent British survey, Johnny Depp was voted Favourite Actor. Johnny took the largest number of votes across all ages and genders.

Just in time for Father's Day, Stylelist.com has released their list of the "15 Hottest Celebrity Dads." I'm sure we all disagree with the number one spot (because we KNOW Johnny is #1) but here are the top five according to StyleList: 1) Brad Pitt 2) David Beckham 3) Johnny Depp 4) Will Smith 5) Matt Damon.

In Theatres July 4, 2008: Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. Narrated by Johnny Depp this documentary on the life of Hunter S. Thompson features interviews with the late writer's contemporaries, including Ralph Steadman, George McGovern, Jann Wenner, Jimmy Carter and Tom Wolfe. For more information and view the trailer, please click the link below:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080611/VIDEO08/306110086


Until next time, take care.
~thea

Site News

I just wanted to let everyone know the site will be moving forward again... finally. Yay!

Thea, a friend and long-time member of the DeppFansOver30 yahoogroup, has offered to help keep the news section updated for me. (Thank you, Thea!)

You should start seeing posts from her in the next day or two as she learns her way around here. In the meantime, I'll concentrate on getting all the photo galleries back online by the end of the week.

My thanks to everyone for your patience over the past few months, and I hope you continue to enjoy the site.

Trish

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHNNY DEPP!

Happy birthday, Johnny! Wishing you health, happiness and all the good stuff. :-)