C.P. hopes for one final look at Depp

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BY KATHLEEN QUILLIGAN
Kathleen.Quilligan@nwitimes.com
219.662.5331 | Thursday, March 27, 2008 | (8 comment(s))

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CROWN POINT | After two days of waiting in the wind and cold, fans of the movie "Public Enemies" and its star Johnny Depp were rewarded Wednesday with outdoor filming as well as drama of a different kind.

(Visit our special section for videos and photos from filming.)

While sighs of "Finally!" greeted the outside filming, that relief was short lived as watchers realized the barriers separating them from the movie set were pushed back farther than previous days. But the fans were resourceful.

Crown Point resident Chris Childs stood on a red, white and blue folding chair in the middle of Main Street to make sure his video camera made it over the heads of the rows of people in front of him. For Childs, this was not only the third day of filming, but his third day behind the orange fences; he'd already met Depp three times.

"It's not very comfortable," Childs said of his folding chair perch. "How can you be bored with Johnny Depp?"

And how can you be bored with Depp impersonators -- especially when they're on top of the historic courthouse in the middle of the square? Late Wednesday afternoon, a man dressed as Depp's character Jack Sparrow from "The Pirates of the Caribbean" movies stood on the topmost ledge of the courthouse, strapped into a harness and holding a sign advertising a Web site.

Crown Point Detective Sgt. Eldon Strong said the man, Rob Heiser, acted alone and was not considered a danger. Talking to him via cell phone, Strong said he convinced Heiser to come down by telling him he was embarrassing the courthouse.

Heiser's wife, Tracy, watched as officers put Heiser in a police car after he came down from the ledge. She said the act was a publicity stunt for an Internet business owned by the two.

"I was against it," she said of the stunt. "I want that on the record."

Tracy Heiser said her husband works for the courthouse foundation doing maintenance, which is how he had access to the courthouse. "He thinks it will be great publicity ... he knew he would get into some trouble."

By the time Heiser came down from the courthouse, a large number of the cast and crew had packed up at the old jail and moved to 590 E. Anderson St., where they were expected to begin filming the scene where infamous bank robber John Dillinger steals the sheriff's car after his escape from jail.

On spring break, Crown Point residents Kiah Bertocchi, 12, and Taylor Hinson, 11, were giggly with excitement.

"This is the best thing to happen to Crown Point," said Bertocchi.

Hinson quickly countered, "This is the best thing since the Don Jillinger thing."

"You mean John Dillinger?" Bertocchi asked as the two burst into giggles.

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Michelle wrote on Mar 27, 2008 8:02 PM:

" After waiting 3hrs Tues night Johnny came out at about 10:30pm and greeted all his fans, he was very nice and even asked my 10yr old if he was ok because he noticed people pushing and told to be careful shook our hands and let us get pictures of him, it was sad to see the action leave Crown Point. We love you Johnny!!!!! "

Nikole Eriks wrote on Mar 27, 2008 5:09 PM:

" It was so cool to see a big time movie star come to Indiana especially Crown Point! I had a lot of fun watching the filming for the movie. I was Crown Point all three days, I got the chace of talking to three of the "inmates" who were all very nice. It's not everyday you get to talk to somebody playing a part in a movie eventhough they were only extras. I had so much fun, the other spectators were very nice and all the waiting paid off when on Tuesday I got a front row view of Johnny Depp and got to shake his hand. Johnny is very nice and I thank him and everyone the made this movie possible for coming to Crown Point. May God Bless You all!
Thanks,
Nikole Eriks "

mp3 wrote on Mar 27, 2008 12:46 PM:

" I went into town last night to see what i could see. I didn't see any stars, I enjoyed the activity, It was kind of like the corn roast without the beer and corn. "

Michelle wrote on Mar 27, 2008 12:26 PM:

" I got the chance to meet Johnny Depp and he even talked to my three year old daughter in his Jack Sparrow voice. He was so nice. I am sad to see him go! "

Drew wrote on Mar 27, 2008 9:59 AM:

" Johny deep is the best "

Megan Kors wrote on Mar 27, 2008 9:16 AM:

" My Mom and I went to the square all 3 days waiting to see Johnny Depp. We finally saw him last night as he drove away when he finished filming. I think this was an opportunity that Crown Point will never forget! It was fun being outside and talking with so many people....everyone was so friendly..makes us realize how lucky we are to be part of something that's making history. "

buh bye. wrote on Mar 27, 2008 8:49 AM:

" Yes Laurie, SO TRUE. For the most part us Hoosiers are very nice, welcoming people. It was a total invasion of "hollywood" but we were gracious hosts. I got to talk to some very nice people. And it got me out of the house after a brutal winter. Hoosiers Rock!! "

laurie sweet wrote on Mar 27, 2008 7:16 AM:

" Yes my daughter and I went down to check things out. It was a lot of fun, talking to others about their experiences and watching Hollywood magic unfold. We didn't see Johnny Depp but that didn't matter. I was an escape from the reality of a long snowy winter that we all needed.

All you people that say we were nuts for going out there, You missed an unusual experience. Thank you to all the cast and crew that came out, worked hard to make the movie. Johnny Depp you are an ace for taking the time out to greet your fans, God Bless you.

I look forward to seeing the movie next year.

Thanks,
Laurie Sweet "

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