"I love it. I always wanted to do it."
That was the reaction of Baiba Kreger of Liberty, who was among those who turned out as an extra on the set of the Japanese movie "Bokutachi No Play Ball" being filmed Thursday at Bowman Field.
While filming began on Monday for Los Angeles filmmaker Sotokoto Pictures Inc., Thursday's shoot welcomed about 75 extras from the area, who grouped themselves in pockets around the minor league stadium for various shots.
The crowd also employed their collective acting talent in a more extensive segment to cheer on, or "boo," imaginary players on the field.
The film is being shot entirely in Japanese and will be distributed in Japan. It tells the story of boys and girls on a Japanese baseball team and their families who dream of making it to the Little League Baseball World Series. The plot also involves one father's dream of playing professional baseball in America.
Thursday's shoot focused on Japanese actor Eisaku Yoshida's character Tsuneo, the father, and his time on an American minor league field after being demoted due to injury while playing in a Japanese league.
Actors Michiko Hada, who plays Tsuneo's wife Kanako, and Yuki Kohara, who plays their son Kyuji, also sat in the stands among the extras.
"I thought it was going to be boring," said Tim Hannan of Montoursville, "but it's actually quite neat."
Hannan, who said it was his first time participating as an extra in a movie, thinks the film will become more popular once it hits the the silver screen in Japan. Ht thinks it might make its way to American theaters.
By being an extra for the first time, Hannan said it's "kind of like the beginning of a good career" and will seek out other opportunities.
"It's interesting to see how the production goes," said Aaron Bey of Montoursville, who added that the shoot was moving along the lines of what he expected.
Sam Hwang and his wife Eusong Park said they moved to Williamsport at the beginning of April.
"It's fun - it's a lot of fun," Hwang said of the shoot. "It's exciting that it's happening here. It's fun to watch this being filmed."
The two said the movie is a nice tie-in with the Little League Baseball World Series this week, an event they are experiencing for the first time.
As Sue Trotta of Williamsport sat patiently between the several takes on one scene, said she decided to become an extra just for the fun of it.
"It shows you a lot of what goes into making a movie," she said. "It's slow-moving, but I'm glad films are being made in Williamsport."
As is the usual case, film crews shoot multiple shots from different angles and work with sound. The extras were set to be part of a six-hour shoot, while the crew works for nearly 12 hours, according to one crew member.
The film crew has made its way around the city the past few days, having filmed in such locations as Brandon Park and Vallamont Drive, with future filming taking place on the Hiawatha River Boat, Little League International and downtown.
"It's really nice, this city," said producer Hye Young Choi, who also mentioned in a news conference prior to Thursday's shoot that Williamsport was chosen because this is where every Little Leaguer from all over the world dreams to come.
"Everybody's in baseball fever," said Michelle Skaneski, second assistant director, of the Williamsport atmosphere this week.
Skaneski, a Pittsburgh resident, added, "it's been a blast" working in the city.
Mayor Gabriel J. Campana, who held a brief news conference prior to the start of filming with extras, thanked the venues and guests involved in the project and its stimulation of the local economy.
Thad Meckley of Williamsport was one of the 50 crew members hired to aid in production as a key set production assistant.
Meckley said it's been a learning experience for everyone, but exciting "to make this happen and showcase what we have to offer for future films."
