InTouch with Southern Kentucky August 2020 | Page 11

While he learned about a few
filming techniques there, what
Whitaker values most from his
time spent at the film school is the
people he met who had the similar
passions (such as Landon) and the
acting and directorial advice he
learned.
“Film presents almost countless
challenges,” said Whitaker. “For
instance, scheduling a shoot outside
poses a slew of possible problems;
the weather variable — even
something as simple as whether
or not there are clouds in the sky,
sunlight positioning and time of
day, and, of course, carrying all the
equipment needed outdoors.
“We once had a mounted tripod
collapse into a creek during a
shoot,” he added. “You can imagine
how thrilling that was for the crew
and me.”
In creating miniatures and props,
Whitaker often purchase different
pieces at a store like Hobby Lobby
or Lowes and customize it to the
best of his ability to use in a still
shot of a movie.
“One of my favorite creations
is a scene from a commercial
we made for ‘See Somerset’ in
which I purchased a doll house
and fashioned it to look like an
abandoned house that had spent
much of its time submerged in
water during the past half-century,”
said Whitaker. “I draped it with fake
moss in different places and broke
out portions of its windows and the
roof.
“We had a make-or-break shot in
which we recorded a scene where
the first floor of the doll house
was flooded after a rain set in, and
it turned out perfect,” he added.
“Bryan Landon is a fantastic movie
make-up artist, ranging from the
grotesque and the ethereal. He also
made the paper mâché cast and
mould for the legendary ‘Big Ed’
catfish puppet featured in a ‘See
Somerset’ tourism ad.”
Of all the creations Whitaker is
responsible for, his favorite may
be on the way — he’s expecting a
daughter, Medli Sophia, with his
wife Megan in September.
Until then — and certainly long
after — he’ll keep bringing to
life beautiful things to look at,
whether in murals or on video or
in miniature form. For Whitaker,
just being a part of an artistic
community is a work of beauty onto
itself.
“I’ve worked with some incredible
actors, including some folks from
Somerset, and I’m very fortunate to
have such a wide-reaching network
of talent connections in Nashville,”
said Whitaker. “Through film, I feel
like I can truly craft a vision of the
values I believe in and the interests
I have. Having an effect on people
when they watch something you’ve
created is a feeling like no other
and I’m very humbled to be able
to continue to chase my dreams in
film.”
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AUGUST 2020 In Touch with Southern Kentucky • 11