Lights, camera, action
Brothers Bryan and Michael Vavro of Butler share an enthusiasm for movies and now they've been in one together.
The pair's foray in film opens Friday at area theaters. "Adventureland" is a comedy starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kelsey Ford and Michael Zegen.
"It's about a college student who needs a summer job and he finds one at this park called Adventureland," Bryan said.
Filming took place over a year ago on location at Kennywood Park in West Mifflin.
"You will definitely recognize Kennywood ... and it actually looks beautiful in spite of the fact that the idea was to make it look more tattered," said Mary Lou Rosemeyer, spokeswoman for Kennywood.
The crew filmed for nearly two months during the fall of 2007.
"Since the park was open for Phantom Fright Nights on Friday and Saturday nights, every Friday it had to be transformed back to PFN, then Sunday through Monday a.m. transformed back to Adventureland," Rosemeyer said.
The Vavro brothers spent a couple long days appearing as extras in different scenes. One arcade scene they shared.
"In one scene, I was playing pinball, well, pretending to play pinball, and one of the main actors walked by me," Bryan said.
So he hopes to recognize himself on the big screen. His clothing should help. Costumes consisted of 1980s garb provided by the filmmaker. "I have a pink shirt and pink and white checked shorts on," Bryan recalled.
A Butler High School student, Bryan plans to pursue a career in film by attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
"We're the best of friends," said Michael of his brother. "We're always together."
They were together in a second scene which might be in the movie, one in a shooting gallery that involved Eisenberg, one of the main actors.
"I loved it," said Michael of his experience. A Slippery Rock University student, he had originally wanted to be a filmmaker but now will pursue a degree in global cultural studies.
"Adventureland" was written and directed by Greg Mottola, director of the 2007 comedy "Superbad."
At one point during filming, Mottola gave some personal direction to Michael.
"It was going to be a slow-motion scene," Michael recalled. "He said I had to hit my marks exactly. I just thought it was so great he was directing me personally."
Bryan and Michael are the sons of Phillip and Karen (Smaretsky) Vavro of Butler. Their parents appear in "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh" released recently.
