New pictures from the set of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” came out recently. Emma and co-stars Ezra Miller and Mae Whitman are seen leaving the set in costume after filming scenes where the characters participated in a showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
In an interview with the Post Gazette, Stephen Chbosky, author of Perks, apologized to the city of Pittsburgh for disruptions the filming has caused, but says that when people see the tunnel scene in the film they think it was worth it.
The boyish-looking 41-year-old, clad this day in jeans and a short-sleeve navy polo shirt, was sipping a diet Coke as he offered an apology to anyone who had to cool his heels — and motor — last week so “Perks” could film on the Parkway West and inside the Fort Pitt Tunnel.
“I would like to formally ask the forgiveness of my beloved hometown and to thank them for being so patient. But I think that when everyone sees Emma Watson flying out of the tunnel — standing up on a pickup truck — I think they’ll agree that it was worth it.”
Mr. Chbosky calls that sequence “a particular dream come true for me, in a whole series of dreams come true, which is what this movie is. I’ve had those images of the kids flying through the tunnel in my head for about 18 years now, and to finally have actually filmed it on Wednesday feels pretty fantastic.”
The British actress known as Hermione in the “Harry Potter” series was safeguarded by a harness in scenes shot with a stunt driver at the wheel and police nearby. So, kids, don’t try this at home, even if you are feeling “infinite,” to quote lead character Charlie.
After sharing Ms. Watson’s declaration that it was “one of the greatest moments of her life,” the director says, “Those of us from Pittsburgh, we understand how beautiful it is, but to hear it from an outsider was very special.”
Chbosky also said the movie project would never have happened without Emma’s influence.
Although Ms. Watson, now 21, was dead set against more high school roles, her agent pressed the script on her, and the actress fell in love with it. “Once she and I met, we both knew in each other we had a kindred spirit,” Mr. Chbosky says.
In January, she made the rounds at LA studios to plead the case for “Perks.” Summit Entertainment, the studio behind “Twilight,” said yes. “We wouldn’t be making the movie without her passion for it,” the director-writer says.
As for the fans who turn up on the sidelines to see Ms. Watson, Mr. Chbosky reports, “The crowds have been very respectful of our process and her time. Those people who have come out to watch filming — and there have been quite a few of them — I think they just want to witness what’s happening. There’s never been a moment in the middle of a take where someone goes, ‘Emma!’ Doesn’t happen.”
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