‘Hatfields, McCoys’ Miniseries on History Channel Could Be Acting Break GC Grad Needed
Jonathan Fredrick, left, with veteran actor Tom Berenger and Kentucky native Boyd Holbrook on the set of "Hatfields & McCoys." Photo by Trifecta Productions
Jonathan Fredrick ’01, who moved to Los Angeles shortly after graduation, may have finally gotten the break he needs in the acting world – a nice role on a three-night television event showcasing the most famous of family feuds.
Fredrick plays the besotted Jefferson McCoy in the much-anticipated History Channel miniseries, “Hatfields & McCoys,” which premieres at 9 p.m., Monday through Wednesday, May 28-30.
Billed as a “true American story,” the miniseries documents how the legendary feud nearly caused a war between Kentucky and West Virginia. Fredrick – as a native of Huntington, WV, and an alumnus of a Kentucky school (Georgetown College) – finds it fitting that this is his “first significant TV role.” He also found filming in remote Romania, especially in the Carpathian Mountains, “eerily similar” to his home state.
“They cast this with eye for quality – even for the smallest roles,” said Fredrick, who doesn’t get decent “face time” until near the end of the first night. But, just look at some of the stars who will be sharing the screen: Kevin Costner, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Mare Winningham and Tom Berenger! (Berenger and Fredrick will attend a private screening at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, according to a Huntington Herald-Dispatch story.)
Jefferson (Fredrick’s character) is a child in most of the first episode when his father (Harmon) becomes the first victim of the feud in 1865. “The second night I’m in it quite a bit with my sister (Nancy, played by Jena Malone),” Fredrick said. “(Jefferson) is half-drunk most of the time and too cowardly to seek revenge.”
Jonathan Fredrick came to GC as a baseball player in ’97, but after trolling left- and center-field for two years he began to go in a different direction. A Communication Arts major (Sociology minor), he took all of George McGee’s theatre classes. “Then, I knew I wanted to act,” he said. “But, I didn’t know that I could.”
All it took was a word of encouragement from his professor. “After I did a monologue from ‘Hamlet,’ George came up and said I should consider doing Shakespeare in the Park,” he recalled. “That’s the first validation I’d ever gotten!”
George McGee continued to be this major influence in Fredrick’s life, setting up an internship with Hollywood talent manager Billy Miller (GC Class of ’76) after his junior year. “That gave me a foot in L.A.,” he said.
Fredrick said he’s been “stubborn or stupid – or both” during the past decade of stereotypical jobs for wannabee-actors such as waiting tables, landscaping and working security at movie premieres.
He actually does have some experience on the other end of the camera. The past several summers he’s been post-production coordinator for CBS’s “Big Brother” television series. A short he did, “The Scenic Route,” won Best Comedy at The Five-Second Film Festival and he has another being edited now entitled “Love in Our Time.”
But, Jonathan Fredrick is really hoping – with “Hatfields & McCoys” – that NOW is the time for him, his wife Chandra and their 18-month-old son Charlie. “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this,” said the actor, who’d rather be served champagne at “The Oscars” next time than being the server again.
Don’t Be Late for FREE World Premiere of Ed Smith’s Faith-Based Film, ‘unDeserved,’ May 12
Visitors to campus this spring likely have seen filming scenes like this.
Get thee to the chapel on time Saturday (or well before) because there’s lots of buzz about the premiere of “unDeserved,” including film-maker Ed Smith’s radio interview Wednesday morning on WVLK-590′s “Jack Pattie Show.” Look for a Nancy Royden story in Thursday’s Georgetown News-Graphic and a preview by Lexington Herald-Leader Culture Reporter Rich Copley in Friday’s Weekender section. And, please take an enjoyable 2 1/2 minutes to view this trailer. Below is a repeat of our most recent web advance.
Georgetown, KY – Oh, ye Georgetown faithful, you deserve another great film starring GC students – and Theatre & Film Department professor and chairman Ed Smith is about to deliver. “unDeserved,” the under-an-hour faith-based movie he has been filming on campus much of the school year, will have a premiere showing at 7 p.m., May 12 – the Saturday before graduation – in John L. Hill Chapel.
Patrons will get to meet the cast (see below) afterwards at a reception in the Hall of Fame Room of the Cralle Student Center.
At press-time, Smith was still filming some campus scenes to take advantageous of the gorgeous spring weather and the budding Dogwood and Redbud trees.
The show WILL go on, but Smith could still dearly use more donations for post-production – such as promotional materials and printing of the DVD.
If you would like to help financially, please write your check to “Georgetown College” and specify that the money goes toward the film project. That way Smith can put the special finishing touches on the project that it deserves and Chief Development Officer Roy Lowdenback can count your restricted gift as a contribution toward the College. Contact him at (502) 863-8044 or roy_lowdenback@georgetowncollege.edu.
Or, if you’d like to be involved in other in-kind ways, contact Dr. Smith at (502) 863-8042 or Ed_Smith@georgetowncollege.edu.
All of the performers are GC students with two exceptions: Lexington professional Joe Gatton – who conveniently plays “Joe” – and ’99 GC grad James Hamblin, a professional actor based in New York City, is “Crush.” Here are the cast members and their classification this coming fall:
Tia Meredith Cave, junior from Nicholasville
Ben Ethan Smith, senior from Cynthiana
Greyson Jon Yelton, senior from Louisville
Amy Amanda Williamson, junior from Simpsonville
Jenna Payhton Ellis, sophomore from Fisherville
Mooner Matt Eddy, senior from Georgetown
Abby Abigail Cownie, sophomore from West Paducah
GC Announces New $1.7 Million, 85-Bed Dormitory Complex; Construction to begin immediately, targeted for completion this fall
GEORGETOWN, KY (04/25/2012 ) – To coincide with the celebration of its 225th year as an institution of higher learning, Georgetown College officials have announced that construction of a new $1.7 million, 85-bed townhouse complex will soon be underway on Military Street, between College and Jackson streets in Georgetown. The new complex hopefully will be completed and ready for occupancy for the Fall ’12 semester.
This new facility, being built by Barlow Homes (whose CEO is Jim Barlow, a Georgetown alumnus and current trustee) will feature a series of joined townhouses, each with three bedrooms and three baths. Exteriors will be brick, and the new complex will closely resemble Rucker Village, the new residential townhouses (previously built, at cost, by Barlow Homes) that were dedicated at Homecoming 2011 in September on Dudley Avenue in Georgetown.
According to Dr. Todd Gambill, VP/Student Life at the College: “We are blessed to have Jim Barlow and his amazing organization as part of our College family. This new project, when completed, will be very similar to the very popular, nearby facility also built by Jim’s team – and we’re excited about giving even more Georgetown students an opportunity to live in such outstanding accommodations.”
For additional information:
Dr. Todd Gambill, VP/Student Life, Georgetown College – (502) 863-8004
Dean Yoli Carter’s Powerful Story in Chapel Will Be Icing for Delicious (Georgetown) College for a Day April 24
Dr. Yolanda Gallardo Carter, GC's Dean of Education and a heritage-speaker of Spanish, will tell about her personal journey during a special College for a Day chapel service. She's also lead singer for a band of GC professors known as Notes from Underground.
The deadline for the April 24 College for a Day has been extended to close of business this Friday afternoon (April 20). For reservations, call 502.863.8041 or toll free 877.640.0107. Or you may register online.
Georgetown, KY – The time-clock’s ticking for potential College for a Day participants. Don’t force Dr. Ben Oldham ‘65 – the Southeastern Conference’s renowned football replay official – to make a decision for you on choice of class sessions for Tuesday, April 24.
This is Georgetown College’s semi-annual day of special classes (a choice of two out of four) and events for reconnecting alumni with the campus. But, the day is also open to the public at the same $25 cost. The price includes breakfast, Chapel service, lunch and closing reception with certificate of completion.
Previously, we told you about Oldham’s “You’d Better Be Right!” class – an updated, informative look at major college football officiating. Time now to take a look at the three of GC’s most popular current professors and their exciting topics.
Sheila Klopfer
The morning option to Oldham and Football is Dr. Sheila Klopfer, Associate Professor and Chair, Religion Department, with Theology and Vocation of the Cross.
Klopfer, who’s also co-director of Christian Leaders Scholars and Director of Ministry Student Formation, explained:
“The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the central theological and historical event of the Christian faith. For over two thousand years, Christians have struggled, by faith, to accept, understand, and communicate the cross. This session will cover some of the ways that Christians throughout history have tried to make sense of why Jesus Christ died, and then in turn, what the implications of his death meant for their vocational lives, as they attempted to ‘take up their cross and follow him.”
Karyn McKenzie
In the afternoon, choose between Psychology or Music.
Dr. Karyn McKenzie (Psychology) wrote this about her session – Eyewitnesses: The Good, the Bad, and the Questionable:
“A confession is the most damaging type of evidence against a defendant in a criminal case. Eyewitness testimony is second; unfortunately, eyewitness misidentification is the single greatest cause of wrongful convictions nationwide. In terms of overturned convictions realized through DNA testing, inaccurate eyewitness testimony has been a factor in more than 75% of cases. During our session, we will discuss factors related to the strengths and weaknesses of this intriguing area of study and its applications to the real world.”
Dr. Pete LaRue (Music) offers The Man in White … The Man in Black. The director of GC bands is talking about “the incomparable contributions of Hank Williams Sr. and Johnny Cash to American Music.”
Pete LaRue
In between the entertaining morning and afternoon presentations, Dr. Yoli Carter – the College’s dynamic Dean of Education – will deliver the chapel address. That will be followed by a sumptuous lunch in the Hall of Fame Room.
For reservations, call 502.863.8041 or toll free 877.640.0107. Or you may register online. The deadline is April 20, 2012.
Spring Tiger Symphonic Band Finale Promises to be Much More Than ‘All Good Things’
By Caitlin Knox ‘14
Johnathan Rogers, Evan Harrell and Hannah Osborne will take turns in the Tiger Symphonic Band spotlight April 26.
Georgetown, KY – The spring Tiger Symphonic Band Concert at 8 p.m., April 26 is titled “All Good Things” for a very good reason. Traditionally one of the performing arts closers for the school year, this free Hill Chapel event will feature the brilliance of three students and three fresh works.
“To have the caliber of students that we do… it’s just quite remarkable,” said Dr. Pete LaRue, proud director of the Tiger Band.
Hannah Osborne, who’s studying History and Music, will show off her artistry on the clarinet, performing the “Concertino for Clarinet” by Weber. “It’s fabulous, she’s fabulous,” LaRue said about the piece and the senior from Georgetown.
The other two LaRue is putting in the honor spotlight are Music Education Majors who will both conduct pieces – Johnathan Rogers and Evan Harrell.
Rogers, a junior from Corinth, KY, will conduct his fellow students on “March” from the Third Suite by Jager.
Harrell, who was a featured musician as well in his freshman year, will conduct the premiere of a work that he composed himself. “It’s called ‘On A Swedish Hymn of Spring’ and it’s based on a hymn they sing in Sweden every year to bring in the new season,” said Harrell, a junior from Middlesboro.
“I think this is his best one yet,” said LaRue, who has already had the band perform two other compositions by Harrell, called “In Praise Rejoice” and “Lucifer.”
The concert will continue to be a night of premieres, with three new works that LaRue calls “quite extraordinary.” A work by Giroux called “All Good Things” was written in 2003. Two were recently written in 2011: “Blue and Green Music,” based on a Georgia O’Keefe painting, and “The Seal Lullaby,” based on a Rudyard Kipling poem.
“All Good Things” will be a concert that stays true to traditions, including the playing of the moving “Old Scottish Melody” [arranged by Charles Wiley] while a special video presentation is being shown. The video will look back on the sights and scenes of the band over the years. Each senior can reflect on the memories, and enjoy this last performance that they have with the Tiger Band.
A reception in the foyer of the Chapel will follow this evening of delightful music. All patrons are invited to enjoy the food and drinks as the College celebrates the band members and all the entertainment they provide over the year.
