Posts Tagged "Taking Woodstock"
Jonathan Groff meeting RJ with Ang Lee on the set of “Taking Woodstock” in Millerton , NY. Jonathan learned to ride with me with only 2 weeks to prep for the scene. I started teaching him on my schoolmasters before having him ride RJ who is a seasoned Hollywood star. RJ was one of the horses who played Hidalgo in the Disney classic film of the same name. RJ spent months on the set in Morocco, Montana and California honing his craft. Trained by Rex Peterson, RJ learned to work like a pro on set with tthe cast and crew. Jonathan quickly learned to ride with the help of his background in dance and music, after all riding is all about rhythm and balance. Jonathan’s riding experience helped secure a role in Robert Redford’s new film “The Conspirator”, currently filming in Savannah, Georgia.
This photo was taken on this mud field for the last scene of the film. The groundskeeper watered the fields with fire hoses for two days to create the feeling of Woodstock after 4 days of rain. The ground was so sloppy that RJ refused to walk in it. The crew had to lay rubber stall mats to create a path for him to have secure footing.
Posted October 5th, 2009 — Filed under
Cari Swanson,
Horse Wrangler,
horses in film,
Rex Peterson,
Training,
Windrock Farm
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Cari Swanson,
horse training,
Jonathan Groff,
Taking Woodstock,
Windrock Farm — No Comments
A “Taking Woodstock” reunion at Windrock Farm, Jonathan Groff (Michael Lang) and LuAnn Claps, the make-up artist from Taking Woodstock visit for an autumn ride. Jonathan had not been on a horse since the day of shooting him riding RJ in the mud field on the set. LuAnn loved Allez who was a perfect gentleman.
RJ is the magnificent steed ridden by Michael Lang, the organizer of the Woodstock Music Festival in Ang Lee’s new film “Taking Woodstock”. This film is the story of a family in NY State who were a part of making the festival happen in a small farming community. No one knew these 3 days would become a massive gathering of over half a million people who would congregate to celebrate music and peace. It was remarkable that there was little violence with such a mass of people at a time of tremendous turmoil.
RJ always makes an impression on screen and was even mentioned in the NY Times review of the film. Be sure to go out and enjoy this film about an amazing time in our history.
Bugatti awaits his cue to act in the film “Taking Woodstock” directed by Ang Lee. Bugatti was cast as a police horse who has to maneuver among hundreds of cars and motorcycles in a traffic jam of hippies in transit to the famous Woodstock concert in 1969. It is a testament to the character and kindness of this horse that he calmly walked among the protesters, cars, hippies and camera crew on location at the set in East Chatham, New York. It is even more amazing when you realize his pilot was an extra who could not ride at all, and was able to appear to be riding under my instruction.
Ang Lee discussing the scene with RJ in his new movie “Taking Woodstock”. The film is being shot on location in New York at several different farms around Albany. RJ is in the final scene of the film after the concert is over. The organizer Michael Lang, portrayed by Jonathan Groff, gallops off after surveying the damage to Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel New York.
RJ was a pro, hitting his mark for every take. He had incredible patience with everyone on set, clowning around in between shots. The character of Elliot is played by Demitri Martin, a natural comedian who played very well against RJ. A very long day, but in the end a successful day on set.
