But, though my interest was piqued, I had fancied myself a writer of important stuff. No way was I going to waste my time with movies or movie stars.
However, after a few beers at a baby luau, I got bold and decided to check it out. Having convinced my girlfriend that “just one look” was enough to satisfy my curiosity, we headed out to the pier.
While there definitely was a buzz about, with police at the entrance and big dudes in yellow security coats skirting around like bumble bees, I had yet to see any Pirate cohorts – much less the infamous, Jack Sparrow, aka Johnny Depp.
Under the guise of looking for my cousin (yeah right!), we maneuvered to the end of the pier and managed to get as far as the ladies room. Great. Now what?
After what seemed like hours (as far as potty squatting goes), we emerged from our safe zone and walked the last fifty yards to the movie soundboard. Bam! After evading many of Oahu’s finest in HPD and security detail, we were snagged by an observant crewmember. Busted!
Universal intervention and a very kind woman (who shall remain nameless) were gracious enough to put me in touch with the movie publicist. Nice, I thought, but everything “off the record” and a “closed set policy”? How junk – that’s no story!
Not one to be deterred, I brooded instead. How could I make this work? Suddenly, I was no longer focused on the Pirates or their crew, but recognized that their fans invoked the real magic.
So, once again, off I went to the pier. This time, I was in search of fans.
In conducting my primary research, the main thing, I observed was that a fan is someone with lots of time to spend hanging out at the pier.
Yeah, I know, fisherman and other assorted individuals conduct business at the pier and are known to while the hours, “down da pier”. True that.
But a fan is someone who probably wouldn’t visit a pier under “normal” circumstances. Their quest: the chance to see a real live movie star. Some even admitting to half a dozen visits and waiting several hours at a stretch – just to catch a glimpse of Depp in the flesh!
In the small towns that dot the windward side, where my own family lane is still unpaved, a movie star attracts them like bees to the flower. And boy, did fans flock from all parts of the island.
Many families, like one recently arrived military family, fed and bathed the kids before bringing them down in their jammies (no joke!) to see the “pirates”. In addition to the assorted doggie, there were little ones sporting pirate costumes. Others, too young to know better, slept soundly in their strollers – undeterred by the hum of the crowd and blissfully unaware that they were soon to be part of movie making history.
The New Hope Chapel youth group, who had planned this as part of their evening activities, was anxious to invite Mr. Depp to find Jesus Christ in between Pirate takes.
And then, there were those who make no living off the dock, but whose lives were temporarily altered by the mayhem Pirates produced. Here, Hollywood would sail into the path of the ladies of Kaneohe Canoe Club.
I myself bumped into long-time paddler Roz Saizon while we both awaited Depp’s arrival. Trying desperately to maneuver my camera to take photos while negotiating the crowd, I listened on as Saizon expressed her gratitude on behalf of the club to a very charming Depp. Dressed in full Sparrow regalia, the actor was a pirate bemused - simultaneously trying to shake Saizon’s hand while being pulled away by his own handlers.
“Many of our crew didn’t even know about Johnny Depp or the Pirates movies”, said team captain Ana Abbey, “We actually had to have a movie night where we showed all of the first three Pirate films so that everyone could get on board with the production.”
“We are in total support of the filming…Mr. Depp has been ultra nice…stopping by one day to meet us,” beamed Abbey, “we even got a tour of the make-up area…that was such an experience!”
As for me, after shooting a bunch of photos, I got caught up in the moment myself and promptly dropped my camera so that I could get a handshake from old Jack. He was standing right in front of me, with only a thin waist rail separating us. How could I not?
Funny thing is, in all the excitement – and, staring at Johnny Depp in front of me - I lost it. As if possessed, I felt an inexplicable compulsion to kiss Depp’s pirate ring.
Yes, you heard it right, as soon as I got some pixie dust on my hand, my composure went completely out the window. It was just a split second, but there was a definite break - from mild mannered reporter to raving fan.
Catching myself before I did anything (else) that would get me arrested, I quickly murmured something I can’t even recall now and just stared into his eyes – releasing Depp to continue greeting eager fans.
It was a surreal moment in time – one where I truly think I had lost my mind. But for only a moment. Could that really count as being a “fan”?
Later, streaming out of the gated area along with a couple hundred enthusiastic Pirate fans, I thought to myself - “I did it! I really touched Johnny Depp!”
Okay, I admit – I must be a fan.
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