Local star shines in World War II flick
- November 11, 2014
- / Reggie Dogan
- / community-dashboard
Pensacola resident Lawrence Gamell has appeared in more than 125 plays and productions in a career that has spanned four decades.
An actor since the age of 5, Gamell in 2004 snagged a part in the blockbuster, “Ray,” starring Academy-award winner Jamie Foxx and Kerry Washington, who went on to star in the popular TV series, “Scandal.”
In the movie, Gamell played the bouncer who introduced Ray Charles to Quincy Jones.
It was a small part, but Gamell said it’s been a launching pad for bigger roles.
In his latest film, “Ardennes Fury,” Gamell plays a soldier during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.
Filmed on a heavily wooded ranch in Florala, Ala., the World War II movie, based on real-life events, comes out today — coinciding with Veterans Day — on DVD, Blue Ray Disc and available through NetFlix and Redbox.
While he enjoyed working in his first war movie only an hour drive from his home, Gamell didn’t care much for the snake-infested wilderness.
“I was a Boy Scout but I don’t like all that outdoor stuff now,” said Gamell, laughing. “I dug it for the movie, but I couldn’t wait to go back and get a shower.”
Living in Pensacola made it easier for Gamell to get home after a day of filming in Alabama.
The California native moved east in 2006 to live closer to his mother, Dora, who had relocated to Pensacola years ago after retiring.
It was the right place at the right time for his newest role. Producers had casted for roles in Pensacola after spending time here the previous year.
“Atlantic Rim,” a science fiction monster film, was filmed in Pensacola in 2013, through Asylum, a motion picture company that mostly produces straight- to-video low-budget films, mostly in the horror genre.
With facilities in Burbank, Calif., The Asylum produces about 15 titles a year. Referred to as “mockbusters,” the list of recent films includes “Sharknado” and “The Pirates of Treasure Island.”
Film producer Christopher Ray said the company came back to Pensacola to cast for roles in Ardennes Fury because of the royal treatment they got the first time around.
“The turnout was good, the people were good and the government worked with us,” says Ray, a producer for popular horror films “2-Headed Stark Attack” and “Shark Week.”
“I met the mayor and liked the way they treated us. I felt that coming back would be a good idea.”
With casting done in Pensacola, the crew only had travel a short stretch to Alabama to finish filming in April.
A construction owner in Florala had a fleet of World War II tanks, trucks, jeeps, military props and a wide swatch of land, Ray said.
[youtube id="R1fX9zjuaR8"]
As Sgt. Nathaniel Rose, Gamell withstands enemy fire and furious attack after getting separated from his all-black tank battalion on a mission to save an orphanage.
“Running up and down hills and playing army men at my age, was tough,” Gamell said. “My legs won’t ever be the same, but it was fun and I really enjoyed it.”
He liked too that they worked in some black history into the film.
After filming a scene during a rainstorm, filmmakers realized the audio didn’t work and had to reshoot it.
While talking over the movie, they found out the 761st Tank Battalion was an all-black regimen in World War II and added it to script.
“The military adviser called one of the survivors, and he said it was OK to incorporate that in the storyline,” Gamell says. “It turned out really great.”
Gamell wasn’t the only person from Pensacola involved in the movie.
Analiese Anderson played “Mother Mary”; retired Lt. Col. Paul Sinor, was a military consultant; and Eric Schmitz played Commander Erik Gretsch.
A native of New Jersey, Schmitz, like Gamell, has relatives in Pensacola and had been visiting here since the 1970s, before making Pensacola his home.
Schmitz liked the idea of filming outside so much that he slept in a tent at night between sets. He enjoyed the war props as much as his role in the film.
“It was fantastic because they have all this authentic equipment there,” Schmitz says. “I fell in love with my MP-40 machine.”
Schmitz met Gamell on the set. He got to know him better when Schmitz’s son began taking a course taught by Gamell at Pensacola State College.
In between gigs, Gamell teaches theater at PSC. He started “Kid’s College,” a children’s matinee theater in the school’s cafeteria.
Through the classes he introduces children to every aspect of filmmaking and theater, from cameras and editing to directing and writing.
Gamell this week is lending his talents as a host and producer of the film festival at the weeklong Back on the Blocks Festival in Belmont-DeVilliers.
“I try to stay busy and use my experience to make a living,” Gamell said.
Frances Yeo, Pensacola State College’s coordinator of recreation and leisured department of continuing education, said Gamell was the first adjunct instructor she brought to PSC five years ago.
“We are fortunate to have his caliber of talent in our town,” Yeo says. “He could go anywhere but he’s here because of his family.”
Gamell says he is here to stay.
He likes being close to family. He likes being near New Orleans, which has become the movie industry of the South. And he’s only a plane flight away if and when the next filmmaker comes calling.
“If a role comes open, you have to be willing and ready to go,” Gamell says. “When they call you have to go or you may not get called again for years.”
While he enjoyed working in his first war movie only an hour drive from his home, Gamell didn’t care much for the snake-infested wilderness.
“I was a Boy Scout but I don’t like all that outdoor stuff now,” said Gamell, laughing. “I dug it for the movie, but I couldn’t wait to go back and get a shower.”
Living in Pensacola made it easier for Gamell to get home after a day of filming in Alabama.
The California native moved east in 2006 to live closer to his mother, Dora, who had relocated to Pensacola years ago after retiring.
It was the right place at the right time for his newest role. Producers had casted for roles in Pensacola after spending time here the previous year.
“Atlantic Rim,” a science fiction monster film, was filmed in Pensacola in 2013, through Asylum, a motion picture company that mostly produces straight- to-video low-budget films, mostly in the horror genre.
With facilities in Burbank, Calif., The Asylum produces about 15 titles a year. Referred to as “mockbusters,” the list of recent films includes “Sharknado” and “The Pirates of Treasure Island.”
Film producer Christopher Ray said the company came back to Pensacola to cast for roles in Ardennes Fury because of the royal treatment they got the first time around.
“The turnout was good, the people were good and the government worked with us,” says Ray, a producer for popular horror films “2-Headed Stark Attack” and “Shark Week.”
“I met the mayor and liked the way they treated us. I felt that coming back would be a good idea.”
With casting done in Pensacola, the crew only had travel a short stretch to Alabama to finish filming in April.
A construction owner in Florala had a fleet of World War II tanks, trucks, jeeps, military props and a wide swatch of land, Ray said.
[youtube id="R1fX9zjuaR8"]
As Sgt. Nathaniel Rose, Gamell withstands enemy fire and furious attack after getting separated from his all-black tank battalion on a mission to save an orphanage.
“Running up and down hills and playing army men at my age, was tough,” Gamell said. “My legs won’t ever be the same, but it was fun and I really enjoyed it.”
He liked too that they worked in some black history into the film.
After filming a scene during a rainstorm, filmmakers realized the audio didn’t work and had to reshoot it.
While talking over the movie, they found out the 761st Tank Battalion was an all-black regimen in World War II and added it to script.
“The military adviser called one of the survivors, and he said it was OK to incorporate that in the storyline,” Gamell says. “It turned out really great.”
Gamell wasn’t the only person from Pensacola involved in the movie.
Analiese Anderson played “Mother Mary”; retired Lt. Col. Paul Sinor, was a military consultant; and Eric Schmitz played Commander Erik Gretsch.
A native of New Jersey, Schmitz, like Gamell, has relatives in Pensacola and had been visiting here since the 1970s, before making Pensacola his home.
Schmitz liked the idea of filming outside so much that he slept in a tent at night between sets. He enjoyed the war props as much as his role in the film.
“It was fantastic because they have all this authentic equipment there,” Schmitz says. “I fell in love with my MP-40 machine.”
Schmitz met Gamell on the set. He got to know him better when Schmitz’s son began taking a course taught by Gamell at Pensacola State College.
In between gigs, Gamell teaches theater at PSC. He started “Kid’s College,” a children’s matinee theater in the school’s cafeteria.
Through the classes he introduces children to every aspect of filmmaking and theater, from cameras and editing to directing and writing.
Gamell this week is lending his talents as a host and producer of the film festival at the weeklong Back on the Blocks Festival in Belmont-DeVilliers.
“I try to stay busy and use my experience to make a living,” Gamell said.
Frances Yeo, Pensacola State College’s coordinator of recreation and leisured department of continuing education, said Gamell was the first adjunct instructor she brought to PSC five years ago.
“We are fortunate to have his caliber of talent in our town,” Yeo says. “He could go anywhere but he’s here because of his family.”
Gamell says he is here to stay.
He likes being close to family. He likes being near New Orleans, which has become the movie industry of the South. And he’s only a plane flight away if and when the next filmmaker comes calling.
“If a role comes open, you have to be willing and ready to go,” Gamell says. “When they call you have to go or you may not get called again for years.”
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