WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Marines are becoming synonymous with roles in films such as “Jarhead” and “The Marine.” However, 2nd Marine Division recently made their way onto the small screen playing an important role in the filming of an episode of “One Tree Hill,” a teen drama on the CBS Warner (CW) network.
The Marines were extras for episode six, which is scheduled to air in early November.
“This is the first time we have had Marines film with us in all four seasons,” said Actor/Director Paul Johansson. “I knew we were doing a good job when I turned around and saw the gunny smiling as the actors were learning how the Marines moved and did their jobs.”
One Marine in particular was especially excited to be a part of the show.
“It was fantastic being that I'm such a big fan of the show,” explained Sgt. Rhian Jackson, the supply chief for Headquarters Battery, 10th Marine Regiment. “I got to see how the episodes are made and had a chance to meet the actors and actresses.”
Jackson, a Washington, D.C., native, originally started watching the show because of its basketball theme and said after a few episodes he became hooked.
He said the best thing about being a part of the show was that he was there and he could say he was.
The 1998 Westlake High School graduate was able to talk to some of the actors and ask them questions about what it’s like to be on the show.
“They were extremely nice and were willing to answer all kinds of questions which was unexpected because some people think they are just too good to do those types of things because they’re famous,” Jackson explained.
Jackson was able to meet Hilarie Burton, who plays Peyton, one of the main characters on the show. She explained the Marines work ethic during the filming.
“Normally you have to coral the people around to get shots done, but with the Marines, they moved all around where they were told to go,” Burton said.
The filming lasted all day in the sun, but the Marines’ morale was high. According to Jackson, it was because they were going to be on national television, but also because Marines are tough.
The Marines got a taste of what it’s like to be in television. It’s definitely not all glamour.
“The hardest part of filming was all the takes we had to do,” Jackson said. “I think we did every scene at least ten times.”
The cast and crew agreed the Marines professionalism and cooperation was a huge asset to the filming.
“We were thrilled to see how helpful the Marines were while we filmed here today,” explained Johansson looking at the Marines around him.
The Marines are scheduled to appear is the sixth episode, which is scheduled to air the first week in November at 9 p.m. EST on the CW network. The fourth season of “One Tree Hill” starts Sept. 27.