Warren County ‘extras’ barely escaped injury Tuesday during the filming of ‘Hannah Montana: The Movie’ with Miley Cyrus. ‘It was a bittersweet experience,’ said Susan Townsend, regarding the day-long filming she attended in Greenbrier, Tenn., with her husband, Clifton, and her daughters Ruth, 11, Naomi, 10, Lydia, 8, and Martha, 6. ‘We got to work with her all day and for being 15, she is a very hard-working girl,’ said Susan of Miley Cyrus. ‘After everything calmed down, it was fun. I guess it goes to show that no matter where you are, things can go wrong.’ By her account, the incident happened when a crane was used to lift a piece of lighting equipment over a stack of hay bales. While a ground crew of four held onto ropes attached to the equipment, it was lifted into the air. At that point a gust of wind caught the equipment. As the wind swung the equipment over the stage, the crew was pulled off the ground. As the wind eased up, the equipment swung back toward the hay bales and the crew was dropped to the ground. Before stopping, the equipment hit a Ferris wheel full of people. The Townsend family was sitting beside the hay bales. As the incident unfolded, those in the way dove for cover. ‘People were knocked over and stomped on a little bit as other people were trying to get out of the way,’ said Susan. ‘It barely missed a mother and child on the Ferris wheel.’ Cyrus had just finished filming a scene when the incident occurred. Several minor injuries were reported. Susan said she and her family received a close-up look at the teen sensation during the day-long session. She said they were about 10 feet away from her for several hours. ‘There have been several famous people who I’ve met and afterwards I wish I never had,’ said Susan. ‘But that’s not the case with her at all. She was very nice.’ The Townsend family spent nearly 10 hours on the set Tuesday as Cyrus and the crew worked on a concert scene for the film. They received an early glimpse of Cyrus performing what is expected to be a hit song from the movie. ‘We got to hear it about 20 times,’ said Susan. ‘We heard it so much, they asked us not to go around singing it so it will be a surprise for everyone else.’ During a sweepstakes drawing, the Townsend family won several prizes. Naomi won a package that included an autographed photo of Cyrus, purse, pillow, backpack and alarm clock, and had her hand signed by Miley’s sister, Brandi. Cyrus also took time to sign two stuffed mice won during games played that day, and Lydia won one of those mice. ‘I’m going to be an actress,’ said Lydia, 8. ‘Spending the day with Miley and being in the movie was what I wanted more than anything. I’d do it again. I can’t wait to see the movie.’ As for their chance of being in the movie, Susan has her fingers crossed. ‘There are two shots were I think we have a really good chance of making the cut,’ she said. The Townsend family was among the thousands who packed the Sommet Center in Nashville on April 6 for the film’s casting call, which basically involved turning in contact information and a picture. Cyrus, also known as Hannah Montana, has been filming her new movie in several parts of Middle Tennessee over the past few weeks.
