Arts & Entertainment

Portsmouth Boy Scout Earns Movie Extra Badge on Set of Moonrise Kingdom

Portsmouth Boy Scout Alden Jenkins, 14, finished a rare scouting chore on Monday—working as an extra for the Wes Anderson movie, "Moonrise Kingdom."

Portsmouth's , 14, had quite the usual Boy Scout task finish on Monday at Yawgoog Camp in Hopkinton.

Jenkins, a member of , Portsmouth, was selected to serve as an extra on the movie "Moonrise Kingdom," which is being filmed at various locations throughout the state, including Portsmouth.

"It (acting) seems fun," Jenkins said about the experience. "I liked seeing all the famous people, and how they put it all together. I never appreciated before the work it takes (for a movie)."

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Moonrise Kingdom, the latest from acclaimed writer and director Wes Anderson (Fantastic Mr. Fox, Rushmore), is a story about two lovers who are pursued after fleeing their small New England town. The cast reads like a who’s who of Hollywood’s A-list, including Ed Norton, Bruce Willis, Owen Wilson, Bill Murray, and Frances McDormand.

Filming will continue through the summer, with an anticipated 2012 release date. The movie has already filmed on and in south county.

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During his time on the set, Jenkins said he only saw Murray and another A-lister, Harvey Keitel, from a distance. One day on set, Keitel brought the extras specialty muffins topped "with bacon," said Jenkins.

This is the Portsmouth Middle School eighth-grader's first time on a movie set, let alone being featured in one. However, Jenkins said he might seek a future in the "movie biz" one day.

Jenkins began work as an extra on Friday, May 13, and finished at Camp Yawgoog on Monday. More than 300 kids, including Boy Scouts, from throughout the state were invited to work as extras in the movie.

"The boys learned lots of great skills like patience in waiting throughout the 12-hour days. They had to be ready at a moment's notice, but could play cards and games while waiting. It was a very positive experience for both the kids and the parents," wrote Alden's mother, Christine Jenkins, in an e-mail.

The Scouts are also now invited to a special screening of the movie before it hits the big screen next summer, said Jenkins.


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