Actor Michael Kennedy interprets filming of ‘Lincoln’ in Richmond
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by Shannon Rice
If filming in Richmond doesn’t bring Steven Spielberg’s movie “Lincoln” close enough to home, another connection certainly will. Irvington resident Michael Kennedy will appear in the film as Iowa congressman Hiram Price.
Kennedy, who has worked as a freelance actor in major films and television shows for some 40 years, landed the role after receiving a call from a Virginia casting director. Although his part in the film was not shot until November, he was told to begin growing a beard in May.
The scene in which Kennedy participates is the congressional 13th Amendment debate.
“We got ready to film and the first words of the day were mine,” said Kennedy.
His speech takes place at the beginning of a very high-tension scene. After he spoke his part, Spielberg did not call cut and continued filming.
“It was obvious that something had happened,” said Kennedy. “Then Spielberg walked up to me, shook my hand and said, ‘That was marvelous. I knew it was in there.’”
Kennedy said there were many moments during his period of filming where it was evident that something more than shooting a film was going on. Emotions were very high and Kennedy often found himself with tears in his eyes.
It is very likely that Kennedy’s personal connection to the scene had something to do with his emotions. The actor’s great-grandfather was a reporter for a New York newspaper during the Civil War and he came to Washington to observe this particular debate.
“He was sitting right there, listening to the same words I was speaking,” said Kennedy.
As for working with the acclaimed director, Kennedy has nothing but positive things to say about Spielberg, describing him as very hands-on, even filming some shots himself.
“You understand why he’s the best in the world. It’s hard to describe his insights. He knows exactly what lens he wants to use and everything,” said Kennedy.
Although the events of Kennedy’s scene actually took place in Washington, historic Richmond was perfectly designed for filming this movie, according to Kennedy.
“We have so much in Richmond that hasn’t been destroyed or changed,” he said.
Many of the exterior shots were filmed in the Church Hill and Petersburg districts. A styrofoam façade was constructed to look like the White House.
As for future work in the historical film genre, Kennedy says he’s put a bug in Spielberg’s ear. He passed along an article from the Rappahannock Record concerning the 220th anniversary of Robert Carter III’s emancipation of 509 slaves, the largest known freeing of slaves in America prior to the Civil War.
“I told him this guy was freeing slaves some 70 years before Lincoln even came into the picture,” Kennedy said. “Maybe we can get Spielberg to come to Lancaster next.”
