As a child I dreamed of being a movie star. Or maybe a princess. Either way, neither of my dreams came true. I had given up on any chance of starring in a real life fairy tale movie when I received the next best thing; an invitation to the set of The Longest Ride movie, opening in theaters April 10th. I would have the chance to interview author Nicholas Sparks and meet the stars of the film, Scott Eastwood and Britt Robertson, thanks to 20th Century Fox and my friend, Brett, at This Mama Loves. You can imagine how quickly I said yes!
Filming was set in the mountains and valley far outside the city in some of the most breathtaking scenery I had seen. Mr. Sparks met us at the base camp kitchen to answer our questions on filming, the writing process and bull riding. The Longest Ride centers around Luke’s -played by Scott Eastwood- career as a professional bull rider. The cast worked closely with the PBR( Professional Bull Riders Association) to create an authentic representation of the sport of bull riding We were dying to know if Mr. Sparks had ever ridden a bull.
“A PBR bull, you kidding? We’re getting out of the gate, I’d be in the air. And he wouldn’t have to throw me. I’d be diving off it. I mean, those are real bulls. So, I have no desire.”
So many of Mr. Sparks characters come from different worlds and The Longest Ride was no exception. His idea of a dual love story between Ira and his wife, Ruth, and the star crossed couple, Luke and Sophia, started slowly.
“It is barely a germ. It’s a theme. It’s an image. It’s a voice. It’s a general idea of a something.” So, the initial inspiration was, let’s do a double love story, two love stories. And that’s all I had. All right, now what? And then, you kind of build in. And you say, “Okay, what kind of characters?” And then, slowly but surely, they come alive. (The) First character I created with a voice was Ira, then Ruth.”
I was pleased to discover Ira’s character was based on a real life person, Leo Robbins, Mr. Sparks “pseudo-grandfather.” “He taught me how to snorkel,” Mr. Sparks confided, “He was just great.”
The story of Ira and Ruth involves their love of art and their expansive collection, a difficult feat to pull off in the mountains of North Carolina. Mr. Sparks was worried he couldn’t make it work when he made a startling discovery, Black Mountain College, a haven for the art world in the 40’s, which fit in perfectly with the story.
“So, I said, “Okay. So, let’s find a North Carolina artist who might have been around in the ’40s, ’50s. So, I Google like literally “North Carolina artists in the 1940s,” or something. And boom, up pops Black Mountain College.”
Mr. Sparks set out to discover all he could about Black Mountain college, explaining this novel required more research than any of this previous works.
“I’ve learned that if I don’t get this stuff right, people write me letters that say, “That’s not how you do it.”
Anyone who has read Mr. Sparks’ works knows of his timeless romantic endings. When asked if he thought this was an unrealistic attitude, he told us, unequivocally, “No.” Seeing our confused looks, he offered to expound.
“Long relationships are work. That’s it. And if you find someone who’s willing to work as hard as you are and who has the same end goal, the same ability to compromise and forgive and to move on and support and all that, well, then you have a good shot.”
Spending a day on the set chatting with the cast and crew of The Longest Ride reinforced my belief in the power of love. I’m looking forward to the release of the film to revisit this classic love story. Want to learn more about The Longest Ride? Get social with them here:
Want to read more about The Longest Ride Movie? Read more of my interview with the cast and crew at This Mama Loves.
do you know where this ranch is located in Nc? Is it private property or can it be rented for events?
Scott Eastwood is his dad’s clone. This movie is going to do awesome!
I would love to see this movie! It sounds amazing!
I love Nicholas Sparks movies! I can’t wait for this one to come out.
I am looking forward to seeing his movie. I like all his movies and this would be a great one to go see with some friends.
That is so cool! I can’t wait to see the movie!
WOW, what an amazing experience! I would have loved being on set!
How exciting! I love Nicholas Sparks. His books and movies are awesome!
I have a feeling this movie is going to do really well. Nicholas Sparks has many fans, both of his movies and of his books. I haven’t really read a lot of his novels but I have seen a few movies.
Looks like a great movie on the cards, the trailer is promising as well. I am sure you had a great time out there with Nicholas interview. The sets are looking beautiful too.
Looks like a really fun movie. I love Nicholas Sparks.
Its so nice you got to be apart of this press junkie! Looks like an awesome movie!!
Scott Eastwood… oh my gosh. I could look at him all day! You’re so lucky! 😉
Oh I can’t wait for this movie. Sounds so exciting to see these people.
What a neat experience! I’m sure this will be a great movie.
I can’t wait to watch the movie. It looks like you had a great time and I recognize some pretty faces there
Oh I love his movies! It looks like you had a really great time! What a fun experience for you. #Jealous
Wow. Scott Eastwood is do handsome. Sounds like a great movie.
I am so jealous of your opportunity. I love that almost all of Sparks books and movies are set in NC.
I’m sure that was really cool to be on the set. I love his movies and books of course!! can’t wait to see the new one.
You must of had a great time,I would like to see this movie looks like it is going to be a good one.
I think so too! It looks like such a great time!
Congratulations on a fantastic trip and opportunity. The Longest Ride sounds like a great movie to see. Bull riding is definitely a favorite event for me to watch at any rodeo.
So many awesome bloggers in one place! I’m like you, I’d jump at the chance to go. That looks like a great trip. 🙂
WOW! THE Nicholas Sparks! That’s so awesome! Looks like another hit!
I am definitely seeing this movie. It looks so interesting
What an awesome experience for you!! I’m amazed at how beautiful the set is!!
Oh, what a super-fun experience!! (When I got to interview Nicholas Sparks it was in a boring old conference table.) This movie looks like it will be a good one!
What a great interview! I love Nicholas Sparks and can’t wait to see the movie.
I have been such a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks from his very first book. The movies always turn out great, so I am excited to see this one too!
I am wanting to see this movie. the lead guy is so sexy handsome
I haven’t even paid attention to the actors, but had to go back up and look. Yes, he is very handsome!
I have not heard of this movie before. Definitely sounds like one I would enjoy!
I can’t wait to see the movie. I’ve met Nicholas Sparks for a couple of his other movies, and he’s a great interview!
What a fantastic experience!! I love Nicholas Sparks, and cannot wait to to see this movie!
I’m really looking forward to seeing that movie! I love everything Nicholas Sparks does, but so far, my favorite is The Notebook. I’m not sure anything could top that.
That must have been a really cool day hanging out with the crew. Seems like a lot of fun.
I agree. What fun they all had. It’s nice that movie directors open their set like that. Some dont.
This movie sounds really nice, I keep hearing about it and it makes me want to see it!
Sounds like this will be a movie I won’t want to miss! So jealous you were able to meet them! How awesome is that?!
What an amazing experience that must have been for you and what a great sounding movie, I’m definitely going to have to keep my eyes open for it. x
I love him as an author. can’t wait to see this movie
I want to go and see this movie. I love him, very attractive and a good actor.
Oh I can’t wait to see this. My daughter and I love all of his movies and I’ve read many of his books too!
The location where they film is simply breathtaking. I love how open the space is and all the animals.
This looks like it will be a good one! I love Nicholas Sparks. None of the movies have left me disappointed!
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This sounds like a wonderful movie. One of my favorite things about Nicholas Sparks’ books – and their movie adaptations – is that there is so much going on beneath the surface.
This looks like such a fun event! I cannot wait to see the movie. I read the book and loved it. He is my all time favorite author. I’ve seen all of his movies and read all of his books.
What a great interview. This looks like it will be a really great movie. I can’t wait to go and see it.
wow, such a cool experience, I never heard of that movie before, I have to check it out. Thank you so much for sharing, I love your photos ^_^
What an amazing experience!! ‘The Longest Ride’ looks like my kind of movie … but I’ll have to twist my husband’s arm to see it! 😉
Same here with my hubby, but it would make a fun GNO 🙂
This sounds like a great movie! I’m already in full chick flick mode. I can’t wait to see this!
What a wonderful day you had Pam… That set looks beautiful…. and you had a super day with Nicholas! I am a lot green with envy.
I am sure that is going to be a great movie….like all of his movies. I can’t wait to see it.