Filming home alone part 1
The production team chose a picturesque neighborhood in Justin's hometown, finding a house that closely resembled the iconic McCallister home but with a Texas twist.
The house was transformed into a Christmas wonderland, with lights, decorations, and a massive Christmas tree in the living room.
On the first day of filming, Justin arrived on set early, buzzing with excitement.
The set was a hive of activity, with crew members setting up cameras, adjusting lights, and arranging props.
Justin marveled at the sight of it all.
"Ready for your big debut?" Chris Columbus asked, clapping Justin on the shoulder.
"I think so," Justin replied, grinning from ear to ear.
### Filming the Grocery Scene
One of the first scenes they filmed was of Justin's character buying supplies at a local Walmart, a crucial moment showing his resourcefulness.
The production team had transformed an actual Walmart in the neighborhood to give it a festive holiday feel.
The aisles were stocked with Christmas-themed products, and holiday music played over the store's speakers.
Justin was excited for this scene, as it involved interacting with various props and navigating the store.
The crew set up multiple cameras to capture different angles of his shopping adventure.
"Alright, Justin, remember to check off each item on your list as you go," Chris Columbus instructed, showing Justin a clipboard with a list of items his character needed.
Justin nodded, taking the clipboard. "Got it!"
As the cameras rolled, Justin pushed a shopping cart down the aisles, picking up items like bread, milk, and decorations.
He had a small budget to stick to, and the scene required him to do mental math and make decisions on what to buy.
At one point, he grabbed a large box of laundry detergent, struggling to lift it into the cart.
"Why do they make these things so heavy?" he muttered, drawing chuckles from the crew.
In another take, Justin had to interact with a curious store clerk, played by his real-life mom, Pattie.
"Hey there, young man," Pattie said, leaning over the counter. "Doing some early Christmas shopping?"
Justin looked up, holding a pack of batteries. "Yeah, gotta make sure we're prepared. You never know what could happen."
"Well, you seem pretty prepared to me," Pattie replied with a smile.
"Cut! That was perfect, Justin!" Chris called out. "You nailed it!"
Justin turned to Pattie, who was beaming with pride. "Mom, you did great!" he said, giving her a high-five.
"You too, Justin. This is so much fun," Pattie replied, her eyes sparkling with joy.
As they wrapped up the scene, Justin's parents arrived on set to watch their son's performance.
They were amazed at how natural and confident he was in front of the camera, and having Pattie involved made the experience even more special.
"You were incredible, Justin," his mom said, giving him a hug after changing out of her shopkeeper costume.
"Thanks, Mom! It was so much fun," Justin replied, beaming.
This grocery store scene set the tone for the rest of the movie, showcasing Justin's character's independence and quick thinking.
The crew was impressed with his ability to handle the various tasks and interactions with ease, and it became clear that they had found the perfect young actor to lead the film.
*** End ***