by Sheila Link
The letter of invitation to the "Hollywood Celebrity Shoot" didn't tell me much. Date, time and place, of course, but nothing else, really. It didn't say what "celebrities" would be there, nor was the reason for the shoot given.
In previous years, my schedule prevented accepting the invitation. This year my calendar was clear, so I said I'd be there. Gathering camera, film, tape recorder, notepad and pen, I left for the headquarters hotel the evening prior to the shoot. The drive should have taken about two hours-under normal conditions. Conditions, however, weren't normal, especially for southern California in September.
As I left our valley and turned west on the San Bernardo Freeway (Interstate10) the sky suddenly turned dark as teeming rain slashed against the windshield. It effectively reduced vision to six feet in front of my car. Drivers on the Freeway proved their reputation as daredevils, for they never slackened gas pedal pressure. Aware of the need to stay with the traffic, I kept pace. We all hurtled through the wet gloom like mad lemmings and I hoped I wouldn't miss the turnoff toward Burbank. Luckily I didn't, and swung into the Hilton's parking lot late, convinced that this trip was in vain.
I was certain there was no way a Sporting Clays event-with or without celebrities-would take place next day. But mark, "wrong!" against my name. The morning dawned sparkling clear, warm and sunny.
The shoot was held in Little Tujunga Canyon, at Moore & Moore's "Sporting Clays Range." It's an exceptional course, winding through the steep, brush covered canyon.
A huge open-sided tent had been erected in front of the range office. Shooters were lined up inside, registering, collecting the caps, badges and other paraphernalia that were crammed into waiting "goody-bags" and greeting one another like long-lost friends.
The overall ambience was casually friendly. Many shooters had participated in previous celebrity shoots, and/or in other shoots with people there that day. Lots of banter and warm greetings sounded out as shooters, scorekeepers and spectators arrived. It was great to see so many women involved.
According to record, the first of these events listed only 15 women shooters. This year there were 35. A few children were also present. Two of them are Anne Lockhart's-her 13-year-old daughter Gail, who was shooting, and 9-year old Zane, on board to cheer for his mother and sister.
One of the first people I met was actress Leslie Easterbrook. Not just another beautiful face, Easterbrook is a competent, enthusiastic shooter. She's on the Hi-Viz field staff and has served as chairman of this event, and helped promote many others (she has also spoken at state association dinners and other gun rights events). Easterbrook seemed to know everyone and graciously introduced me to many of the shooters and spectators present.
Anne Lockhart was one of the shooters Easterbrook introduced. Lockhart, who had been co-chair of the '99 Shoot was not only pleased to be there, she was eager to show and shoot a gun she'd recently bought. Lockhart is another Hollywood personality who has been active in promoting the shooting sports in movie and TV land.
"I was at a gun show," she explained, "and this guy was selling a few guns off the back of a truck. This one was so pretty-all silver engraving..." She laughed, "What do I know about guns?-I buy jewelry!" We all laughed with her.
"Anyway, I asked him if I could try it and he said 'sure,' so I tried it, hit the target, and said, 'Sold!"' Lockhart had made a very good purchase. Her new gun, an Ithaca over/under with beautiful wood as well as the engraving which first caught her eye, also fit her perfectly.
Off-Camera Celebrities
Another celebrity I had an opportunity to chat with was a gentleman who noticed me admiring the shotgun he'd placed in a rack beside one of the Sporting Clays stations. I was drawn first to the stock's magnificent wood, when I noticed its extensive engraving. As I looked at the gun, a set of boots came into my peripheral vision and I looked up to see the owner looking at me with a bemused expression. Easterbrook, who was standing nearby, introduced us.
Richard Edlund is a renowned visual effects innovator. He has received many Academy Awards for stunning, creative work on films such as "Star Wars," "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" and TV's "Star Trek." His latest is the current film, "Bedazzled."
Edllund told me he began taking still shots in junior high at Fargo, ND, and graduated to become a sport photographer for the Los Angeles Examiner. During service in the Navy he was put to work making training films. He fell in love with motion picture cameras, was eventually hired to do special effects for TV commercials, and the rest is history.
His firearm collection began when his dad gave him a Remington #1-1/2 .22-caliber falling-block rifle. As his career has soared, his collection has grown. It now includes several H&H rifles as well as Purdey shotguns and the gorgeous Fabbri I'd admired.
Robert Stack
Robert Stack, captain of the Ruger team, is as famous in shooting circles as in the hearts of movie buffs. A native of Hollywood, he was taken in hand by the shooting community early in life.
"It was a sport shooting town when I was a kid," he told me. "Several fellows-Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Roy Rogers, and others who were shooters-taught me the traditions of the sport. One thing for sure," he said, " we were expected always to be sportsmen-gentlemen, courteous and well-behaved."
At age 16, young Bob Stack won the National Junior, Skeet Shooting championship. He said he attends events such as this Celebrity Shoot, 2000 to "support the sport, encourage youngsters and maintain the tradition."
The tradition was is full swing at Moore & Moore's on this bright September day. Ladies and gentlemen were ready to compete and to enjoy themselves. Teams had been formed, each with a celebrity as captain.
Easterbrook headed the NRA team, which also had Brian Blasé, Rock Tucker, H. Rick Luhrs and Jay Phillips ready to compete. This team was outstanding, winning High Overall in all three disciplines shot that day. The three disciplines were Handgun, 5-Stand and Sporting Clays. (Scoring results below.)
Fun Event
Although I've shot or been a spectator at lots of shooting events, including sporting clays, I don't believe I've ever before seen and heard so much sheer fun being had. Of course, the celebrities and many spectators had obviously known one another for some time, which made this a social occasion as well as a competition. Everyone showed a willingness help one another shoot well and the competitiveness was far more friendly than serious.
Naturally, in any competition, participants are desirous of winning. But the over-riding reason to enter events such as charity shoots and celebrity matches is to be there. Participants contribute to the success of the event, whether it's to raise funds to be presented to a beneficiary charity or, in the case of this shoot, to draw attention to the viability of our sport. When public figures "stand up to be counted" as recreational shooters, people who are unsure or uncommitted on gun control issues are persuaded to take a friendlier stand on firearms and shooters-or at least stop and listen.
Major sponsors of the Hollywood Celebrity Shoot 2000 were the National Rifle Association and Sturm, Ruger. Other sponsors included Ridgeline ("Pro Ears") Hi-Viz, and team sponsors Cor-Bon, Para Ordnance and Marksman. Everyone who participated-not just the celebrities, but also the shooters who forked over a hefty registration fee in order to shoot with celebrities-helped to sponsor the event. Major beneficiaries include all of us who own and enjoy firearms and safeguard our rights.
If you have an opportunity to participate in a charity shoot or a celebrity shoot, grab it. You will have a wonderful time, you will meet some exceptional people, you will probably make new friends and, best of all, you will make a real contribution to the shooting sports.
Handgun Competition:
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5-Stand Match:
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Sporting Clays:
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