'That's Jake Gyllenhaal!' - Jake's in Columbia

Jake Gyllenhaal is in town! Well, all right, not this particular town, but he has been seen in Columbia, South Carolina, where, no doubt, he is beginning to make the suit of Howard Ryder a snug fit. One can only hope that the sightings continue apace and we can follow Jake's experience in South Carolina as the immoral young congressman who takes advantage of Alice Eckle.


The two sightings include this from IMDb: 'They're starting to film at the state house this week and Jake Gyllenhaal was at the strom gym the other day and some of my sorority sister got to meet him but he wanted to lay low so they didn't get a picture with him but he said that could be sketchy and take one of him.' However, I think this post may now have been removed from the board.



And here is a great sighting of Jake from yesterday: 'Today, I was driving out to the golf course at Cobblestone Park in Blythewood with three of my student volunteers and we were looking at a wedding book and talking weddings. We were stopped at a light about to turn right and three people came out into the cross walk and started crossing the street. One of the girls in the car screamed, "That's Jake Gyllenhaal!" And it was. White henley, nice jeans, and aviators. And Jake Gyllenhaal! I'm embarrassed to say that all screamed like small children and there is no way he didn't hear us screaming. We could have reached out of the car windows and touched him-- just before getting arrested-- but we could have!'


I really enjoyed this sighting because this is just the effect that Jake has had on me when I've seen him and I'm so relieved to hear that Jake has to put up with this from a load of other normally extremely sensible people too. To make one's way through the streets and through life to the sound of giddy screaming... But there are worse things. I also enjoyed the fact that, as I've also experienced myself, sometimes you're in a position where you can reach out and touch but you just don't and never would. We Gyllenhaalics can be a polite bunch.

Of course, the important question here is 'What is a henley?'


Other people in Columbia have gone out to try and spot one of the visiting stars, Jake and Jessica (The Two Js), and haven't had any success - yet - but it is still a thrill to see the setup for a big production such as this and we can only hope they do have success and let us know what happens. Here is just such an account, but, unfortunately, it concludes: 'I had no such luck as I strolled along the Cinelease trucks and Presidential campers that lined Senate Street from Gervais to Pendleton on April 14. Even when I walked around to the back of the S.C. State Office Building - where I saw the handwritten signs that read "To Set" and "Extras Holding" - I still didn't see Jessica, Jake or Tracy. Finally, I gave up and left.'


But, as the reporter says, 'There hasn't been this much excitement in town in a couple of years ago, when there was a little extra sizzle over the numerous sightings of Kevin Bacon, who was filming "Death Sentence." In fact, he was spotted so frequently that by the end of filming, virtually everyone in the greater Midlands area could be linked to the actor by less than six degrees.'


One area has been cordoned off for filming until Sunday so there are more chances. 'Officials with the City of Columbia Police Department say that Sumter Street between Gervais and Pendleton Streets will be closed until Sunday, April 20, at 11 p.m.' The street closed early Monday morning.


Of course if you're a government official, actually working inside the state buildings where filming is taking place, then you have an advantage. Scott Malyerck in the treasurer's office is one lucky official - his office has been turned into a film set for the week - and, not only that, it's been turned into a congressman's office which to me means Jake's office! 'He says, "It's exciting to see what goes on behind making a movie." Malyerck works in the treasurer's office on the State House grounds. For the movie "Nailed," it's been transformed into a congressman's office. That means new blinds, new curtains, and even a fresh coat of paint. Malyerck says, "I think we get to keep all of that stuff when it's done." Scott will be working around the crew for the rest of the week, watching as stars Jessica Biel and Jake Gyllenhaal make their way in and out. He'd really like to meet Biel. "I hope they don't have to issue a restraining order, but I do hope to meet her."'


So fingers crossed for all these spotters - who have been successful or so far just hopeful - and for everyone else thrilled to have Jake in their town, including our own Nicole. Good luck!

Pictures from IHJ and Just Jared.