|
Company makes trailer for ‘Sno Cone’ movie
Published January 8, 2009
Lots of folks go to Hollywood in hopes of being discovered and appearing in a movie.
Albertville resident William “Bill” Erskine had Hollywood come to him.
However, it wasn’t Erskine they wanted, it was something he makes – a Sno-Cone concession trailer.
Erskine & Son’s production facility, located on Laura Mae Lane in Albertville, has been making a variety of concession trailers, including the familiar Sno Cone trailers, since 1986.
Erskine said people involved in the production of a movie called “The Sno Cone Stand Inc.,” written and produced by Travis Trapp and starring Morgan Fairchild and Tony Sirico, phoned him last year.
Erskine, with a smile said, “They told me they would like to rent, beg, borrow or steal a trailer from me to use in a movie.
“I kind of ha-ha’d it at the time, because you get all sorts of come-ons in this business, but after talking with them, checking them out and getting a check in the mail – that actually cleared – we decided it might be something worthwhile.”
Erskine, a pragmatist of Scottish heritage, said, “We took a chance and decided it might be something worthwhile. So we did, thinking if it works, we might get some good publicity from it. And it seems we are receiving it.”
The experience, he said, “worked well.”
“They kept the trailer for about a year, and the trailer is in a lot of shots and scenes that revolve around the trailer.”
Erskine said most concession trailers are “concession white.”
“We have the reds, blues and greens, and they stand out,” he said. “In this instance, they sketched a rough idea of what they wanted and we did the graphics for them.
“They wanted something bright.”
Erskine didn’t want to give away the plot of the comedy, expected to open in the spring. However, he said, “It involves three fellas working in a corporate office, with their boss (played by Fairchild) getting on them every day to sell, sell, sell, and they get tired of it.
“One day they go out to lunch and see a fella selling Sno Cones out of a trailer, with a line of people. And they say, ‘Look at that guy over there – he’s making more money than we are.’
“Eventually they decide to buy one and the story goes on from there.”
Although he didn’t get a cameo role or in the movie as an extra, he did transport the trailer to his dealer in Austin, Texas, who then transported it to the filming location.
“After it was all said and done, I went to Austin and met them (Trapp and crew) in person and participated in some publicity shots,” Erskine said.
“We are proud of our trailer being in the movie. The amount of time the trailer was on the screen was great for us.”
Affectionately known as the “Sno-ball man,” Erskine has been making a living off ice for 22 years.
Erskine’s life is similar to the movie’s plot, in that he worked in a job – as a truck driver – where he felt the need to supplement his income in order to provide for his wife and four children.
From the purchase of a sno-ball shop originally located at the foot of Sand Mountain in Guntersville, Erskine has turned the business into a multi-building production plant, producing an average of 150 trailers per year.
In an economy under stress, Erskine is talking about expanding.
His goal is to provide a way for those able and willing to invest a relatively small amount into a business that can provide a good second income.
He already has inquiries from overseas.
Erskine & Son’s provides its customers with everything from the trailer to all the supplies needed to maintain an individual’s business.
He even provides the necessary concession trailer education for the beginner at what he calls “Sno Ball U.”
Are there any additional movie offers in the future for Erskine’s Sno Cone trailers?
A wistful gleam in his eye Erskine replied, “Not yet, but maybe when the movie is released to Wal-Mart and Blockbuster in the spring – who knows.”
In the meantime, the bright, yellow-colored, high-profile movie prop can be seen on permanent display at Erskine & Son’s Laura Mae Lane showroom.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Letter
|
|
|
 |
|
Follow the Reporter on Twitter:
SMR News and
SMR Sports
|
