 Ramey |
Shooting the film Bedtime Stories was a family affair, according to Keri Russell. Not only was her own son — 18 ½-month-old River Russell — a welcome addition on the set, the children of many cast and crew members were also frequently on hand. “That was one of the cool things about this movie,” the 32-year-old actress shares. ”[Co-star] Adam [Sandler] had kids, [co-star Allen] Covert had kids, [producer] Jack [Giarraputo] had kids.”
“Everybody had kids there, so it was really fun. One of the babies would stop by and everybody would stop and play with the kids — it was really like that.”
The fantasy-driven plot of the film meant that there were lots of kid-friendly attractions, as well. “An elephant was on the set one day, and everybody brought their kids and took pictures with the elephant,” Keri explains. “Or I was dressed as a mermaid one day, and all the kids took pictures with me as a mermaid.” While River in all likelihood won’t remember the experience, Keri is “excited” to someday show him the film nonetheless. “He’d be intrigued by part of it, but he’s too little,” she says. “He doesn’t really sit still enough.” In fact, River is so squirmy these days that Keri says he “can’t sit on a plane anymore!”
“He’s not a little baby. I can’t schlep him over on these six-hour flights for three days. It gets harder. We’re still figuring it out.”
When she needs a helping hand, Keri has one in husband Shane Deary — whom she praises for being a “really involved and great” dad. The couple also employ a part-time babysitter. ”She helps me when I’m working,” Keri explains. “Shane will take days off if I’m really working hard, and when I’m home, I’m really home.”
Bedtime Stories is in theaters now.
