Director with Charles Martin Smith with Morgan Freeman on the set of Alcon Entertainment's family adventure "Dolphin Tale," a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jon Farmer

Charles Martin Smith began his Hollywood film career surrounded by a group of young, serious and ambitious people such as himself. I’m sure the names George Lucas, Ron Howard, Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfus ring a bell. Smith played the ever optimistic ‘Terry the Toad’ in the legendary 1973 film, “American Graffiti.” Since that time, he’s had a steady stream of acting work and has ventured into directing. No doubt, his name will become easily recognizable soon, as “Dolphin Tale” has claimed the number one slot at the weekend box office.

We chatted in person at the Trump Hotel in Chicago, in a suite overlooking the Chicago River, with a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan. He’s very easy going and my time with him was like chatting with a friend. He’s the director of a heartwarming film centering on a dolphin named Winter who looses her tail.

Sarah Adamson: This is an incredible movie that speaks to the idea that persistence and overcoming adversity pays off in the end. I find it intriguing that these aspects are brought to the screen through the main character, which just so happens to be an animal. Could you elaborate on this?

Charles Martin Smith: Yes, through an animal, and what an inspiration she is to all of us. It’s based on a true story and what happens to this amazing little dolphin.

Winter the dolphin was quite young, she had to be only 3 to 4 months old when, somehow off the coast of Florida, she got wrapped up in the rope from of a crab trap and was completely tangled and stranded. A fisherman and marine wildlife workers rescued her, and she nearly died.

During the process, she lost her tail because the ropes cut off circulation to her tail. This hardy little band of marine workers did save her life; they saw a real fighting spirit in this animal.

Q: Winter plays herself in the film. What were some of the obstacles that had to be overcome?

A: The only way to make the film is to have Winter play herself. She has a delightful personality. She’s about 5 or 6 years old, and she’s still not fully grown. She’s playful, funny and very bright. Also, she moves side to side. This unnatural motion was causing damage to her spinal cord and would probably lead to paralysis and death. So, to save her life, they got the idea of prosthesis.

Q: I would imagine that filming in 3D would be challenging. What can viewers expect to see?

A: Ah yes, 3D. You know, Winter is in the water all the time and that alone is challenging. We developed new technology. We actually designed an underwater housing so we could film in 3D.

Q: The main character Sawyer (Nathan Gamble), a 12-year-old boy, and his relationship with Winter is the main theme. What can children learn from Sawyer’s actions?

A: I think they can learn a lot from him. I hope they can identify with Sawyer. He’s a very sad and lonely boy at the beginning of the film. His relationship with Winter brings him out of his shell and gives him a new purpose in life. I hope that kids see that there’s so much out there in the world, not just the digital screen in front of you. It’s about getting out there and getting involved in something. It’s life changing.

Q: Ashley Judd, who plays Sawyer’s mom, also has a powerful plot line of the single mother/son theme (with no father figure). I feel that’s important, as well. We do see Sawyer coming out of his shell as he interacts with other male adults, such as Morgan Freeman and Harry Connick Jr. How does this theme play into a family centered film?

A: There’s a lot I like about this from a family centered point of view. Take, for instance, Ashley Judd’s character of the mother; she’s a little bit at the end of her rope when the movie starts, but she’s a good loving character. The same is true of Harry Connick, Jr. All of the characters are based on caring and loving relationships. And, Winter’s character is in a family centered environment. What we are saying in the movie is that none of us is really on our own, it is really only by working together and helping each other that will we live fulfilling lives.

Q: You starred in a nature/animal film in 1983, “Never Cry Wolf.” Did you draw on any of those experiences in directing this film?

A: I did, I did very much. Carroll Ballard was the director of that movie and I learned so much from him. He also directed “The Black Stallion” and “Fly Away Home,” two wonderful films that have that same kind of theme and certainly one of the great filmmakers of our time. I respect and admire him so much.

Q: You were in another of my all time favorite films, “American Graffiti,” with George Lucas as the director. Can you tell us one of your favorite scenes that you were in from the film?

A: In that film, oh gosh, the whole film was a favorite. I had a wonderful time. One scene that I’ve always laughed about, which I think is a good scene, is right at the end when my character and Paul Le Mat’s character are walking back to the car after the race and it’s just one shoot. I’m saying to Paul that you’ll never be beat. As Terry the Toad, my character is such an optimistic sweet kid. That little dialogue scene – we were not supposed to shoot that scene that day. Something had gone wrong with the stunts and the flips that day, and suddenly, George grabbed us and said, “We’re going to shoot this scene and we’re going to shoot it now.” We weren’t prepared and we didn’t know the lines. So, actually, Paul Le Mat and I did kind of an improve on the scene. We both remembered half of the lines, but when you listen to it, it doesn’t make any sense; but, it was such a great feeling there and a camaraderie between the actors at that point that I’ve always gotten a kick out of seeing that scene.

Q: I didn’t realize that the film was shot in Petaluma, California and the owners of that 56 T-bird lived in the town. Are you still friends with any of the cast?

A: Yes, San Rafael and parts of San Francisco. We also shot at Tamalpais High School in Marin. You know that George lived in Marin at the time and Frances Ford Coppola, the producer of the film, lived nearby.

Q: Have you remained friends with the people in the film? Everyone has been so successful including yourself.

A: Yes, we were a great bunch of young actors that were all really passionate and we took ourselves, and the film, very seriously. We were dedicated to having a career. We’ve always remained close. We all got together for the 25th anniversary of the film. It's always great to see everyone.

Q: I see that you’ve shifted from acting to directing. What intrigues you about directing?

A: The overall storytelling aspects. I just like that. When I was in University, I studied directing more than acting because I was interested in directing theater. I was also a writer and a musician. I very much enjoy the musical aspects of a film. “Dolphin Tale” has a wonderful score and Mark Isham wrote the score. His first score as a composer was “Never Cry Wolf.” I think people will really like the music in the film. I like the whole process.

Q: Anything else you’d like to say about “Dolphin Tale?”

A: Well, it has wonderful messages in it and it’s also entertaining. It’s not just aimed at children; it’s aimed for adults as well.

Sarah Adamson@ September 23, 2011