Central Ohio native shares how 'Shawshank Redemption' changed his life

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — It has been 30 years since the box office hit "Shawshank Redemption" hit theaters, and a central Ohio native who was eager to break into the film industry at that time shared with NBC4 how this movie changed his life. 

The picture, which captures the relationship between Red and Andy inside a state prison was filmed not far from central Ohio at the Ohio State Reformatory. On the film's anniversary, a special reunion is happening with panels, tours and meet and greets.

Adam Moyer said a casting call placed in the newspaper prompted him to drive to Mansfield, but his plan once he got there was a bit unconventional.

"I don’t think anybody realized it was gonna be this big," said Moyer. "I went up to Mansfield, and my goal was never to be in the movie, it was always to work on the crew."

He says after working to be last in line and making his unique proposition, he waited.

"Three or four days later she called me and she said, 'I've got good news and bad news. The good news is we can use you, the bad news is we can only pay you a little bit per week.'" 

And so began Moyer's film career. 

"My specific role was really to be on set to check the extras in, make sure they got to hair and wardrobe and then help with the assistant directors, place [the extras] around the set."

The call for extras went out statewide. He says at times as many as 300 or 400 extras could be seen filming at the Ohio State Penitentiary.

Mansfield became where Moyer learned, cut his teeth, and prepared for a successful career that included work on movies like "Schindler’s List," "Air Force One" and "American Chopper." 

But his time spent in Mansfield learning the ropes he said was priceless. 

"It’s carried me along fairly far," said Moyer. "At least it’s a good conversation piece when talking to people about different projects that I might be working on. Mansfield at the time was great. All the extras were great. Everybody was really happy to be a part of it. It was such a smooth experience, in filming, in the crew just an all-around incredible film to be a part of."

And while the location is open daily for tours of the historic filming location, on the anniversary it will serve as a homecoming for those who worked to make the historic film happen.