How Robert Redford helped lift a Beaufort man’s movie career

Beaufort has proven its worth as a versatile, picturesque setting for Oscar-winning films and other popular movies. Think “Forrest Gump” and “The Big Chill.”

For many locals, the movies filmed here provided once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for work among the production crew.

For Matthew Krueger, it provided a path for life itself.

Krueger once stood among a crew of extras quietly waiting for their cue to enter the set of “Forces of Nature.” The movie, filmed in Beaufort in 1998, is largely forgettable. The experience, for Krueger, was not. It led to a series of other jobs within the movie industry that continues to this day.

“‘Forces of Nature’” was a huge jump for me in my learning process,” Krueger said recently. “I had what would be a small line with a lot of scenes.”

He had been “hooked” on acting since being an extra on the set of “GI Jane,” filmed largely on Hunting Island. But the small role in “Forces” led to another in “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” also filmed locally. It was there, at the film’s wrap party, that director Robert Redford nearly hit Krueger with a champagne cork when opening a bottle.

“It’s hard to capture in your mind what a speech of thanks and gratitude from Robert Redford feels like,” said Krueger. “His work has so greatly affected me, he could have blinded me and I would have been just fine with it.”

With the encouragement of his parents, Gordon and Nan, Krueger graduated from SCAD in 2002 with a degree in Media and Performing Arts, intent on acting full-time.

After working “sparingly” for several years, he took a position teaching TV Production and Digital Imaging at his alma mater, Beaufort High. He left there to follow his friend and fellow Beaufortonian Zach Graber back to SCAD to work on his Master of Arts in Film.

“Zach started using me in some of his films as an actor, but I learned so much as a technician,” Krueger said. “I had a new hook in my mouth.”.

That hook has led to work as a production assistant on projects as varied as AMC’s hit television show “The Walking Dead” and the upcoming Adam Sandler “The Do Over.”

“I really am in love with what happens on both sides of the camera,” Krueger said. “It’s kept me awake and dreaming for years.”

Well, that and encounters on movie sets with the likes of actress Charlize Theron.

“The first time I looked into her eyes, she looked back, then quickly walked up to me and asked for a light,” said Krueger. “I don’t smoke but I quickly shook eight guys upside down to find her a lighter.”

Other recent work includes projects for Netflix, Disney and Amazon as well as going out for drinks with “The Walking Dead’s” Norman Reedus, who portrays Daryl Dixon on the show.

Not that the brushes with fame have gotten to Krueger.

He’s still riding the wave of opportunity that came his way via Beaufort’s small film industry. You may not always see his name in lights, but you’ll sure see them come up in the credits.

“I’ve made it to where I am on the backs of a thousand angels ... and I’m grateful.”