Hedren shares film stories at West Hills College

LEMOORE -- Actress Tippi Hedren visited West Hills College Thursday to share stories from her career in the film industry with students and longtime fans.

Hedren, mother of Melanie Griffith, is best known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 film,"The Birds."

The 77-year-old actress visited both the Coalinga and Lemoore campuses Thursday as a favor to her close friend West Hills College instructor Kyalo Mativo, whom she met while filming "Roar" in 1978.

Hedren discussed the ups and downs of working in Hollywood and answered questions from film students interested in the craft.

She advised students to do what they love, but warned that if they plan to go into the acting field, they should have a backup plan.

"I think you have to be patient and also have a backup, the time of the contracted player where you have a guaranteed salary is gone. So if you don't have another passion it's extremely difficult," Hedren said.

Hedren modeled and appeared in commercials before starring in "The Birds," which was her first film. Hitchcock hand-selected her for the role after seeing her in a commercial.

Though she credited Hitchcock for taking her under his wing and training her, she also described him as being "controlled," and how she suffered exhaustion during the filming of "The Birds," a horror film in which people are attacked by birds.

To film one of the scenes in which birds attack Hedren's character, Melanie, Hedren was told the birds would be mechanical, but at the last minute, she learned live birds would be used. Live birds were hurled at her by prop men for a week. In other scenes, live birds were tied to her body.

"This is why Alfred Hitchcock chose an unknown to do this," Hedren said. "It was a very strenuous shoot. I didn't have one afternoon off in six months."

Now, Hedren spends much of her time devoted to her exotic cats. She is founder and president of The Roar Foundation, which operates the Shambala Preserve, a haven for endangered exotic big cats in Acton. Hedren lives on the premises.

Longtime fan Cindi Homburg of Lemoore said she remembers seeing "The Birds" in the movie theater as a teenager.

"I'm of the generation who, when 'The Birds' came out, it scared the hell out of us," Homburg said. "For quite a while after we were scared of seagulls."

West Hills College student Christine Bisacca, 23, of Hanford said she thought if was great that Hedren took the time to come to Lemoore.

"She's doing a lot of charity and encouraging us -- we're not forgotten in the Valley," Bisacca said.

The reporter can be reached at 582-0471, ext. 3052

(Oct. 27, 2007)