Melissa McClendon
Everyone dreams but not everyone has their dreams come true.
Rosie Hartman, a 1980 graduate of Pryor High School, lived her dream recently when her story was chosen for the big screen. Hartman entered a magazine essay contest that offered readers the chance to share their stories.
In January, Hartman entered the Glamour Magazine Reel Moments essay contest sponsored by Clinque Happy. She submitted a story about a life lesson her father, Jack Porter, taught her during her senior year in Pryor.
In the story, Hartman told of the time in the fall of 1979 when she wanted to by a 1977 Cutlass Supreme with T-tops.
“Parked right there next to the furniture store was the answer to every 17-year-old girl's prayers - a 1977 Cutlass Supreme complete with T-tops! And, even better, it had a ‘For Sale’ sign in it and a price of $4800,” Hartman wrote in her story. “As soon as I got off work I ran straight home and asked my Dad to please help me get that car. He told me that if I could make the car payment, he would co-sign a loan for me but I had to do all of the talking with the seller of the car.”
That’s where Hartman’s lesson began. She said her father took her to the store so she could talk to the owner of the car. She decided she wanted to try to talk the owner into reducing the asking price. Hartman said she didn’t want to insult the owner by making to low of an offer.
“I quietly and meekly asked, ‘Would you take $4750?’‚” Hartman wrote. “I thought I heard the salesmen snicker and then realized how ridiculous my offer was. I only was negotiating $50 less than the asking price!”
Hartman said the owner agreed to take her offer and she became the new owner of the Cutlass. She said she began to realize that her offer should have been lower and looked to her father for an explanation of why he didn’t help her.
“After we got outside the store I asked my Dad why he hadn't said anything about my lack of negotiation. He said, ‘The only way you are going to learn is to do it yourself’‚” Hartman wrote. “He let me learn a valuable lesson: there is more to negotiating than just numbers - It’s knowing that you have someone to be your support system and to let you learn some lessons along the way.”
That memory of her father teaching her a valuable lesson led Hartman to write the story. Six months after entering the contest, Hartman received word that she was one of 100 finalists. Out of those 100, three female actors, Hudson, Rita Wilson and Kirsten Dunst, would chose a story for their directorial debut.
On Aug. 3, Hartman got the call from Glamour magazine that Kate Hudson had chosen her story. The film stars Chevy Chase, Dakota Fanning, Virginia Madsen, Kurt Russell, Sarah Roemer and Kristin Stewart. She wasn’t allowed to tell anyone except for those in her immediate family. She was told she would be taken to the premiere of her film on Oct. 9 in Hollywood.
“The whole experience was so amazing,” Hartman said. “My feet are still not planted firmly on the ground.”
Hartman, who now liveS in Tallahassee, Fla., with her husband Mike, took her daughters Jamie and Mandy to the premiere. Glamour magazine dressed Hartman and gave her a make over for the big night. When the time came she was taken to the premiere where she walked the orange carpet with the stars. The carpet was orange in honor of the sponsor, Clinique Happy.
“They told us there were going to be a lot of press. The press line was 100 yards long,” Hartman said. “Chevy Chase was behind me in the press line.”
Hartman was told she may get a chance to meet Hudson after the premiere but that meeting came much sooner. While on the orange carpet, Hudson spotted Hartman.
“She told me she loved my story because it was about family,” Hartman said.
Hartman said Hudson took photos with her and spoke to the press with her. Hudson then skipped the last third of the press line to meet with Hartman’s daughters. Hartman said she was also excited to me Chase on the orange carpet.
“He said please tell me you negotiated more than $50 for that car,” Hartman said laughing.
She said seeing her story, her memory and her name on the big screen was “jaw dropping.” After the premiere, Hartman and her daughters attended an after party at Chateau Marmont, where she met stars like Kurt Russell, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.
“I was really proud of myself for being so calm. I was afraid I would pass out,” she said.
Meeting the stars she enjoyed watching was exciting, but Hartman said the best part of winning was how it honored her father.
“I didn’t tell anyone I wrote it or submitted it,” she said. “When it won I thought, ‘what better tribute’.”
Hartman and her family still visit Pryor when they visit her mother, Velda Porter , Salina, and sister, Julie Porter, Salina.
To view Hartman’s story or watch Cutlass, directed by Kate Hudson visit www.glamourreelmoments.com.
