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PITT'S KEY STAND-IN
http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/aug/15/pitt8217s-key-stand-in/

With so many noteworthy achievements, Pavlechko has added another to his r sum that's sure to get a double take.

In February and March, he coached actor Brad Pitt on organ and piano for the movie, "The Tree of Life," written and directed by Terrence Malick. Pavlechko also performed as Pitt's hand double. The movie is scheduled for release next year. Pavlechko, who noted that his contract limited what he can discuss about the movie and his involvement, said he does not know the plot of the film.

How did a liturgical musician come to rub elbows with an international movie star?

"The director and site manager visited St. Martin's. They needed an organ in the balcony," Pavlechko recalled, at this point not knowing the actors in the movie. Another visit brought the sound engineer and other crew members; Pavlechko played the Visser-Rowland mechanical organ for the film crew. "The first assistant to the director told me 'the actor' does not play," Pavlechko said. The musician, who had given organ and piano lessons, said he was asked to "teach him to act as if he's playing" so that it would be "convincing on screen."

Pavlechko said his first meeting with Pitt was in secrecy at the church. "He had on a ballcap and dark glasses," Pavlechko said. "He wanted to learn and not fake it."

"He was a very down-to-earth guy and a good student," Pavlechko said. "He had great interest in the architecture of the church."

The second encounter, Pavlechko said, was a surprise. "He showed up at the front door with Angelina [Jolie, his partner] and Shiloh, [their daughter]," he said. "I had no idea, and I caught my breath.

"Angelina told Shiloh that they needed 'to let Dad work,'" Pavlechko said, and mother and daughter spent time in the church nursery.

Pavlechko instructed Pitt during the course of a few lessons. "He was very attentive to detail, took notes on the fingering and memorized," Pavlechko said. Pitt, who doesn't play a musical instrument, was an excellent student.

There was a day of filming at St. Martin's, where Pavlechko played as Pitt's hand double, and he also traveled to Smithville, Texas, where other scenes were filmed. "It amazed me how much is involved in the process to create a few seconds on film," he said. Pavlechko said his hands had enough similarity to Pitt's to serve as a double.

But with all the movie fantasy, Pavlechko is realistic: "All the work I did could end up on the cutting room floor."

The learning experience and mingling on a movie set was remarkable and memorable for Pavlechko.