"Deepwater Horizon" director Peter Berg speaks with actors Jeremy Sande, of Meridian, Dylan O'Brien and Mark Wahlberg on the set of the movie. 

Meridian raised Jeremy Sande landed a role in major motion picture that hits the big screen this weekend – “Deepwater Horizon.”

Sande, 35, portrays Adam Weise, one of 11 people who were killed aboard the massive oil rig (Deepwater Horizon) that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, 50 miles off the Louisiana coast, April 20, 2010. One hundred and fifteen workers escaped the inferno, but Weise and 10 other men died.

Directed by Peter Berg, starring Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, Kate Hudson and John Malkovich, Deepwater Horizon is based on true events. The story chronicles the courage of those who worked on the Deepwater Horizon and the extreme moments of bravery and survival in the face of what would become one of the biggest man-made disasters, according to published reports.

Sande said when he got the call to play the part of 24-year-old Weise, he discovered Weise was one of the 11 who were lost.

“At the time, like many other Americans, I knew of the actual disaster, but no details,” Sande said. “All we knew were the extreme economic and environmental aspects. This movie is about heroism, not letting your brothers down, and not giving up despite the odds. You are in the middle of the ocean on fire, and it’s not looking good.

“They fought, and tried to save as many lives as they could.”

In order to prepare for the role, Sande said he participated in a week of driller’s boot camp.

“We learned how to do the job that our prospective person would have had,” Sande said. “We had to learn the terminology and what actually happened that night.”

Being among stars was humbling and surreal, Sande said.

“I grew up in small town Meridian, where Sela Ward, and Elliott Street was a household name,” said Sande, who garnered local experience with the Meridian Little Theater. “I had these role models that had gone off and made it, and I wondered if I could. Well, standing next to Kurt Russell and my all time favorite John Malkovich, I’m thinking, “I guess I made it, I guess I did this.” 

Sande credits Street, a noted Meridian actor, and others involved in the Meridian theater scene with inspiring him to be an actor. 

“Mr. Street was the one that helped me at Meridian High School figure out this was what I wanted to do, that guy I owe a lot to,” Sande said. “He took me under his wing and instilled a good work ethic in me. I had a lot of good mentors from Meridian that have since passed away – Jimmy Pigford, Steve Nabors, Derek Pouncey and Dr. Bob Hermetz, and it hurts.

“Because when these people are helping you along the way you don’t realize how really influential they were until you get there, so to speak. I owe a lot to all of those guys.”

My entire family has always been supportive, said Sande, who now lives in New Orleans.

“My parents, Terry Sande and Lee Sande, were supportive of me before it was ever a career,” Sande said. “I don’t think they ever missed a show I did at the Meridian Little Theatre.” 

Being a part of Deepwater Horizon, which is playing this weekend at Bonita Lakes mall, was an eye-opening experience, Sande said.

“Having lived in the South all my life you know people that work off shore, and you think they are just going off shore to do their thing. “But, it’s blazing hot out there, it’s super dangerous, isolated, in the middle of nowhere and you just can’t leave. 

“It was a tragic accident to the environment, and I get that, but loss of life has just got to be so blase’ now, nobody seems to care anymore. People got killed and that was so horrible.”

Getting to meet the family of Weise was special, Sande said.

“Before the red carpet premier the producers brought the families in to meet the actors who were portraying their family member,” Sande said. “I got to meet Adam’s mom, grandmother, and two aunts. I got really close to them through this whole process. 

“Personally I can’t imagine watching a film that had one of my loved ones portrayed. All of the family members involved enjoyed the movie, saying it showed honor to their loved ones.”

As for future plans, Sande said he has a few projects on the horizon.

“Right now I am trying to produce my first feature and get that off the ground,” Sande said. “I have learned the more hats you wear, the more successful you can be in the industry.”

11 Deepwater Horizon casualties

Jason C. Anderson, 35, Midfield, Texas, toolpusher for Transocean. 

Aaron Dale Burkeen, 37, Philadelphia, Miss., crane operator for Transocean, with the company for 10 years

Donald Clark, 49, Newellton, La.,  assistant driller for Transocean. 

Stephen Ray Curtis, 39, Georgetown, La., assistant driller for Transocean.

Roy Wyatt Kemp, 27, Jonesville, La., assistant driller for Transocean.

Karl Dale Kleppinger Jr., 38, Natchez, Miss., floor hand for Transocean, with the company 10 years.

Gordon Lewis Jones, 28, Baton Rouge, La., mud engineer for rig services company M-1 Swaco.

Keith Blair Manuel, 56, Gonzales, La., mud engineer for rig services company M-1 Swaco.

Dewey A. Revette, 48, State Line, Miss., chief oil driller for Transocean, with the company for 29 years.

Shane M. Roshto, 22, Liberty, Miss., roughneck for Transocean, with the company for almost four years.

 Adam Weise, 24, Yorktown, Texas, floor worker for Transocean.