Troy Bogdan began his career in the film industry on a whim, answering a help wanted ad in the newspaper in the spring of 2012. The ad read "Farmer needed for a major motion picture." He applied and landed a featured background role as a farmer in Gus Van Sant's "Promised Land."
As an organic farmer by trade, Troy has been growing organic garlic, vegetables, fruits, and other crops with his wife Sharon and daughter Indiana for over 20 years. They established their farm business, Pure Earth Organic Farm, LLC, in 1993. Troy is also a beekeeper, keeping several hives of honeybees on the farm.
Troy enjoyed his experience on the film set, working with a herd of dairy cows and meeting Matt Damon and Hal Holbrook. He even shared a moment with Hal in the makeup trailer, where Hal complimented Troy's real beard.
The highlight of his first day was the food, with a catered lunch and a sundae bar set up in a barn. Troy loved it so much that he went home and told his wife about it, and she wished she could try it. Troy called the casting director and arranged for her to work on the set for two more days.
Troy's role in "Promised Land" was later cut from the final version of the film, but he and his wife can be seen in a few seconds of the final cut, chatting with other townsfolk outside a school.
Troy continued to work in the film industry, taking on background roles and eventually speaking roles in student and independent films. He also worked behind the camera, as a production assistant, grip, gaffer, and second assistant camera.
One of his most memorable experiences was working as a second assistant camera on "Kiss Me Goodbye," a film shot on celluloid film. He also worked as a production assistant on the TV show "American Pickers," traveling to rural Maryland and assisting the crew as they loaded antiques into a truck.
Troy has also tried his hand at producing and directing, and is currently developing a screenplay. He hopes to make his own films in the future.
Troy lives in Western Pennsylvania, dividing his time between his home near Pittsburgh and his farm near Lake Erie. He has worked in various locations around the country and looks forward to working in more places in the future.
