A few weeks ago Universal Home Entertainment put me on a bus and shipped me, and about 15 other people in the media, off for tactical paintball training to promote the release of Matt Damon's Iraq war movie, Green Zone, on DVD
and Blu-ray
.I had never done paintball before and was not ready for what was in store by the highly trained (and competitive) guys at CQG Tactical Paintball & Training Academy. By request of Universal they had prepared a training mission for us that matched what Damon would have gone through (to a degree) in his preparation for the film.
Under the hot summer sun, in a jumpsuit that didn't quite fit right and wearing a mask that stunk worse than a hockey bag, I was handed a paintball gun, shown how to shoot and not get shot, and then put on a team with the rest of the members of the press to battle the CQG guys. As the battle started I instantly realized how out of shape I am and could have drank a gallon of water I was so dehydrated after about ten minutes of running, shooting, and trying to avoid being killed by a flying paint bullet.
In the end I was in pain and wanted to die but I loved the experience and would recommend it to anyone who hasn't yet tried paintball yet. I also have a new respect for actors like Damon who put themselves in roles that involve a great deal of training or physical activity.
So, to the guys at CQG and the team at Universal, I thank you for a fun day (even if you almost killed me). Now I can go and watch Green Zone again in a whole new light.
Top image: Members of the media and the CQG guys after our paintball war. Photo credit: High Road Communications.
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