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I've been rehearsing with Jason Lee for the past two days. As expected, he's tremendous. But more than that, he's doing stuff in this flick he's never done before. I think it's much more satisfying for him to be playing Azrael, as opposed to the Loki part he was originally slated to play. Linda's here. We hung out tonight, jawed for awhile, grabbed some dinner, and jawed some more. She's confessed to being a board lurker here. I found that quite touching. We start running lines on the morrow. I so look forward to it. There've been some schedule hitches with some of the cast over the last two weeks. It looks like it's all panning out now, but for awhile there, it was hairy. This is what happens when you're working with a cast that actually has some prospects (in many cases, HUGE prospects) beyond your flick. It's all new to me. That's all. Tomorrow night, I'm bringing Fiorentino on, so please behave like civil chaps.
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Sorry kids - no Fiorentino tonight. We rehearsed for six hours, at the end of which I had to bolt to the office and handle some unpleasantness. Maybe tomorrow night. On the subject of rehearsal: fuck, is she talented. Nevermind Adams - Linda's Bethany is going to surpass hers as the finest female perf in a View Askew effort. We worked one on one for a little while, then brought Mewes in. Great chemistry between them. After a few hours, Lee joined us as well. It was hot, man - nothing beats an actor who's 'in the zone' (except going down on a chick - NOTHING beats that). Matt, Salma, and Ben arrive Sunday, so the group's almost all here. Man... am I excited! And, here's some IMPORTANT stuff for those of you that have been asking about being extras:
The open call for DOGMA extras is for non-speaking filler. For example - there's a scene that takes place at an airport. We need to fill the airport with folks that look like they're heading to or from a plane. That's where the extras come in. The extras won't be saying anything (at least not audible) or reciting dialogue - they're there to fill the scene out. The extras casting call (the thing that's linked to the site here) is for those kinds of extras. There are many scenes that take place in locations that require bodies to 'sell the scene' (restaurants, the church, the aforementioned airport). We've opened that up to folks here. The deal, however, is a voluntary gig. This means, if you want in, you're responsible for getting yourself to Pittsburgh and putting yourself up - travel and lodgings will not be provided. You won't be paid (though you'll be fed), but you will have the benefit of pointing yourself out onscreen to friends and loved ones when the film's released. Usually, films stick mainly with local extras (people who reside where the film is being shot). But I asked that we extend the invitation to folks here, because many seemed interested in being in the film. This is about the last I'll have to say on the subject, as I have nothing to do with extras casting. I will say, however, that if you can spare the time and cash, it's worth giving a shot - if for no other reason than to be involved (in a small but important fashion) with making a movie.
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Hail, Hail, The Gang's (Almost) All Here... I'm glad folks enjoyed the Affleck/Damon session last night. They had a really good time doing it. I'm sure one or both of them will be back in the near future (please don't ask me for dates here, folks - it's a catch-as-catch- can affair around these parts. We had a full cast rehearsal tonight (well, almost full - Carlin's not here yet). It was mind-bendingly good all around, with particular props going to Alan 'the Ricker' Rickman, who really knows how to intone "...wrath of God." I've noticed two schools of performances going on - the vets, and the newbies. Lee, Ben, Mewes rep the former, all else rep the latter. And neither is better than the other - it's just different. Linda has been doing powerful things with a relatively thankless and un-showy role. The third smartest move I've ever made was casting her. Lee is going to delight and surprise the fans, with what is perhaps his finest hour to date. Affleck's in his zone now, with a 98% fleshed out Bartleby. Along with Lee (and of course, Mewes) he remains the actor I'd work with in every film if I could. Matty's bringing subtle touches to a role that has never allowed for many on the page. He's NOT doing the obvious, which is admirable. And with his career leaning toward serious, dramatic turns in weighty pictures, his Loki is going to represent a welcome comedic perf in what's sure to become a lengthy run. Alan is schooling bitches in flat-out performance clinics. It's an old story, but the man could read the phonebook aloud and you'd be riveted. Rock's braving a terrain in which he's not allowed to be funny all the time, marking this as not just another former 'SNL'-er performance. He's actually acting. People are going to be surprised. Salma is just about the most adorable breathing thing on the planet, whose Serendipity is more tom-boyish than sexy. And she's playful as hell with her delivery, which adds a nice counterbalance to Linda's rock-steady role. But the movie belongs to Mewes, folks. I'm gonna say it right here - this flick will breed work for him in its wake. He's doing me not only proud, but also making my jaw-drop, he's so good. And that's about that. We're running it again tomorrow, from nine in the a.m. to six at night. If I could, I'd shoot this thing tonight, they're so ready. I think we may have a killer flick on our hands, come the fall. Hopefully, I'll be bringing a friend along on the morrow, so tune in. Also - I think that USA Today article runs tomorrow. If you've got some pocket change, pick it up.
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It's almost there, folks. We're pretty much done with rehearsals; everyone's in top form. Sets are built or being built. The shot-list is done. All is ready to go. Short of that, I don't know what else to say. Tonight, I'm going to kick back with a viewing of 'The Last Temptation of Christ' (I always try to watch a great film before we start), and tomorrow, I'm dragging the cast to church (throw the Lord His props). After that... Well - you know. There are some new additions to the cast that I'll tell you about later in the week. I had some pics from the full cast rehearsals that I was going to post, but the Max said "NO!" You'll have to wait a few months. But by that time, I'll have amassed a slew of on-set pics to share with you guys. And a story or two, I'd imagine. Thanks for the constant support, the confidence, the love. I head into this thinking of you, and how I want the flick to make you all proud. Let's hope it does just that.
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Okay, so we're a few days in... and it's been incredible. So many stories to tell, so little leeway (gag orders abound). But here's what I can say: 1) We shot Carlin the other day, who was absolutely brilliant. He's one of the most expressive performers on the planet. Folks give Jim Carrey a lot of credit for being rubber-faced, but I have to toss some equal props the way of the great Carlini, who was able to take some okay lines in his monologue, and make them absolutely hysterical with the most subtle (and sometimes, not-so-sublte) contortion of his face. The shots looked phenomenal (God, that 2:35 to 1 ratio makes for some lush frames), as did Carlin's wardrobe (props to Abigail, our costume-mistress). And our own gramp shared major screentime with George as well, doing his best non-intentional Silent Bob impression. We also shot our own Brian O'Halloran that day. He turned in two completely disparate perfs - one cheesily-funny, the other a pretty big leap from all the stuff you've seen him do thus far (though not that far a leap from 'Vulgar', which you've yet to see). 2) The following day, we shot Linda and Alan in a little Mexican restaurant outside of Pitt. Some local news crews showed up, and I'm told a few pieces ran that night on the local affiliates. Both turned in tremendous performances. It's a pretty funny scene, but the true humor (I found) was watching two actors of their calibre deliver my stupid dialogue. It was surreal. 3) Yesterday, we shot the clinic stuff, with some very special guest cameos. The first two, was our very own Bry and Walt - reprising(?) their roles from films past, but with a twist. Their co-star in one scene was none other than Janeane Garofolo (sp?), who spent the morning kicking it View Askew style. She was funny, and adapted to the stuff pretty quickly, offering up one of the flick's lighter moments with all the pro of a stand-up (which makes her the third comedian in the cast, next to George and Rock... never the aim, but ironic nonetheless). Linda limned a powerful monologue, offering some of her most touching and funny work to date. She's so fucking excellent, the flick's almost unworthy of her. There's a new member to the troupe who shared screen time with our Linda - Marie-Elena. For a first-timer to hold the frame with a seasoned pro like Linda, it takes a certain something. Marie-Elena had that in spades. We watched projected dailies last night, and the shit looks incredible. After this flick, the critics of my visual style may have to re-think their positions (or just plain shut their yaps). I've got a good feeling about this one, kids. The inevitable curious onlookers that have popped up around us have been really polite and unobtrusive. I signed a bunch of autographs between takes (some of which were followed by the requesters asking "What's your name?"). Tonight, we shoot the first Jay and Silent Bob stuff. Mewes has never been better (honestly), so I'm anticipating some great stuff. It's all great, when you're in production. Pardon me while I savor it - because in two months, I may sit down in the editing room and realize I've shot a shitty film. Doubtful, but anything's possible. At one point, we thought 'Rats' was going to make $30 million.
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Anyhoo, things continue to go swimmingly. Lee shot yesterday, and boy was he genius. Wait'll you see what the brother looks like. We shot the Triplets and Jay and Bob last week, and there were some stunts involved. I watched a guy get launched into the air and land on his ass. Frightening, really. Tonight, it's all about Jay, Bob, and Bethany, in a setting the former have become quite familiar in. I've gotta say again - this movie LOOKS like a movie (or film). I've grown far more confident with the camera stuff, and Bob's been only too happy to accomodate. My big fear, though, is that folks are going to say "See - his old d.p. held him back," - which isn't the case. We just have more cash and more crew with which to try stuff I'd never thought to attempt before. I've seen loads of dailies, and everything looks and sounds top shelf. I wish it was December already.
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Movie History Was Made... Alright - perhaps that's saying a bit much... We shot the Bethany, Jay, and Silent Bob last night, and I can say only this: it was Jay and Silent Bob's finest hour. It's - hands down - the funniest stuff we've ever done, in either the movies or the Mtv spots. Mewes is SO on top of his game, it's criminal. I saw the dailies from the clinic (Bethany's monologue), and all the respect I had for Linda as an actress just suddenly tripled. The Triplets look tremendous on film. They're a far better filmed conceit than a scripted one. Tonight, we're doing the Oscar twins shooting Mosier on a bus, and then it's back to Jersey for the Easter weekend. No doubt, I'll be checking in from there.
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Latest From The Set... Anyhoo, last night went well. The boys eventually delivered magic, and Affleck even got to do an entirely ad-libbed take... which will never see the light of day (for his sake - lest they take back that writing Oscar). Count on seeing it as a nice laser extra. The real star o' the night, though, was Mosier - the guy who took a four line part and made it a memorable four line part. However, shooting in the cramped confines of a bus was just the worst. I don't know how Spike did it on 'Get on the Bus'. I couldn't get back to the guys (camera hogged up the aisle), and spent most of the night shouting direction back to them. Remind me never to write a bus scene again. Ever. I wound up staying in Pitt for the weekend, to concentrate on sundry non- stuff (Daredevil, Oni Mini, etc.). And the next time Ms. Loughran checks in, she'll officially be a recording artist (round of applause for Skimberly). That's about it for now.
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I remember YOU were scared... Perhaps Affleck's greatest ad-lib, that will never see the light of day theatrically (along with the rest of 'em), due entirely to the fact that it was completely out of character. He knows how militant I am, yet he forever endeavors to pop in a line or two, God love him. Perhaps on the laser-disc. Anyhoo, we're heading into day four of our six-day shooting week, and now's as good a time as any to update the faithful. First off, we answered an age-old question on Monday - one that's plagued this board since its inception. Hopefully, Brad and Chris will hurry this tid-bit into the Summaries, so the fly-bys and newbies are spared the indignity of a barage of flaming posts. That age-old question "What ever happened to Randal?" The newfound answer: "Why, he's in , of course." That's right - Jeff came to town for a quick cameo in the gun shop scene. He turned in a great peformance - one that made this ol' romantic pine for days of yore. He held his own (and then some) against the Golden Boys, and closed out the day nicely when he said to me "It was nice being behind the counter with you again." Also on that day - Ben and Lee, together again. It's their only scene opposite one another in the flick (along with Matt - which makes it 'Ben, Lee, and Matty, together again' as they were all in a scene together in 'Amy', way back when). Lee continues to be tremendous, and the boys were just as fetching (performance-wise). Tuesday, we did the 'opening ceremony' scene with the boys, Carlin, and a crowd of hundreds. We created (literally) panic in the streets (thankfully, only within the scene), and were able to squeeze all the shots we had to get in between the downpours. To those of you who joined us that day, I offer many thanks for your 12-to-15 hour patience. Like the man said: film-making is repetition. Today, was both good and bad. The good: we shot our first footage on Rock, who turned in just about the best film work he's ever done. The bad: it was Carlin's last day. Chris and George got to hang out and talk shop between the set-ups in Glick's office. Fiorentino was once again the rock upon which our little potboiler is built, and me and Mewes got to do what we do best: say stupid things, and make stupid faces. We're averaging about 15-17 set-ups a day, from what Scott tells me. It may not seem like much within the standard film community (especially when you consider Robert was doing... like... four thousand set-ups a day on 'From Dusk 'til Dawn'), but for an Askew picture, it's about ten set-ups more per day than we've ever really done before. Me takes an opportunity to pat myself on the back. We spend the next three days doing the train sequence, with Linda, Rock, Ben, Matt, Mewes, and me, which'll close out our third week nicely (which means I'm going to sleep all of Sunday). Word came down from the >'Max that the dailies are terrific (always a boon to have the studio cheering you on), and I'm inclined to agree with them. Watching the 2.40:1 projected dailies makes me wish we were done, and close to release. I've gotta say - thus far, it's a pretty good picture (knock wood), and I'm enjoying the hell out of myself. With all the great performances and footage we're getting on a daily basis, I'd have to be a prick to not be enjoying myself. My apologies for not getting to posts tonight, but the 'Man without Fear' beckons (let it never be said that I don't understand the stress of holding down two jobs at once). Speaking of comics, Duncan sent the first ten sketched pages of the Jay and Silent Bob mini-series for us to check out. They're gorgeous and funny; fuck, can that man draw! I'm out for now.
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My Very Own Train... Yes - we built a train for the show. Ratface (our production designer) spear-headed the gorgeous, three-piece set, aided by the construction crew (far too numerous to mention, but fully appreciated nonetheless). Within the set, you'd swear it was an actual train car. It's amazing. Shot some grand and glorious performances with Affleck, Fiorentino, Mewes, and myself all day. We finish up the bulk of it tomorrow (with Rock in the mix), and I'll be sad to see the Little Train That Could go away. And while it has little significance here, I'm just passing on a rumor I've heard: as the projected budget sailed past $200 million, Warner Bros. has pulled the plug on 'Superman Lives'. Not a fact, mind you - just something I heard. I calls it kharma, Mister Burton.
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The Reports Of Casey's Death Are Greatly Exaggerated... Just spoke with Ben - Casey's on set in NYC doing '200 Cigarettes'. Since he's shooting this evening, it's a safe assumption that he's not shuffled loose the mortal coil. Folks, you might want to verify shit like that before you throw it into cyberspace. It just about gave Affleck cardiac arrest. Please - a little more responsibility in the future. Short of that, there's nothing much new to report. Same old, same old - shot some great stuff, captured some amazing performances, watched some great dailies. Like anything else in life, it all becomes somewhat commonplace after the first few weeks. Unlike much else in life, the moment we start shooting a new scene, it'll all take on that spring feeling of crisp, fresh renewal. Good God - I'm starting to sound like smalls. Anyhoo, I saw some pix of our 'God' in her costume. Quite nice. Abigail (the costume designer) has outdone herself yet again - no easy feat, that, as all the wardrobe in the flick's been quite keen thus far. Today, the Miramax folks held a photo session for the poster shoot. One by one, they're snapping portraits of the cast, for what we're all sure is going to be another exemplary Miramax campaign on this flick when it nears release. Jay and I won't be shooting ours until after we wrap Pittsburgh, but mostly everyone else will be done by then. Tomorrow, we finish what we affectionately refer to as 'the train sequence'. After that, it's a day down on the Lord's day (only fitting on this picture), and back at it Monday morn. We're almost at the halfway mark for the shoot, folks. And while the end's not in sight just yet, I can see a time when I'll be able to kick back at the Stash and not worry about a 7:00am call time... Which is what I'm doing now. G'night. |
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'Dog..' uh... 'Bearclaw'! Starring Brad and Chris That's right - your fave NewsAskew-hounds did a little thesping today. Expect to read about their three-picture deal in the trades this week. Also on tap today - Team Askew's own Brian Quinn, Bill Woods, and occassional-Askewer Nick Giovanetti. Oh - and Ben and Matt. We shot the airport out today, and considering we were dealing with almost two hundred extras and the constant thunder of the FAA-regulated p.a. system, it went pretty damn well. It's actually a very funny scene now, considering the amount of exposition it contains, and sports my two favorite lines of the week ("...that says, that says "I'll... I'll fucking spank you! " and "WHO CARES WHO SENT THE PAPER?!?!", both of which I'm not doing justice here), not to mention Affleck's funniest delivery of the moment ("A killing spree is not going to make things better for us!"). Following the shoot, Ben was whisked off to the NY 'Sliding Doors' premiere, and I caught some much-needed zzzz's, before heading out to catch Vincent's Q&A at CMU (a whole lotta abreviations in the above thought; we're a lazy people with a lazy language, aren't we?). Tomorrow, we start a complicated two-day sequence with more set-ups planned than my tiny mind can possibly grasp (trying to expand my craft here, folks). If it goes as well as today did, I think we may just have a decent picture on our hands.
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A Very Mooby Christmas We got halfway through the Mooby boardroom scene today, and it was arduous. Please remind me to never write something with action in it - that I have to direct myself - ever again. The twenty set-ups aside, the performances were great. That scene's very much the centerpiece scene o' the flick, in many ways, and the Oscar Twins pulled it off quite well. And while Ben's doing what Ben does best (deliver my - or any, for that matter - dialogue), Matty's the real discovery, inasmuch as how funny he can come across on film. The cat was always a witty bitch OC, so I guess it's not that big a surprise here - I'm thinking more for all the folks who now know him only as good Will. A shout-out goes to Stephen at InPittsburgh, for one delightful story about the family Askew. Tremendous stuff, and a cover-shot to boot. On the morrow, it's more Mooby action (including my first squib hit). I'll check back with a wrap-up of the two-day shoot-o-rama then.
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If the movie's half as good as Ben's wings look... We'll be in good shape. Saw Ben in his wings today (we had to test them out). Brilliant stuff. The articulation is amazing - something to just flat-out behold. We wrapped the Mooby Boardroom scene tonight. At the eleventh hour, I (in conjunction with Bob, Scott, and Matty) opted to go another way: we ditched the storyboards and shot something so much more poetic and cinematic. I'm kind of proud. After wrap, we watched a slew of projected dailies. The train looks great on film, and the underground garage scene has some of the boys' finest performances ever. Bob Chapman from Graphiti Designs is in town (along with all our Oni family), and he brought the Jay and Silent Bob maquettes with him. Fuck, do they look divine. They come with a Walt Flanagan's dog figure as well - one that sports a huge, red boner. It's safe to say you'll never be able to purchase a set at WalMart. And with that, all is right with the world.
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A Trip Out West The Classically Independent Film Festival will be held in San Francisco from June 4-9. It's sponsored by Dockers Khakis, and most of the screenings are being held at the Castro Theatre... Including a screening of 'Clerks', struck from a new print. I'll be there, as will Mewes and I believe most of the cast (not sure on Jeff, as rumor has it he and Lisa are getting married in late May). It should be quite cool. Other films being screened in this unique fest:
'The Player' In other news, yesterday we shot Affleck wearing the best wings I've ever seen on film, floating down from the top of the church. It was something to behold. And our own l'il Loughran did her cameo in an Affleck/Damon sandwich of sorts - and it was a spit-take, to boot.
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It's been a loooooong week (some spoilers) I can't recall what I posted about last, so I'll just recap the last week. We shot most of the finale all last week, but got a little screwed by the inclimate weather, which forced us inside for cover sets. About the stuff we shot... The farewell to Loki scene was nothing short of incredible. Ben tore up shit like no actor has a right to. Fuck, was he tremendous. Matty's done and gone. In the end, he was nothing short of wonderful. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: he's really, really funny in the flick. He took many leaps of faith, and surprised everyone - himself included, I think. For all who've read the (earlier) draft of the script and couldn't see anyone but Lee as Loki: I think you're in for a pleasant shock. We shot Alan in his wings and codpiece (or lack thereof). It took a few takes (uncomfortable ones for Alan, as he was carrying around fifty-plus pounds on his back) to get the wings operating properly, and the Ricker was a consumate pro and a trooper through it all, God bless him. And I got my first screen kiss (you can't count Jay in 'Rats'). Linda and I made out (okay - wishful thinking) for fourteen different takes (for the various angles and whatnot - really... I swear...). If you've never kissed (or rather, been kissed by) Linda Fiorentino, I highly recommend it. Highly. Ahem... In a few hours, we head into the first day of our last three weeks (we've past the halfway mark, kids). We're in the home stretch, and honestly I have no complaints. I know it may seem like I've got nothing but good news to report, but there's a reason for that... It's because it's all good. I love this movie. I love the way it's turning out, I love the look of it, the performances, the comraderie, the kissing... everything. I think it's going to be a tremendous film (although I don't know, box-office-wise, if it'll pan out; let's just keep our fingers crossed). And lastly... I hung out with 'God' tonight. Took a walk, jawed for awhile, had some grub, watched some dailies. I know there's been a lot of speculation as the who's playing the role, and I think I have the appropriate answer - courtesy of Linda. She met our 'God' the other day, and came up to me in the makeup trailer, extolling her virtues.
"I understand why you cast her now," Linda told me. And while we're talking platonically here (lest the rumor mill start grinding needlessly)... well, all I can say is truer words were never uttered.
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An Impostor?!? Me?!? Folks, that WAS me the other night. I was trying to show someone how the board operates, so I threw up that "I'm here; fire away," type post. In the end, we got off the subject of the board anyway, and I didn't stick around too long. But rest assured - it was me. Anyhoo... We spent all of this week shooting and shooting the finale. I don't think I've ever covered anything so meticulously in my career - and with precious little dialogue to boot. But by lunch today, I had an epiphany of sorts (motivated by creative whim and the weather) that has altered slightly and vastly the last five minutes of the flick. It was one of those things that only those who've read the shooting draft of the script (as opposed to that third draft that's out there on the 'net) will pick up on in the theatre, but it's still fairly monumental. We shot half of 'God', and I'll say this: 'God' is wonderfully sweet beyond words - funny, even. There are nuances and tonal quirks in the performance that really make the flick just sing in the last act. I'm so very pleased... as was she. Ben's gone. We're all a little saddened by that around these parts, but what can a brother do? All his stuff was shot. He left - as a parting gift - a framed photo of himself in his wings, and a touching little note that reminded me why I love the man so much. I wish I could shoot a flick with Affleck every week. Tomorrow, it's the first day with the Golgothan, which means special effects galore (which consequently means a slooooooooow day too). Three more weeks, kids - then we out (and I can spend more time answering posts - my true reason for being).
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A scant two weeks and change That's all that's left, kids. We're almost at the other end of this shoot. Yesterday, we shot the Golgothan, and it looked tremendous (although it's bizarre to hear servos and gears on one of our flicks, if you catch my drift). Vince Guastini and his team did a tremendous job. Today, we shot the fast food restaurant all day, while Scott took the second unit and did cleanup shots at the church (stunts, things exploding, etc.). A View Askew Production with a second unit... go figure. Rock and Linda were great, Mewes was in rare form as well. Me? Well, I just make goofy faces. >From the "Isn't that precious?" Department: during Rock's coverage of the scene, Mewes was falling asleep sitting up. Rock started laughing, and we had to cut. So I pull the kid aside, and go into this big lecture about how unprofessional it is to not 'be there' for the other peformers during they're shots - even if you're off-camera. Mewes' excuse? "They just keep saying the same shit, over and over." Which pretty much sums up the shooting process (and those of you who've done the extras thing know what I'm talking about).
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That 'Shining' shot In dailies today, we saw the Bethany and Bob POV of the Golgothan in the hospital. It was a lift from Kubrick's 'Shining' move when Wendy spots the dude in the bear suit giving some cat head. I was pretty happy with it. There's quite a bit of slow-mo in this flick, especially in the last half hour. I gotta say, I love it. While it's never really had a place in our flicks before, it works well in this one. Today was a much-needed day down, during which I accomplished very little (ate too much Mexican food, watched 'The Apostle', listened repeatedly to PE's 'He Got Game' soundtrack). Lee came back to town to shoot his final sequence ("Gimme a Holy Bartender.") over the course of the rest of the week, and me, him, and Mosier got to guffawing over some Chi-Chi's about London and the notion of doing an episode of the new 'Love Boat'. My head still kind of hurts from laughing so hard. Monday and Tuesday last were spent doing the Four Star Restaurant sequence (with Rock, Linda, Mewes, Alan, and me), and the campfire sequence (same, minus Alan) respectively. All good stuff, that. By virtue of the fact that we're in the home-stretch now, we're doing a lot of two and three day sequences. Next week's all the strip joint and first Golgothan attack stuff, followed by the fall of Rufus and the subsequent Triplets attack. Due to the weather pushbacks, we should be finishing around June 1, the day after which I'll be speaking in Ohio. After that, it's a quick jaunt to the left coast, a cross-country drive, and nothing but hardcore editing through most of the summer. But let's not get ahead of ourselves here - there's still a movie to wrap. And what a movie it's going to be.
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I used to think I was a good singer Mewes and I recorded a certain tune for the flick yesterday. Man, do I lack the bass and timbre to pull that particular song off credibly. At the end of the day, it is what it's supposed to be: funny. The quote of the day, however, goes to Mewes, who at one frustrated point uttered "This is too fucking complicated. I didn't know we were going to have to do this like Bon Jovi or something." The Lord loves an idiot. We finished the Azrael sequence that leads into the finale, which means - sadly - that Jason Lee is now wrapped. Of his time spent on the flick and his peformance, I'll say only this: the world is in for a shock. Set aside the awards right now - the man's too brilliant for words. He still remains one of the only guys I'll put in every flick I do. Thank God he played that part. Tomorrow, it's onto the strip club sequence (all seventeen pages of it). By week's end, we'll have approximately a week left to go. And it's a good thing, too - all this catered food's blowing me up like... well, like I'm a fat shit. To save the detractors some time: wait a sec - I AM a fat shit. Carry on.
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"Make a basket." By far, perhaps the most well-timed ad-lib I've ever heard in my life, compliments of Chris Rock. It'll never make the flick, but it was great to witness regardless (I will say, however, that if we do a fat edition laser disc or DVD of this flick, there will be a pile of pretty funny out-takes to include). We're two days into the four-to-five day strip club sequence, and thus far it's been going well. Granted, it's about a zillion degrees out and I'm traipsing around in a winter coat most of the time, but I've got nothing on poor Bob - our valiant real man within the NoMan suit. At one point this evening, we had to pull him out of the gear (so overcome by the tremendous heat from the costume was he). Was it worth it? Oh yes - it was for probably one of the best shots in the sequence. But man - did I feel like John Landis for a second or two (substitute helicopters with...whatever NoMan's made of). Not much else to report, other than things continue to go well. I think there're nine days left to shoot, and as much as I can't wait to go home, I'm also going to miss shooting everyday. Very rarely can one nosh on breakfast burritos every morning. Very rarely can you say "Can I get a chocolate milk made with Quik and skim milk, please?", and have it show up in less than three minutes. Very rarely do you get to take naps in your trailer between set-ups. And very rarely do you get to meet a great bunch of folks who have rearranged their lives for two months simply because they thought you had a few good ideas ('cause believe me - it sure ain't the money that's keeping folks around). My hat (the backwards one) goes of to the crew and cast - without them, I'm some dickhead without a clue as to how he's going to make his ludicrous script work. Hell - with them I'm that as well, but at the end of the day, it somehow all works out... thanks largely to them. And God.
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Where to begin... First off, I've gotta say that I'm the most exhausted that I've ever been in my life. We're all running on fumes here at 'Bearclaw', as we make that mad dash to the finish line (we're about five days away from wrapping). Which means that more folks are starting to disappear. Today we lost two of them: Salma and Alanis. Yes - Alanis is in the movie (though what part she's playing, wild horses couldn't drag out of me). Two very different actresses; two very different performances. One very depressed director. Salma was an anthrapomorphic sonic boom on set - a presence that always invigorated. When they said big things come in small packages (whoever said it first), they were talking about the mujer herself (hopefully, 'mujer' still means 'woman'... my Spanish is mucho rusty). Hers is a breakthrough performance, marking new terrain for the little Latina. A loooooooong time ago, Robert Rodriguez and I were talking about Salma being cast in the flick, and he said she had a knack for comedy that hadn't been explored yet. Call me Magellan. And as for my favorite Canadian/Human on the planet... Well, how can I put this diplomatically... Fuck anyone that had the temerity to diss her on this board. She turned in one of the best peformances in the flick - not an easy feat, that, considering the high calibre of work turned in by everyone. And in addition to her thesping skills, she's about the kindest, most pure soul I've ever met (qualities that always come in handy on a movie set - especially one that's as ready to cash it in as this one). She'll be missed by not many - but rather ALL (especially yours truly). And lastly, last week, me and Mewes performed 'the song' in the strip club. I was the most terrified I've ever felt, having to get up and sing - so much so that I demanded a closed-set (only six folks, two cameras, me and Mewes). But when all was said and done, to be really honest here, the scene was hillarious. It represents a whole new side to Silent Bob.
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Scooby Doo?!? News to me. Anyhoo, just a quick note to say that (sadly) Chris Rock is finished. We shot his last scene (the 'fall' of Rufus) yesterday and today. He'll be missed. And for the record, he's absolutely tremendous in the flick. Most folks will be floored by how great a job he did. Tomorrow (if the weather holds) will be Alan's last day. After a Sunday break, we have two days of cleanup here in the Pitt, and then 'DogClaw' wraps out of Western Pennsylvania. We'll be shooting one day in Jersey on Thursday, before I head out to Ohio for the OSU gig, and then San Fran for the Classically Independent Film Fest. After a cross-country driving jaunt, it's on to taming this beast in the editing room (ie - my office), and a summer that will see us breaking ground on the View Askew Institute (ie - the new Stash/office digs). I've been in Pitt since Feb. 6, they tell me. What a long, strange trip it's been.
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That's a wrap Yesterday afternoon around three o'clock, we wrapped 'Dogma'. I left the set and headed down to the Stash, where Quinn, Big Bry, Vincent and myself talked at length about shit both trivial and topical. After that, I stopped in my office and saw the first ten inked and lettered pages of the 'Jay and Silent Bob' mini series, then went home and watched dailies of Rickman walking on water. And - as always - I contemplated just what a lucky fuck I am. Thanks to all of you, whose interest in my stuff is a large part of that good fortune. I'll see some of you at OSU tonight.
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Such An Odd Age... I guess next year will have more significance - being that it's the year before I leave my twenties for good. Nevertheless, it was a nice birthday. Hung with friends and family, saw a flick ('The Negotiator'... not very good), got jiggy with it, etc. I just got back from a trip to Georgia. Fifteen hours if you do it straight. I answered 'Trivial Pursuit' questions the whole way there and back, and let me tell you something: the ratio of rights to wrongs was stacked in favor of the rights. I'm always amazed at the useless shit I have stored in the hat-stand. I'm reading 'The Blind Watchmaker' by Dick Dawkins (it's a defense of Darwinism against the attacks of the creationists), and in it, he talks about the brain's storage capacity, and just how vast it is - amazing, considering we're only really programmed to feed, seek shelter, hunt and gather, and fuck. Everything else is just gravy. Ah, but what good gravy. The cutting continues to go well, but the frightening news is that this beast will clock in it over three hours for the first cut (perhaps WELL over three hours). You know what that means, kids: LOADS of extras in the secondary market. This is tricky biz, as there's very little fat in the script: it's dense, but mostly all plot-oriented. Tough decisions will be made in the next few months. The comics continue to do well. Duncan's finishing up issue two of the Jay and Bob mini as we speak. It's really quite odd and funny, and I promised myself I wouldn't give anything away. I will say, however, that two extremely random and non-V.A. guest stars pop up in the book (and not just in the background). If it doesn't make you at least chuckle, I owe you head (guys and gals, this means you!). On the topic of the comics, we're going to be doing another issue of 'Clerks' - this one a Christmas special. The idea for the story makes me chuckle, but I'm worried it may be too 'inside'. Also - I've seen pages from issues 1 and 2 of Daredevil, and it's gorgeous. Joe and Jimmy poured their hearts into this stuff, and I couldn't be happier with or prouder of it. If you're a comics reader, I think you'll be pleased. If you're not, I still think you'll dig it. I'll have some pretty big news to unleash on ya'll in the coming months - not all of it Askew-related. Hopefully, my visits here will become more regular once we've tamed the beast for the first go-round (but I leave for San Diego in a week, so please forgive me if I pop in only sporadically).
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