We’re re-opening Nov. 19th at our new location!

Anyone who’s read “My Boring-Ass Life” knows that I’m a big, fat DVD junkie, and that my pusher is Ron, who runs Laser Blazer - the best DVD store in Los Angeles (if not the world). As you might’ve read in the last big blog entry, rather than see us close up shop on the West Coast, someone offered the Secret Stash West a new home. That someone was Ron. That home is inside Laser Blazer.

So for the last two weeks or so, Ron’s been pulling out all the stops, demolishing a large section of his store to make room for the Stash…

We’re betting they’ll plan something very special for fans kind enough to attend the grand opening — Watch this site for details on what’s to come, in just a bit over 2 short weeks. It’ll be the perfect chance to pick up some Christmas gifts for you and yours. Congrats to Stash West on the new location!

Kevin mentioned that he was “on it” when a board user recently pointed out the title change at IMDB. Could the word “Porno” be a bit too edgy in today’s film world? While we can see that it would raise eyebrows, this is a R-rated raunchy comedy we’re talking about here — Certainly not any more taboo than using the word “Virgin” in the title of a very recent blockbuster. Heck, around 20 years ago studios released a flick called “Whore”. So, we expect and hope that the title will stick. As for the whole Zack/Zach thing, with the double spelling, it could go either way. Kevin’s early drafts used the K version, though we noticed that both zackandmiri.com as well as zachandmiri.com were purchased for online use a few months back. So, we’ll see. We’re hoping for good news with the title, as just the names don’t sell it as well. At least, in our opinion. Sure, the movie will still be the same movie, but we think “Zack And Miri Make A Porno” immediately lends itself a lot of press and notice. Never a bad thing.

So, the writer’s strike continues to make stuff interesting — With the news that a new X-Files movie will debut this Spring, this writing strike has all kinds of crazy stuff going on, doesn’t it? We’ll keep you posted on the View Askew world and what, if any, the strike will change. So far, business as usual.

Casting - Kevin claims to have selected his ideal Zack and Miri — However, we’ve yet to see any deals signed that confirm anything at all. Kevin will likely post the moment something’s in ink, as Variety tends to catch wind of that stuff fast as well. We’re expecting news on this within a week, two at most. With a shooting schedule just months away, actors will need to start clearing schedules.

The IMDB page for the film currently titles the film just “Zack and Miri”. Kevin is aware and says they have it covered. Only two cast members appear so far: Jason Mewes and Jeff Anderson. In a recent post, Kevin also confirmed that the upcoming Hollywood strikes will not affect the film, since it’s writer-related and the script has been completed for some time now. No worries there.

Many folks have asked about the chance to be extras in the film, much like the Dogma shoot many years ago where we had the pleasure ourselves. At this point, we can’t say how much background work will be involved in the film, however, given the need for snow, that tells us outdoor scenes. So yeah, there will probably be some chances. We’re just not sure if that will be handled by the same agency as last time, who coordinated the efforts of recruiting folks from the boards, etc. Of course, we’ll let you know, as we can certainly understand how exciting it is to have a chance to be in the flick. We’ve loved it every time we’ve been given the pleasure of appearing as well. Stay tuned for that.

Other than that, not much to say! We realize that this post doesn’t shed a lot of new light on things, but that’s the way things work around here. Kevin and Scott are great at keeping things under wraps as long as they want, typically. Once they’re ready for news to break, they’ll be the ones to break it. And we think that will be very, very soon.

Oh, one more thing — In case you missed it, the film is targeted as a Fall 2008 release right now, however, a lot will depend on the end result. Clerks II was bumped up due to fantastic test screenings and reactions from Bob and Harvey. You may very well see that happen again. Kevin’s the king of editing as he shoots, so we’re betting on a first rough cut in the Spring. Exciting? You betcha.

Stick with us at News Askew for all the latest breaking news on “Zack and Miri Make A Porno”.

Here’s the text:

‘Silent Bob’ speaks up about Pittsburgh film

By Jolie Williamson

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Director Kevin Smith, whose controversial movie “Dogma” was filmed in the region in 1998, might be headed back to Pittsburgh for another shoot.

Smith appears set to shoot “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” in the region, according to posts on his news Web site, which reports that the shoot will be 40 days in studio and on location in Pittsburgh.

Smith wrote Monday on his blog that he is discussing “the Pittsburgh trip and at what varying stages all of us will head east to Western Pennsylvania. We’re now 12 weeks out from the start of shooting, so this is the point where logistics start taking shape, vis-a-vis dates, where the family will live, whether or not the dogs will come, etc.”

“I’m hearing they’re going to start in January,” said Ming Chen, Web master for Smith’s main Web site. Chen expects the production crew to be in the area for two to three months.

Dawn Keezer, director of the Pittsburgh Film Office, said she has not received official confirmation of the film shoot, but said production representatives for Smith were in the area Friday scouting locations. Neither they nor Smith could be reached for comment.

“We’re thrilled they’re considering shooting here again,” said Keezer, adding that she believes legislation that took effect in July offering additional tax incentives to filmmakers appears to be directly influencing more filmmakers’ decisions to shoot in the area.

Keezer said she has not seen a script for Smith’s upcoming film, but that despite its title, the film is not pornographic.

A description on Internet Movie Database said the film is about two 20-something friends who decide to begin an amateur porn studio — “a knockout story for their upcoming high school reunion.”

Smith’s films, including the raunchy 1994 comedy “Clerks” that started his career, usually feature cutting-edge humor and provocative subject matter. Such was the case with “Dogma,” which starred Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and featured rock singer Alanis Morissette as God.

His Web site said casting announcements for “Zack and Miri” could take place in about two weeks.

• Kevin estimates that we’ll hear final casting news, at least on his Zack and Miri lead roles, in around 2 weeks, but don’t hold him to it.
• The film will be around a 40 day shoot, shot both in studio and on location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• No digital this time around - Zack and Miri will be shot on 35mm film.
• Kevin has a new potential Miri, who LOVES the script. Kevin gushes over a personal meeting with her, and reveals it is indeed the first time he’s chatted with her — A new female joining the Askewniverse? We’re intrigued.

Wanna know what else is new in Kevin’s world? Don’t miss the full week of blog entries, available over at Myspace and Silent Bob Speaks today. Learn some hints about the possible Fox gig, the status of “Red State” (studios are asking!), and more. It’s a quick, easy read this week, but also full of news.

So much is happening, between potential TV pilots, new casting, a reborn Secret Stash west, and the gang heading to western Pennsylvania…Gotta love it.

For “Dogma”, Kevin and Scott took production into Pittsburgh with great success. The city was incredibly cooperative and we saw one of the most visual Smith films ever, with a variety of locales making it easy to look like any town they needed. So, the guys KNOW the city. Even better, the weather. Living here, we know how cold and snowy it gets around that time of the year, so there’s really no question that the gang will get the snow that they need for the production. While we’ve had mild January weather the past two years, February has been extremely cold here, so cold in fact that snow covered the ground most of the month. Without a doubt, you’ll be seeing some genuine Pennsylvania snow in this one.

Naturally, we are extremely excited to hear this announcement. We’re just around 3 short hours east of Pittsburgh here in central Pennsylvania, which should make for a fantastic opportunity for us to simply drive in for some exclusive News Askew coverage. Our position here with View Askew along with Kevin’s generosity with access on the set could quite possibly make for some of the best coverage we’ve ever had for a film — Not to mention since there’s no air travel involved, we may even be able to make multiple visits in, depending on the weather, the shooting schedule, and of course the allowances of the production. So, with this news, expect a very exciting winter here at News Askew, as Kevin’s next production movies pratcially into our back yard. Now if we could only convince them to bring the next project into Harrisburg.

With the shooting schedule they are currently planning, Kevin expects we’ll see the film on the big screen in Fall 2008. Just a year from now. Watch for some fantastic exclusive coverage on this Pittsburgh production right here. We already can’t wait to get started.

Here’s a few random passages from here, and our interpretation of possible hints that lie within:

“I spend most of day buried in my office, writing the second draft of “Zack and Miri Make a Porno.” Even with the new stuff, I wind up taking the page count down to 110.” [NA: Sounds like we're getting close to a good running time! Won't be long til the scripts final now.]

“I wake up and do a radio tour for the book and “Reaper”, doing about ten or fifteen radio stations around the country.” [NA: If anyone has any audio captures of these interviews, let us know.]

“…I finally get to see “Spider-Man 3? - a movie in which many people cry, sing, and dance.” [NA: Sounds about right to us - nice assessment.]

“…I head home, talking to Carla about “Zack and Miri” casting en route.” [NA: We can't wait until some of this casting is finally revealed. They're doing a fantastic job keeping it under wraps!]

“…I shower and head to lunch with Dawn Ostroff, head of the CW, at Ca Del Sole.” [NA: More Reaper on the way, or perhaps another directing stint for another show?]

As always, the full story is available free, 24/7 via MySpace and Silent Bob Speaks! We’ll pick through the next blog entry with more observations, of course. Until then…