Via @marvelfanx “Selling comics 2 fund film. Painful or liberating” Liberating. This Aug, I’m selling all old Askew props to fund RED STATE.

He will of course also be matching all proceeds and donations with his own money towards the film. This at least, is the plan right now. “Red State” would follow “Hit Somebody” if things go down the way Kevin would like to see in 2010.

Meanwhile, more stories continue to surface on this topic, including an article from CINSSU who reference Kevin’s recent twitter chat idea of taking fan donations to fun the project:

“…However, Smith has found a new possible revenue source for a movie that can’t seem to attract any commercial investors. “I think an interesting thing that may happen with it is—I was on Twitter and people are asking about Red State, and then a dude tweeted ‘hey man, what if we pay for it?’ And all of a sudden, a bunch of people were like ‘Seriously, why not?’” This wouldn’t be the first time that someone raised money for a project by soliciting it over the internet, but it would be the first time a filmmaker as prominent as Smith has done so. “We’re kind of creating this website. We’re seeing if it works to set up and collect donations. It becomes a weird tax nightmare, though…It sounded like such an easy thing online…but now there’s lots of checks and balances to make sure we can do it, but if that’s the case, I would be into it, and I’ll match it. Whatever you raise on line, like fuck it, you put it up, I’ll put it up.” Smith has always been a gracious personality towards his fans and it shows in his words as well as his demeanor. “We’re gonna make it. It’s gonna happen. First up is that hockey movie, though, because that’s where I am right now. Right after that, though, by hook or by crook, with my pennies or the pennies of the audience. God bless them. Motherfuckers want to see the movie so badly that they’re willing to pay for it with their own money? Absolutely, put their name in the credits and that movie will be a reality.”

That entire article’s pretty good, and all comes from a recent press roundtable with Kevin. Check it out for a few words on “Cop Out” as well as “Zack and Miri”.

I dig COP OUT. It’s warm and funny and looks/plays like something I spent a great deal of my youth watching: a studio movie.

I view the flick this way: when Spielberg and Lucas made STAR WARS and RAIDERS, both were homaging the flicks of their youth – in their cases, the cliffhanger serials. Not implying COP OUT is remotely akin to the quality and ambition of SW or RAIDERS, but the ethos behind the making of this flick was borrowed from those guys: make that movie as an adult that I watched as a child. Tap into the movie buff that existed before I fell in love with Film. It was kinda like “Let’s make a movie for the fun of it.” (’cause Lord knows it wasn’t for profit.)

Anyway, I’m satisfied that I did what I set out to do. Whether people dig on what that is, exactly, is another matter altogether – and one, as guessed around this thread – that I’m not as invested in as I’ve been in the past. Even though there’s lots of me in the flick, I still have a sense of detachment from it – and not, as guessed, because I didn’t write the script. That sense of detachment has more to do with the fact that we all set out to make a piece of entertainment, not make a personal statement. This is the first round of press in which I assume we’ll talk more about the making of the flick than the flick itself – as there’s not much even the most imaginary cineaste is gonna be able to pull out it. I mean, it’s called COP OUT, not SCHINDLER’S COP OUT.

But for me? COP OUT (formerly A COUPLE OF DICKS) is – in ways I can’t clarify (as I don’t have the language for it yet) – a big step forward in my day job. Granted, not in that very-apparent CHASING AMY way, but it’s the start of something very different for me, inasmuch as the filmmaking thing goes. In the beginning, it was all very in-the-moment, now-or-never, fight-or-die. From this current vantage point – 15 years in, now fairly confident (subject to health) there’ll be a next 15? It’s calmer, not as desperate. The fight to be heard or to prove oneself is long over. There is enough work – different, original work – to qualify as a legacy. I know I’ll be remembered for what we accomplished in that 15 year span.

Check out the entire post at the official blog of Kevin Smith.

Want more proof that the film’s gonna kick butt? We’ve fixed that “red band” trailer link that went down briefly after the YouTube pulled it yesterday, so be sure to surf on back if you missed that one. The trailer has been officially available via Myspace, you just gotta put your birthday in there before you watch it. But here’s more. The Film Stage provides an essay on “Why ‘Cop Out’ Will Succeed”. Here’s a taste:

…It should also be remembered that trailers are all about marketing. Marketing to the majority market that will see the movie. Warner Bros. is in no way selling this movie to film buffs, bloggers, or Smith fans. Why? Because they know we are already going to see this movie. We don’t need to be sold on Cop Out. However, people who have never heard of this movie before, i.e. the majority market, needs to be sold the movie because a Bruce Willis/Tracy Morgan buddy cop comedy is foreign to them. Based on the reaction I saw from people when it played in front of Sherlock Holmes, I would say Warner Bros. succeeded.

[Now this piece was originally supposed to run before the Red Band was released. But since that was released early, here are my thoughts on the reaction to it. I had no doubt that, that trailer was going to be the one to turn people around. The reason being, that trailer WAS made for the internet crowd that already knows about the film. We are the ones Warner Bros. is marketing too in this case and like the green band, they succeeded.]

…

…Cop Out is a film that will have the Smith touch. It won’t sound like a Kevin Smith film, and might have a quicker pace than his usual work. But, it will be a Kevin Smith film. No one can deny that. This is a film that was grown for success. This is a film that is meant to show what Kevin Smith is capable of outside of his norm. This is the film that will prove to the world that Kevin Smith is more than just dick and fart jokes. Come February 26th, don’t be surprised to see Cop Out gain #1 at the box office (unless Shutter Island has two weeks in it).”

“…I found the ability to connect to News Askew web content to be most useful. You can find that feature buried inside the “More” tab which includes Smith’s SModcasts, Podcasts and Fanimation videos. The fact that Kevin Smith is already resident in the App Stores list of “What’s Hot” should be a small clue that this iPhone nugget is well on its way to cult superstardom.

…

“…While Smith does offer users the ability to purchase his films and soundtrack music from inside the app via iTunes, it’s not a feature being blasted in your face. Committed followers should feel overwhelmed with tremendous man-love for this epic iPhone offering. It’s a must-have dollar app well worth the price of admission.”

The trailer is non-stop R-rated hilarity, though of course we always like to warn you, some spoilers here, but more of a joke nature than a plot nature. Kevin’s marketing this one as a true popcorn film, and it shows. This new clip gives you a much better feel for the tone of the film as well as just how great the script and the jokes really are. A funny script is great, but delivery is always the key, and we know that Kevin’s a master at getting the perfect delivery of a line. This trailer’s got a bunch of that, especially that last moment that’s a laugh-out-loud payoff that many who had only watched the green band trailer have been waiting to see.

As an added bonus, check out these just-in shots of a massive “Cop Out” banner in New York City’s Times Square. Now THAT’S an ad that’s hard to miss. “Cop Out” hit theaters three weeks from today. Spread the word.

Kevin’s going to continue to do some press promoting the tournament, as well as doing what he can to help get teams together. He’s sponsoring SEVEN TEAMS this year including his own, and an all girl team called the “View Askew Girls” (“VAG for short”, he quips).

If you weren’t there in person yesterday, we’ve got some good news for ya. The press conference is available via YouTube for your viewing pleasure.

We’re still searching for Part 3, which we assume is on the way. Stay tuned, we’ll add in on to this story as soon as it’s available. And of course, continue to promote and cover this major event in the coming months. If you’re interested in attending, but not sure you can get a full team together, stick around, as we’ll be doing what we can to help folks find each other and make their way to Brantford.

For more on the press conference, the Brantford News has an article and photo gallery.

You’ll never know when the item’s being announced, or how long this promotion will run. So, if you’re not following, we suggest you jump on board. The official 37 page at the online store will always hold the item of the day. When you order, be prepared to give your twitter username along with your payment and mailing info.

Here’s an example of that amazing deals. Today, a Hold’Em McNeil poker deck set, normally $15.95, is only FIVE BUCKS. WOW. By the time you’re reading this they’re likely already gone, so keep your eye on Kev’s twitter feed all day long, and watch for a new “37″ opportunity. So far, some of the best deals we’ve ever seen from the Stash since it’s opened.

On “Red State”…

Are you still working on Red State, about the religious Phelps family?

Yes, trying. We haven’t had luck finding money; it’s an uncommercial venture at best so it’s been tough finding cash.

What fascinates you about Fred Phelps?

Um, he’s so paternal and yet so… I mean, look. I’m not going to say he’s evil, but he’s so outside the mainstream, so marginalised, you know what I’m saying? I mean, his views are beyond extreme, they’re ridiculously extreme. The whole country’s founded on, ‘Say what you want, you’re allowed to say whatever you want.’ So because we’re the United States you have to afford that dude a voice, and he’s the exception that proves the rule. It’s a strong reminder of the republic we live in, but then it’s like, ‘What kind of universe do we live in that this man would wanna put this bile into the world?

So sure, it’s legitimate and legal, but it’s immoral, it’s absolutely immoral and the dude preaches on behalf of the immoral, and I’ve never seen an instance where someone so immoral maintained they were so moral.

Have you been to any of his parades? Will your movie be fictional?

No, it’s more fictional. The one thing you know about the Phelps family if you read anything about them is how litigious they are – they’re a family full of lawyers. So I’m not getting real close. I felt bad it was kind of based on Fred Phelps, but they can’t sue me for that. When you see what we do in our version of the story, they wouldn’t wanna be that’s us! Because they’d be admitting to some heinous things.

On “Hit Somebody”…

What are you doing next?

The one i’m gearing up to is Hit Somebody, the hockey movie. It’s based on a Warren Zevon song called ‘Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)’ and it’s written by Mitch Albom, the guy that wrote Tuesdays With Morrie and those books, and it’s a story song. Some songs are just like, “I love youuuuu” over and over, but I like songs that tell a story, like The Brady Bunch theme song. This song is like that, a three-act structure tells a story of a character’s life and it washes over me like a flick and I feel I can bring something to it, because I identify with the subject matter in a big way.

So I got into it with Mitch, where I was like, “Dude I’d like to turn this into a movie.” So we kicked off a friendship and suddenly the movie’s moving closer and closer to fruition. December is when I have my first big break after A Couple Of Dicks and the press tour and the shows I’ve been doing all fall. In December I go home and start writing the script, and God willing next year we go into production.

Please check out the entire interview, which includes a couple of great Willis stories from the set of “Cop Out” that we haven’t heard before. Worth your valuable time.

Following this event, Kevin will return to Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall this Saturday for another awesome Q&A. Rumors are mixed on if a few tickets are still available at the last minute, calling their box office is the best way to nab a seat if you’re late to the party.

History starts…today at 1 PM. Be there!

Bloor Cinema – Aside from being an amazing venue to see offbeat fare, my sentimental-favourite movie theatre on the planet also acted as de facto therapist couch for me during a mini Me-film-fest last year.

Roy Thomson Hall – My all-time favourite place in T-Dot, where I “lay the podium down” via an ongoing conversation I’ve been engaged in with the locals for years now. And just as Toronto’s welcoming to every out-of-town fat kid who rolls down Queen, the kind folks of Southern Ontario have always seen fit to sell out these “shows.” It’s not an overstatement to say this place probably saved my life last February, when I bombed into town feeling completely irrelevant and over. I was born again on this stage and I’d like to die on this stage (attention psychos: of natural causes).

Malcolm Ingram’s Apartment (Church and Wellesley) – Malcolm is Toronto to me (even though he hails from Oakville). I met him when Clerks was invited to the 1994 film festival, and we’ve been besties ever since. If that sounds gay, no worries: Malcolm’s as gay as the day as long. His apartment is located “on the corner of c–k & gay” according to him. Then, if you’re a dude, he might try to kiss you. Gotta be a thin dude, apparently, as Malcolm’s never tried to kiss me. *sigh*

The Hockey Hall of Fame – I like to roam the halls of the Hall, weeping. It’s a really moving experience. Took (actor/pal Jason) Mewes and Malcolm once, and couldn’t get past the relief mural outside without crying. M&M were like, “Kev? You might be smoking too much weed …”

Gretzky’s Restaurant – This is like a mini, all-99 version of the HHOF for me. My kinda eats in a Gretz-centric environment. Every time I’m there, I try to pry the front door handles loose to take home. Instead, I settle for Pierogies.

Silver Snail – I own a comic book store, so I can’t plug a competitor ? even if the store is a country away. So I’ll just say this: Silver Snail is the best comic book store in the world. There: now I’ve set them up for failure with impossible expectations. Who’s f–kin’ next?!?

Degrassi-Land – (Epitome Pictures compound, near Eglinton and Victoria Park) This is a world within a world. In Degrassi-Land, I dispense aged, bearded wisdom to lesbian lasses and troubled teens, and I can play hockey with Caitlin Ryan … tonsil hockey, that is! In Degrassi-Land, I can be a god; a god who never gets served divorce papers from his wife, because it’s all just make-pretend.

Brantford – Hometown of the Gretzkys. Also home of one of the top-10 moments of my life: my surprisingly limber performance in goal, after a 15-year absence, at the Walter Gretzky Street Hockey Tournament. I will return here every June until I’m dead. Eliot’s Bookshop (Yonge and Wellesley) Been there once, but it was during a trip when I was expressly in town to look for old hockey books. This place was like one-stop shopping with the library-like selection.

Eaton Centre – I’ve been here lots, but the most memorable time would’ve been when Malcolm and I got really stoned, listened to “Chloe Dancer” a hundred times, ate at Morton’s Steak House, then wandered around Eaton Centre, stoner-shopping. Never has one man made so many separate Peanut Glosette purchases over the course of an hour.

Richtree Market Restaurant (Yonge and Wellington ? R.I.P.) – Very near HHOF. It was like a school cafeteria with fresh, good food. And you could have 12 different styles of meal in one sitting. Thirty-six if you digested there, then restarted. I’ve heard.

Southern Accents (in the Mirvish Village) – Excellent eats, always a seat. One week, I ate there four nights straight. With two lunches.

Brass Rail – As much as I love Canada, it stands to reason that affection would extend to Canadian ladies. Especially when they’re naked. And they always liked me for me. I’m certain of it. I once dumped hundreds of bucks on lap-dances there. Oddly, it was for my wife.