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I've read some speculation about where the big 'Jay and Bob' push is, so let me put some of those fears to rest.
Comedy Central is running a special called 'Reel Comedy' featuring Jay and Silent Bob in about two weeks or so. Jay and I are doing a sit-down for that (as the characters) Thursday.
After that, we're doing that 'The Test' show for an all Jay and Silent Bob night on FX, featuring airings of 'Clerks' and 'Mallrats' (the cut editions, no doubt), and a pair of 'Son of the Beach' episodes with Mark in them, all wrapped up by pre-and-post commercial break intros with yours truly (that we're also taping on Thursday). This will all air closer to release.
On Wednesday, August 22nd (the day the flick opens), I'll be on the Stern show, in-studio. Very cool, and always very helpful.
Later that afternoon, both Jay and I will be on Total Request Live. Love this show or hate it, I'm sure I don't have to tell you how many people it reaches.
Throughout August, lots of the cast will be popping up on talk shows. I'll let you know who and when once the schedule is completed.
But I suspect the reason folks are feeling a lack of 'Jay and Silent Bob' are because you haven't seen any commercials yet. That's because the network ad buys (ie - commercials) start airing the last week in July. Two or three weeks out (from release) is usually how a movie is marketed (we had even less than that on 'Dogma'). It makes no sense to throw up spots prior to the opening of 'Planet of the Apes', as it's kind of a waste of money; this weekend, nobody wants to know from anything EXCEPT 'Planet of the Apes'.
The trailer was, indeed, on 'Scary Movie 2', but has also been on many 'Jurasic Park 3' prints. It'll be "chasing" at least half the run of the 'Apes' prints, and be attached to 'Rush Hour 2' for August 3rd. I imagine it'll get it's fair share of play on 'American Pie 2' as well.
Look for the poster to be up in some places this weekend, everywhere next weekend.
The press is responding incredibly well to the flick, so there will be a lot of print and TV media running when the flick opens, as well as the aforementioned commercial spots.
On the subject of those spots: like the theatrical trailer, it may not be your cup of tea. However, they're not made to preach to the choir. We're hoping you guys are all going, so there's no need to "sell" you on the flick. Who we've got to go after are folks that don't know/care what or who a 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' is. And those folks have to be spoon-fed the stuff you've been hip to for the past seven years.
That being said, I've seen the TV spots. They're pretty funny (as funny as you can be on network television), quite effective in relating the story in thirty seconds, and best of all, testing huge. Major props go out to Josh Greenstein for the trailer and the TV spots, not to mention the poster. He's been working tirelessly on a campaign that's going to be aired so often and much, you'll wish you'd never heard of Jay and Silent Bob.
And Bob's backing us 100%. The P&A budget on this flick is pretty huge - far more than has ever been spent on any of our other flicks - and that's a vote of confidence from our fearless leader at Dimension.
Rest assured, kids - all is well. A big push for the flick IS coming. Dimension is sparing no quarter.
Which means that the burden's on our shoulders. If the movie doesn't work at the box office, it won't be because Dimension didn't sell the shit out of it; it'll be because Jay and Silent Bob struck back... and nobody really cared.
Let's all keep our fingers crossed for a healthy opening, and even more importantly, a nice, long run at the box office. I can think of no better way to send Jay and Silent Bob off into the sunset than with a fat bag of cash.
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...and I had to mention that NY Times piece. A big shout-out goes to Rick Lyman for such great (and substantial) killer ink for a movie that's very dear to my heart.
You can read it online, as linked by boyd (I'd call him Boyd) below, or over at NewsAskew. But if you're so inclined, I'd urge you to pick up a copy of the actual paper - as it features a HUGE photo of yours truly, taking up half the front page of the Arts section. I was blown away.
A few unrelated notes...
For the curious, 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' received an 'R' rating.
If you're in the San Diego area, I'll be on the CBS station's nightly news at four or five this evening (I also did two morning shows, but you've already missed those).
And I respectfully disagree with Jon Favreau, in regards to our casting of the same actors repeatedly in all the films we've done. Not only has it been essential (as some folks HAVE to play the characters they've played in the previous flicks, since we've often brought back the same characters), but if a actor or actress is good, then why not work with them again? And again? And again?
Plus, it's just more fun.
Plus, it's one of the attributes to the films we've made that makes them stand out.
Plus, the audience (Mister Favreau excepted) loves it.
Plus, I love it.
I can go on, but you get the point.
But if that's his take on it, it's cool. I'm not offended, so please don't rush at the man's cyber-throat in an effort to avenge some imagined wrong.
That being said, I suspect I'll be waiting until video to check out 'Made' now.
Because, you know, fuck him and the horse he rode in on.
Just kidding.
About the fuck him part; not about skipping 'Made'.
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As pointed out by someone earlier in the week (yes, I may not be posting much lately, but I'm watching; Mother-Sister ALWAYS watches), mid-July marks the fifth year this site's been in existence. With all that's been going on with 'Jay and Silent Bob', we never got to officially recognize this or make a big deal out of it, which is kind of a shame, as it's probably the most important aspect of View Askew, outside of the movies themselves. Perhaps if we make it another five years with the site, I'll do what I've threatened to do in the past: throw a party at my house for anyone still interested. But for this first milestone anniversary, all I can do is say "Happy Birthday, www.viewaskew.com."
We're in the studio at this moment, recording the score for the flick. Jim's done a phenomenal job, working first with an 83 piece orchestra on Monday, and now a smaller 53 piece orchestra yesterday and today. Later tonight, we record the choir.
Yes - it's a BIG score. Big and funky.
Some folks have been speculating about the move from the 24th to the 22nd. This, I'm told, is a vote of confidence. Bob figures the movie to be a word-of-mouth flick, so the Wednesday bow is meant to jump-start the weekend as folks (like yourselves) who go on Wed/Thurs spread the word to those looking for something to see on Friday and Saturday. We'll see if it pans out, but I tend to trust Bob. He knows what he's doing.
Tomorrow, we record the last pieces of ADR on the movie, with Mewes, Eliza, and Diedrich, then it's off to San Diego. The panel's on Friday, from 2:00 to 5:00p.m. I believe. I'll be showing a rather large clip from the flick, amongst other goodies. And for a lucky two hundred and fifty attendees, there's going to be something extra special...
Remember: get to the panel early, and come prepared to ask really good questions. Excellent queries may be rewarded.
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So the theatrical trailer is attached to 'Scary Movie 2'. If you have very little to do this weekend, give it a look-see. It contains more footage than I was comfortable with putting into the 'net-only trailers, but the 'net-only trailers weren't really the marketing devices this trailer's meant to be. I mean, we're kind of preaching to the choir with those spots, as you folks are going to see the flick anyway. Secure in that knowledge, I could highlight inside jokes and forego any sense of narrative, and it would still play. Essentially, I was making those for "us".
The theatrical trailer's a different beast altogether. They test the hell out of these things (yes - even trailers get tested), trying to maximize the impact of what's essentially a commercial for the flick.
The bad news is - like I said - there's footage in there that I'd've rather not got out just yet.
The good news, however, is that the trailer tested through the roof.
Believe me - no one was more surprised than your truly when the Dimension folks related (wide-eyed) that when they tested the spot three separate times, each time it scored well, well above average in all quadrants but one (women over thirty five; AKA - my mom; in that category it played merely one point below average). Apparently, for a mainstream audience, this trailer works and works stunningly well.
But you know me: I'm incredulous as all hell.
So here's where you come in.
I know many of you are going to check out 'SM2' tonight, either for the flick itself or just for the trailer. Either way, I'd appreciate it if you let me know how the audience reacted to the promo. Nothing too detailed, mind you; just something along the lines of "It played like mad," or "It played like shit."
I'll be hitting a few theaters myself tonight and all weekend, to see how the trailer plays, and I'll let you know what I heard/learned on Monday.
In other news...
Spent most of last week doing the junket for the flick, with Jay, Ali, Eliza, Mark, Shannon, Lee, and Jen. Here's the eye-opener...
When I was writing this flick, I felt I might be sacrificing the critical reaction for the fan reaction. I thought it was a fair trade-off to make, as I was more concerned with putting together a flick you guys would get off on than making a film the critics jizzed over (although with a three out of four record - 'Clerks', 'Amy' and 'Dogma' - I won't lie; it was a tough decision; when it comes to critical jizz, I'm into the facials; toss me them pearl necklaces, I say). I guess I'd assumed a while ago that critics and the press weren't going to dig on this movie like they dug on three of our four others flicks, because this flick was closer in tone to the one they DIDN'T like (poor l'il 'Rats').
The shocker is that with the exception of maybe three single hold-outs, all 200 plus of the print/radio/and TV media folks at the junket dug the flick. And I mean DUG it. Same was true out of the NY press screenings - the press really loved the movie.
I'm flabbergasted.
I'm sitting on a pile of wonderful reactions (for the curious: the Miramax/Dimension publicity folks always secure the opinion of any press-type that attends the press screenings within a day or two, write it all down, and pass it to us; these are called "reactions"). And while that's great for pulling quotes for print and TV ads and whatnot, what I REALLY dig about those reactions is that everyone is feeling the love.
Before you write me off as a total 'mo, let me explain.
We had such a great time making the flick; it was like a daily party. Hell, it was like a non-stop, non-sexual orgy (well, except for me and Jen; we fucked each other a lot). I can't impart the amount of good will that this production encountered and generated, so positive was the whole affair. And to see that translate for the audience (press and non-press alike) is incredibly satisfying. I've never had a better movie-making experience, and the audience seems to agree - so ear-to-ear smiles are they.
I tell ya', I'm really grateful for the whole affair. It's a sweet note to go out on.
So thanks to all the press who've seen the flick thus far, and have said such wonderful things about it. But extra thanks to the non-press who've done the same - because I made this flick for you...
And me, really.
Well, CHIEFLY me, actually.
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So the trailer's now locked. It's about a minute and nine seconds. Fun stuff.
Phil and Vordo are mixing it tomorrow morning, Phil will compress it in the afternoon, and Ming will show up at night to hurl it into the cyber void so ya'll can download it at 9pm pacific/12am eastern. Remember to download the latest version of Quicktime beforehand.
On Soundtrack(s): Universal's doing the soundtrack, which is kind of poetic, as they also put out the 'Rats' CD (let's hope both the soundtrack and the flick itself fare better in the marketplace than poor l'il 'Rats'). It comes out two weeks before the flick, and it's packed with some great songs by Stroke 9, Afroman, Morris Day and the Time, Marcy Playground, PJ Harvey, Bloodhound Gang, Bon Jovi, and a host of others. We're even getting a chance to sort of right a past wrong, by putting Dave Pirner's 'Tube of Wonderful' (the title theme of 'Amy', also heard in 'Jay and Silent Bob') on the disc.And yesterday I pulled a slew of dialogue clips for interludes between the tracks.
It's also going to be an enhanced CD - which means there's some video on it as well (for those of you with CDRom capability). Look for the first 'net trailer on the disc, as well as a for-the-soundtrack-only video of 'Jay's Chant 2001', comprised of a bunch of footage from the flick.
As if that's all not enough, I've heard there's going to be a movie cash coupon included in the CD for a few bucks off the price of admission to the flick (five bucks off, I believe - but don't quote me).
Before I sound any more like a Universal Records pitch-man, I'm going to stop talking about the 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' soundtrack...
...and START talking about the 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' SCORE Soundtrack. That's right: this flick's so big, there's not just one soundtrack, but TWO! The Score Soundtrack is all of Jim Venable's music for the flick (which you've heard in the first 'net trailer, and will hear more of in the second 'net trailer tomorrow night). Ink's not dry on the deal, but it's being put out by a very reputable score soundtrack label (other than Universal). Congrats to Jim, and us too.
In other news...
E! ran a story about the flick yesterday. Brad and Chris might have it up at Newsaskew later in the week.
The two videos we're shooting in Jersey next week are for the Stroke 9 song 'Kick Some Ass' and the Afroman song 'Because I Got High'. I'm not directing either (Greg Dark and Cousin Mike are the respective directors), but Jay and I are in both. Hopefully, they'll start airing in late July.
We've started initial talks about an interesting distribution outlet for the ill-fated 'Dogma' DVD documentary. It's farther down the road, but it'll be pretty sweet if it works out.
Hope you all dig the trailer. Spread the word that it's going up tomorrow night here and at Newsaskew.
One final note: in the thread below, some folks gave me props for being good to the fans by putting out 'net trailers. Trust me - it's my pleasure. They're really fun to cut, and gratifying to share with you.
Not to mention that it helps sell tickets down the road, hopefully...
You folks give me a lot of credit for doing stuff like that, but honestly, I wouldn't do it if it wasn't fun for me too. When you make a movie, you want to show it to people as soon as possible. Being that we've got to wait until August 24th to do that, this is the next best thing.
So thanks for the kudos...
But thank YOU - for giving a shit in the first place.
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Just got back from our second (and last; God bless Bob Weinstein) test screening. Went incredibly well. Let me break it down for you.
This was a non-recruited recruited screening. That means when they recruited the audience for the screening, they didn't say "Would you like to see a test screening of a movie called 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'?" (that was the approach for the San Diego screening). Now, when asked that question, folks who couldn't care less about Jay or Silent Bob and whatever they're striking back against have the opportunity to say "Fuck no. Life's too short to waste on those morons," and not attend. It stands to reason that it makes for a friendlier screening, then, because the audience that agreed to attend knows what they're in for, and are happy to see it (at least, until the movie sucks; at which point, they're no longer happy they came).
Tonight's screening was recruited as follows: "Would you like to see a test screening of a comedy coming out this summer?" So folks who said "Sure," and showed up had no idea what they were seeing in advance; which means if non Jay and Bob folks came they were plenty disappointed.
The general vibe we got from the audience going into tonight's screening was "It's 'Scary Movie 2'," or "It's 'American Pie 2'." Mosier and I were a little nervous at hearing that, because it felt like if folks were expecting those flicks and then got saddled with ours, they might turn on the flick, and the scores would plummet. Indeed, we were already told to expect a drop in scores, based on the unrecruited nature of the screening. So needless to say, hearing the audience was expecting something else made us clench our respective sphincters in preparation for the ass-reaming we imagined we were about to take.
So imagine our relief when the focus group leader stood in front of the audience prior to the start of the screening and announced that they'd be watching 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'... and two thirds of the audience let out a cheer.
Sphincters unclenched, we settled in for another delightful test.
It played incredibly well yet again. One thing that's become abundantly clear is that folks really, really like these characters (thank God; I mean, I've only spent the last eight years making movies featuring them). Yes, the scores dipped slightly (whereas we got an 87% in the top two boxes at the last, recruited screening, we got a 78% this time), but we were still well above the average score or "norm" (55%). Bob's experiment (to see if the movie would play "cold", ie - would it play as well if no one knew what they were in for?) gave him the results he was hoping for (and betting on), and he announced that we'd be opening on 2500 screens come August 24th (if the theaters will have us).
We're all very happy on this side of the pond.
In other news...
The theatrical trailer is a cock hair away from being locked and married to all the 'Scary Movie 2' prints.
The poster is also close to being locked, I'm told. I'll be seeing the final concepts later in the week.
The 'ET' piece finally ran, and I thought it was pretty good. If you haven't seen it yet, NewsAskew's got it up.
We got a really nice mention in Rick Lyman's column in the holy New York Times last Friday.
The press junket is coming up fast; at the end of the month, actually. It's being held in L.A. I think Dimension is going to start screening the flick for the critics next week, and I'm told we have our MPAA screening (to determine the flick's rating) on Friday.
Everything's moving along quite nicely.
However, one spot of somewhat bad news with a good explanation...
The trailer that was supposed to go up tomorrow night will be delayed until Monday night. The reason for this delay is because I won't be in L.A. to oversee the process like I did last time. I cut it last Thursday, and Phil and Vordo mixed it this week, but I haven't had a chance to check it out yet because I've been in Minnesota for the last few days (except for today, when I flew into Arizona for the test screening).
More to the point, I've been in Eden Prairie. Yes - that same Eden Prairie where we shot 'Mallrats'. However, I'm not there on 'Rats'-related business this time.
This time I'm shooting a documentary at the behest of His Royal Badness himself, Prince.
Prince is hosting a week-long event called 'The Celebration', at which he's unveiling his latest album, 'The Rainbow Children', for a group of fans from his NPG Music Club website. He called me a few weeks back and asked if I'd come up and shoot the event. I keep telling the man that I'm not a documentarian, and that I'm REALLY not a shooter, but he liked 'Dogma' an awful lot, and felt that I'd be a good choice to make the doc, as 'The Rainbow Children' is a very spiritual project, not unlike 'Dogma'.
Prince is a really, really cool guy, incredibly smart and talented, and interesting as all get-out. I've been a fan for years, so this has been quite a thrill for me. If you would've told me a few years ago that I'd be sitting around, conversing casually with the man responsible for the Minneapolis sound, I'd've told you I had a better chance of slimming down to a lean 150 pounds. Well, I'm not 150 pounds, but I have gotten to jaw with a guy I've long considered one of the only true artists of my lifetime.
And it's been a lot of fun.
So... that's what I'm up to this week.
My life is very weird sometimes.
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- Current running time of the flick is 102 minutes. That's what we'll be testing next week in Arizona. We cut eight minutes (hopefully the right eight minutes) from the version we tested a few weeks ago.
- MCA Universal is doing the soundtrack. The Stroke 9 song 'Kick Some Ass' is the first single, and it's an excellent tune (I was a big fan of their 'Little Black BackPack'). When it hits the radio, request it like mad, please.
- The theatrical trailer will probably debut on 'Scary Movie 2'. There are a few different versions that we're trying to settle on now.
- We're almost settled on what the next flick is going to be.
- And the biggest news...
Thursday at nine p.m., we're putting up our SECOND internet-only TRAILER for 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'. Now that we're on a better, dedicated server, the download should be quicker this time around. This version offers up more plot, and has much more dialogue, so if you're anal about spoilers, avoid it at all costs...
...if you can.
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To say it went incredibly well would be a vast understatement. I'll let the scores speak for themselves.
I'm sure most of you are familiar with the testing process. Cards are given out at the end of the screening, and data is compiled from a series of boxes (Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor) in regards to a variety of topics (Characters, Pace, Music, Overall, etc). But when all's said and done, there are only two categories that mean anything.
One is the "Top Two Boxes" - the combined score of which is the quoted figure that's constantly refered back to ("We have to bring the scores up. It only scored a thirty in the top two boxes.").
The other is the "Definitely Recommend". This is in the recommend category in which the viewer is asked would they Definitely, Probably, Probably Not, or Definitely Not recommend the movie to others.
In the Top Two Boxes, in which the average (or normal) acceptable score is 55%, 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' scored 86%. 86% of the audience said the film was Excellent or Very Good.
In the Definite Recommend category, in which the average (or normal) acceptable score is 45%, 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' received a 79%.
We have never... NEVER received scores like that. To wit, the highest 'Dogma' ever scored was a 60% or 65% in the Top Two Boxes, with a 35% to 40% definite recommend. 'Amy' was somewhere in that range as well.
The Dimension folks informed me that these were some of the highest numbers not only in their history, but also Miramax's.
And in terms of who made up the audience, only 14% of the group had seen all four of the prior flicks. So it wasn't like we screened to a group of total fans; we were screening to fresh faces.
But let's put aside the numbers and just talk about the screening in general.
It went like gangbusters. The audience was with the movie every step of the way. I've never heard an audience laugh so much in any of our prior flicks' screenings.
It was... amazing.
Many thanks to all in attendance. 341 of you came, and none of you walked out (also a first for us; there's always been at least a 2% walk-out rate). But most importantly, according to the numbers, virtually all of you enjoyed yourselves (indeed, the "Fair" and "Poor" ratings were 3% and 1% respectively).
I am a happy, happy man.
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Nice to see all enjoying the trailer. It was kind of a labor of love that we've been itching to get out there for you for awhile. And along those lines, there are some cats I've got to thank.
First, Scott. He cut the trailer with me. Originally, I wanted to put out on all dialogue trailer. It would've looked exactly like the trailer you guys have seen, but it wouldn't have had any music, or that little montage after the "Ladies! Ladies Ladies!" line. Mosier suggested we pump in some of Jim Venable's sweet-ass score, which lead to adding that little montage of shots up front as well.
Speaking of music, thanks to Jim Venable, who provided not only the trailer, but the whole movie with a kick-ass score.
After those cats, I've gotta thank Phil Benson, who not only mixed the dialogue so you can hear what everyone's saying, but also labored like a mutt to get the trailer compressed and insisted it be available in more than one size.
Ming, too, rushed over after putting in a ten hour day at LivePlanet, just to make sure we had the whole thing ready to go. Not only did he guide Phil through the compression options and uploading process, but Ming also designed moviepoopshoot.com, the site that's hosting the trailer (for the curious, that site also plays a large role in the flick itself).
Vordo gets a shout-out, too, for mixing the music so that you hear and feel it, but it doesn't intrude on the dialogue. Kudos to mix-master Vordo.
And lastly, to all of you guys and gals that log-jammed our sites for three days. It was one of those nice problems to have, because it meant you were all dowloading like crazy, and getting to see the first sneak-peak at what's in store for you on August 24th.
When the theatrical trailer's realeased, don't expect the same kind of free-for-all. Those things are governed my the MPAA, and in order to get a green band trailer (which means you can screen at the head of any movie in the theater, not just the 'R' rated stuff), there's no cussing allowed (I doubt we'd even get away with saying "clit" in a green band trailer).
That being said, the theatrical trailer will be far more spoiler-ific than the teaser is. That's where they'll tell the story of the flick, and show you footage I hoped wouldn't be seen until late August.
They'll probably put far funnier stuff into the theatrical trailer, too. That's what I was most proud of with our teaser: we didn't include any of the really funny stuff. Don't get me wrong, it's all good; but we were able to fashion that taste of the flick without even using the strongest material.
Which simply means the best is yet to come...
In light of how well this all went over, we're cooking up another little something to share with you guys in about a month or so. I think you'll dig that too.
FYI: The movie's down to 110 minutes. That's what we're testing at. The release length will probably be at least ten minutes shorter than that. Which means that the jokes come even faster and more furious, though not at the expense of the story.
Oh, who am I kidding? Like there's a story...
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You're hearing it here first...
Dimension chief Bob Weinstein called to say he's moving 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' off the August 10th release date. Our new release date is August 24th, two weeks later.
The reason for the move has more to do with the 'Rush Hour 2' juggernaut than the 'American Pie 2' juggernaut. 'RH2' opens August 3rd, and it's going to be huge. If it opened to, say, forty million that weekend, even if it dropped by 50% percent the following weekend, that's a potential 20 mill we'd be competing for (and losing, no doubt). Add to that the fact that 'AP2' opens the 10th, along with 'Osmosis Jones' (and to a lesser degree, the new Woody Allen flick), and Bob surmised it's just plain stupid to jump in the pool that soon, when by waiting two weeks, we stand a better chance of doing some strong business.
Disappointing? Hardly. I trust Bob. This is the guy who did the then-unthinkable and put 'Scream' out on Christmas day. This is the guy who moved the 'Scarey Movie' release at least twice before it opened last year. The man knows what he's doing.
All it means for you guys is you'll have an additional two week wait for the flick. What it means for us is a slightly looser post schedule, which we can really use at this point. The test screening was scheduled for May 17th, but now we can do it two weeks later instead. And in a world where we jumped from thirty digital effects shots to over two hundred during the course of production, this'll give the multiple effects houses doing the shots a bit more time to nail them all in time for the test screening, as well as give our composer, Jim Venable (the genius behind the score of 'The Powerpuff Girls' score, as well as the 'Clerks' Cartoon) some more time to lock in most of his original score for said test screening, so we're not forced to use a temp score.
All in all, this is a good thing. The only aspect of it that bugs me is that we were on that date before any of the other flicks got scheduled in there. And when push came to shove, WE wound up moving.
But, hey - if it means some folks won't have to choose between 'J&SB' and four other flicks on opening day, I'm kosher with the move.
In other news, I've checked out half of the aforementioned effects shots. All I can say is... Wow. Kudos to Joe Grossberg and the many artisans crafting these images that look like they don't belong anywhere near a View Askew Production.
But then, come August 24th, the audience's perception of what a View Askew Production looks like is going to be blown out of the water.
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Indeed, yesterday was my and Jen's second anniversary. Thanks for the well-wishes.
So let's see, what else is up...
Cutting continues. We're debating about whether or not to put cut scenes online, for all to see.
We're almost done with our internet trailer. I'll let you know when it'll be up.
I'm going to be in that 'Degrassi: The Next Generation' kickoff show. I shoot my stuff in July, I believe. Should be a hoot.
Guess what looks like in may be making a television comeback? Give you a hint: it's the only cartoon we've ever made. I'll let you know more as it develops, but it's all something that kind of came out of the blue with a network it probably should've been on in the first place. Keep your fingers crossed.
'Green Arrow' continues to sell like mad. Thanks, all, for buying it.
Plans still call for our August 10th release, so I don't know what's going to happen with 'American Pie 2'.
The soundtrack deal's heating up, so we may have news of that soon.
'Clerks: Uncensored' (not my title, mind you), moved an impressive hundred thousand units and continues to sell well. Thanks for digging deep into those pockets for that one. Hope we made it worth it for you.
That was some nice ink in the 'EW' Summer Preview issue, wasn't it? And 'Vulgar' got a nod too, which really excited me.
Just did something with Will for some Mtv thing about Destiny's Child which is supposed to air this weekend. Keep and eye out for it.
How sweet is that Graphitti Designs 'Clerks' lunchbox? Speaking of which, I've seen the prototypes of the Bluntman and Chronic figures. Really, really cool.
Short of that, not much else is new, really.
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Two hours and fifteen minutes.
That's the running time of the first cut of 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'.
That's what's kept me from the board for the last few weeks - swimming through all the footage to arrive at...
Two hours and fifteen minutes.
Not bad. The first cut of 'Dogma' was over three hours.
We'll spend the next few weeks getting the running time down to about 105 minutes so we can start testing the beast (most likely out here in the L.A. area).
I've gotta say, though - running time aside, it's a really fucking funny flick.
Back to the salt mines.
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At 12:07 this morning (at least by my reckoning), we wrapped the flick.
Brian and Jeff were excellent, as always. Nic and Jake made a welcome debut into the imploding Askewniverse. Vincent got in as well, with a pretty funny line. And Brad and Chris stretched, essaying the roles of characters who were not web site creators (at least, that was the character background I forgot to give them). It was a fun and, as mentioned earlier, poignant fashion in which to close the book on our weird little world.
Thanks to all who helped - every last cast and crew member. This really was a collaborative effort, and without the gracious help of all those involved in even the most subtle manner, it wouldn't be the flick it is (i.e. - if it sucks, blame everyone else too). Hell - we even came in $850,000 under budget (and that was even with going over schedule by a day).
Now it's on to the dark of the editing room for the next two months, where I can reign in this beast to a comfy, funny running time while hopefully sweating off the extra twenty pounds I put on through production (damn you Crafty Dave and your far-too-delicious buffet of snacks).
I think you guys and gals are gonna dig what we've been upto for the last few months.
August 10th.
Doesn't seem that far away at all.
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Mewes and I finished our on-camera work as Jay and Silent Bob today (ironically enough, we wrapped the movie with one of the first scenes in the flick). Jay did a stellar job and finished up strong (and bare ass). Good stuff all around.
Shooting in Leonardo again was a trip. Mosier and I realized that exactly eight years ago (to the day, even), we were shooting 'Clerks' there. Sad, isn't it? We haven't really made much progress (although I've progressed a few sizes in jeans).
But it was a poignant couple of days. As always, the folks of Leonardo were gracious and sweet. Saw many of them going into and out of the store who I'd waited on back in the register-jockeying days. This affored us an unscheduled but amusing cameo in the way of Thomas, the guy who played the Roofer with whom Dante and Randal have the Death Star convo in 'Clerks'. He was stopping in to get milk, and wound up reprising his role (though with no dialogue). In a movie full of appearances from incredibly famous celebrities, his walk-on may be my fave - due to the subtle but full-circle nature of the cameo.
Wrapped Lee out the other day, and was taken for another trip down memory lane by his Brodie performance. As usual, Lee was phenomenal. Wait 'til you see/hear Brodie's latest quirk ("And with that, we cue the music...").
One more day (a night, actually) of shooting, and then the whole enchilada's wrapped as well. Fittingly, the scene features Dante and Randal. We get to end the cinematic tales of the Askewniverse with the two cats we started telling said tales with in the first place. Something nice about that.
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One more day, kids. One more day of L.A. shooting, and then it's back to Jersey on Wednesday to finish the beast off with who it all started, appropriately enough: Brian and Jeff.
Last week was a hoot. Carrie Fisher on Tuesday (great cameo; weird, great lady), and Tracey Morgan on Thursday (who delivered, hysterically, like mad). Friday was a quartet of folks you'll all recognize (can't say much more than that), and yesterday we did some clean-up work with bits and pieces we hadn't gotten around to yet.
But Wednesday was pretty historical for us, as it saw the return of a distinguished, high-profile alumnus to the Askewniverse. Yes, children, six years later (almost to the day) we were once again knee-deep in Doherty (Shannon, that is). And it was wonderful.
There was also another pretty funny cameo that day, but saying anything more about him would give away too much. Suffice to say, he's a good egg.
Still keep an eye out for that 'Entertainment Tonight' piece (maybe this week?), as well as 'Access Hollywood' and 'E!' pieces. And if I can convince the powers-that-be, there may be a 'net-only teaser trailer in your future.
Also, for those of you who are into comics, 'Green Arrow' #2 hits stores this week. If you've orderd 'GA' #1's from the Stash (or anything else for that matter), bear with us: I haven't had time to sign a lot of stuff lately. But rest assured - while I'm home, I'll be scribbling on every piece of merchandise I can get my swelled hands on so that Big Bry can turn it around ASAP to you folks, and I can keep taking your hard-earned rupies, marks, pounds, etc. (sp? on the monetary units).
Five more days in front and behind the camera, and I hang up the green and black coat for good. Wow.
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So Monday was Chris Rock day on the set. Yes - the busiest comedian/comic actor in town found some time to improve our flick, and was nothing short of brilliant. He turned in a very hysterical performance, and in his interview for the documentary, aptly described Silent Bob (or rather, how I "act" the part of Silent Bob) as "the white Buckwheat". Too funny.
Also, as you've already read, Lee finished up his Banky work, and it was yet another wonderful piece of Jason Lee genius he was kind enough to lend us. Next up (in two weeks), the return of the once and future King, Brodie.
Today, however, was the delightful surprise of Sean William Scott (he of 'American Pie' and 'Dude, Where's My Car' fame). Good Lord, I can't relate just how funny this gent was. Like Will and Rock, he had me in tears at one point (very tough to accomplish without physically hurting me). He took what was a simple part on the page and crafted a very memorable character that blows Jay and I off the screen in his scene. Sean came to play, folks, and walked away owning 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' during his cameo.
Tomorrow marks Ali's last day (and Heavens, she'll be missed). And Friday we shoot perhaps the coolest cameo of all: a fictional vigilante that's very close to my heart.
Not much longer to go before we reach New Jersey and the end of this very long sojourn through the View Askewniverse.
I'd like to take a moment to thank all involved, cast and crew alike, for making this closing chapter as pleasant and painless as possible.
Especially the Transpo guys. Derek and Brian and their team of drivers are just about the sweetest people alive. Every time I leave the set at night, I've got a full tank of gas - just one of the unnecessary but incredibly thoughtful gestures the Transpo folks have stolen my heart with. They're the un-sung heroes of every movie: the cats without whom nothing happens. I salute them all - especially the aforementioned pair of gentlemen who were also goodly enough to turn in two fine performances in the film along with their daily driving duties.
Shit like that just made the making of this movie such a heartwarming family affair.
By the by: we're hearing that the 'Entertainment Tonight' piece should be running this week. Keep an eye out for it.
Man, I can't wait to share this flick with you guys.
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Last week looked hellish on paper, but actually turned into one of the best and most fun weeks on the show thus far.
We shot Ben as Holden on all of Tuesday, with about twenty four set-ups. As always, it was a delight having the Fifteen Million Dollar Boy back before the ultra-fast-picture-taking machine. And as exhausted as he was (indeed, he had come from NYC where he was shooting 'Changing Lanes' with Sam Jackson, then did pick-ups on 'Pearl Harbor', followed by three days on 'The Sum of All Fears' - all before showing up for our little dick and fart joke picture), he still managed to turn in a wonderful and funny performance. God, I love that man.
On Wednesday, we shot Ben and Matt together. Very, very funny stuff, that. Kudos, too, go out to Master Damon, as he found a window in his 'Oceans 11' schedule to roll up on us and turn in a pretty hysterical cameo.
Thursday saw us finishing up some odds and ends from their scene that didn't involve Ben and Matt, and Friday and Saturday kicked off the seemingly interminable 'BluntCave' sequence - a real gem of a scene, due largely to two factors...
Mark and Hammil.
Wait'll you see this stuff. You won't believe I directed it, it looks so fucking good.
Today, it was more 'BluntCave' action, that also saw the end of Mark's stuff. Good Lord, was he fun to have around. He's a real sweetheart of a guy who doesn't play up the fact that he's a living, American icon. He'll be missed.
Will and the girls are back as well, and Wednesday, it's all-Lee action.
I swear - this may very well be our finest hour in a weird way.
In other news, I was informed by the good folks at DC Comics that they've sold out of their entire first printing run of 101,000 copies of 'Green Arrow' - before it even hit the stands. Initial orders from comic book stores had us ranking as the sixth best seller of the month, with 83,000 copies pre-sold, and DC overprinted, hoping the additional 18,000 would eventually sell. But comics retailers (God bless 'em) kept re-ordering to the point that DC is already sold out of the first printing, and heading back to press for another large run of the book. So congrats to DC, Bob Schreck, Phil Hester, Ande Parks, Sean Konot, Guy Major, Matt Wagner... and me, I guess.
The book goes on sale Wednesday. Pick it up and let me know what you think.
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A good week all around, with the weirdest moment being watching my wife and the other girls clad merely in their undies, simulating sex. What a strange job.
Joe Quesada came out and impressed us all with his histrionics, making him the second Marvel editorial top-dog to appear in a View Askew flick.
We made a return trip to a new and improved Mooby's, and also shot at - horror of horrors - another convenience store! It felt like infidelity, I tell's ya (though not to worry: we shoot at Quick Stop in NJ the last week in March)!
All in all, a very good week, with great peformances all around.
Did a bit of editing last night too, and the flick's looking great so far.
Tonight, we're having our 'Mid-Way Party' to celebrate twenty five shooting days with no one having killed anyone else yet. Monday, we have off for the holiday. Then Tuesday, it's the return of the Shatner of the View Askewniverse himself: Ben Affleck (can't wait!).
On unrelated notes...
Look for a pic of me and a wonderful, Phil and Ande drawing of me in Maxim and Paper magazines respectively, now on stands, I believe. Both promoting 'Green Arrow'.
Pick up the number six best selling book in the country, by the by, in a mere week and a half at local comic book stores (or order it signed from the Stash Online).
Don't forget (and I see some of you can't, as you already have it) that the 'Clerks' Cartoon DVD is coming out this week. This is a must-have for the hardcore (and casual) fans.
Wish a brother luck: aside from both Affleck AND Damon this week, he's got to squeeze into a ridiculous outfit and get the shit beat out of him in the BluntCave.
Quite a strange job indeed.
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At the end of this coming week, we'll be at the mid-way mark. This movie's just flying by.
So what went on this week? Let's see...
I put my wife on film for the first time, and in all honesty (and I'm not just saying this because she makes with the sex)...
She really surprised me. In a great way.
For a person who'd never acted before, she held her own against the likes of Eliza and Ali (Larter, not Cassius). Fine delivery of dialogue (both scripted and written on the spot - featuring a very, very funny line in the latter, provided by her husband), and a dead-sexy look. I was proud as punch and can't wait until this week when we get to do more with her.
Shannon continues to bring not only a sweetness to her character, but also some humor that wasn't that evident in the script. Very proud of her too.
Eliza and Ali were both wonderful, spunky, arch, sexy and born to deliver the kind of dialogue I write (I hear some of you out there now: "BAD dialogue, you fat fuck."). They'll definitely be popping up in stuff I do after this flick.
Jay continues to dazzle.
Will continues to be the most hysterics-inducing performer I've ever worked with. Fuck, he's funny. We lose him for about three weeks, but he'll be back at the tail end of the month to wrap-up his stuff.
But the real stars of this picture (at least in my eyes) are the various crew folks who're bringing it all to life. From Dave Morton, our master of light, to Tim and his A.D. crew of Heather and KC; from the always top-notch production design of Ratface and his team, to Taylor and Missy, our hair goddesses, and Patty and Sue, our makeup queens; from Mosier and Laura, the real brains behind the operation who scheduled a perfect week of shooting, to Isis, our costume maven (who put the girls in some outfits that'll leave mouths agape, drooling; from Lisa, Scott, and John, the props wizards, to the two Mikes who control the vast animal kingdom on the show; from the catering cats and the genius craft service gents who keep us not only nourished, but sated, to John, our medic on the front lines, and Tracey, our stills maestro... These are the people who're making the movie. I'm just sitting back and taking the credit.
But in that pantheon of greats, the shining star has to be Jamie, our sage-like D.P. This movie looks amazing. A-MAZING. You folks will not believe I - the lamest visual director this side of a blind man - had a visual hand in this picture, so good, in fact, does it look. He's a master.
I hate building expectation normally; it's far easier to sell something short and let people be surprised by the flick. But I have to say that this flick is really, really something special. Every day we shoot, I'm surprised by how cool it's shaping up.
Trust me, folks - we saved the best for last.
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We shot my first blue screen this week, as well as a lot of stage stuff with stunts and whatnot. It was almost an all-Jay&Bob week, with the exception of today. We ended week three on some strong, hysterical notes with Will (of course, ever the genius), Adam Corrolla (he of 'Love Lines' and 'Man Show' fame), and the ever-brilliant Jon Stewart. Really, really funny stuff. Wish I could elaborate, but don't want to spoil anything.
Next week is what we're calling 'Chick Week' around here, as we spend the five days shooting Shannon, Eliza, Jen, and Ali Larter - all dressed in...
Well, you'll see.
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Yesterday was the end of the second week on the schedule, but only the end of the first real five day week of the shoot (week one was a three day week with a pre-shoot day). We have forty two shooting days left, which would seem like a long time to go, were we not having such a blast.
Yesterday, I laughed harder than I ever have before while shooting a flick; so loud, in fact, did I laugh, that I almost blew a take. It's Will Ferrell, man. God, he's just too funny. And on top of that, he's a sweetheart and a half. He reminds me of Jason Lee. They both talk about their characters' behavioral quirks after takes, as if they were real. It's along the lines of "He's not a smart guy, is he?" and "He just feels the need to share with strangers," followed by a short burst of laughter. I can't wait until those two are working side-by-side. I doubt we'll be able to get anything done, so violently will I be laughing.
We watch dailies from the El Rey Premiere scene this afternoon, and then edit right afterwards. Can't wait to get my hands on that Avid mouse again, so we can tame this beast into something watchable.
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It's official: last night has become my single most favorite day of shooting a movie ever.
I got to dance with Morris Day, Jerome, and the Time (Buster, I can see your envy-green glow from all the way over on this side of the country).
I got to play with Dante, Randal, Willam, Steve-Dave, Walt, Trish, Alyssa, Banky, and Hooper again.
I got to see Shannon Elizabeth take a classic fall.
I watched Will Ferrell and Jay boogie down together.
I did a crane-into-steadicam shot that's probably one of the most visually impressive moves of my usually visually static career.
And Jay got his first on-screen kiss.
It's all downhill from here...
Not really - some of the best sequences are yet to come. But good Lord, last night we got some great stuff. And everybody was in top form: great deliveries all around.
If you're a hardcore VA fan and you hate the movie, you'll at least love that sequence; that I can promise you.
The two days before that we shot some hillarious stuff with Will, Judd, Jay, the Orang (whose name is Tango), and me. It was flat-out vulgar, comedy gold.
Fuck on a stick, this movie's looking excellent. Yes, it's funny (at least to me), but what I think will be most surprising about it is how 'J&SBSB' actually looks like a real, honest to God movie.
I mean, heavens - we've even got wire work coming up in the next two weeks (flying stunt people through the air and whatnot).
I guess it was inevitable, but I've grown up as a filmmaker... while making the most immature, regressive movie of the bunch. Ironic.
Props go out to a phenomenal crew, led by our superb A.D. Tim Bird and our champion D.P. Jamie Anderson. Tim's keeping things flowing smoothly (with no loss of temper), and Jamie making it all look real purty. These guys are keepers.
Gotta go now. I've got a twelve thirty call time for a day in which I finally get to kick back and just direct as opposed to direct and act (a very, very loose definition, that last one).
O-ee-o-ee-o!
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All good stuff today, including a quite brilliant pratfall by Mewes (the best since Joey took a dive in 'Dazed and Confused'), Shannon Elizabeth's first piece of footage (short, but sweet), and Will Ferrell's first appearance (very, very hysterical). And again, we wrapped early.
Editing went well over the weekend, with almost everything we shot last week fine cut. We've got this massive, fuck-off Avid system that speeds up the process by a third. Nice.
Tomorrow, Judd Nelson!
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Nine more weeks to go.
It's been a great start. I have zero complaints. We've assembled a fantastic crew who've been incredibly easy to work with. Jamie (our DP) is nothing short of a master. There's something to be said for the wisdom that comes with age.
We started the morning with the last piece of Biggs' and Van Der Beek's scene. Both real gents. Both real funny. They worked alongside Diedrich Bader (he of 'Drew Carey' fame, but much revered in our household for his turn in 'Office Space'), who turned in his second incredibly funny day on the flick.
The rest of the day we spent shooting a stunt, and then picking up some pieces with the orangutan. Good stuff.
I know we've only been shooting for a week, but in all honesty, it's feeling like this is the funniest flick we've made yet. Mind you: it's all jokes with very little substance, but it's really, really hysterical stuff. Mewes is at the top of his game - better than he was in 'Dogma' (which I've felt was his career highlight, until recently).
I don't know. I know I'm waxing a bit hyberolic here, but I've got a really good feeling about this one.
And for those of you who are carping about the weird and varied casting in this flick (particularly that of Biggs and Van Der Beek), insisting we're getting away from our roots...
Lighten up. Fuck, you don't even know what the movie's about. Trust me - all the casting makes sense.
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Scoff if you will, but it's true. I promise.
Had a really swell day today, packed full of twenty two set-ups. And it was all gold, I tells ya! GOLD!
James was really, really funny. Jason (Biggs) delivered in spades.
And Mewes? Phenomenal.
Top all of that with a monkey, and you gots laughs gay-lore!
God, I wish I could let slip with the particulars of the scene, but I think it's best if you're just surprised by the whole, chaotic mess.
Followed a healthy day of shooting with the viewing of yesterday's Carlin dailies. Man, were they good. Carlin was nothing short of brilliant. And if this shit can make me - ME! Who's been living with the script all this time - laugh, then I think it'll pull at least a chuckle out of you guys.
Tomorrow's the last day of week one, and then over the weekend, it's into the editing room to piece together what we have already.
In other news, yes - Psycomic seems to have died. No immediate plans for the continuation of the column. I'm a little preoccupied right now...
And sadly, Duchov is, indeed, out. We couldn't make the schedule work. No worries, though - we'll work together in the near future on something else.
But wait until you hear who's replacing him...
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Finished the first scheduled day a few hours ago. Wonderful, funny stuff with George Carlin who was - once again - such a generous, professional performer.
We've seen two days worth of dailies, which look really good, and play very funny. The practical special effects by Vince Guastini and his amazing crew of way-too-talented sculptors are top notch. Jamie (our D.P.) is one helluva shooter.
Tomorrow: all Biggs and Van Der Beek action!
Co-starring Jay and Silent Bob, of course.
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