‘JAY and SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK’ – On-Set Production Report
WEEK THREE – "And now with color pictures!"
(photos taken by uber-producer, and now uber-photgrapher, Scott Mosier. All photos provided courtesy of Kev & Scott.)
January 29th through February 2nd 2001.
"Dodging Bu-wets and Racing The Sun" – Monday, Day 10
It’s late afternoon when I arrive on set. Outside a cold, bitter wind blows. It’s only 3:30pm, but due to a mountain range in front of us, light is becoming limited as the sun begins to dip down from behind.
There are a few things happening now, mainly some stunts; one in which has Jay, Silent Bob and Suzanne making a run for cover to a nearby sewer hole, all the while dodging some simulated gunfire aimed at them. The "simulated gunfire" are actually small projectiles fired from air guns by professionals to give off threatening ricochet sparks on film.
Production is forced to wrap early as the mountain robs us of about an hour’s worth of light, and we head back to the lot for dailies to watch more El Rey footage, and get a surprise visit from Paul Dini, of "Batman Beyond" and "Jingle Belle" fame. Jay and I shoot the breeze with him for a while until the cold air proves just a tad too unbearable and we all call it a night.
"STAGE CHECKS, SEWERS AND SANDRA" – Tuesday, Day 11
As I arrive on lot to peek Monday’s dailies, beforehand we go and check out the sets that are going to be used for tomorrow morning’s shoot. But there’s a problem. It seems that the sewer the production team re-created indoors does not size match the one found and used on yesterday’s outdoor shoot. Turns out that the one built is just a tad too big, and needs to be made smaller according to Kev. But it’s not as easy as you’d think, as the production team must now race against the clock to fix it by tomorrow morning, which means "Rat" and his team must pull an allnighter.
There’s also a bit of excitement in the air as some of the guys out of the production office are a buzz about a Sandra Bullock sighting next door. Seems that she’s moving her production offices next to the View Askew offices for her next movie, which is also set to shoot in the soundstage next to one that "J&SBSB" is filming in (I know the tag in the last report was a bit misleading, my bad).
"YOU WOULDN’T LIKE HIM WHEN HE’S ANGRY" – Wednesday, Day 12
Silent Bob that is. For the first time, you’ll get to see all of Silent Bob’s pent up aggression and rage explode on screen for the very first time, as I did in dailies. It’s good stuff.
The interior sewer got fixed and matched up fine to what was done outdoors that you wouldn’t even be able to tell the difference. Kudos to "Rat" and his team for pulling it off and making it happen. What’s fun about watching dailies with Kev and company is that it’s similar to what it would be like sitting in a commentary session for say ‘CLERKS’ or ‘MALLRATS’ or pretty much any View Askew DVD. Verbal remarks are thrown out and about adding to the hilarity onscreen. An experience in itself I tell you.
"JAY AND THE BLUE SCREEN" – Thursday, Day 13
This is the very first time in the history of any View Askew film, that blue screen is being used. And up first is Jay, followed by Tango. The scene is giving a bit of a nod to about "50 or so Looney Tunes cartoons" as Kev puts it.
Jen stops by on set to show Kev the outfit which she’ll be wearing for her role in the film next week. The outfit that her, Eliza Dushku, Ali Larter and Shannon Elizabeth wear can only be seen to be believed. My feeble words cannot do them justice, but trust me they look amazing.
When Jay finishes, Kev steps aside and Scott pretty much fills in directing duties of what he’d like Tango to do, which will later involve some CGI effects. By third take, Scott gets the perfect take that makes him more than delighted.
"COROLLA, STEWART AND HANGING OUT A BIT MORE WITH THE ‘RAT’" – Friday, Day 14
Adam Corolla of ‘LoveLine’ and "The Man Show’ fame, shoots and wraps his role early in the morning, which just leaves Jon Stewart of "The Daily Show" left to film his cameo alongside Will Ferrell. These two had some real funny chemistry going on between them, which sent the cast and crew into moments of hilarity, as when these guys are rolling, it makes it hard for us to contain our laughter without ruining the take.
Will has to fly back out to New York for three weeks to resume SNL, but will be back in March to finish his part.
But that’s ok, because next week (as Kev calls it) is "Chick Week" and production moves to a week’s worth of night shoots with the girls (oh, this job is getting tougher and tougher).
After Jon Stewart wraps I decide to forgo dailies for a change and hook up with "Rat" at his office, next door, to take him up on his previous offer. There, it’s like heaven for any View Askew fan. All those cool Mooby posters, the Brodie shirt, designs and logos… all of it, is done here. This is ground zero. There are Mooby menus, cups, posters, production designs and blueprints, tons of specially designed and dressed props. Man, there is so much stuff in here that I want! "Rat’s" chief graphic designer, Scott Purcell, shows me around the place and gives me an insight of just what he does in designing things and decision making with Kevin. All fascinating stuff. It’s cool to see and read the fine print on a pack of Nails, or reading the inside gags bits on the Mooby menu that would otherwise would fly by onscreen so fast you wouldn’t catch, seeing rejected material that Miramax deemed a little too offensive. Sweet stuff to see indeed!
Scott Purcell goes on to explain that working with Kevin more, makes his job easier, as since beginning with ‘AMY’ he’s gotten to know what Kev pretty much wants more or less to see in his universe; and stuff like with Mooby, a lot of those gags and designs are re-used and re-incorporated back into this flick.
"ATTENTION VIEW ASKEW FANS!"
Ok, I’ve been giving this a bit of thought, so I figured we’d try something new. Let’s make this fan experience, say… a little more "interactive". Since I’m on set everyday, I’ve gotten to know some people and things quite well, that finding interesting questions that haven’t been asked to death is becoming more and more a challenge. Hell, to be honest with you all, I have more casual, friendly conversations with these folks, than say that of asking "press-like" questions. It feels a bit uncomfortable for me asking questions that, at this point, I pretty much know most of the answers to now myself.
So here’s were you all come in.
Here’s your chance to have your question possibly answered by you’re favorite View Askew actor or character, and I’ll choose a handful of about 10-20 really good ones. Now by "good ones" I mean those related to the individual, their craft or character they inhabit in the View Askewniverse.
No, I will not ask Ben about Gwyneth, nor will I address any gossip or rumors towards an individual. This is about their work, experiences, and feelings of being a part of this series that Kevin has created. Be respectful. I will also not field questions relating to any spoiler material about "JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK", remember this is still a spoiler-free column.
So drop me a line fanboys, and fangirls, think up a really good, preferably View Askew related question, drop your internet/e-mail name, and who knows, your question just may find an answer up here in future "JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK" columns to come!
Also, keep in mind that no interview is guaranteed, as this all depends on the cast and crew’s availability and/or participation. But for now, let’s focus our questions to the cast and crew still left at hand. These include: Kevin, Jennifer Smith, Scott Mosier, Jason Mewes, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jason Lee, Will Ferrell, Shannon Elizabeth, Eliza Dushku, Ali Larter, Jeff Anderson, Bryan Johnson, and Seann William Scott.
Remember, the film, and this column is for you - the fans. So let’s get some great, insightful and original thought provoking questions going on here and drop me a line.
NEXT WEEK:
It’s girls’ night out, but some of us boys are invited too. And let’s not forget about the huge pyro-stunt sequence that yet marks another first for a View Askew film, and I’ll take you for a ride on Kevin’s Ark.
Until next week, here’s another quotable musing from the Mewes himself…
"I want to fuck because my dick is in fact un-boned." – Jay
Such a potty mouth on that boy!
-Mysterio
I can tell, you have a question, well speak up and be heard my child. Take the thumb out and type you fool!
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