Everything You've Got - Jack Nicholson, Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, and Owen Wilson

The film is about on a love triangle between Paul Rudd (George), a white collar exec and Owen Wilson (Manny), a professional baseball player who both find themselves smitten with Reese Witherspoon (Lisa Jorgenson), a woman suffering from a major break-up who comes from a sports crazy family. I played the computer tech guy in a scene with Paul Rudd and Shelly Conn’s character Terry. Brooks is known for making his actors do a lot of takes and I have to say that was true in my experience. I think we must have done up to 50 takes for our scene in an office room at the University of Penn which coincidentally is where I am currently attending graduate school.

Brooks spent five years working on the Everything You’ve Got to come up with a story “rooted in an encounter between two people who meet on the worst night of their respective lives.” The story also presents conflict between a person’s sports career and romantic life.

Brooks researched extensively and interviewed hundreds of women who play sports as well as many different people who run companies in order to figure out which elements will work best in the film. He also became fascinated by the dilemmas of contemporary business executives, who are sometimes held accountable by the law for corporate behavior of which they may not even be aware. This sounds like a film to watch out for around awards time, like several of Brooks’ former endeavors, and I’m definitely excited to see how it turns out.

Brooks’ five previous directorial efforts are “Terms of Endearment” (which won Brooks three Oscars — for best director, best adapted screenplay and best picture), “Broadcast News” (Oscar-nominated for best picture), “I’ll Do Anything,” “As Good As It Gets” (Oscar-nominated for best picture) and “Spanglish.”

You can also read my previous post on Everything You’ve Got that I worked on here.

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Robert De Niro and Hunt Bradley Cooper In Dark Fields

Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper are shooting the suspense thriller Dark Fields directed by Neil Burger (’The Illusionist’) with a screenplay by Leslie Dixon (’The Thomas Crown Affair’). The production has been shooting in Philadelphia and yes I am a part of this film! De Niro plays a financial mogul, Gennady, hot on the tail of Cooper’s character, Eddie Spinola, who discovers a designer drug that makes him smarter and basically better than the rest of us.

The film will also feature a phenomenon called “trip-switching” where time moves with a stop-motion quality which will be interesting to see on the big screen.

De Niro has several films being released this year, including ‘Little Fockers,’ the indie drama ‘Stone’ and Robert Rodriguez’s ‘Machete.’ Bradley Cooper will next be seen as Lt. Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck in ‘The A-Team,’ opening June 11th.

The Dark Fields will be released March 18, 2011.

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TRUE STORY
I was in Toronto, Canada visiting friends and family on the weekend I got the call to be in the film. I “smoked” for the first time thinking that it would make me a better actor by expanding my creative muscles. While we were watching I Love You Man starring Paul Rudd, I get a call from the casting director that James L Brooks wants me to be in his new film starring, ironically, with Paul Rudd as well. I thought to myself, this must be some really good weed. Maybe I should try crack next?!?! My call time was the upcoming Monday at 7:15 am. My flight back was at 9:45pm on Sunday anyway so it would have worked out perfectly. When I got to the airport at Sunday 7:40pm, the receptionist told me I almost missed final check in by 5 minutes! I would have had to rent a car and drive down 8 hours from Toronto to Philadelphia just in time to be on set Monday.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY
I almost missed my first big gig by 5 minutes by being away on vacation. It is a very difficult lifestyle having to choose between spending time with family and friends over acting. Fortunately for me, I have been very lucky so far. Mostly because I choose projects and time commitments very carefully. I always put family and (close) friends first. You have to prioritize people who prioritize you. It is difficult never the less.

The release date for the James L Brooks film is set for December 17, 2010

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This film looks pretty good. We shot on a very cold day in January at City Hall in Philadelphia. Law Abiding Citizen, written by Kurt Wimmer, is about a brilliant sociopath (Gerard Butler) who orchestrates a series of high-profile murders that grip the city of Philadelphia – all from inside his jail cell – and the prosecutor (Jamie Foxx) assigned to his case who realizes he is the only one who can end the reign of terror.

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Coming summer 2010!

Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan.
Cinematography by: Andrew Lesnie.
Music by: James Newton Howard.
Produced by: Frank Marshall and Sam Mercer.

and of course, you’ll see me in it!

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Noah Ringer As Aang, The Last Airbender

Noah Ringer plays the lead character Aang, the “Last Airbender.” Working with him was great. He is a very mature 12-year-old regional karate star was who discovered in a Texas when his instructor sent in a video tape audition. Dev Patel from Slumdog Millionaire plays Prince Zuko, leader of the Fire Nation.

Aang - The Last Airbender

The Fire Nation is  an oppressive race with powers to control flame. They are waging a war against the other three nations. The film’s hero, the reluctant young Aang, is the “Last Airbender”. Aang is the Avatar who, according to prophecy, has the ability to manipulate all of the elements and bring all the nations together. Aided by a protective teenage Waterbender named Katara (Nicola Peltz) and her bull-headed brother Sokka, Aang proceeds on a perilous journey to restore balance to their war-torn world.

Dev Patel of The Fire Nation

Here are a couple of interesting facts about the film’s two main stars:

• Noah Ringer’s nickname at school was “Avatar” because many people thought he looked like the character that he now plays in the movie. Life is very funny in that way isn’t it?
• Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel, who plays Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation; earned his black belt in tae kwon do before getting into acting, and started watching the animated television series while filming Slumdog.

Dev Patel As Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation

I wish I could write more about behind the scenes but I just can’t because of the non-disclosure agreement. I can say that it was a joy waking up at 3am to catch a 5am tour bus for an hour long drive to the elaborate custom made set for the Earth Benders. All the actors and crew were great to work with. It has been several weeks since I wrapped up shooting my scenes and still have these funny tan lines on my feet due to the costume.

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However, I’m not sure how I would react to someone cutting my face open though. Well, that’s exactly what happened in the film Daniel written and directed by Manuel Neves that I composed for staring Robert Seelinger. It is a story about a man named Daniel who is seeking revenge on the guys that severely hurt him and left him a massive scar on his face. Daniel is confronted with the emotional burden, which tests his relationships with his girlfriend and close friends Bray, Steven, and Rafi.

Daniel -- Part 1

THE PROCESS
Daniel was the first film project that I was asked to composed for while I was in college. My cousin Damian Chen (founder of Colorshadow Communications) recommended me as a composer for Manuel Neves since he had a hard time finding one. Manni and I talked on the phone and I sent him a CD of my work. He liked it and then drove down to Philadelphia from Toronto with a VHS tape with Time-Code burn. This was before the days of affordable software integration of music sequencing and video editing.

I approached each scene by simply writing down words that described emotions that I felt would suit for. Then it was a matter of finding the right sounds and experimenting to see if it matched that words while providing a sense of momentum in the scene. When Daniel is leaving the hospital, the camera doesn’t shoot the scar on his face and his girlfriend is there helping him to forget. The music in this scene is quite uplifting to match the sense of joy he is feeling. However, that will quickly change.

Daniel -- Part 2

At the beginning of Part 2, Daniel and his friends are in a meeting planning a revenge. This is one of my favorite parts of the film since you really don’t notice the music building up with the conflict between Daniel and his friends, however, you do feel something subtle. It is a very slow dark build until the scene is resolved. I also “borrowed” the Twin Peaks theme and Moby’s song Go playing the same chords. LOL. Everyone loved the shot of Daniel’s dog Jake. Who’s real name is Rocky and he is deaf. I guess dog whistles can really hurt them. Notice, that Daniel and Meghan have their own theme music.

Daniel -- Part 3

The drums are not sampled from Nine Inch Nail’s Closer. I actually did that myself with a simple beat but also running it through a delay which gives the snare a fatter sound and a heartbeat like kick. The drum and bass beats during the chase scene were from my song Passport. Actually, I used quite a few themes from the Dream In Stereo album. It took the sound engineer 2 weeks to create that gun shot sample.

WRAP UP PARTY
This was a 20 minute independent film costing $20,000. I was over joyed for being asked to compose for a film which was something new and very exciting for me early. I met the cast and crew at the screening and after party in Toronto. I joked with Robert Seeliger saying that his scar healed up pretty fast. But in fact, he replied saying that the make up actually left impressions on his face for a week after they took it out.

Melissa Michaels, Ellen Kay, Robert Seeliger, Manuel Neves

Quang Ly (film composer) and Manuel Neves (Director)

Robert Seelinger recently starred in Gracie’s Choice with Kristen Bell based on a true story.

To find out more on Robert Seeliger visit http://www.robertseeliger.com

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Jennifer Love Hewitt in Cafe

Hollywood’s latest couple Jamie Kennedy (Jamie Kennedy Experiment) and Jennifer Love Hewitt (The Ghost Whisperer) star in the independent film called Cafe which is about the interesting people and their lives in a coffee shop. Marc Erlbaum who is local to the area wrote the screenplay at West Philly’s Green Line Cafe (which is used for external shots). Daniel Eric Gold (Matt in Ugly Betty) and Alexa Vega (Carmen Cortez in Spy Kids) are also casts in the film. Sean Covel and Doc Wyatt, producers of Napoleon Dynamite, are producing with J. Andrew Greenblatt.

I played an Asian business man in the scene. Yeah I know. What a stretch right? I had to mimic the words “peas and carrots” but not actually say it otherwise it would bleed into the main dialogue. Afterwards, during lunch break, we had the choice of egg salad or tuna wrap. I chose the tuna wrap.

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SYNOPOSIS

The puppet Lil Ronnie has to find another job because kids are not going to puppet shows. Ronnie has to reinvent himself though he faces discrimination because he is not human and because of his disability. This production is a spoof on American life if you have yet to get the picture.

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I appear at 0:14 lower right

It was directed by Todd Wolfe starring Tony Devon as Dick Wrangler, Peter Defeo as Injun Joe, with cameo appearance by Mickey Rooney.

Via Saddle Up Movie

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Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx was recently a victim of a non Law Abiding Citizen while shooting his film with Gerard Butler Center City Philadelphia. On March 22, a 48-year-old man allegedly broke into Foxx’s hotel room claiming to be Beyonce’s producer. Foxx overpowered the intruder and forced him out and shut the door. The man then escaped from the cops.

However, nine days after the incident, Foxx’s security staff saw the man and contacted police.  The alleged intruder is identified as Steven Taliver and has been charged with burglary, criminal threats, stalking, false imprisonment and harrassment according to TMZ. Can we add poor impersonation to the list?

Foxx commented on the incident to Access Hollywood, “I’m good now.”

“Sometimes you have to make sure every move you make in life is the right thing, and that you have people there to watch your back,” Foxx added.

The 41-year-old Academy Award-winning actor is in Philadelphia filming the crime thriller Law Abiding Citizen.

Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler in Law Abiding Citizen

I was there on set that day and all I can remember was how freaking cold it was. The coffee turned to ice!

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I was driving home one afternoon when I got the call from one of my casting directors that I was going to be in the Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler new psychological action thriller Law Abiding Citizen shot in Philadelphia. I was so excited that I had to pull over.

My scene was the first day shooting in late January. It was so a freaking cold windy day at 15 degrees Fahrenheit. My long johns did not help either. It took the whole day to setup the cranes, cameras, and lighting equipment. Jamie Foxx had to walk out of City Hall and into a police car. That was pretty much it.

SYNOPSIS
Jamie Foxx plays a District Attorney who accepts a plea agreement with a murderer that slips through the legal system.  300 star Gerard Butler plays the vigilante out to seek revenge for his wife and daughter as well as the DA. However, Foxx’s character also has his own personal career agenda.

Law Abiding Citizen is directed by F. Gary Grey who did the excellent Italian Job. It was written by Kurt Wimmer, a Hollywood veteran known primarily for his journeyman script work (Sphere, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Recruit) but beloved by cult audiences for his underrated Christian Bale sci-fi flick Equilibrium. He also wrote and directed Ultraviolet. Wimmer has also been long-rumored to be the director of an upcoming film based on the hit video game Metal Gear Solid. I remember playing Metal Gear on the old Nintendo 16 bit.

Frank Darabont was initially set to direct Law Abiding Citizen but has stepped out for unknown reasons. He is a three-time Oscar nominee for such film classics as The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and the horror flick The Mist. Darabont has also been busy recently developing an updated film version of the Ray Bradbury novel Fahrenheit 451, which was going to star Tom Hanks until he dropped out earlier this year.

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I was cast as a business man in the comedy/drama Saddle Up with Dick Wrangler & Injun Joe. Mickey Rooney has a cameo in the movie. It is an independent Ultra Low SAG film shot in Philadelphia. My scene involved  sitting on stage at an award ceremony in which the two lead characters were guests trying to sell a Sexual Enhancement drug for a pharmaceutical company.  I was on stage with 10 old white men. Yeah, I fitted in perfectly. We had to laugh on cue and then look at the blue screens in which they will overlay in post production.

SYNOPSIS
A has been Cowboy and Indian television duo struggle to make ends meet.

CAST

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Director Rensil D'Silva

I was an extra on Rensil D’Silva’s new debute feature for Dharma Productions. It was a cold and long day shoot on Rensil D’Silva’s film as of yet still Untitled. It stars Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi. I can’t say much about the plot only that it’s a thriller.

The call was at 9am and we wrapped up at 4:30. The shot was on Arch Street in Philadelphia, PA between 4th and 6th streets. It had a lot of FBI cars running down the street. We also shot at different angle with a giant crane. The weather was crazy cold at 15 Fahrenheit and very windy.

Rensil D’Silva is best known for his  startling historically-challenged screenplay of Rang De Basant. Some of the other films that are in production at Dharma Productions currently are Wake Up Sid, Koochie Koochie Hota Hain and My Name is Khan.

During a break, I had a fortunate chance to speak with Rensil for a bit and I must say he is the nicest director I’ve worked with to date.

The expected release date is Fall 2009.

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