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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lizbeth Finn-Arnold lizfinnarnold@yahoo.com May 7, 2003 CENTRAL JERSEY FILMMAKING GROUP SHOOTS "THE INTERVIEW" Edison –– What happens when a man shows up to interview for a janitor’s job, only to be mistaken for a corporate interviewee? This is the premise behind the second digital short produced by the New Jersey Salon’s Exit 131 Productions. The short entitled, The Interview, written by East Brunswick resident Marla Cukor, explores what happens when everything that could go wrong does go wrong during a job interview. Cukor says of her story, "I wanted to write a short that was a bit dark and had a universal theme. Everyone’s been on an interview at some point in their life. And everyone has interview horror stories, so they can relate to the topic." An incredibly ambitious project at fourteen-pages, The Interview was shot in one long twelve hour day on February 15, 2003 in Edison, New Jersey with an all-volunteer crew of about sixteen. The majority of the screenplay takes place in one office between two principal characters, played by Chad Stuart as the confused interviewee, and Andy Huff, as the arrogant, misinformed interviewer. But it was by no means an "easy" or "simple" shoot. The script is very dialogue heavy, meaning the actors had to memorize long passages. And there were many set-ups, including a scene in a reception area and another in a lobby location with several extras. Due to the harsh winter, exterior shots were re-written as interiors at the last minute. And with impending winter weather watches, the production was squeezed between two major snowstorms that hit New Jersey in one weekend. "For learning purposes, it was a good representation of a typical shoot," said The Interview’s Executive Producer, Allen Chou. "In film production there are always last minute problems. Nothing ever runs smoothly. And solving those problems and moving ahead is part of the filmmaking process." Exit 131 Productions is a non-profit organization and an offshoot of AIVF - Association of Video and Filmmakers. The group is comprised of both rookie and veteran filmmakers. For many of the crew, The Interview marked only their first or second time on a set. But they more than made up for this lack of experience, with enthusiasm, professionalism, and a total commitment to the project. "How many other people willingly show up and work for twelve grueling hours without getting paid?" Asked Production Manager and 1st AD, Brian Jude who was responsible for cracking the whip during the shoot. "That’s what separates filmmakers from the rest of the world. We love what we’re doing and we’d pay others to let us do it." As a first-time director, Marla Cukor seemed to take the fast-paced, demanding environment in stride. Cukor says about the shoot, "It was a fabulous, undefinable experience that was made even better by the tremendous cooperative effort and talent involved with Exit 131 Productions." Cukor has been a professional writer for over 15 years and for the last decade she has worked as an editor on several nationally published entertainment magazines. But as a novice screenwriter, seeing her vision transformed into reality taught her quite a bit about screenwriting process. Cukor states, "I’ve learned you can’t get too attached to your words or take anything too personally. Things are bound to get cut or changed. Also, stay away from cliches. Characters are far more interesting if they play against type. Finally, keep the dialogue snappy and short. Too many monologues and the script is dead weight." Overall, Cukor describes Exit 131 Productions as, "Fantastic. Not only does everyone bring a unique talent to the table, everyone is willing to help at any job, at any time. There are no egos. I am proud to be associated with this group." Since August 2002, the New Jersey filmmaking salon has been actively developing opportunities for its members to make films, rather than just talk about films. Through the years, it has become clear to the salon that there is an abundance of Garden State filmmakers with raw talent and energy. And yet, they lack access to funding and resources or the ability to work close to home. New Jersey’s recent budget cuts to the arts have only deepened the frustration and emphasized the need for New Jersey artists to work together. Exit 131 is a cooperative in the truest sense of the word. It is an organization run by and for its members who all share in its benefits. And members are proud, although challenged, by budgets that remain at zero. Each member helps keep production costs ridiculously low by donating their services, equipment, time, and other resources. For The Interview shoot, the cast provided their own wardrobe and each crew member showed up with something to eat or drink for the crafts service table. In under a year’s time, Exit 131 is quickly taking on a life of it’s own. Starting with half a dozen people at a brainstorming brunch, the group now boasts over forty active members. And there is more and more talk about broadening the organization’s mission and goals, as well as figuring out ways to raise money and bring some budget to future productions. Meanwhile, The Interview is currently in post-production undergoing its first rough cut. Exit 131's first short, A Taste of Better Days, had its final tweaking and is being prepared for the festival circuit. The third film on the production slate, The Collector’s Item, is also in post-production. Written by Wall Township resident, Bill Clemis, the story is about a world-weary diva who yearns for something more, and yet senses she is controlled by some unseen, sinister force. It is a highly stylistic piece that is a bit reminiscent of the Twilight Zone. That film shoot took place over two days in May 2003. Exit 131 Productions has also established a "sister-site" for Exit 131 Actors. This yahoo group provides a place for local actors to post their headshots and resumes. Members of the Actor’s Group receive casting notices from Exit 131 and may also actively exchange information and advice with each other. This group is at: http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/exit131actors. For more information on Exit 131 Productions, check out the website at www.clix.to/exit131. To become a member or to submit a short script for consideration, go to www.yahoogroups.com/groups/exit131. ########## THE INTERVIEW (Credits): Starring: Andy Hoff & Chad Stuart Featuring: Dennis Albanese, Melanie Canter, and Chaz Warkulwiz Screenplay By Marla Cukor Directed By Marla Cukor Produced By Lizbeth Finn-Arnold Executive Producer - Allen Chou Cinematography By William Clemis 2nd Camera By Darren Layne Unit Production Manager - Brian Jude Production Designer - Craig J. Clark Costume Supervisor - Rochelle Finkelstein Edited By Darren Layne Music By Julie Muench Lakhani Casting By Laura Gockley |