DIRECTOR'S JOURNAL
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6/24/99 -- Got an assistant today: Ashley Wellman. A terrific young woman from Kentucky who helped run the Chicago Film Festival. She came from the Illinois Film Office -- headed by Joe Amari, who has been a great help (he got us the Menard State Penitentiary, a maximum security prison on the banks of the Mississippi river). We were on the local news today -- a pretty funny piece about our production. We all looked like we are an extremely well-oiled machine -- not far from the truth. I was informed that Harold Ramis was going to call me -- I asked Joe Amari if I can get some advice from one of the greatest comedy directors of all time. I was told that Ramis once gave the following advice to filmmakers wanting to make great comedies: Step One: Hire Bill Murray. Step Two: Film him. Obviously that formula works well, but Ramis was clearly being humble - the guy knows comedies inside and out. Some say his secret is, he has an extensive philosophy background and infuses his films with some profound universal truths. Some may scoff, but I myself have gotten into a number of bar-room arguments about the underlying message of Animal House. Most just shake their heads when I tell them that I think at the core of it is a film about men who fear death (alright.I admit, I'm usually drunk when I espouse this theory).

6/23/99 -- Was inspired today by a slew of DVD director's commentary films: HARD BOILED with John Woo commentary, EVIL DEAD with Sam Raimi, BLUES BROTHERS with John Landis, and 12 MONKEYS with Terry Gilliam. My favorite directors (missing Albert Brooks, unfortunately). Helped ease the loneliness of being locked in a room in Benton for 3 days making my shot list/rewrites.

6/22/99 -- I think we'll use The Waffle House in Marion for our Waffle House. I'd like the restaurant to serve "bags of waffles." The waitress will bring each diner a paper bag filled with waffles a unique restaurant concept and one which I'm proud to say I invented. It will surely catch on with nobody on the planet. However, it will be nice to hear Ron Lake say -- after beating up the man who had sex with his wife -- "Let's be friends -- I'll buy you a bag of waffles!"

6/17/99 -- Did a radio interview. I got to tell people they can get drunk on $5 at Elsies (a local pub we'll be shooting at). I explained to listeners to please not urinate outside (there are signs all over Elsies to that effect). Seemed like a nice plug to me.

6/16/99 -- Drugged up on allergy medicine. Benton, Illinois, has been good to us. Today I got up at 6am, got a chance to shower and shave and walked 3 miles to the center of town for a cup of coffee at the mayor's restaurant. (Pat owns The Buzz -- a nice coffeshop that actually serves latte!) Finished the shot list -- 488 shots in the movie. so far. Just went to what might be the Waffle House -- a fairly non-descript, but actually cool restaurant called The Plaza. Also went to the big grocery store around here, videotaped locals -- of course, security had an issue with me, but they calmed down when I explained that we're with the film production. I guess everybody in Benton knows about us. We're famous...at least in this town. My uncle Scott came by. He lives in Carbondale. We're going to watch EASY RIDER. I want to steal one of Hopper's montage sequences.

6/15/99 -- Worked on the shot list. Got a nice 2 mile run in. We need to pray that we'll get a Ron Lake soon. Had a great pizza and stayed on the phone too long with people. I just can't hold a lucid conversation after 15 hours of work.

6/11/99 -- Watched Sean's test. everyone loved the look. We all patted ourselves on the back -- our first piece of film shot for GOODBYE SUNRISE.

6/10/99 -- Did a camera test with Sean Young today. She looks amazing. The blonde wig and suntan -- wow! This woman is beautiful from every angle! I can't get over what a cool look this is.

6/7/99 -- Today, we taped Tony Denman (Mike) and Jacob Tierney (Lennie), our two leading guys -- together for the first time. They work well together.

6/6/99 -- Last night was the big GOODBYE SUNRISE prepro blowout. Sean was there, with a plastic babushka on her head, proving she knows small town America. Stephany, Sean's manager was there as well. I got to meet her husband -- but never talked to any of them, because I was busy being the host. Perhaps too busy. I seemed to talk to everyone, and yet no one really. Tony Denman was there and we talked for a long time -- great kid. Very happy he's the lead. Alicia Witt was there, and I wanted to cast her on the spot -- but unfortunately, no parts in this film for her. She's truly an amazing actress -- great lips too. We had 300 people there who all seemed to have a good time. I got drunk and made out with a girl I just met -- on a badly used couch. Aren't directors supposed to be more dignified than that?

6/1/99 -- Talked to Mark Roberts about the project. He and Lori have some amazing ideas. I admit, I'm a bit surprised that they are coming up with so much good stuff. I was never fond of the term "creative producer" -- a bit of a prejudice from my early years hearing lame-brained producers try to be writers. But these guys know their shit. The film will be much better from a good many of these ideas. And then.I get the credit. Hmmm. Works out well.

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