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http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=9344
Mysterio Interviews Will Ferrell about JAY & SILENT BOB
STRIKE BACK and Being A Genius!
Folks, Harry here.... Mysterio has so much interview with Will
Ferrell that frankly, I'm just gonna get the hell out of dodge
and let Will and Mysterio take over... this is great!
Be forewarned. Some of the following interview might contain some very "slight" spoilers.
And by "slight" I mean it’s so slight that it would be like comparing diet soda to regular soda in
the fact that while it might not make you any fatter, it certainly won’t kill you either (or any real
knowledge about what happens in the movie; just a little background knowledge and insight of
what to expect).
So if you’ve been following my reports and interviews so far, trust me, these reports are still
pretty much "spoiler-free". But for the true purists out there who haven’t seen the trailer, read
anything previous on the film… stay away!
For those who have, the next thing you’ll probably say is, "Wow! This is too damn long too
read!" To that might I suggest either printing it out and reading it in intervals or better yet,
tonight (6/18) at 9pm PST, while downloading the latest ‘JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE
BACK’ internet-only trailer (which promises to include more snippets of dialogue and spoilers
than the previous) over at MoviePoopShoot.Com and NewsAskew, you read the
following while waiting for it to download.
Also, over at Smith’s own site, ViewAskew.Com I believe he’s planning on making some
little announcement on what his next project will be. And trust me, if it’s what I’m thinking it is,
it’s definitely not gonna be a "little" announcement and one you might not expect, but I’ll leave
that for Smith to spill.
It’s definitely gonna be a busy Monday for all you View Askew fans!
WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY
On the set of ‘JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK’ with WILL FERRELL
In Los Angeles, inside a soundstage on the CBS lot, is where you’ll find SNL cast member,
Will Ferrell literally hanging high above from the ceiling beams filming a blue-screen sequence
for his latest feature film outing, ‘JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK.’
"String it all together and what do you have? Marshal Will-en-holly."
As with most of the cast on the film, Ferrell is simultaneously juggling his hectic shooting
schedule with ‘J&SBSB’ on the west coast all the while taping SNL back in New York. But
Ferrell isn’t complaining as he freely admits to me how he’s been handling his coast-to-coast
commute.
"It’s not too bad because I’m a licensed helicopter pilot. Miramax has been kind enough to
rent me a helicopter, so I just kind of commute back and forth. It’s one of those huge Russian
helicopters - "The Sikorsky." It’s way too big and breaks down a lot naturally."
This is typical Will, as you’ll see in the following interview. He’s quick into letting you
believe that he’s taking you down on a straight path, but just then suddenly, without warning,
pull a hard right turn and take you somewhere else, just to shake things up a bit.
And Will’s also one who’s not afraid to be caught with his pants down either. As off in a
corner of the stage, Will strips down out of costume and secures on his harness vest, which will
allow him to perform the necessary wire work for the scene he’s about to do.
"I screamed at him for like half an hour - …you want the truth, right?"
The stunt co-coordinator then goes over to safety check Will’s vest before going over the
specifics on the wire work he’ll be asked to perform and answer any questions he may have
about the stunt.
All the while, Director of Photography, Jamie Anderson and his camera and lighting crew,
set up the shot, making sure that the correct lighting and framing are in place, as Visual Effects
Supervisor, Joe Grossberg approves the setup in the playback monitor.
Ready to go, Will moves over to an apple box in front of the camera, where his harness is
rigged up with cables, and DP Anderson checks his eye line.
"It could just be like a booby-trap… and they spill a bucket of pig’s blood on your head."
The apple box is removed, and the cable rigging tested and secured with Will in place, as
he hangs slightly suspended above ground. – (Thanks for the pose Will!)
"I really wanted to dig my teeth into getting to know his work, and when I did I was like
‘Wow! This would be so much fun to do.’"
He’s then hoisted high above the cameras, directly in front of the blue screen (that will later
be incorporated with a CGI background for the finished version) where he’ll be dropped
directly in front of the camera, screaming, simulating a fall from great heights.
"Doing sketch and improv with other people is just so much fun. Plus if you fail, at least
you’re up there with someone."
The crew do their final checks and last looks, making sure everything is good to go before
dropping Will. Meanwhile Will has a little fun by striking a mid-air, "Pan"-like pose.
"Let’s just go out there and give it a whirl."
"Do we go on 1… 2… and then 3? Or on 1…2…3?"
Once everything’s in check and director Kevin Smith gives the ok, Will is released from his
mid-air suspension and rapidly dropped in front of the camera until the cables finally slow his
decent just before hitting the floor.
"If anyone dares me to do anything, I’ll do it in two seconds… if I feel like it."
Slightly of out breath, Will awaits as DP Anderson, VFX Super Grossberg and director
Smith check the playback, and decide to have Will make another go at it.
Will is asked to perform the "freefall" several more times before all concerned parties are
happy with shot. Finally getting the needed shot, Will is then lowered back on solid ground and
the cable and harness rigging removed.
*
But for Will, physical comedy is what’s most familiar to him, as you’ll discover in the
following interview where Ferrell reveals nearly all about his early days in comedy to working
on SNL, his thoughts about ‘Austin Powers 3’ and fellow actor, Jason Lee to his working
relationship with writer/director Kevin Smith and just exactly how Smith convinced him into
coming aboard on the project.
"When did you first become interested in doing comedy?"
I think probably somewhere in second or third grade when I learned how to walk into a
door and make it look like I really did. I’d learn how to do a little stage or pratfall and
everyone laughed and I was like, "Hmmm… ok maybe there’s something here."
"Where do you find your sense of humor stems from?"
You know, that’s a damn good question because I kind of had a relatively normal
upbringing, so there are no real traumas to look back on. No bitter, tortured comedian here.
Maybe it’s just that growing up in suburbia, sitting back for no other reason than wanting to
analyze things comedically. Maybe it just comes from that general boredom you sometimes get.
It’s funny because my Mom and Dad actually have a very good sense of humor. They
weren’t like jokesters or anything, but probably a combination of all those things put together.
Also, I wasn’t your typical class clown or anything like that growing up, but if anyone dares me
to do anything, I’ll do it in two-seconds… if I feel like it.
It’s obvious you’re no stranger to comedy. What had you considered doing prior to making
the decision to pursue comedy full time?"
I was going to be a sportscaster and then I realized I liked sports, but I didn’t like it
enough. The thing I liked about it was the performance aspect of being on camera. I then just
kind of got into an acting class as a gift, and I took to it and was hooked.
PASSERBY: What up Will! What’s goin’ on bro!
WILL: (shouting back) Rock n’ Roll!
(Laughing) So I didn’t really think I was going to get into it, but somehow back-doored into
performing anyways.
"Have you ever thought of combining the two elements of comedian and sportscaster, and
doing something similar to what Dennis Miller did with Monday Night Football?"
I don’t know. I think that what he’s doing is so impressive in a way. It’s such a hard thing.
It’s a blend of knowing when to be funny and also when to show that you know something
about the game and knowing when to push between the two. He did a really good job of
blending both of them. But yeah, it might be fun and stuff. Bill Murray on occasion would go up
in the broadcast booth for the Cubs game, for like three innings and help announce the game.
"Would you dare, say had the chance, do it as Harry Caray?"
No. (laughing) I don’t think I’d venture into those waters! But I would do it in the nude.
That would be my guarantee. See that’d be something!
"How did you make the transition of doing performance comedy, like standup, to becoming
a comedic actor?"
Well, I didn’t really do that much standup. I tried a little, for like a year and a half and
maybe did it thirty times. Then I heard about The Groundlings in Los Angeles and I, all at the
same time, took classes there all the while doing standup and taking acting classes. Then the
more I got into The Groundlings program, standup kind of fell by the wayside because it’s such
a solitary pursuit. It’s really exhilarating when it’s just you and its going great, and it’s like the
worst when it’s going bad. Doing sketch and improv with other people is just so much fun. Plus
if you fail, at least you’re up there with someone. So I had more training in the sketch world to
begin with.
"How does comedy in a film compare to doing it live, in front of an audience, and which do
you prefer more?"
Well I’m really still learning about film in some ways because obviously you don’t have that
audience right in front of you. Doing comedy on a show like SNL, you get the immediate
feedback as to whether or not something’s working or not. So it’s easier in that regard. On
film, it’s more like you have to learn to trust your own instincts to hang in there. Films’ are a
real tricky thing. I’ve had times when no one’s really laughing, including the crew.
"But you’ve also made the crew laugh out loud many times too."
Yeah, and I’ve seen the opposite too.
"As a performer, who influences you and your work?"
Let’s see… I used to love watching ‘The TONIGHT SHOW’ with Johnny Carson.
Anytime there was a comedian, I’d try and watch it. Obviously ‘SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE’
- Dan Aykroyd was my favorite. I like that he was so versatile and yet he could support and
could be really funny. He could kind of do anything.
Another person I’m a huge admirer of is Tom Hanks just because he’s the Jimmy Stewart
of American cinema right now. Everyone forgets that he started out on ‘BOSOM BUDDIES’.
And he’s a good dramatic and comedic actor as well.
It’d be fun to do that kind of transition. Kind of what Jim Carrey’s trying to do. That’d be
great if you can make that jump and people allow you too. Phil Hartman too in the same
respect as Aykroyd.
"When you worked with Hartman, what was that experience like?"
It was good. A lot of times when a comedy person hosts a show, the cast doesn’t
necessarily get to do all the funny parts, but rather the straight parts that a more dramatic guest
might do. I don’t remember being in that many sketches with Phil, only a handful, so in a way I
kind of feel that I didn’t really do that much stuff with him. But just in terms of watching him
work and how funny he was, he was a technician in terms of how he went through a sketch
and his blocking. It wasn’t like, "yeah, let’s just wing it" he would really have it down.
"Would you consider yourself to be more the "wing it" kind of guy or more the latter?"
I can kind of be both. I think people can be too "loosey-goosey" with stuff, and then just
the opposite. People can be, "Oh my god is this going to work?" And your like, "Who knows?
Let’s just go out there and give it a whirl." I’m also a huge fan of Steve Martin and his comedy
albums and also Bill Murray.
"How about that Jason Lee guy?"
Jason Lee…? I love a lot of his karate films. I think they’re some off the best out there.
Yeah… I think he’s one of the best guys going in martial arts today. I mean what else can you
say?
No, but I will have to say, in all seriousness, when you were talking to Jason and you
mentioned he cited me as one of his influences, I was like so flattered by that because he’s also
extremely funny and such a great actor in stuff I’ve seen. Everything I see him in, he’s always
great. So that meant a lot when he said that… if he’s telling the truth. Who knows, he might be
lyin’.
"Which SNL character do you enjoy doing the most?"
I would have to say the Harry Caray sketches that we did.
"I know Kevin’s a big fan of that character."
Yeah, and that was one of the things he’d have me do on occasion. David Letterman had
me do that too when I went on his show which was a trip. I loved doing that.
I had a great time doing George W. Bush. That’s really been a blast. There’s one sketch
though we’ve only been able to do once. I did Neil Diamond on the show – this VH1
Storytellers, and tried to do it a couple of times but I don’t think Lorne Michaels likes it, but I
wanna do him more.
What would you consider to be your career highlight today?"
Probably have to say getting to perform on stage and alongside Janet Reno when she
appeared on the show. That and having her not, you know, try to tackle me or beat me up or
something.
"You think she could?"
Uh no. I still think I could take her. That was quite thrilling actually to have her come up
because that show was on the day of the inauguration. She was in Washington and flew out
and was totally game for being on the show. She had a great time and was such a great sport.
"She’s obviously got a good sense of humor about her."
Yeah. We got in this nice conversation about how important humor is for the political
process and how its important for us in society to feel free that we can poke sun at it and out
leaders. So that was really cool.
"Do you see yourself eventually moving from TV into more acting and writing for feature
film?"
Well, in a perfect world – yes. The next step for me would to do more features on a full
time basis.
"’AUSTIN POWERS 3’ has recently been announced in development and is rumored to
be a prequel. Do you know if your character, "Mustaffa" might be returning?"
Yes! Not only will Mustaffa be returning, I’ll give you the scoop – it’s called,
‘MUSTAFFA’S REVENGE’. Austin Powers – he’s barely in the movie. In fact, Austin
Powers comes in towards the end.
"Sounds like more of a cameo part for Austin Powers, y’know considering it’s supposed to
be an ‘Austin Powers’ movie."
Yeah, it’s more of a cameo, but it’s actually Mustaffa’s movie. It’s Mustaffa and his family
and he deals with a lot of issues. It’s very touching at times. You find out that Mustaffa had
polio as a boy and his prized pony dies from a train wreck. So there’s a lot of stuff going on.
"Earlier this year, you were honored as ‘Funniest Male Performer In A Television Special’
at the American Comedy Awards, alongside female counterpart Sarah Jessica Parker. You
were up against, and beat out some seasoned talent consisting of the likes of Billy Crystal,
Gary Shandling and Jon Stewart. Congratulations on that.
Thank You.
"How does that make you feel as a performer to be recognized among your peers?"
It feels great and at the same time it’s new to me. I mean I haven’t really ever been
nominated for anything. It’s kind of a new deal. The whole election thing last year really got
SNL a lot of attention that it hadn’t been getting before. I think there’s this general recognition
that the people in the cast right now are pretty good. This and that really brought it more to the
forefront this year. Especially since I read the other people in the categories that I was in as
well. There are just a lot of talented people to be on the same page with…
Unless it was a trick. It’s the Comedy Awards; it could just be a booby trap like they force
you to show up and then its like ‘CARRIE’ and they drop a bucket of pig’s blood on your
head and say, "Ha, ha, ha!!! American Comedy Awards – you suck actually!"
"Ok, let’s talk about ‘JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK. How did you become
involved with the project?"
Let’s see… Kevin Smith, the writer slash director slash star of the movie, he wanted me to
be in it essentially and I told him, "NO WAY IN HELL! No way. No, no, no!" I screamed at
him for like half an hour and then finally -
…You want the truth, right?
"Nothing but."
He pulled a gun on me. Next thing I know I’m doing the movie.
"What were your first impressions upon reading the script?"
I think I had the same reaction as when I got asked to do this – like, "what the hell is goin’
on?!?! This, y’know… no way!" And then, once again, with the gun, he made me read the
script while with the gun was pointed at my head.
What can I say? I had to.
"Had you been a fan of Kevin’s previous films?"
You know, I had a limited know… because I’m essentially out of it as a human being in
terms of pop culture – especially anything that’s "hip".
I had seen ‘CHASING AMY’ and really liked it and then renting the rest of his films and
literally, sitting down one night and watching all of them and obviously became more a tuned to
what he does. I mean I had a general sense of Kevin Smith – his type of work, his movies and
his style. I absolutely loved ‘DOGMA’. I also saw his progression as a filmmaker too and that
was fun to see for me.
I know ‘DOGMA’ got critical acclaim and yet I heard some people say, "oh, it’s not as
good as ‘MALLRATS’", but in a way I think its his best movie. So in answer to your original
question – yeah, for the most part familiar and then I really wanted to dig my teeth into getting
to really know his work and when I did, I was like "Wow!" this would be so much fun to do.
It’s obviously a radical departure from some of the SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE films I’ve
gotten to work on, which are pretty much character from the show. You know what you’re
gonna get with it – very much in that PG13 realm of "safe family" comedies. I mean we get to
do some crazy stuff (on SNL) too, but we’re always dealing with the censors. But to get to
work on something like this in which you can just kind of go for it – it’s such a blast. Like a
new found adolescence.
"What is the most appealing factor to you in working with Kevin?"
He really gives me the feeling that he trusts me. He knows my performance, but at the same
time knows me well enough – has seen enough of what I do – to just give perfect direction in
terms of "why don’t you try this?" I like the stuff he just thinks of on the spot too in terms of
just little lines we’ll throw in or change – that sort of thing. Plus, he makes a great
grilled-cheese sandwich.
discussing his direction. Will quickly changes tone.]
WILL: (to Kevin with a slight wave) Hey dude!
continue.]
"Describe the character you play, and origin of where your character’s name derives from
in ‘J&SBSB?"
Ok, yes. Federal Wildlife Marshal Willenholly. He’s kind of a bumbling, incompetent
version of Tommy Lee Jones’s character in ‘THE FUGITIVE’. He wants to have the same
respect and tries to conduct himself with the same bravado and as often is the case his
information is wrong and no one respects him and he gets a little frustrated. He’s the guy who
tried to get into the FBI and couldn’t make it so he became a wild life marshal. That was the
second best thing he could think of.
And the name… for all those ‘LAND OF THE LOST’ fans comes from… that’s Sid &
Marty Krofft right?
"Yep."
Well, if you remember the theme song… "Marshal
Will and Holly -- On a routine expedition…" So it’s the names of the three characters that go
down in the raft and end up in ‘THE LAND OF THE LOST’. String it all together and what
do you have? Marshal Will-en-holly.
"That’s just one of the many pop culture references to look for in this flick isn’t it?"
Yeah. Another thing I brought up to Kevin, which apparently was not by design, was that
the director of the ‘Bluntman and Cronic’ film is named "Chaka", which is yet another
reference to the character of "Chaka" from ‘LAND OF THE LOST’ which I want to say was
played by Clint Howard, Ron Howard’s baby brother. And then there’s this dinosaur imagery
in the film that I can’t talk about.
"Kevin seems to allow you the opportunity to improv, which he’s been know not to do."
Oh really? I didn’t know that.
Do you discuss certain lines and bits you’d like to try beforehand, or do you just surprise
him when the cameras roll?"
Um… yes and no. Yeah, we’ve had both kinds of situations. Usually if I have an idea I’ll
be like, "hey, what if we changed it up this way?" And he’s be like, "Oh, ok. Let’s try that."
And then sometimes I’ll just do it on my own and to be frank, he’s not very happy with it. He’ll
banish me for an hour and a half. He’ll put me in a time out. I’ll have to sit in this special solitary
confinement box on the set…
"Oh yeah! I’ve seen that box!"
Yeah, yeah... It’s a BIG box. You don’t want to be there at all. It’s very hot in there. They
pump in the heat. So I try to pick and choose my spots.
"Would it be fair to say that you and Kevin share the same sense of humor?"
Absolutely. We pretty much see eye to eye in this character. Also, he told me he wrote it
with me in mind in terms of my delivery and that sort of thing. It’s material that’s right up my
alley, so yeah, we totally share the same sense of humor.
"Working with such a diverse cast and crew, who’s been your favorite to work with so
far?"
I would have to say in terms of work, the craft services guys cause they’ve really helped me
in perfecting the art of making a turkey sandwich. Before I had some problems, like the bread
wasn’t right. They really showed me how to put them together in the right way.
"And finally, how would you describe your experience working alongside such an eclectic
ensemble cast such as this?"
It’s been really fun because every day is a new thing. It’s like you’ll work with Mark Hamill
one day and Jon Stewart another day. Judd Nelson, Jason Lee, Shannon Elizabeth… it’s been
fun and you don’t really settle into a particular groove. It’s just been a fantastic experience all
around!
"Here, here!"
-Mysterio
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"and anyone that says that (i'm messing with drugs) is a tinhorn, gob of snot whose mother is commode scum that eats on all fours...i'm easy to find & i ain't bashful." -- Robert Blake, 1995
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