asheville the movie update

From their website: "asheville the movie is a feature film. it's a comedy, a collection of short stories (short films) set in the new freak capital of the united states (rolling stone magazine), one of the top destinations for retirement (modern maturity magazine) and the happiest city in the U.S.A. (outdoor magazine): asheville, north carolina. the stories are loosely woven together and stitched shut by one confounding event."

Intriguing, isn't it? Although I can't figure out why these creative types eschew capitalization. But that's another rant for another day.

Here's some up-to-the-minute production news that director/producer/writer Chusy Jardine e-mailed me a few days ago:

• Filming was delayed when Jardine caught a nasty case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever at the end of the summer (recconoitering location spots in the mountains, perhaps?). Jardine has recovered and filming started yesterday in locations around town.
• Because of the filming delay, Jardine lost his director of photography, Patrick Rousseau, who just had his first child, a son. All is well with him, his mother and father. Congrats, Patrick!
• However, the camera test by the new director of photography, Kenny Wilson looks phenomenal, according to Jardine. Wilson worked on a few local projects, namely ALL THE REAL GIRLS.
• The film's temporary trailer played at the opening of the Asheville Film Festival last weekend and went over well (or so they heard--anyone see it?). The trailer is fricking hilarious. It has been playing before the evening flicks at Asheville Pizza and Brew Company (for the best date night in Ashvegas: a pitcher of Roland's ISB, the Sheer Delight pizza, and a second-run film at APBC).
• One of asheville the movie's actors will appear in a play directed by British playwright David Mamet in London.
• Los Amigos Invisibles have been nominated for a Grammy. "This is the ass-shaking super suave band that will be working with us on some of the soundtrack for the film," says Jardine.
• They still need help with food, especially Friday lunches. A number of Asheville restaurants have stepped up (including my friend and neighbor, Tracy Taylor of Everyday Gourmet), but if you know anyone willing and able to feed 30-40 people lunch between now and January, let me know or e-mail Andy at andy@foundfilms.net.
• The Film Commission has stepped up to the plate and is helping them out considerably. As are a number of local businesses, individuals, and volunteers.

One of the reasons Asheville is soooooo cool is because many of us give time, $, and moral support to independent arts projects like asheville the movie. Having worked in independent production, I know how difficult it can be to pull off a project like this. Sending vibes and positive karma to offset the exhaustion, caffeine overconsumption, and stress that I know you all will be living through over the next few months.

I've wrangled an invitation to some of the filming, so on-location reports and stories will be coming soon. And edgy black t-shirts and bumper stickers with the slogan "Asheville: where normal is weird," are available for purchase here.