KILLER RACK: a Little Song, a Little Dance, a Little Lloyd Kaufman Down Your Pants

In my recap of last weekend's KILLER RACK, I didn't really go into detail about what it was like working with the great Lloyd Kaufman.  Lloyd had a funny but brief cameo in SLIME CITY MASSACRE back in 2009; as a result of that appearance, I wound up co-starring in two of his videos, "How to Make Your Own Damn Green Screen" and "How to Promote Your Own Damn Movie."  I've seen him at conventions since then, and we gave him our Dedication to Excellence in Independent Filmmaking at Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival last year, when we premiered RETURN TO NUKE EM HIGH VOL. I.  For KILLER RACK, I wanted him to play his role relatively straight, something I hadn't seen before, though I've heard he has gone that route.  A possible challenge, since one of his three scenes was a musical number complete with dancing, and another was an "add on" designed to please his fans.



Lloyd arrived Friday evening, and we had dinner with Buiffalo Niagara Film Commissioner Tim Clark.  As I noted elsewhere, it's nice to see Lloyd when he can relax and be himself. There are many facets to the man: the warm hearted showman who bends over backwards for his fans; the, um, demanding director on set; the businessman; the "relaxed" Lloyd; and the private Lloyd only his family knows.  He's smart and really knows how to deal with people.  My daughter Kaelin had a lot of fun with him, especially when he taught her how to get water out of her ear. :)



From the time I started as an indie filmmaker, back on I WAS A TEENAGE ZOMBIE, he was a central figure in the word I wished to inhabit (I worked as a PA for one day on the original CLASS OF NUKE EM HIGH), and his longevity speaks for itself.  This year, for Troma's 40th anniversary, he's flying all over the world with his wife Pat for one tribute after another.  It's nice to know that a career of directing slime, blood and shocking humor can result in some sincere recognition down the road.



Saturday morning Lloyd recorded his vocals for the song "Funbags" which will be used in the musical scene in the film.  Our music director, Armand Petri, who composed and produced the song, set him up at a professional sound studio, where he sang solo.  Then he shot a cameo for another filmmaker, and then at night he made his first visit to our location behind Pierce Arrow Film Arts Center, where we shot a bit not in the script, a scene which will be cut into the climax to give his character a three act arc.  I knew what I wanted: the equivalent of one of the shots at the end of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, with the scientists stepping close to camera and gazing in wonder at the UFOs - followed by a visual gag one might see in a Zucker Brothers comedy,  I had no doubt he would give me exactly what I wanted, and he did.  We did about three takes each of two setups.



Sunday we shot his main two scenes: a dialogue scene with Jessica, where he had to play it absolutely straight again, and the big scene, our musical number, which I expect to be a highlight of the film. We blew through the first scene with no trouble; he followed the script and gave some lines his own spin.  The musical scene was a collaborative effort between myself, Armand, Kim Piazza (who did a fantastic job choreographing the dancing), and our performers - Lloyd, Jessica, Paul, Kim, Tia Maurice, Erika Frase, Brittani Hare, and Cheryl Szymczak.  It was a lot of fun to shoot, and everyone got their moments to shine, especially Lloyd and Paul.  I'd been looking forward to this shoot since Paul agreed to allow me to turn a short scene into a full blown musical number, and I was delighted with the results.



Lloyd was delightful the entire weekend - gracious, generous and cooperative, never wishing to be a bother even though everyone wanted to make sure he was treated well and with respect.  He signed a bunch of script covers for our IndeGoGo contributors,gave me my second Troma diploma (I think I graduated from high school the first time, and now college) then posed for photo after photo with our cast and crew - and many filmmakers who happened to be stopping by Pierce Arrow to submit their entrees for the 48 Hour FIlm Festival.  The man is never too busy to stop and chat with admirers, and to offer bits of wisdom and advice when asked.  It was a pleasure to direct him, and to get a few moments to "talk shop" with him.  Thank you, Lloyd!



So, three weekends down: one with Debbie Rochon, one with Lloyd, and one with our local principals.  Author Sephera Giron comes to town this weekend, and Michael Thurber the weekend after that.  We're making something special, I feel it.