Premiere at the Charlie Chaplin Theatre, Raleigh Studios, Hollywood
October 24th, 2004

The evening started out with a feeling of awkwardness, which did not mix well with all the butterflies in my stomach. It was a good thing we ate beforehand since I was not able to eat while there. I would have liked to be able to sample the wonderfully catered fare, but it would have quickly turned on me in revenge for sending it into such a turbulent tummy. I have NEVER been to a film premiere, independent or otherwise, and it gave me a feeling of crashing a high-class party. I was comforted by the fact that my friend and co-worker, Teresa, had agreed to accompany me. Bless her heart. Hellboy was the extent of her “Doug knowledge” and I am sure there were times she felt more out of place than I.

The premier’s first show started a little after 6pm in the Charlie Chaplin Theatre at Raleigh Studios. Most were in attendance of the first show, including Doug and his wife Laurie, who arrived just before the screening and settled in the first row at the opposite end from where we sat two rows back.

The film… A SERIES OF SMALL THINGS was both visually and audibly arresting. I am NOT a film critic. In fact my husband takes great pleasure in declaring that I have “cinema dyslexia”. So in my most humble opinion I would like to say that I was amazed at the film's ability to give such depth to each character despite the time constraints required for such films. To me it was like a single bite of a shamefully delicious triple chocolate cake. I feel fortunate to at least be able to have a taste, but give me more! It had been stated that the movie is about redemption. It is a heartrending but not depressing or morbid film.

It prompts discussion, as it did at the dinner table at the Pacific Dining Car (1310 West 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA). It was a treat to be invited to a late dinner (10pm-ish) with Doug, his wife Laurie and close friend and neighbor Dave Thompson. Among the other diners were Phil Donlon and his wife Debbie and brother-in-law Robin, Steve Ordower and wife Christina, Wes Tabayoyong, Charles Plath and Alex Lee (2nd Assistant Director).

Phil is so (I know it sounds clichéd) passionate about this film. It was wonderful to hear him speak of it as if he himself were in awe at its outcome. It was enormously amusing to sit back and enjoy the repartee between all these talented people. Doug (whom I was lucky enough to sit next to) and I shared a couple of private jokes - I remember something about a Cyclops and pirate that had me laughing to the point of tears.

Doug describes his portrayal of the intuitive homeless guy as “creepy/angelic” and he received many complements from his fellow cast and crew, which he accepts graciously. As you know he is leaving for Prague to start filming DOOM and as I understand it THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI will be completed in February 2005. I spoke with Barbara Hintz, the assistant editor for CALIGARI; she informed me that there was a likelyhood that there will be a premiere for THE CABINET OF DR.CALIGARI in Sacramento at the Crest Theatre. I think I will become quite the pest and attempt finagling a couple of seats to that film if, in fact, it premieres in SacTown.
I digress, though, so let me get back to premiere night. If you like you can go on a virtual tour of Raleigh Studios and pay particular attention to the studio café pics. The shindig was not only beautifully catered in this café, which sits just outside of the screening room, but there was a live band as well.

As Doug did his best to speak to as many people as he could Teresa and I sat and chatted with Laurie and Dave. Laurie seemed very content to stand back and watch her husband “work the crowd” and give “lotsa love”. We spoke of her career as a buyer and display designer for an exclusive retail store specializing in home décor. She also told me a cute story about she and Doug in college; Doug was the school mascot, Charlie the Cardinal. While they were dating she was given a T-shirt that said “Charlie’s Chick”. She is such a joy to talk to and very witty.

I did a little “Doug” research prior to the premiere (watched Doug movies, perused The Doug Jones Experience) which led to a little ribbing. A joke now stands that if Laurie wants to know what is going on with Doug she will be calling me. Need a personal secretary, Doug? I’ll send you my resume.

I would also like to say a few words about Dave. Dave was so sweet, he spent a good 20 minutes trying to locate a pen (the one thing I forgot to bring- duh) just to write down my address and Teresa’s so Doug could send autographed photos to our kids. We talked about his career (hey Dave - I should have got a card), about his kids (2) the oldest is Doug’s godson and about Mule Days in Bishop, CA.

There was discussion of where to go to get a bite to eat and Teresa and I were invited along. I was embarrassed to inform the group that we wanted nothing more than to join them but we were without transportation. Not a problem, Doug said. I was afraid of being a burden and sweet Laurie told me not to worry. She, Teresa and I piled into the back seat of their car and with Doug at the wheel and Dave navigating we were off to down town Los Angeles. Doug, being so expressive physically, was quite the driver. It did not help much that I kept throwing questions at him and kept him talking the entire time he was driving.

We all sat down, Laurie sat across from Doug and left the seat next to him for me. Bless you Laurie. Needless to say I was still too excited to eat and ordered just soup and a glass of wine (which really helped calm the nerves). There was a lot of conversation going on and forgive me for not bringing a recorder, but I will share a few tidbits. Other dialogue should be available on the SOST website.

At the request of Shadowcat I asked about the Abe make-up; It took 3 hours to remove and occasionally he would wear some “Fish-Bits” back to his hotel. Wearing the “Fish-bits” would cut down on the amount of time it took to put the make-up back on and filming could resume more quickly. As for how it wore in the water, he stated that he was really amazed at the resiliency of the make-up. It not only stayed on in water but it remained sound after he pulled himself, wet, across the set floor (after being attacked by Sammy).

Doug also told me that the dialog in the scene in STALLED where “Len” walked into the restroom after it had been destroyed he wrote himself. I found this to be very enlightening since it was my favorite scene in the movie. It was the scene where I really felt the character of Len went from one-dimensional stereotypical hillbilly to two-dimensional compassionate guy in 10-times-too-big overalls.
Overall both the film and dinner made for a most memorable evening. If I have any other recollections I will be sure to pass them on.

by Sharon Bridge