FILM SMARTS ‘JERSEY’-STYLE

Believe it or not, there are some college credits to be earned on the Philly production of “Jersey Girl.” Just ask seniors Mike Mallick and Mark Esposito, both of whom are communications majors at La Salle University. Wait, don’t ask Mike. He didn’t return Tattle’s calls this week, but it’s all good. We secured some phone time with Esposito, 21, who hails from Bristol, Bucks County, and wants to break into the movie biz.

With the loyalty he displayed toward the “Jersey Girl” production during our chat, it looks like the kid has a shot.

His fellow La Salle students at first “asked a lot of questions” when Esposito started the internship in August. “I don’t give any answers because it’s very secret,” Esposito delicately explains to Tattle. “I want people at work to be able to trust me with things.”

Even his girlfriend is in the dark.

OK, so let’s cut to the chase: No Ben Affleck or J.Lo sightings at all, since Esposito works primarily in the production office in the city. When not filming on the set, shooting is scattered around Philadelphia, the burbs and South Jersey.

Dude has only met “JG” director Kevin Smith a couple of times, he says. Smith gets to the office at the end of a day’s shooting, Esposito says.

So what does a typical day for Esposito look like? “I get there around 8 o’clock, set up the food for everyone,” he explains. We’re talking donuts, bagels and Starbucks coffee. The brand, no flavor thankyouverymuch, is of the essence, he stresses.

Esposito makes sure they get “a nice variety” of bagels. Donuts are not as popular.

“That aspect of it, you don’t get the greatest work of all, but when I’m in an office and I’m overhearing a conversation… I can understand what is going on,” he says. He cites his La Salle background with equipping him with the knowledge to identify such film lingo as “DP.” (Director of Photography)

Esposito’s other responsibilities include answering phone calls, making copies and delivering packages that arrive from L.A. Esposito uses his own car for the delivery and receives no mileage reimbursement.

But for his unpaid work and 150 hours for the school term at New Askew Productions, Esposito receives 3 hours of credit and plenty of valuable experience.

“I’m learning how the movie gets made, the whole process beginning to end and how much work is involved by observing, even the lowest person on the chain, everyone is important, no matter what job or task you’re given.”

A no-holds-barred Q&A with one of Hollywood’s most beloved filmmakers, An Evening With Kevin Smith arrives on December 17th, a two-disc set featuring Silent Bob remaining anything but silent on everything from ” spirituality to sexuality to human relationships.” Culled from five appearances at Indiana University, Cornell University, Kent State University, Clark University and University of Wyoming, total runtime is 215 minutes, and the Q&A’s are presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby 2.0 surround, with English, French and Spanish subtitles. The only listed extras are bonus trailers for other Kevin Smith films. Retail is $27.95.