J.Lo Shines As A Bride — In A Movie

Jennifer Lopez wowed onlookers as she stepped out of a church in New Jersey dressed in a lavish gown and gave her beau Ben Affleck a big kiss. But anybody outside St. John’s church in Paulsboro who witnessed the joyous occasion, was quick to learn that it wasn’t real life – just a scene from their new movie Jersey Girl. Lopez, 32, and 30-year-old Affleck, who made their romance public earlier this summer, star in the new drama together which is about the effect of a new wife on the life of a PR man in the music business. And sources on the set of film say that after director Kevin Smith yelled “Cut!” the Hollywood couple remained in deep liplocked passion, with J.Lo crawling into her lover’s lap to watch the playback. An eyewitness says, “They looked all lovey-dovey. She couldn’t keep her hands off him.”

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.

Just wanted to let you know that I took a ride to the Highlands yesterday to check out the filming. They were filming a scene on a side street near the river. The scene centered around Ben Affleck driving alongside a street sweeper driven by George Carlin, getting out of his car, and then yelling a few lines at him as George continues to drive the street sweeper. Really interesting to watch.

I also saw signs that said “Camera Position” with arrows leading up a road to an overlook. There was a crew up there filming some sort of overview of the Highlands. I also heard someone on the crew mention that they were filming at Sandy Hook (a large beach area) later in the day.

I took some photos, they came out a little dark because of the distance. [See above]

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The scene involved George Carlin and Ben. George was driving his street sweeper down the road when Ben drives up next to him, cuts him off and begins to yell at him. Don’t want to give away to much so I wont say what was being said. They shot this scene a dozen or so times, stopping briefly when Ben drove to close to the street sweeper and George hit it. Minor damages to the BMW. Jlo was also on hand but was just relaxing and watching. She left with out a nod to the dozen or so fans that were gathered. Ben left approximately 20 minutes later. No autographs but he at least acknowledged us and waved. He seemed to be in a very bad mood. Then again that could be his method acting coming out! All in all it was a great time! The locals were very friendly. Well except for an old guy who drove down the street when the cops told him no. He got a ticket for his carelessness! Of course he vowed to fight it! Wonder if that got on film?

JENNIFER LOPEZ’S BUDS SWAMP LOVE NEST

by Stu Bykofsky

ELSEWHERE, YOU read what other publications have to say about Ben & Jen.

Here, you find out wassup, first hand.

After Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez took over the penthouse in the new Phoenix (1600 Arch), to greet her hunk, star-struck J.Lo arranged to have the petals of 50 dozen roses scattered around the lavish love nest.

Do you think that made an impression? (Maybe not as much as the sports car she reportedly gave him.)

Since J.Lo is partial to white, I was wondering if the 50 DOZEN roses were white roses, but I couldn’t nail that down.

While it’s an enormously romantic gesture I was wondering – I’m a guy, remember – who had to sweep that mess up?

US Weekly reported the penthouse love nest rents for $17,000 a month. The Love Birds have two penthouse suites and I hear 30 Large is more like it (including rose-petal removal?).

Speaking of Gentle Ben, after the Eagles game, he and some “Jersey Girl” film crew guys spent about three hours reportedly downing beers at Downey’s (Front & South). As usual, Affleck was laid back and friendly. The crew is in there often.