Um… this is kind of a big deal for me

Apparently, I’m a NY Times Best Selling Author….

Number 32 on the Non-Fiction Papberback Best Seller List.

Wow. Not bragging about it or anything, but that’s something I never expected to be. I figured I’d be thin before I’d ever make it on that list. But there I am (or, rather, there the book is). And I’m still fat.

Anyway, yay me and my dopey non-book.

We’d like to wish Kevin the most sincere congratulations on this honor — As we said, most writers only dream of hitting this list, never to make it. Kudos and congrats.

Want to hear more on the book? You should own a copy by now, but if you’re on the fence, this Hollywood Reporter article should convince you otherwise, and give you some insight to the contents.

Here’s the text:

‘Silent Bob’ speaks up about Pittsburgh film

By Jolie Williamson

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Director Kevin Smith, whose controversial movie “Dogma” was filmed in the region in 1998, might be headed back to Pittsburgh for another shoot.

Smith appears set to shoot “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” in the region, according to posts on his news Web site, which reports that the shoot will be 40 days in studio and on location in Pittsburgh.

Smith wrote Monday on his blog that he is discussing “the Pittsburgh trip and at what varying stages all of us will head east to Western Pennsylvania. We’re now 12 weeks out from the start of shooting, so this is the point where logistics start taking shape, vis-a-vis dates, where the family will live, whether or not the dogs will come, etc.”

“I’m hearing they’re going to start in January,” said Ming Chen, Web master for Smith’s main Web site. Chen expects the production crew to be in the area for two to three months.

Dawn Keezer, director of the Pittsburgh Film Office, said she has not received official confirmation of the film shoot, but said production representatives for Smith were in the area Friday scouting locations. Neither they nor Smith could be reached for comment.

“We’re thrilled they’re considering shooting here again,” said Keezer, adding that she believes legislation that took effect in July offering additional tax incentives to filmmakers appears to be directly influencing more filmmakers’ decisions to shoot in the area.

Keezer said she has not seen a script for Smith’s upcoming film, but that despite its title, the film is not pornographic.

A description on Internet Movie Database said the film is about two 20-something friends who decide to begin an amateur porn studio — “a knockout story for their upcoming high school reunion.”

Smith’s films, including the raunchy 1994 comedy “Clerks” that started his career, usually feature cutting-edge humor and provocative subject matter. Such was the case with “Dogma,” which starred Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and featured rock singer Alanis Morissette as God.

His Web site said casting announcements for “Zack and Miri” could take place in about two weeks.

Here what they’re saying – On November 3, they will be playing SModcasts. No word on which episodes or how many. From the sound of it, these will be older SModcasts, not something live or new. So, no live call-in for this (not yet, anyway), but it DOES expose the Smodcasts to a North American audience that may have never listened to the program. If audiences like it, we’re thinking this could expand to a regular thing, possibly even a live version of the program where fans could call in. We’ll keep you posted. If any O&A or XM fans hear more, please do drop us a line.

Affleck’s directorial debut hits theaters today, and it’s getting killer reviews.

This flick is a Goddamned must-see, folks. I’ve seen it three times and it’s awesome; a total awards contender, too.

Peep the trailer here. Then go check out the actual flick. You won’t regret it.

Yes, that’s an amazing 92% fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes at presstime. WOW. One of the best reviewed of the year, folks. See it on the big screen and tell your friends. Support Ben, a longtime friend of View Askew. And big congrats to him on this one. We don’t think a first time director has ever scored this high.

Our man with the questions, Chris Graves, got some answers from Flav himself, who has been a fan and a friend of News Askew for years:

AN INTERVIEW WITH FLAV GIORGINI (FROM THE BAND “SQUIRTGUN”)


BY CHRIS GRAVES

Chris Graves: What is your background and how was Squirtgun first formed?

Flav Giorgini: All of the Squirtgun gang (Mass Giorgini, Flav Giorgini, Dan Lumley, Matt Hart) were born in Indiana…with Mass, Flav, and Dan from Lafayette, and Matt from Evansville. We all started playing in bands in the mid 1980s; Matt had a series of bands in Evansville and Muncie, the best known of which was F.0.N. (Freaks of Nature). Mass, Dan, and I were in the band Rattail Grenadier from 1984-1993. In 1993 we decided that we needed a change, and we recruited Matt to sing for us, and we named the band Squirtgun.

CG: The band’s song Social was featured during the beginning credits of Mallrats. What was the song about and did it have a music video back in the day?

FG: “Social” is basically about being yourself, and not following the crowd just because it’s the trendy thing to do…which I feel is the basic theme to real punk rock. We never did a video for “Social”, though Kevin Smith was considering it for a while, and at the last minute he changed his mind and did a video for the Goops instead (“Build Me Up Buttercup”). “Social” was used, however, in the promotional trailers for Mallrats, in addition to the opening credits, and the soundtrack album.

CG: How did the band get involved with Mallrats and it’s soundtrack?

FG: We heard from Green Day’s manager at the time that Kevin Smith was looking for songs for his new movie (Mallrats), and so we submitted “Social” to him. When he heard the song he thought it fit perfectly with the theme of the movie, and decided to have it as the opening song.

CG: Can you talk about Squirtgun’s connection to Green Day?

FG: We initially knew Green Day through their connection with Lookout! Records, which was our record label at the time. My brother Mass (who is a well known punk rock producer) had had some contact with them regarding a recording session prior to their signing with Reprise, which never materialized. Mass had some more contact with them when Mike Dirnt played bass for the Screeching Weasel record “How To Make Enemies” which Mass produced. Mike also contribued guest vocals to our song “Make It Up” on our first record. Mass also did a bit of production work with Billy Joe (Armstrong) in the late 90s. We crossed paths with them several times over the years, and they were also very supportive and cool.

CG: Is being a part of a cult movie like Mallrats something you’re proud of? What were your thoughts of the movie?

FG: We are very proud of our involvement with Mallrats…it’s especially cool because it’s become a cult classic. At the time, it was a bit of a disappointment because it did horribly at the box office, and the critics hated it. I have to admit that at the first viewing, I felt a bit let down, and didn’t think it was as good at Clerks. However, after a couple of additional viewings, it really grew on me, and I realized it was hilarious. I really feel that it’s a classic now…

CG: Do you have a favorite View Askew/Kevin Smith film (Mallrats excluded)?

FG: That’s a tough question, because I love a lot of Kevin’s movies. I guess I would have to go with three: 1. Clerks, 2. Dogma, and 3. Chasing Amy.

CG: What is the current status of Squirtgun? Did the band regroup for a charity event recently?

FG: We haven’t split, but we are definitely on the back burner for now. We regrouped about a year ago to do a charity event for a friend of my brother’s that needed surgery and didn’t have medical insurance. We have slowly been getting a new album’s worth of material together, which we hope to eventually release. We are thinking about doing some shows in the Spring of 2008. We’ll see! Musically, I’ve been busy doing solo acoustic punk shows, and also playing with my new band Sinister ’66.

• Kevin estimates that we’ll hear final casting news, at least on his Zack and Miri lead roles, in around 2 weeks, but don’t hold him to it.
• The film will be around a 40 day shoot, shot both in studio and on location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• No digital this time around – Zack and Miri will be shot on 35mm film.
• Kevin has a new potential Miri, who LOVES the script. Kevin gushes over a personal meeting with her, and reveals it is indeed the first time he’s chatted with her — A new female joining the Askewniverse? We’re intrigued.

Wanna know what else is new in Kevin’s world? Don’t miss the full week of blog entries, available over at Myspace and Silent Bob Speaks today. Learn some hints about the possible Fox gig, the status of “Red State” (studios are asking!), and more. It’s a quick, easy read this week, but also full of news.

So much is happening, between potential TV pilots, new casting, a reborn Secret Stash west, and the gang heading to western Pennsylvania…Gotta love it.

…I spend an hour on the phone, talking to a voice from the past who has an interesting idea about keeping the Secret Stash open. I mobilize Bry and Ming and we head over to look at potential new digs for Secret Stash West, v.2. Even though Bry’s still moving on, we go over the pro’s and con’s of relocating and staying open, eventually settling on the pro side. Apparently, we might not be done out here after all.


So by mid-November, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash West will re-open in a different location, not too far from the original location (details to follow later).

Big, exciting news, west-coasters! We’ll of course keep you posted, and let you know where the new spot will be to pick up your favorite books, and of course all that sweet, sweet Askew swag.

For “Dogma”, Kevin and Scott took production into Pittsburgh with great success. The city was incredibly cooperative and we saw one of the most visual Smith films ever, with a variety of locales making it easy to look like any town they needed. So, the guys KNOW the city. Even better, the weather. Living here, we know how cold and snowy it gets around that time of the year, so there’s really no question that the gang will get the snow that they need for the production. While we’ve had mild January weather the past two years, February has been extremely cold here, so cold in fact that snow covered the ground most of the month. Without a doubt, you’ll be seeing some genuine Pennsylvania snow in this one.

Naturally, we are extremely excited to hear this announcement. We’re just around 3 short hours east of Pittsburgh here in central Pennsylvania, which should make for a fantastic opportunity for us to simply drive in for some exclusive News Askew coverage. Our position here with View Askew along with Kevin’s generosity with access on the set could quite possibly make for some of the best coverage we’ve ever had for a film — Not to mention since there’s no air travel involved, we may even be able to make multiple visits in, depending on the weather, the shooting schedule, and of course the allowances of the production. So, with this news, expect a very exciting winter here at News Askew, as Kevin’s next production movies pratcially into our back yard. Now if we could only convince them to bring the next project into Harrisburg.

With the shooting schedule they are currently planning, Kevin expects we’ll see the film on the big screen in Fall 2008. Just a year from now. Watch for some fantastic exclusive coverage on this Pittsburgh production right here. We already can’t wait to get started.