Kevin opens with:
“At one a.m. this morning, I finally got the flick down to an even two hours (there is, however, and additional four minute epilogue that runs during the credits, but that doesn’t count at the moment). Two hours is the length I was gunning for for the boardie screening. This is not to say the theatrical running time will be two hours or anything close to it. But two hours is a good starting mark in advance of the standard test screening process. The aim is to use said boardie screening to look for other cuts – because right now, the fat’s trimmed away; any further cuts are all about story and jokes, and I’d rather a mass audience reaction let me know how much is needed/what can go.
Screening date will be chose soon.”
And now, the Q&A…
Now you have the film down to 2 hours, will that be it for editing untill the View Askew screening, or do you still feel there is more you can lose?
Kevin said: “There’s always more to lose. I’m sure I’ll cut into it again before the screening.”
Would you consider releasing at 2 hours? Or do you feel that is too long?
Kevin said: “Maybe… maybe… two hours with credits.”
How long would the film be if you left all the deleted scenes in?
Kevin said: “Over two and a half, I believe.”
All this talk about running time leads me to wonder when you wrote the initial script for Z&M, how long did you think it was going to be using the 1 page = 1 minute rule (if such rule actually applies)?”
Kevin said: “Shooting draft was 110 pages.”
Will you show it to anyone prior to the screening? If so, who and would you edit it further based on their comments?
Kevin said: “Sure. Carla and Scott will watch it today. Marketing people watch it Monday (though more for their print campaign than to offer cut suggestions).”
In regards to Mewes, did you write the character specifically for him, or did he have to “earn” it?
Kevin said: “I wrote it for Mewes. It was actually the role Mewes was born to play, in a weird way. Even moreso than Jay.”
Any idea when a poster may be lurking its way around display cases in movie theaters?
Kevin said: “Poster shoot for Rogen and Banks in mid-April (everyone else has been shot already, while we were still in production). I imagine the poster will be up by June/July.”
Who’s doing the FX?
Kevin said: “Joe Grossberg – the guy who did our CG on “Jay and Silent Bob” and “Clerks II”.”
How dependent on the success of “Pineapple Express are you as far as marketing budget, screen count, etc.?”
Kevin said: “Obviously, it’s good for us if that flick does well. But as for being dependent on it, as regards marketing budget/screen count? Not at all. Those figures will have been decided on long before “Express” hits theaters.”
I wonder if Katie Morgan will get some more mainstream films because of Z&M?
Kevin said: “I’d be surprised if she didn’t. She’s pretty funny in the flick. When Harvey watched the first few cut scenes and met Katie, he said “Holy shit, she’s Judy Holliday.””
When do commentary tracks usually get recorded? Before release? Who’s your ideal team for this commentary track (or which teams if you plan more than one)?
Kevin said: “All involved would be nice.”
Will you have the Commentary Video recorded like with Clerks X? That was one of my favorite parts.
Kevin said: “Maybe. Depends if I’m feeling too fat that day.”
