• For the first time in almost two and a half years, we can now proudly say this – Principal photography is now underway on a new Kevin Smith film! “Zack and Miri Make A Porno” is now filming in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Shooting with the leads, Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, should encompass the bulk of the shoot. We’re betting that the film’s supporting cast, announced earlier this week, will arrive to shoot only their scenes as needed (meaning a fairly scattered shoot). This is all speculation, however, given our previous experience on View Askew sets, Kevin and Scott tend to shoot as efficient as possible for both the sets and the actors.

  
  Many folks are asking us about the extras casting — We have a bit more information on that just ahead, however, no idea at this point on WHEN extras will be called in for the shoot. Quite often, extras are used in outdoor shoots, which may give some local Pittsburgh residents the chance to go and watch some filming. At this point, no word on where things will be happening, though typically this is to keep crowds away. If you see anything, however, we’d love to hear from you. If you’re lucky enough to happen upon the set, just remember that crews are normally accomodating to onlookers, so long as you keep quiet and obey the rules.

  We’re looking forward to making our own set visit to Pittsburgh at some time during the shoot as well. While we’ll likely keep the spoilage to a minimum (always been our policy), we look forward to bringing you a report as one of the few web journalists lucky enough to be involved in the production. Stick with us for all your latest news, as shooting on the film continues. By the end of this week, we’ll have all your “Zack and Miri” news organized for you in one easy place.

• When Kevin asked for extras submissions, we didn’t get a very specific demographic. While we’re guessing he’ll take all shapes, ages, and sizes for SOME scenes, this new article from a Pittsburgh paper reveals a key group that they’re looking for – Male teens aged around 15 or 16. In addition, men and women aged 25 to 29 are cited as another key group. If you fit the bill, and have yet to submit your credentials, read on — You may still have a chance to appear in the next View Askew production — We can speak from experience when we say there’s nothing like the experience of a day on set, and seeing yourself up there even for a few seconds:

  Kevin Smith, director of ‘Clerks,’ seeking local teen boys for upcoming movie

  Calling all teenage boys: Kevin Smith, director of “Chasing Amy” and “Clerks,” is looking for teens age 15 to 16 to fill speaking roles in his movie “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” which starts filming Wednesday in Pittsburgh. Candidates should have acting experience.

  Nancy Mosser, who has been hired to cast the film, is also looking for extras 18 and older, especially men and women age 25 to 29.

  No experience is necessary to be an extra. Candidates can sign up online or by phone at 412-434-1666.

  
  If anyone gets the call to come in, let us know! Details will of course be kept confidential.

• Entertainment Weekly lists “Clerks” as one of the “Most 11 Influential Sundance Flicks”:

  
  CLERKS (1994)

  Kevin Smith, inspired by Stranger Than Paradise, turned his camera on his own nothing-much-happens life, shooting at night on a budget of $28,000 in the same convenience store he worked in by day. Clerks reflected the stifled suburban lives of a generation spoon-fed on pop culture and stalled out in go-nowhere McJobs. In other words, Smith tapped into a lucrative base of indie film’s most passionate ticket buyers: guys just like himself.

• The widely read Comingsoon.net picked up the “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” cast release story from this week — No new news, just good to see such major web media outlets picking up the coverage.

• We’ll have more on this in a bit, including photos, details, and the like — However, as promised, we’ve got your new supporting cast in the OFFICIAL announcement as just broke by The Hollywood Reporter. And your answers, in order of Kevin’s eyeballs from the story below:

  

  
  1. Katie Morgan (the one fans figured out)
  
  2. Craig Robinson (the one tracked down with photo evidence)
  
  3. Traci Lords (the one few guessed but that our scoopers got right)
  
  4. Jeff Anderson (the one we expected)
  
  5. Jason Mewes (the OTHER one we expected)
  
  6. Ricky Mabe (the one we couldn’t figure out)

  
  Let’s look at the full story:

  More Sign On To Make A ‘Porno’

  
  “The Office’s” Craig Robinson and former porn star Traci Lords have joined Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks and Jason Mewes in Kevin Smith’s “Zack & Miri Make a Porno.”

  Ricky Mabe (ABC Family’s “Beautiful People”), Jeff Anderson (“Clerks II”) and Katie Morgan (HBO’s “Katie Morgan: A Porn Star Revealed”) have also joined the film, which is being produced through The Weinstein Co. and Dimension Films. Production is set to begin Wednesday.

  The story centers around two lifelong friends — Zack and Miri — who after finding themselves deep in debt enlist their friends to make a pornographic movie with the goal of earning some quick cash.

  Michael Cole and Carla Gardini are overseeing the project for TWC and Dimension Films.

  The film marks the latest collaboration between Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Smith and producer Scott Mosier. Their previous projects include “Clerks,” “Clerks II,” “Chasing Amy” and “Dogma.”

  Robinson is repped by UTA and 3 Arts Entertainment

  Lords, whose feature credits include “Novel Romance” and “Blade” is repped by Innovative Artists and Juliet Green Management.

Next episode: “Unseen”

Sock and Sam move in together into a condo of their own and meet their new neighbors, Tony and Steve, a gay couple who is surprisingly friendly to the two slackers. However, Sam and Sock soon discover that there is more to the couple than meets the eye.

Airs: Tuesday March 4, 2008 9:00 PM EST

The new film from Kevin Smith and producer Scott Mosier will shoot its first frames on Wednesday, January 16th. Stars Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks will film in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

• From all of us here at News Askew and View Askew, we hope you’re having a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season. For those of you with the day off today, we hope you’re taking some time to play with your new goodies, spend some time with family or friends, or even just taking some time to relax with yourself and enjoy the day. We hope that Santa brought you everything that you wanted. Thanks to everyone for another joyous year.

  We’ll be back with regular updates tomorrow, including a new Chris Graves interview and more. Then, look for our “2007: The Year In Askew” wrap-up, always the largest post of the year, to arrive at the end of the week.

  Thanks to all, and have a wonderful day.

• “Heroes: Origins”, the late Spring spinoff of “Heroes” that was scheduled for NBC, has been shelved. Kevin was set to write and direct the debut episode of the program. Speculation on the “why” is spreading — While still a hit, Season 2 of the program isn’t off to the boffo ratings they predicted. We’re betting the show will find its legs as the season goes on. Audiences are just impatient. Once the season’s main plot starts to materialize, we’re sure that those who were spouting the hate will recant. That being said, the bigger factor here may be the writing strikes, which went into effect today.

While studios have a lot of ducks in a row regarding film, as the article we ran yesterday shows, TV audiences are going to see a major effect of these strikes in just a few months. If the strike holds, most networks are going to run out of original scripted programming by January. Yep, that’s right, it will be a reality-filled back half of the season unless they work this stuff out. Writers are asking for a bigger piece of the pie when it comes to DVD sales of their product, among other concessions.

“Heroes” had originally planned to avoid the long break that hurt ratings last year by airing less reruns, and ending the season short. With this writing lull, they’ll likely need to take another extended break this Winter, thus the episodes will finish up in May, or even June. This doesn’t leave any room to run “Origins” in late Spring (April, and May sweeps) as they originally hoped. While a summer debut COULD have worked, something this big would be better saved for more certain times. We’re betting sometime in Season 3.

Check out these spots for more : Ain’t It Cool News, Variety, Yahoo/Hollywood Reporter, /film.

• Kevin will appear as a presenter at this year’s Scream Awards, airing TONIGHT on Spike TV, at 10:00 PM. Check your local listings as airtime will vary depending on your time zone. We realize the notice is a bit late, but the show will re-run throughout the week (We’ll let ya know when) so you can always catch it then. Thankfully, the awards start AFTER the awesome “Reaper” where Kevin still retains a name credit in the show’s opening. “Reaper” tonight on the CW at 9, Kevin on the Scream Awards on Spike at 10! Be there.

• 
• Today’s the day, west-coasters — Get your butts in line NOW at the soon-to-be-history Secret Stash West location for Kevin’s final stop on his whirlwind book signing tour. Today, Kevin starts signing your books at noon pacific time, and plans to end around 6 PM. There’s a potential line-capping for this event, so reserve your space in line as soon as ya can. This is quite possibly the LAST day of business for Secret Stash West, so bring some extra cash and take advantage of what’s sure to be some amazing clearance sale deals. This one is truly worth the trip, even if you’re a bit outside of town.

  Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash
  1045 Westwood Blvd.
  Los Angeles, CA 90024
  (310) 824-1373