• Kevin’s got some interesting Clerks 2 tidbits today, including a new runtime, a proposed mid-to-late August release date, upcoming pics, and a conservative 1,000 screen launch. Here’s the man:

“Logistics”

• In the latest entry in the Clerks 2 “Train Wreck” series, learn a bit about the logistics behind making the flick. You’ll see Jeff Anderson and Kevin Smith discussing the new challenges of extra camera movements in the flick. You’ll see a mid-clip interview with the hilarious Wanda Sykes in between takes of her cameo. And, niftiest of all, you can see some of the actual equipment moving around and everything that’s happening outside of picture range when this stuff’s being shot. Trust us, you have a new appreciation for the complexity of movie-making once you see all the work that goes into these things first hand.

Be sure and remember Zak and Joey in your prayers tonight and thank them for keeping the flicks a-comin’!

• More east coast love for ya’ll – Never say Kevin forgot about us folks here on the colder side of the country! Clerks 2 will yet again screen JUST FOR YOU, THE FANS in February, with a brand new, never-before-seen tight 92 minute cut. This cut was carefully crated based on results from the screening that we attended in Los Angeles. We’re hoping to make it up to NYC for this one, to take a look at what’s changed. So, what do you say? You wanna see Clerks 2 next month in New York City? Here’s Kevin:

Sign up NOT here in our talkbacks, but over at the View Askew Board for your chance to be one of the chosen few. If it’s anything like the last time, you DON’T want to miss this chance. You’re seeing the film before most everyone, at least 6 months early. Plus, Kevin’s focus group and Q&A after the flick in L.A. ran for around 4 hours — A true treat for the small group of us in attendance. Good luck, and we hope to see you there!

• As promised, here it is! There’s plenty of mirrors up so you shouldn’t have a problem getting a speedy download of the clip from one of the many domain names we’ve purchased to promote the film. This one’s for you, folks, the fans — Enjoy a non-spoiler tease at what’s coming to a theater near you this August, 2006!

• Yes folks, get ready to FLOOD the servers on Monday, as Kevin has announced that the first, web-only Clerks 2 teaser trailer will indeed become available via our websites EXCLUSIVELY sometime in that 24-hour period. The teasers cut for the fans are normally full of some great jokes, scenes, and hints that you won’t find anywhere else, and most likely, NOT in the theatrical trailer. So, get ready, for in 2 days, you’ll be watching the first live action footage from View Askew’s 2006 release: Clerks 2. We’ll of course have mirror copies all over the place, though we also expect some heavy traffic, so bear with us. Watch this space for your opportunity to see the Clerks 2 teaser, we’ll have it as soon as it’s available.

• Film critic and aficionado Jeffrey Wells has been a friend of the View Askew fold ever since an early meeting with Kevin. Since then, he’s contined to be a regular guest, working a column at our own Movie Poop Shoot website, and now runs an awesome website called Hollywood Elsewhere that’s got a staggering amount of information, including regular columns and a podcast from Wells himself (admittedly, this is the first we’ve seen this website, and we’re hooked, now — Wells is doing an amazing job). Kevin was the guest on that podcast on Sunday night. You can listen to Kevin’s telephone interivew in the archives of the “Elsewhere Live” show by clicking HERE. An archive of Well’s excellent podcasts can also be found, for iTunes users only, HERE. If you’re in a hurry (the interview runs around 30 minutes), here’s a summary of tidbits revealed by Kevin during the call:

• The 1st cut of Clerks 2 is done, with a running time of 1:49.
• Kevin is guessing after trimming a little more, the final cut will likely end up somewhere around 1:40.
• The goal is to debut the film at Cannes in May, though it will not be shown as part of the competition.
• The expected US theatrical release date for the film is August.
• Kevin confirmed the plan is still to release the film UNRATED (hooray!)

If you’re not already excited to see the film, wait until you hear this clip where Kevin discusses it. You’ll be stoked. After spending a few minutes chatting with him on the set in New Jersey last month, we could see the excitement first hand. This one’s going to please the fans, and surprise any nay-sayers out there as well. It’s not just about a bunch of one-liners, but rather, has a sweet, meaningful story and speaks a lot to the 30-something generation. August isn’t that long off, either — And just think about it — The first EVER unrated Kevin Smith flick? The tickets are as good as sold. And hey — Feel better, Kevin.

“Meet The Crew (Part 2)”

“What a Load”

• WIth shooting over, the videos are editing together fast and furious now, with Zak and Joey treating us to two more looks into the world of “Clerks 2″, and filmmaking in general.

In today’s first offering, “What a Load”, you’ll meet “Q”, the Loader of the cameras for “Clerks 2″, who explains the importance and logistics of his job. He’ll take you inside the camera truck for a tour, see what an “empty mag” looks like, and visit the darkroom as Q demonstrates the process…Both in light, then, properly, in total DARKNESS! Very fasincating, educational stuff.

Next up, it’s Part 2 of “Meet The Crew” with the always entertaining Jason Mewes. Be sure and take a close look at Ratface and Scott Purcell’s beautiful and funny Mooby’s Drive Thru sign (we hope to have some detailed shots of that coming soon). You’ll meet a grip, some members of “Team 2″, and a couple of the on set PA’s. Could this sort of job be Jay’s second calling? You never know…

• Well, now that the air has cleared and the last footage has been shot, we can finally reveal — Yes, “Clerks 2″ wrapped production in Red Bank, New Jersey on November the 18th, a very frigid Friday. Much like “Jay & Bob Strike Back” we were on set to witness the final day of shooting, as well as the final shot. We’ve got a detailed report, photos, and a lot of great stuff to tell you about soon. Kevin’s words:

Why the secrecy, by the way? Clerks 2 had a very tightly closed set for the duration of production, so we had to be very tight-lipped about shooting places, times, etc. However, now that the shoot is complete, we can tell you that it was a blast as always, and we KNOW you are going to absolutely love this film. From the bits and pieces we picked up throughout the day, we promise you, it’s a real winner. And if you’re not excited enough, check out this recent comment from his AICN rant (see newsbites below as well):

WOW! Convinced yet? We’re eagerly awaiting a chance to view it in cut form. And Kevin’s hoping everyone will have a chance to see C2 in all its (unrated?) glory this August, 2006.

Watch for our Clerks 2 set visit report soon!

• Happy post-Thanksgiving, everyone! That turkey digest ok for ya? Hope so.

Kevin took a few moments to film a brand new introduction video today (which we suggest you watch first) as well as bring us TWO more of the brilliant “Train Wreck” shorts available at clerks2.com. By the way, has anyone noticed the cool new iPod Video version of all the mini-flicks so far? You lucky kids with your new iPod videos (or those soon under the tree) won’t have an excuse not to have anything on there. And our stuff’s FREE, unlike that evil iTunes store that sucks you in and has you spending oodles of cash when you see all the cool stuff THEY’VE got on board.

But we digress. After Kevin’s intro, delve into “She’s A Lady” to see the first appearance of Rosario Dawson in the series. In this clip, she chats it up with Kevin, revealing her View Askew fandom (cool!) and her feelings on coming into a shoot as the new kid on the block. You’ll also catch a few glimpses of some of the shooting at Mooby’s, mostly behind-the-scenes type stuff. For more on Rosario and “Rent”, check out this excellent New York Times article.

Technology geeks like us will really dig the final entry today, “Production Sound”. In this one, Whit Norris, Production sound mixer, gives an excellent explanation and demonstration of how he records and stores all of those wonderful sounds that you’ll hear when you peep Clerks 2 for the first time. Boom op Doug Cameron also makes an appearance. Watch it all the way through to learn what all those lights and bells on a movie set mean, too.

Enjoy your Black Friday weekend, and we’ll see you again soon. More big news is on the way!

• You’ve been patiently waiting, reloading the clerks2.com site multiple times a day, and now, the time has come. Two new videos hit the site today in the always fun and exciting “Train Wreck” documentary series. Available in various forms of Quicktime, of course.

“Lights… Camera… Tongue!”

“You Were The Bomb In Phantoms, Yo”

Even though it’s on the site second, we recommend you watch “Lights, Camera, Tongue”: first, as its contents also appear in the second and top posting for today. It’s an extended conversation between husband and wife, those two being Kevin and Jennifer Smith, on a smooching scene of hers that appears in the film. Let it be known: This clip, as well as our second clip today, also feature the first filmed footage from Clerks 2 to see the light of web day thus far. The “replay” moment in this clip is also possibly the funniest thing we’ve seen out of this series yet. Watch for it.

Ever wonder what it’d be like to be a fly on the wall when Kevin and Ben chat it up? Wonder no more. “You Were The Bomb In Phantoms, Yo” is just that – Several minutes of Ben pontificating on his Clerks 2 cameo, facial hair, and yes, “Crossing Jordan”.

Enjoy these and all videos thus far in the series at Clerks2.com. You can also view a one page archive on our Clerks 2 production site.