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| SILENT BUT DEADLY, short
as it is, was a very organized and well-thought out production.
There was a schedule, prop list, minor budget outline and a
script. It's true, the whole thing was shot in one day but it
was a long and grueling cold day in March, 2002. Here are some
of the behind-the-scenes stories from Jeff, Lou and the cast
of SILENT BUT DEADLY. |
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| Jeff Cioletti: It must
be noted that the Troopers [Dion & Frank] were the real,
well, troupers. They remained in uncomfortable armor from sun-up
to well past sundown all in the name of the film, and they didn't
complain once. Despite the hectic whirlwind shoot, everyone's
spirits were high and we all had a great time. Johnny Lopez
was an especially good sport for allowing himself to be dunked
repeatedly in the toilet as we shot multiple takes of multiple
camera angles. |
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| Frank Usamanont: One of
the harder things I had to do was to simply get into the SUV!
I would like to see anyone try that in armor and drive. There
was one scene that I thought was funny. It was when I threw
Johnny in the back seat and the door wouldn't close. I had to
actually kick him into the SUV. I'm glad that wasn't cut out.
Making this film was a helluva ride. I hope there will be a
sequel! Most of all, I hope it wins. |
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| Lou Tambone: Universal
Pictures/Universal Home Video really gave us a hard time with
clearing footage from HOWARD THE DUCK. Typical Hollywood BS,
if you ask me. They were worried that Lucasfilm was going to
turn around and sue them for clearing the footage when the contest
we were submitting the film to was actually sponsored by Lucasfilm.
Plus, Lucasfilm had already seen the film, and loved it. Go
figure. |
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| Dion Rupa: As long as the
day was, Frank and I enjoyed it immensely. The day seemed to
fly by with all the fun we were having. I must say that Jeff
and Lou put together one of the best fan films I've seen! Frank
and I could not stop laughing when we were doing the toilet
bowl swirlee scene. Thank goodness it was a silent film! The
hardest part of the day for me was trying to get into the SUV.
My helmet/head could not clear the roof of the truck while I
was getting in. Thanks for cutting that part out guys! |
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| Frank Usamanont: I remember
when I first got the email to do this film from Lou and Jeff.
I thought, "WOW! It's being done by these guys - it has
to be good!" I immediately said, "YES!" and scrambled
to find troopers from my 501st garrison with first choice being
my buddy Kieth Arbeeny, who couldn't make it. Then I turned
to Dion Rupa, another one of those "I'll do anything"
troopers and he accepted. Then we were off to Jersey, still
half asleep in the morning! |
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| Jeff Cioletti: The Trooper's
white truck was not glitch-free. The original idea was to throw
the "victims" into the back of the truck. Unfortunately,
when we attempted to do that, we learned the rear hatch was
jammed and wouldn't open. So the victims had to be thrown in
the side doors. We originally rented a van but when Lou went
to get it, they didn't have any left so he had to settle for
the white SUV which actually worked out pretty well as it looked
like Stormtrooper armor! |
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| Lou Tambone: We stopped
for lunch at one point and pulled into a drive-in Wendy's. I
was driving the white SUV with the troopers inside and they
suggested to wear their helmets as we drove through to get the
food, thinking the server would be confused or laugh or something.
The lady didn't bat an eyelash. Guess she's seen crazier things! |
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| Frank Usamanont: It was
a hell of a cold day to be in that armor. But we've been through
worse, like in 90 degree heat, so what could a little cold do?
Well, I think that day was about 45 degrees with a wind chill
that felt like 10, so you can imagine how we felt! We wore nothing
but light spandex underneath the armor. I hope no one sees me
buckling in the film. Thanks to Lou for the red "pizza
trooper" sweatshirt. It helped out a lot! I hope George
Lucas takes note - if you need troopers for EPISODE III, you
know who to contact! We'll film in any conditions! |
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| Jeff Cioletti: We were
still short one location because at the 11th hour (read: late
the night before) a (former) friend retracted his promise to
let us use his office to double as George Lucas' office. In
the end we used the dining room of Lou's mother's house, which
also served as the location for the bathroom and "screening
room" sequences. There were three locations in all: Lou's
house, the home of his friend Doug Brehm--who also appeared
as one of the plumbers, and Roseann (Lou's Mom) Tambone's house. |
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| Frank Usamanont: Lou and
Jeff were great directors! I mean, they knew exactly what they
were looking for. Everything was well coordinated and done perfectly.
My favorite part was the bathroom scene. I had the pleasure
of dunking Johnny's head into the toilet repeatedly while laughing
my head off. Good thing it's a silent picture or else there
would have been many, many takes... and poor Johnny! |
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| More To Come... |
