On Set Report:

Monday, March 26, 2001
Cryptic call

I got a call from Glen at Central Casting regarding my availability for an interview the next day for a movie (as "usual" the title and relevant information was not revealed), as well as my availability (if booked) for an April 10th shoot.

As always I arrived for the interview (as I would for a shoot), about a half-hour early. A pleasant surprise: pleasant Jim Goldthwait was running things! I had had the honour of working for Jim twice before: first for the feature comedy Dude, Where's My Car?, and then for an episode of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
Jim indicated he should check out my site's Dude page again, and he requested I say hello to Michael Beardsley for him.

Apparently in this comedy (then still) titled Say Uncle, I would be one of numerous grooms in a montage of Failed Marriages of one of the female characters. The distinction this time being, my character actually would have a name: Mr. Leon.

We were informed the director as being actor (and Kids in the Hall alumnus) Bruce McColloch.
We were brought in two and three at a time. I went in with a rival actor (up for the same role), with the distinctive if-I-had-a-name-like-that-I'd-change-it surname of Flunk (or Phlunk). Flunk has a distinctly different look than I (slightly older, definitely taller and balder), but as it was indicated through Jim that Mr. Leon would be made-up to be rather... flamboyant... I wasn't sure with which route they'd want to go.

Very affable, Bruce put us at ease making jokes about his hair being a Shatner-esque wig. He inquired as to the Most Fun [Acting] Job on which each of us had worked.

"I'd say probably Dude, Where's My Car?," I figured. "They had us wearing Speedo's and Bubble-Wrap Jumpsuits."
"Whoa," he realized with the faintest hint of a chuckle. "You'll do just about anything..."

I hoped such a comment was a good sign...

Bruce indicated there was a "lot of work" (implying, I would think, if one of us didn't get the Mr. Leon role, that that actor could yet be booked as background or such).
Back outside, Jim signed us out.

Friday, March 30 2001
Booked; wardrobe fitting scheduled

I came home from my day job to two messages on my machine: one from Steve at Central that I had been selected to play Mr. Leon, and asking for me to call to arrange a wardrobe fitting.
The second call was from Joyce Cogan (doing the film's wardrobe).
I left a message on Steve's voicemail confirming I got his message, and that I'd heard from and would call back Joyce.
Joyce verified my measurements and we arranged my wardrobe fitting for Tuesday April 3rd. She indicated the flamboyant nature of Mr. Leon that the outfit would be "Prince-like," (not to be confused with royalty: we're talkin' the Artist now known again as Prince, formerly known as The Artist Formerly Known As Prince...).
Of course when I hear words like "flamboyant" and "ruffled shirt" in the same sentence, my mind goes to Jon Pertwee as Doctor Who...

Tuesday, April 03, 2001
Wardrobe fitting

I got to the fitting where I met wardrobe coordinator Joyce Cogan. It was narrowed down to two outfits: one had ivory pants and an aqua/cyan ruffled shirt and same-colour jacket, the other was brown leopard-like pattern with amber coloured beads. They preferred the aqua/cyan outfit, but were aware that Bruce may want the brown one.

Monday, April 09, 2001
EIDC and deducing the location

The other day at the Orlando Jones 7Up Race Car commercial on which I worked, I met an background artist who put me onto the EIDC online at which one can see what films are being done On Location (as, to film, they need permits).

Note: the EIDC site no longer carries this helpful function.

Tuesday, April 10, 2001
Location and make-up

Via the #210 bus I arrived at Wilshire and Plymouth at 10:40am. At base camp I was taken to make-up where I was worked on by Dave.
At one point, co-star Megan Mullally came in for a slight touch-up for the scene she was doing (one of the weddings) in the church. Just as lovely in person, she pleasantly introduced herself to me and was pleased to learn I was her Mr. Leon.
Dave was working on me diligently, and as Megan went to leave she admired the make-up done on me thus far and, tapping my shoulder, told me she'd see me in a bit.

I figure it took about 50 minutes for the entire make-up, and flamboyant it was! Apart from the facial make-up, I was given huge false eyelashes and heavy eye make-up.
One of the ladies began to work on my hair, and while I indicated my having been told I'd be in a wig, they concurred just using my own hair should be (comically) sufficient.
I was brought to wardrobe but before I could be provided my duds, the call came in for me to return to make-up so Bruce could look over the work.
He liked it, and made a few humourous suggestions about the hair, specifically a possible spit-curl (which he called a stud-curl, jokingly referring to his own hair). Megan was back in her own make-up chair, being made up for the new (her and my) wedding scene. After Bruce left, Megan mischievously conveyed how at one time she had a small crush on Bruce (strangely enough, particularly when he was in drag), when he was still doing Kids in the Hall...

Lunch was called, and the lady who worked on my hair walked me over to the line to make sure I was fed.
Megan walked by me and, both impressed with and startled by the make-up, laughed aloud, "Oh my god...!"

I got some steak but found that the containers with soda had been moved from where I'd found it earlier.
Still in my civilian clothes, I went to one of the caterers to ask to where the soda container had been moved. For a moment he was quite taken aback at my face, but he was able to track down for me the soda.
I went inside and ate with J.B., the fellow I'd met at the wardrobe fitting the previous week (who'd be in my "wedding party," referred to as Velvet Man, due to his deep purple velvet vest).
J.B. was feeling a little put-out that he'd been shuffled to the "common extras" food line.

Prior to my being made up, I'd managed to get in a slight nap, but as lunch began to wind down, everyone began packing up for the Big Move, indeed, to Dockweiler Beach to the west of LAX.
I was rushed through wardrobe (surprisingly I was not asked for my voucher, which usually is standard procedure). I changed, and hastened onto the bus. The bus ride to the location took about 45 minutes.

Once there, I was taken directly to set. That is, right on the sand where they'd set up. Nothing fancy: just standing there.
I stood in with the two stand-ins (one for Megan, another for the priest), but the efficient tech crew was nearly ready for picture anyway. Megan was brought in, looking radiant in a low-cut wedding dress and a medium-length curly wig with a small flower wreath; sort of an Ophilia look (as I indicated at one point). She easily could have worn it as a wedding dress at a Renaissance Festival.

After a few rehearsal passes they were ready for filming. I noticed in the distant background was the Department of Water and Power, its two slightly ugly chimneys rounding out the surreal nature of the scene.
The priest has her doing her vows: "I, Patty..."
Megan: "I, Patty..."
Priest: "Take this man, Mr. Leon..."
Megan: "Take this man, Mr. Leon..."
And essentially... that is my part of the movie.

I forget if it was during a rehearsal or during the first take, but Megan began to add stretching forth her hand to me as she began her vows.
Bruce liked the move, and had me mirror it.
So Megan's hand comes up, and my hand meets hers, palm to palm. (I would use a variation on this move for the UCLA student film Pathos, in which I starred.)
Bruce suggested to Megan helpfully, "Think of it as a... bird... hitting a window..." It made for an amusing romantic moment.

Megan suggested tears of happiness, so between takes Dave came over and gave her from each eye a glycerin tear.

Bruce McColloch is one of the best directors with whom I've worked. While efficient, professional and knowing what he wants, he was always pleasant and amusing, making little quips with his suggestions. As I stood there with my flamboyant make-up, at one point he mentioned I'd been chosen for my "manliness."
After one take he indicating liking the timing of my "moment," and suggested how to look even snootier, as it were.
After that he pointed out I was "perfect."

Megan and Bruce allowed a photo or two with me, and at one point Megan noticed Bruce's dog, a good looking white standard poodle named Lulu, was at the set.
Megan asked Bruce if Lulu could somehow be placed in the scene.
"No," he said to her gently with mock somberness. "She'd just f--k it up somehow and I'd have to start hating her quietly..."

The gate was checked and everything was wrapped for the day. We got back to the church at 5:00pm. Another pleasant addition; the next day I noticed that in the "adjustments" area of my voucher the A.D. signing me out added "+$25" without telling me she'd done it, nor did she note on the voucher as to why it was added. I do not know if it was a make-up bump or the fact I was "so featured" or what.