[Britt Karl]

Britt Karl; Clerks, by Kevin Smith

Without COVID, "the party pooper", there's more freedom to write scenes as the writer wishes, and make many more interesting choices. Also, without COVID (the party-pooper), the team can have as many cast and crew on set as needed for any project. Lastly, without COVID, the ruin-er of fun, the filmmaking process can move ahead much more quickly!
I learned that during C*%#D, filmmakers had to slow down and take more time with the whole filming process.

I also discovered that re-blocking each scene in Clerks, could have helped many scenes become more interesting, because it could have created more interesting layers and undertones for many scenes in this movie. Especially between Dante and his girlfriends while conversing and flirting in the store. It could have created a richer, funnier, and more memorable experience for the audience.
I also would have cut the movie down to 90-ish minutes running time. I would edit it tighter. Too much could have been cut shorter or out all together. (see my comment below).
Thank you!
Britt Karl

Assignment#1: Before Covid and during Covid – Contained Movie Assignment

*Title: Clerks, 1994, by Kevin Smith; Running Time: 1 hr 42m
*As they did it –

A.) Main Cast: Kevin Smith as Silent Bob; Jeff Anderson as Randall Graves; Jason Mewes as Jay; Brian O'Halloran as Dante Hicks; Marylin Ghigliotti as Veronica; Lisa Spoonauer as Caitlin Bree.

B.) Stunts: Performed by Main Cast and Featured Extras. (eg. Hockey game).

C.) Featured Extras: Scott Mosier as Angry Mourner #1; Trevor Fehrman as Elias; Walt Flanagan as The Egg Man; Ben Affleck as Gawking Guy, Jennifer Schwalbach as Emma; Scott Schiaffo as the Chewlies Rep; Ernest O'Donnell as the Trainer; David Klein as Hunting Cap Guy; John Henry Westhead as Olaf the Russian; Ed Hapstak as Sanford; Mitch Cohen as Leaner Against Wall, Al Berowitz as Old Man; Frances Cresci as Little Smoking Girl; Virginia Smith as Caged Animal; Joey Lauren Adams as Alyssa Jones; Justin Long (no character credit given); Ethan Suplee as Teen #2.

D.) Wardrobe: None Listed. Regular Street Clothes for 1994. Most of the cast probably wore their own street clothes for that time period, as this was a low budget movie.

E.) Hair and Make Up: Leslie Hope

F.) Kids and Animals: Frances Cresci – as Little Smoking Girl

G.) Quarantine: None

COVID VERSION –

A.) Main Cast: Kevin Smith as Silent Bob; Jeff Anderson as Randall Graves; Jason Mewes as Jay; Brian O'Halloran as Dante Hicks; Marylin Ghigliotti as Veronica; Lisa Spoonauer as Caitlin Bree. I would keep the main cast, as many of them only appear outside, where it's easy to social distance. I also believe that many of the scenes would have found different directing layers and acting choices if filmed with more space between actors inside the convenience and video stores. This would have added to the dynamics to the movie and it would have aged better than it did. It seems rather flat, 30 years later, and some of the jokes don't work anymore. Cut some of the scenes that no longer work, like the little girl with the cigarrette.

B.) I would get rid of all but one of the stunts. Keep hockey players skating around and running into Dante with a Mid-Shot. They can have masks and gloves under the hockey masks and gloves, which should provided plenty of protection during a short shots.

C.) Featured Extras: Way too many Extras for COVID. and many of their aren't funny anymore, like the little smoking girl. Many of them will still work, as the extras are being filmed facing the camera. No other actors in the room. All systems could be pre-set and remote camera could be used.
Scott Mosier as Angry Mourner #1; Trevor Fehrman as Elias; Walt Flanagan as The Egg Man; Ben Affleck as Gawking Guy, Jennifer Schwalbach as Emma; Scott Schiaffo as the Chewlies Rep; Ernest O'Donnell as the Trainer; David Klein as Hunting Cap Guy; John Henry Westhead as Olaf the Russian; Ed Hapstak as Sanford; Mitch Cohen as Leaner Against Wall, Al Berowitz as Old Man; Frances Cresci as Little Smoking Girl; Virginia Smith as Caged Animal; Joey Lauren Adams as Alyssa Jones; Justin Long (no character credit given); Ethan Suplee as Teen #2.

D.) Wardrobe: All Wardrobe would need to be supplied by movie company. Cleaned at a separate location and given to actors in plastic while on set. Returned and appropriately taken care of when they leave.

E.)Hair and MakeUp: Leslie Jones. She will be able to hire a few extra professionals to assist her per every 6 clients per day. Also, actors go to same hair and makeup everyday.

F.) Kids and Animals: None. Little girl taken out of movie.

G.) Quarantine: Removing all physical fighting stunts, except for hockey scene (see Stunts above). Reduce extras. Shooting more exterior scenes or at more physical distance for interior shots.
FIN

• This reply was modified 9 months, 4 weeks ago by  Britt Karl.