Lots of friends are interested in how filming for Fanboys went, so I'll let you know.



First, a quick recap:

I made this video for "The Ultimate Fanboys Contest." I won the contest. I didn't hear from anyone for a month and a half until  Friday November 30th when I got a call from Jennie (the second AD) @ 7:00pm telling me filming was starting tomorrow morning. That's cool...except that I live in Spokane WA and filming is happening in Los Angeles - about 1,500 miles away. Well I got a flight out the next morning and met up with my awesome friend Crystal.

Day One:

My first day of filming was on Sunday. I got put in a really cheap Jedi costume, which I guess is good since I was playing a Star Wars fan. Crystal and I had to sit around for a few hours with the other extras who tried to impress us with card tricks. At this point I was thinking this was super lame and not really worth the effort.

But soon Jennie met up with us and showed us around the set. She introduced us to many of the crew members who were really nice. We got to hang out on the set and watch the filming of a scene where all 5 of the stars are hanging out in the iconic Star Wars van. This was the first moment were I really felt like I was doing something worthy of my trip.



After this Crystal and I got to go into the room which was the set for a certain film director's office. Obi-Shawn was there (with his H-wing) supplying many toys, statues, and costumes for props.



We then introduced ourselves to all of the actors who were very cool. Unfortunately I accidentally washed my hands after touching Kristen Bell. After an awesome lunch we finally got to film the theater scene. Crystal and I ended up sitting directly behind Sam, Chris, and Dan. I even got an up-close view of Kristen in the Slave Leia outfit. Even though she had hot pants on underneath it will always be a treasured memory in my spank bank.



On one of the takes Dan looked back at me and said "This guys rubbing himself!", which I in fact was. I guess that is how I act excited for Episode 1, by rubbing my thigh vigorously.

Day Two

I only had to wait around for a couple of hours this time. Luckily I had my Nintendo DS and Lego Star Wars with me. I was in the Jedi costume again, this time standing on the sidewalk dueling with another fan.



After this scene Crystal showed up with Charlemagne the French Bull Dog and we hung out for the last 1st unit shot of the movie. Everyone on set was in love with Charlemagne so we had lots of fun. At one point the director was playing with him and not evening paying attention to the scene rolling.



It was interesting to see all of the different takes of this key scene. The character Linus storms away from Eric after an intense argument about the importance of Star Wars, which is essentially about them losing touch as friends. Linus (Chirs Marquette) kept on riffing on different Bossk trivia as an attempt to insult Eric (Sam Huntington). This film is definitely for the fans if there's Bossk references!



Filming wrapped and I felt like I had experienced a small piece of Star Wars history. I really believe that this movie is going to become as essential to Star Wars fandom as the actual Star Wars films themselves.

I had a great time, with only a few minor complaints. Kyle Newman wasn't there, Steven Brill (who is an awesome guy) directed all of the re-shoot stuff. Not a big deal, but Kyle is definitely a true Star Wars nerd and it would have been great to talk to him.

My main gripe is basically due to the fact that I am a poor bastard. Basically I paid 2 weeks of wages (underpaid youth counselor) to go down to Los Angels and volunteer to do something that other people were getting paid to do! If I was part of the Screen Actors Guild I would have actually been getting paid to be an extra. But nope, I got to pay for the privilege! I also had a bit of hope that I would get a better role than just being an extra. The contest was just to for a background part, but there were some rumblings that it might be a slightly larger role.

As a humble nerd I am honored to be a part of Fanboys. As a contest winner I felt a little ripped off. But overall I am ecstatic to have been a part of this and would definitely blow all of my Christmas money again if I had to do it over. I just wish I could have been wearing a Fetts shirt on screen. But hey, maybe there's a Fetts sticker on the van now...



Fanboys has been pushed back yet again. Expect it in the Spring or early summer hopefully. Also my video is supposed to be on the DVD. Maybe I can push for them to record a Fan commentary with me and others from the fan community (Force-Cast anyone?)



Being held by you isn't quite enough to get me excited,

Rob Paine