Posts Tagged ‘Fever Pitch’

Valentine’s Day is here and regardless of whether you like the holiday, it still gives you the perfect excuse to enjoy a romantic comedy or two.

There are a couple of romantic comedies at the box office this weekend (like the star-studded Valentine’s Day or last week’s number one film at the box office, Dear John. If you’re looking for a lovely night at home, however, why not try one of these classic romance flics that were filmed right here in Hollywood East?

Fever Pitch

Perfect for sports fans who want to relive the Red Sox’s historic 2004 World Series win while also getting a good dose of romance.  Made by Rhode Island natives Kevin and Bobby Farrelly, this movie deals with the sacrifices a Boston Red Sox super fan (Jimmy Fallon) has to make in order to be with his new girlfriend (Drew Barrymore).

Bride Wars

Best for those who want to forget about their boyfriend (or lack thereof) on Valentine’s Day, last year’s Bride Wars (filmed in Massachusetts) features Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway fighting over everything from their wedding date to their dress.

Away We Go

High-minded couples or fans of quirk will dig this 2009 movie filmed in Connecticut starring Maya Rudolph and Massachusetts native John Krasinski.  The film chronicles a thirtysomething couple searching for a new home where they can raise their new child.

There’s Something About Mary

Another Farrelly brothers movie on the list, this 1998 film shot in Rhode Island is best for those who enjoy dark and gross out humor.  This film follows Ted (played by Ben Stiller), a onetime geek in high school, who tries to reunite with his old prom date, Mary (Cameron Diaz).  The only problem is that everyone else she meets wants to date her too.

Some honorable mentions include last year’s The Proposal (filmed in Massachusetts), 27 Dresses (made in Rhode Island) and Mr. Deeds (Connecticut).  For more on movies filmed in New England, check out our “Movies in New England” section and if you’d like to buy any of these DVDs for that special someone, be sure to do it at our Amazon store, where a percentage of the proceeds goes toward the May Institute.

What’s you favorite Hollywood East romance flic?

Woburn, MA resident William Malcolm has played a baseball fan in Fever Pitch, a photographer in The Game Plan, a professor in 21, a shopper in Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and a doctor in a mysterious Japanese documentary. You might also spot him in See Kate Run, “Empire State,” or the new Diet Pepsi commercial. No, Malcolm isn’t an A-list celeb; he’s just having fun as an extra in Hollywood East.

HEC: How did you get started as a film and television extra?

It all started in October of 2004. A friend of mine asked me if I wanted to go to a casting. I thought we were going up to Gloucester to see this big statue being cast. We started heading to Allston, and I said, “Gee, I didn’t know there was a foundry in Allston,” at which point he explained that we were going to a movie casting. We went to Boston Casting for the Fever Pitch open call. That’s how I got my start.

HEC: Did you have any training or education in acting?

I didn’t have any training or acting education. I’ve learned a lot on the job though. You really just have to listen to the crew and do what you’re told. On the set of Fever Pitch, they picked me and an older woman to walk as a couple close to Drew Barrymore. I walked through the scene too quickly, and the director said, “Do you want to be in this movie? Just relax. Enjoy it.” I did just that.

HEC: What are the best and worst parts of being a movie extra?

The most trying part of the job is the waiting around. Call time may be at 5:30 in the morning, but things usually don’t start happening until 9:30 or 10am. At that point, there’s this huge flurry of activity. My social calendar isn’t very busy, and I’m three-quarters retired from my job as an employee assistant professional, so I have the hours to spare.

I would say that the best part of the job is just connecting with other people during all the waiting around. You encounter a tremendous cross-section of people on the job, people from all walks of life.

HEC: Any advice for people trying to break into the biz as an extra?

Don’t stand out too much. I have white hair and a white beard, so I stick out like a sore thumb. I usually don’t get into a lot of scenes because the people in charge of film continuity come in and kick me out. A lot of extras get away with changing their wardrobes, but it’s hard to “recycle” me. Kevin Spacey kept walking by in this particular scene in 21, and I had to be moved out. Everyone was in dark clothes, but I just sort of glowed. I was moved down the street into the out-of-focus section.

But seriously, if you’re really interested in getting work, sign on with a couple of different agencies, Boston Casting is really good, and I’ve gotten a few jobs with C.P. Casting and through Billy Dowd.

And don’t be pushy. The crew is always very helpful, but it’s easy to get frustrated and upset during the long work days. You just sort of have to roll with the punches to make it easy on yourself and everyone else. Your not going to be supplementing a 401k with this deal, so you may as well enjoy it.

HEC: What has been your most memorable experience thus far?

It was really fun working so close to the principal actors in Fever Pitch. While I was chatting with Drew Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon was bouncing toward us through the crowd. He immediately introduced himself, “I’m Jimmy!” I said, “Yeah, I know.” Drew turned to me and said, “It’s difficult working with someone who’s so depressed all the time.”

HEC: Do you have dreams of making it big in the movie biz?

At my age, unless there’s a big upswing in Flowmax or Depends commercials, I don’t have a bright future in acting. For me it’s really not a job; it’s a hobby. You can definitely make a job out of it, but I don’t want to do that. I’m just having a good time doing a local gig every once in a while.

It’s winter in New England, so why not cozy up to your favorite flick?  Even better–why not watch a movie that was filmed here and savor some familiar scenes?  Hollywood East Connection has the only list of feature films that were shot in New England for your convenience.  Simply go to our Movies In New England page and click on a state to see a list of movies filmed in that state. Here’s a refresher as well as some of our favorites:

Warm up with beach scenes from the classic thriller Jaws. Or, for a bit of comic relief, watch the hilarious Kevin James in Paul Blart: Mall Cop, which was filmed at the Burlington mall.  For Red Sox fanatics, check out Drew Barrymore in Fever Pitch. Vermont residents may recognize scenes of Burlington in Me, Myself & Irene or catch Tobey Maguire in The Cider House Rules.  Our resident Mainer’s can always rely on a good Stephen King flick such as the Storm of the Century, Pet Cemetary, and The Stand.  Robin Williams visited the Granite state in the family action classic Jumangi.  And to see scenes of Connecticut, enjoy the classic remakes Yours, Mine and Ours or The Stepford Wives. Last but not least, Providence, Rhode Island was the location for several scenes in one of Ben Stiller’s first comedies There’s Something About Mary.  Watch this recut trailer and see Ben at his best:

So grab a hot toddy and cuddle up to watch one of these movie classics. Remember–buy any of these at our Amazon Affiliate store and we’ll donate 2% to The May Institute.  For a complete list of movies made throughout New England, refer to the Movies In New England page of our website.  We told you some of our favorites and now we’d love to hear some of yours!

Enjoy and have a safe and happy holiday season!

On May 1, New Line Cinema released its new romantic comedy, “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”, starring Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner. Filming for the flick took place from February 19, 2008 to July 2008 in Boston. Locations in and around Beantown that were used in production include the Leather District, South End, Saint nightclub on Exeter Street, Newton, Wellesley, Hingham, Needham, sound stages in Chelsea, and the Crane Estate on Castle Hill in Ipswich. The Newbury Street eatery, Sonsie, might want to think about applying for a SAG card; in addition to being used for scenes in GoGP the restaurant was also used for filming in the Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore romantic comedy, “Fever Pitch” in 2004. Similar to “The Women”, GoGP is set in New York City, despite being filmed entirely in Sox-land.

The film follows McConaughey’s character as a womanizing, celebrity photographer who finds his feelings for his first love (Garner) reignited at his brother’s wedding. Despite his perpetual bachelorhood habits, McConaughey’s cad realizes the errors of his former indiscretions through a “spiritual” journey of bygone relationships, escorted by a ghostly girlfriend of the past, present, and future, as well as his deceased, lady-killing, Uncle Wayne, played by Michael Douglas.