Author Topic: Coolest thing I've done thus far. (Read 1500 times)

The Fake Shemp · « **on:** August 06, 2009, 10:15:56 PM »

So, a friend of my buddies (who is trying to hop on board the project I'm involved with as a writer) invited all of us to a table reading of The Simpsons this morning. Naturally, as a fan of the show (as is everyone in our age demographic), I jumped at the opportunity. Even though it meant sitting in Los Angeles traffic for an hour, it was totally worth it.

Oddly enough, they were also taping Bones and casting House in the same building that day, so I got to cut off David Boreanaz at the craft services table for a bagel. This Jew bows to no one.

We scuttled into the room and had to wait for everyone - except Julie Kravner, who did the reading from home (over an intercom). Al Jean was the last person we waited for. While we killed time, Nancy Cartwright came over and introduced herself. After I found out that we could keep our scripts, Nancy autographed it and shot it up for a bit. It's kind of odd to talk to the person who voices one of your favorite childhood characters.

Then the reading began. The script was okay - I felt it was flat in a lot of places. There was really only one memorable bit and a couple of awkward lines that the cast recognized and improvised over.

Afterwards, Dan Castellaneta begrudgingly signed our scripts. He, like Harry Shearer and Yeardley Smith, just wanted to get the fuck out. He did not seem too friendly.

Hank Azaria, was the nicest fucking guy on the planet. He pranked called a friend on this intern's phone. He was extremely jazzed, in a room full of people that seemed bored, and was very approachable. Just a really cool guy and just shot the shit. He was also the only person I saw wearing a backpack.

I wandered around the Fox lot for a couple of hours and snapped a few quick shots. Here are a couple I can show - the second one is for ManaByte.

Oblivion · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:18:45 PM »

I met one of the producers and the composer.

willco annihilated

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:19:22 PM »

I met like, all of the producers! The person that invited us is an assistant for one!

demi · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:19:37 PM »

Sweet now you can sell it and buy me that present you owe me thanks

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:22:18 PM »

Quote from: Genghis Cohen on August 06, 2009, 10:19:31 PM

I can see being murderous if i did voice work for the Simpsons. Imagine if every asshole you met wanted you to such-and-such voice. You'd need a Muckhole style sex pit to keep sane.

Nobody did that, except that one guy that wanted Azaria to call his friend with the Moe voice. He did it happily - it was pretty funny.

Quote

Did they read in voices?

Yeah, it's still weird hearing Homer out of Castellaneta's mouth - you never expect a voice like that out of that guy.

The Simpsons, as far as I can tell, seem isolated on the Fox lot in terms of productions. They have their own separate area and everything.

Bildi · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:27:44 PM »

That IS pretty cool. I can imagine Hank Azaria being a fun dude - do you remember which characters he was voicing at this reading?

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:32:30 PM »

Azaria actually had a lot of lines - it was a Moe centric episode that also starred Apu. He also did a Cletus voice, a sailor voice and something else.

I referred to him as Mr. Azaria and he quickly corrected me on that.

Bildi · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:35:54 PM »

Wow, that's some bang for your buck.

He sounds awesome.

Dickie Dee · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:50:07 PM »

That is pretty awesome, must've been a weird mindfuck though

muckhole · « **Reply #9 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:54:37 PM »

Very, very cool, Willco. It's a shame that Harry Shearer was in such a rush, he's the one (for me at least) that I'd be most interested in talking to.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #10 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:56:30 PM »

I was told he is actually rarely in person for the table readings - he kind of has his own schedule. I saw him on the lot later, but I didn't want to hassle him.

muckhole · « **Reply #11 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:01:57 PM »

That's too bad. I guess it was lucky he was there at all, then.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #12 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:05:23 PM »

Yeah, we were told initially not to expect him, especially with all the Spinal Tap stuff he has been doing as of late.

Kestastrophe · « **Reply #13 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:38:02 PM »

How buff does Hank look irl?

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #14 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:41:16 PM »

Dude is in good shape and so nice. I can't get over that - usually most folks in Hollywood are jaded and apathetic at best. But Azaria was a really cool guy, so much so that everyone involved in the project I'm writing for wants to eventually reach out to him. We all walked away with a mancrush.

He also was sporting a backpack, so we laughed that he probably bikes to work or something.

etiolate · « **Reply #15 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:59:51 PM »

hank azaria is awesome in The Birdcage

Van Cruncheon · « **Reply #16 on:** August 07, 2009, 03:04:41 AM »

who has the best tasting cock/clit, or in the case of yeardley smith, clitcock

also are you a scientologist now

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #17 on:** August 07, 2009, 03:05:49 AM »

Hank Azaria.

For a Scientologist, Nancy Cartwright was surprisingly normal. Maybe it was all a ruse!

Brehvolution · « **Reply #18 on:** August 07, 2009, 09:51:53 AM »

That is really cool, willco.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #19 on:** August 07, 2009, 01:15:12 PM »

No, working on a project.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #20 on:** August 07, 2009, 01:25:47 PM »

Yeah, I lived out here before. It's always tough. I mean, I'm crashing on the floor of my pals' apartment, churning out drafts and meeting folks. The good news is that the promo they shot for this project sounds like it will be ace. It's in the process of being edited and right now they're looking at composers to score it, but the stills I saw from the DP looked pretty swank.

If they can sell it, then I get to be on set for about three months. That'll be fun.

demi · « **Reply #21 on:** August 07, 2009, 02:37:34 PM »

Shut up Willco and fail already.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #22 on:** August 07, 2009, 02:40:15 PM »

Quote from: Willco on August 07, 2009, 03:05:49 AM

For a Scientologist, Nancy Cartwright was surprisingly normal. Maybe it was all a ruse!

That's how they reel you in.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #23 on:** August 07, 2009, 03:57:02 PM »

There is a secret, underground war between Jews and Scientologists. It's like, we're inside the Matrix and there's this battle between people who believe in the development and protection of a Jewish nation and Agents that we are unaware of.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #24 on:** August 07, 2009, 03:58:42 PM »

God, I hope you Jews kick their asses. Let me know if a retired-Catholic Psychologist (I'm probably public enemy number one in the eyes of the Church of Scientology) can assist in any way.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #25 on:** August 07, 2009, 04:45:24 PM »

Uncle Hollywood needs you!

... I actually went to a screening with a few Scientologists. There is an undeniable, lingering sense as if they feel that they are better than you. Kind of like, they pity us "normal folks" all the time.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #26 on:** August 07, 2009, 04:55:33 PM »

I've never met a Scientologist, at least not that I know of. I wonder what they'd think of me if they knew what I did?

demi · « **Reply #27 on:** August 07, 2009, 04:56:05 PM »

Will says:
But when I'm rich
I can fly you out to Nick Frost premieres
Thomas says:
is that like codeword for gay sex or something
im not sure i follow
Will says:
Codeword for awesome times
Thomas says:
prole was right you are a scieno

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #28 on:** August 07, 2009, 05:01:25 PM »

I was at a flea market in Texas once and I saw this huge yellow tent. Upon closer inspection, I saw that it was a Scientology tent. I quickly left before anyone there noticed me and attacked me with their thetans.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #29 on:** August 07, 2009, 05:45:43 PM »

There's a Scientology "church" in Seattle right off SR-99 close to the Seattle Center. I drive by it on my way home from work. There used to be an office in Bellevue near the Microsoft campus, but they closed up a couple years ago. Not sure where they went...

They have tables set up at the Farmer's Markets in Seattle, but everyone steers clear of them.

Diunx · « **Reply #30 on:** August 07, 2009, 05:59:52 PM »

The only name I recognize is Hank Azaria, NOT IMPRESSED.

chronovore · « **Reply #31 on:** August 08, 2009, 04:48:55 PM »

Quote from: Willco on August 07, 2009, 03:57:02 PM

There is a secret, underground war between Jews and Scientologists. It's like, we're inside the Matrix and there's this battle between people who believe in the development and protection of a Jewish nation and Agents that we are unaware of.

I thought the Agents were Mormons. :straightface

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #32 on:** August 08, 2009, 04:53:49 PM »

The Mormons have signed a treaty with the Jews, which is why we're letting them into politics and other powerful segments of society. They will assist in our fight against the Scientologists - who have begun bizarre rituals to summon the Great Old Ones.

Barry Egan · « **Reply #33 on:** August 08, 2009, 05:31:31 PM »

Should you really be giving the plot to your project away like this before its even been sold Willco?

Would see btw.

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #34 on:** August 08, 2009, 05:44:47 PM »

Haha, I would never work in Hollywood again if that was the actual project I'm working on.

A few Icons have seen stills from the promo, and I must say, the project looks ace. I asked one of the producers if he'd do a Scientology satire with me, which is something we both were pretty gung-ho about a few years ago when we had no prospects, but now that he has actual career potential - it's a no go. :'(

ManaByte · « **Reply #35 on:** August 08, 2009, 05:48:19 PM »

Did you go into the Nakatomi building while there?

The Fake Shemp · « **Reply #36 on:** August 08, 2009, 05:57:22 PM »

Nah, but I hummed the Die Hard score when I saw it.

We wandered around the backlot mostly. My friends, who are producing this project, were talking to some acquaintances and folks about shooting on the backlot. That seems like it'll be the only feasible way to shoot in Los Angeles.

And we hung around The Simpsons bungalow. Right across the production offices, there is a building that looks like a motel and that's where the Simpsons writers are.

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Author Topic: Coolest thing I've done thus far. (Read 1500 times)