September 28, 2005

Quite Possibly, the only place you are likely to EVER see--

--the proper nouns "Hollywood," "National Lampoon," and "Trussville" in the same place:

Area natives co-producing latest National Lampoon movie

Two Birmingham producers are doing their part to bring Tinsel Town to the Magic City.

Jonathan Barbee and Steven Gurley, natives of Trussville and Mountain Brook, respectively, are currently in Hollywood and serving as co-executive producers for National Lampoon's next box office release, "Cattle Call." The romantic comedy wrapped production Sept. 3.

Barbee and Gurley, of Media Works Communications in Birmingham, produced local and regional television programs, films, and commercials before seeking big-screen opportunities.

"It's a whole different world of filmmaking here in Hollywood, and we are excited to have National Lampoon behind this film," Barbee says. "This is a great opportunity for us, but it's an even bigger one for Birmingham and the state of Alabama." [...]

"A lot of filmmakers try to make movies in Alabama and bring the film industry here. We've learned that you have to first prove yourselves in Hollywood with a successful film, and then Hollywood will follow you back to Alabama," Gurley says. [...]

Makes sense to me. I suppose that's why the movie treatment for Possumblog: Silver Screen Hijinx is still languishing.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at September 28, 2005 10:23 AM
Comments

"Possumblog: Silver Screen Hijinx" - would that be a romantic comedy too?

Watch Possumblogger and Miss Reba travelling along the Pinchgut Parkway together, trading witty banter as they carpool, trying to get to work on time.

Posted by: MarcV at September 28, 2005 11:47 AM

Actually, Possumblog: Silver Screen Hijinx is an action comedy drama somewhat like a cross between Hudson Hawk and Ishtar, with a light romantic edge akin to Weekend at Bernie's and Porky's II, which follows a very handsome young man in his quest to gain notoriety and fame by visiting Hollywood in an effort to have his blog made into a movie, with the money he makes to be used to build a home for orphan Volvos. Along the way, he is kidnapped by a group of young female terrorists who dress up like UCLA cheerleaders, and he has to escape and warn the authorities AND try to make the big meeting in Hollywood with the producers he's pitching his movie to.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at September 28, 2005 11:58 AM

Hmph, not very realistic.

If they're going to be female terrorists, then you would expect them to be 'Bama cheerleaders. Unless it's cheaper to get UCLA cheerleaders since they're just around the corner from Hollywood.
[How thick would the Southern accent of the VHYM be (Foghorn Leghornish?), and what actor would you pick for the VHYM?]

Posted by: MarcV at September 28, 2005 02:16 PM

Oooh, I just thought of the (almost) perfect lead, the butcher of linguistic interpretation, Kevin Costner. He's a tad too old, even with makeup, to portray a VHYM.

I'm chuckling just thinking of Kev doing a Foghorn Leghorn impression.

Posted by: MarcV at September 28, 2005 02:20 PM

Maybe you could have him do a cameo where he could recite a few lines of Shakespeare in Foghorn-Leghornese:
I say, I say there boy, alas poor Bubba, I knowed him well.

[All right, I'll stop now and maybe get something useful done.]

Posted by: MarcV at September 28, 2005 02:23 PM

Realistic? Where'd that come from?!

And obviously, I'm the only one who can play me. What with Junior Samples having passed on and all.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at September 28, 2005 02:26 PM