Pt. II

Come to think of it, we went to the make up dept. before costumes....
Anyway, after costumes, we headed over to the set. They had converted an old furniture factory into a really cool ad agency. Equipment was one the ground floor & the 2nd floor was the 'Four Dots' advertising agency proper. There were maybe 8 cubicles, a conference room (most of the photos) & a large common area. The Conference room was raised above all - large steps led to it.










Above: Josh Cooke, Greg Grunberg & Larry Stahoviak.
This is what it looked like from where I sat, during my cameo. These guys were all very professional & Hard working but they were joking quite a bit too.

I was surprised to see my paintings in the conference room...one was an old D & D sketch & the very small (12" x 12"?) 'Strife' painting, blown up very large. (directly behind Greg's head). Collection of Ben Kline. 'Robot R & R', behind Josh Cooke, is owned by Sue Koopman.
The 2 sketches, just to the left of Greg are still available, to anyone interested:)

There was another building that was converted into the loft where our heroes 'lived'.
What a nice place! New kitchen, basketball court with a huge, old billboard, living room, drum kit, ect.



Apparently, 'the Group' was filmed in a bunch of other places around L.A. Other actors in the movie: Henry Winkler, Tom Arnold, Rob Benedict, Kim Whitley, Lisa Lampanelli, Katherine Narducci and Lombardo Boyar.

The lunch was really great, (steak, potatoes, & salad). I ate with the cinematographer & some of the crew. He told me about the time he went to the top of the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, to shoot some film of the city. It turned out impossible, due to very strong vibration up there. (They ended up filming from a plane).

After lunch, I observed many takes of various scenes, an then it was my turn (gulp). It turns out that no body wants you to talk, if you don't have a SAG card - I didn't know that. So, I would have to communicate my thoughts through facial expression only! I can't go into much detail, but it was a surreal experience. They said I did a great job though!

I'm not sure who the standing man is, but to my right is Kurt Fuller , A very funny guy, with a long list of accomplishments & Greg Germann ; equally talented & funny.

Random shots:

In the right corner with the hat is director Lawrence Trilling.



Danny Divito's father in-law, Phil Perlman was in this shot (2nd from left).


To the left of the yellow painting in the back (The Offering) is one of two new paintings I did for the film. (I had to hide it). Yet another good reason to see the film - see 2 new painting of mine!


Some of my paintings were playing as animations on big LCD monitors (black frames on center, right), courtesy Happy Trails Animation of Portland, OR.




I was surprised to be informed that they needed to film my hand drawing some pictures for 'inserts' in the film. One of the workers in charge of the shot whispered that i draw something very obnoxious for a joke & I would have, but the set up took a while & I had a plane to catch.

So that was it! by then it was dark out...I stepped out the door, & all the other actors were doing a shot involving a limo. I said goodbye to most everyone & a union guy gave me a ride to the Bob Hope airport.

All in all, it was just what the Dr. ordered, to break up my routine. It's always great meeting new people, esp. when they are intelligent, funny & famous!

Thanks you very much, Greg & Lawrence, for the great opportunity! Let me know when you want to do it again:)

Eric
Hollywood's latest player & Greg Grunberg.

Labels: My Cameo on 'The Group'.

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