The Details Cast: Ray Liotta, Dennis Haysbert, Jacob Aaron Estes (director), Kerry Washington, Tobey Maguire (Elizabeth Banks and Laura Linney were unable to attend)

This weekend I was honored to join the rest of the cast and crew of “The Details” at its Sundance premiere. I worked on this film as the writer/director’s assistant (to the brilliant Jacob Aaron Estes), and I have a brief cameo with a slightly muffled line (you’ll have to watch it to find me!).  

My trip to Park City, UT was one of the most exciting of my life and absolutely inspired me to get my butt back to work on my numerous screenplays. It’s pretty magical to be surrounded by so many phenomenal actors, writers, directors, producers, and creators of all kinds.

Me (left) with my best friend and partner in crime, Ashley

“The Details” is a dark, dark comedy starring Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks, Laura Linney, Dennis Haysbert, Ray Liotta, and Kerry Washington.  To avoid giving away any of the bizarre twists that make this movie as fun as it is, I’ll leave you with this brief summary- Tobey makes one big mistake that causes his life and the lives of those around him to spiral entirely out of control.  Blackmail, adultery, and some unexpected violence ensue.  It’s one of the most unique scripts I’ve ever read, and I was so thrilled by the final product.

To watch some interviews and clips, check out the video here.

The only downside of my trip was its brevity.  I was only there for about 36 hours- next year I insist on being there for the whole festival!  Still, hard to complain about a day and a half that included not only seeing the final product of a 5 months of hard work but also a VIP after party in the company of Jason Reitman, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, and Adrian Grenier (yes, this is the name dropping portion- had to be done).  I was planning to ask Adrian Grenier about the pet chickens he keeps to supply his own eggs (which I think is pretty rad), but I kept getting distracted by all of the chaos and excitement (and wine).  Next year, Adrian…

“The Details” will be screening TOMORROW (1/27) in Los Angeles once more as an extension of Sundance before it eventually has its national release (The Weinstein Co. bought the film yesterday, which is hugely exciting and means it will be coming soon to a theater near you!).  The screening will be at The Vista Theater in Los Feliz (4473 Sunset Drive) at 7:30- get there by 7:00 to get tickets! 

(P.S.- for those of you interested, Tobey was such a loyal vegan that he insisted the prop department track down faux tuna for him to use in a scene.  You’ll also notice that while he does frequently come into contact with food in the film, you never see him with meat)

As a gesture of good faith that I’m going to get one of the Venice apartments I’m applying for, I’ve decided to start preparing my decor.  Hopefully my brother will have nothing to contribute, since I have plans for all open wall space.  So here’s a start, from left to right:

1) An oil painting I did a few months ago when unemployment was driving me insane.  I’d been saving some leftover film from college for a piece like this, and finally I bought some supplies to make it happen.  It’s supposed to symbolize my desire to improve the world using the medium of film…but also I like it because it’s hot pink :)

2) Pig “Hope” poster from the film Bold Native.  I bought it at World Fest and I’m obsessed with it.  I believe will be in the kitchen.

3) “Mermaids Welcome” sign.  I got this from the set of the film “The Details” that I worked on last summer (I’ve been working on a post about it- look for it soon!); this particular sign was hanging in Laura Linney’s character’s eccentric home.  I love it.  Maybe it will go on the front door?

4) John Lennon beach art.  My roommate bought me this from a lovely fellow on the Venice boardwalk.  Though the lyrics aren’t exactly accurate, the message is- and it’s from my absolute favorite song in the world.  (“Imagine”- in case you weren’t aware)

5) Sunflower photo.  My beautiful roommate took this photograph of my absolute favorite flower in my favorite country (Italy) and framed it for me as a gift.  I suspect there will be more sunflower related items around the house because I can’t get enough of them.

6) Oil painting of my baby, Shoof.  The aforementioned roommate’s mother painted it for me as a Christmas gift.  It captures his crazy eyes so wonderfully.  I can’t thank her enough for immortalizing my little mutt man. 

7) On the bottom of the frame, you’ll see an intricate red wall hanging.  It was made by Arab Bedouin women.  I believe I bought it in a Jerusalem market.  Anything I can do to support the local economy and cooperation (I’m lead to believe) between the Palestinian and Jewish community makes me happy.  Plus, it’s gorgeous, so I would probably buy it regardless.

This is just the beginning, but it gives me a pretty good idea of the abundant color and energy we’ll be surrounded by!  SO excited.

Let’s take a moment to acknowledge my abandonment by my dear friend, Chelsea.

Last week she left America for bigger and better things.  She is off to be an au pair in Germany, tending to small children whilst exploring Europe and having adventures.  The only reason this is remotely acceptable is because I’m hoping her wild experiences will provide inspiration for the script she and I are writing together, which (spoiler alert) takes place mostly in Europe.  That said, everything else about this is just awful.  I don’t even know what time it is there.  Plus, in my recent months of unemployment, she’s been a constant source of encouragement, entertainment, and 20hr/day online chat.  

In her absence, who is going to mock my veganism?  Who is going to listen to my endless opinions about life, love, and the Lost finale?  Who is going to console me during dark times by saying “think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport”?  Who will explore shady Irish pubs with me in hopes of tracking down people with melodious accents?

This isn’t as much a blog post as it is a public plea for her return.  In an effort to tug at her heart, here’s a little trip down memory lane…

Chelsea and I on the set of an indie film we met on in Boston, 2006

Her giving me lessons on how to look like a hipster

Us mocking the swine-flu fearers in the emergency room when she destroyed her finger, hence her wet, swollen teary eyes

Us being generally awesome on the set of The Details, a movie we worked on this summer.

In conclusion, dear Chels.  Please come back.  I’ll drink a Magners with you.

xo

PS- I’m not sure if the title is grammatically correct.  I tried.  German is yucky.