|
|
Published May 24, 2007 06:39 pm - There’s well over an hour to go before the actors will arrive on set for the first shot of the day, but nearly two dozen crew members are already hard at work. The scene being prepped Wednesday morning marked the start of the local shoot for “The Life of Lucky Cucumber,” co-written by Preston Lacy.
Behind the scene: "Lucky Cucumber" begins local shoot
By Scott Meeker
smeeker@joplinglobe.com
There’s well over an hour to go before the actors will arrive on set for the first shot of the day, but nearly two dozen crew members are already hard at work.
The Black Hen restaurant at Red Oak II near Carthage bustles with activity — lights are being set up, cameras are tested, the table setting in the booth where the shot will take place is rearranged, and there’s a steady stream of people grabbing a bite from the craft-services table.
The scene being prepped Wednesday morning marked the start of the local shoot for “The Life of Lucky Cucumber,” co-written by Preston Lacy. Lacy, who wrote and co-starred in MTV’s “Jackass” TV series and films, has said that he based the script in part on his experiences growing up in the Joplin area.
The mockumentary is about a man named Lucky (played by Dian Bachar), whose unusual streak of bad luck doesn’t end even after a winning lottery ticket turns him into a multimillionaire, and a cross-country trip with Grandpa’s kidney in a beer cooler is thrown in for good measure.
Production began earlier this month on a soundstage in the San Fernando Valley, and will return there for several more days after more than a week of shooting in Carthage, Joplin and other locations around the area. In addition to Red Oak II, the movie will feature scenes shot in Joplin at the Kitchen Pass, Underground Paintball and Woody’s Woodfire Pizza.
Capturing the flavor
Pausing for a moment as he gets ready for the actors’ arrival at the restaurant, director of photography Ed Guttentag said that coordination is key on a film set, even when it’s a relatively small scene like the one they’re starting with — which will comprise just over four pages of the script.
“It’s similar to building a house, where you have some people doing construction, others doing the drywall,” Guttentag said. “But you have to have communication between all the people to get it done.”
Nearby, camera operator Chapin Wilson preps a digital camera when he’s called to begin gathering some footage of some of the Red Oak buildings.
Setting up outside of the Black Hen, he begins zooming in on one of the nearby structures.
“The B-roll footage is all about setting the environment,” he said. “Using these shots give you the ability to set the scene and capture the flavor.”
Artist Lowell Davis, who developed the 1930s-themed community after moving some of the original buildings from his old hometown, watches with interest as a steady stream of equipment is unloaded outside the restaurant.
“Preston used to hang out here and called to see if they could film here,” he said, adding that he had hadn’t realized the scope of the independent production.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
SERVICE COORDINATOR SUPERVISOR
SERVICE COORDINATOR SUPERVISOR full time, responsible for development and supervision of ongoing activities required to...>MORE
JOPLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY
JOPLIN PUBLIC LIBRARY - Children’s Assistant. 20 hours per week. Must enjoy working with children, posses excellent cust...>MORE
MEMBER SERVICES ASSOCIATES
The Freeman Southwest Family YMCA in Neosho, MO has two openings for Member Services Associates. These part-t...>MORE
PHONE SALES
Now hiring part time for data entry and phone sales. 20 hour/week. Apply in person at 4710 E 32nd Street. Joplin....>MORE
SUNSHINE, INC
is currently accepting applications for Full time and part time evening evening shift and an awake overnight suppo...>MORE
HAIR STYLIST
for Carthage salon. 417-388-2074. ...>MORE
TELLER
Local credit union has opening for part time teller 25-35 hours per week, experience preferred. Apply in person Joplin M...>MORE
ATTENTION OWNER OPERATORS
we are now leasing on trucks. Call Susan at 888-379-9432 ext 102 for details. ...>MORE
3 BOOTH RENTALS
small salon atmosphere, lots of exposure, 15th/Main. 417-529-8646...>MORE
3RD PARTY LOGISTICS COMPANY
Looking for sales people with transportation sales experience, also broker agents. Please send resume to P.O. Box ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
2008 NISSAN VERSA
4-door, 4500 miles, 4 cylinder, automatic, power steering, air, AM/FM CD, power windows/locks, silver with black interio...>MORE
2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
LS, 4X4, 80,000 miles, priced to sell, $9,000 or best offer. 417-529-1957....>MORE
2005 SAAB 9-3 TURBO
leather, automatic, 83,000 miles, $6800. (417)438-5487....>MORE
2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
4x4, asking $4500. (417)850-2454....>MORE
JEEP, 1999 GRAND CHEROKEE,
4x4, automatic, loaded, new tires, $3200. 434-7382....>MORE
1997 NISSAN MAXIMA
Loaded, 98,000 miles, excellent condition, must see, $4500. 417-438-1609....>MORE
1990 FREIGHLINER CAB OVER
set back axle, 400 Cummins, 9 speed over drive, flat top, big sleeper, 10 near new tires, new transmission, new brakes a...>MORE
2008 HONDA RUCKUS
black, low mileage, $1500. 918-961-8995....>MORE
1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, automatic, cold air, CD, extra nice, $2400. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1986 FORD MUSTANG GT
Convertible, 5 speed, 112,000 miles, $3800. 417-439-1707 or 417-439-7901...>MORE
See all ads |
|
2 BR CENTRAL HEAT/AIR,
gar, $475/$300 appliances 4117 S Pennsylvania 417-389-6737...>MORE
2 BR, 9523 HIGHWAY NN
$450/$400; 417-592-2088....>MORE
3 BR, 7 YEAR OLD
like new, all electric, 10 minutes to Neosho, 20 minutes to Joplin. No Smoking, No Pets, $700 Month, $350 Deposit. (417)...>MORE
819 A STREET
Charming 2 story, 2 bedroom home with a lot of character. Hardwood floors, huge screened porch, central heat and air, co...>MORE
2 BR, 2 BA
trash/sewer provided. Quiet park. No Pets. $375/250. 417-673-7437....>MORE
OPEN HOUSE 2-4 P.M.
3 br, 2 ba, 2-car gar., 1660 sq. ft. with lots of amenities, 2228 W. 29th. $129,900. 417-825-0557....>MORE
BRIARBROOK
3 BR, 2.5 ba, 1 year lease $725/$700, no pets. 417-310-0056....>MORE
1219 XENIA COURT
OPEN SUNDAY 2-4 P.M. 3 br, 2 ba, $84,000. 629-6135....>MORE
LOMA LINDA
2 BR, 2 BA, 1 year lease, $750/$700. No pets. (417)310-0056....>MORE
FURNISHED 3 BR
2 ba, 1750 sq. ft. vaulted ceilings, located in S. Joplin, near Shoal Creek, $97,500. Usa Real Estate 417-781-1233....>MORE
See all ads |
|
KENNELL REDUCTION
Chihuahua’s and French Bulldog’s, AKC, pups to young adults, very nice, Chihuahua’s $100/up, Frenchis, $900/up. (417)394...>MORE
CHEAP PUPPIES
Border Terriers, Dachshunds, Italian Greyhound, Lhasas, Morkies, Norwich Terriers, Shih-Tzus, Standard Poodles (chocolat...>MORE
14 WEEK-10 WEEK OLD MORKIE
males, $200. Papillion females, $200. 417-548-2433....>MORE
COFFEE, END AND ENTRY TABLE
coffee, end and entry tables, Nordic Track Walk Fit, sewing machine desk, (417)206-4958....>MORE
1950S CAVALIER COKE MACHINE
in working order, $350. (417)782-2751....>MORE
CHIHUAHUAS
Chorkies, WaPoos, Shih-Tzus, just in time for Christmas. $85 to $250. Registered and shots 417-438-6057...>MORE
2008 POLARIS TRAILBLAZER 330
2 wheel drive, like new, $2300. (918)961-8995....>MORE
2 CREMATION NICHES
2 CREMATION NICHES Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, moving must sell quick. Call Carolyn, (417)624-3017....>MORE
COUCH
full size, with pillows, light pastel colors, lavender and blue, no cats, no dogs, no kids, $150 or offer. 624-2197....>MORE
YORKIE, POMERANIAN AND SILKY PUPPIES
wanting forever homes. Well socialized. Prices $75-$300. Early Christmas presents (417)652-7510, leave message. ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|