> Features > Pg 2 Feature Stories > Aaand...action! Reminder offices become a movie set
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Aaand...action! Reminder offices become a movie set
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(L-R) Director Robert Stock looks on as Bernsen, Gove, and crew member Adam Marotte set up to film a scene in Managing Editor G. Michael Dobbs' office.Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs
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By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
EAST LONGMEADOW It's mid-way through Wednesday afternoon and actor Corbin Bernsen is walking up and down an aisle through the cubicles at Reminder Publications' office saying the same line over and over.
Bernsen strides down the aisle, looks into the camera in the cubicle and delivers the simple line, "Thank you very much, Sarah" about nine different times. Each one is a different reading of the line.
It's slightly surreal to have a well known actor a long stint on "L.A. Law," films such as "Major League" and currently a co-star on the USA Network show "Psych" filming in your office, much less hanging out and munching on donuts.
Bernsen is the star of the new film "Angel's Blade 2: The Ascension," written, directed and produced by Robert Stock of Granby. A day of shooting needed to be at a newspaper office since Bernsen's character is an investigative reporter caught up in a story of the paranormal.
Stock's crew took over the East Longmeadow offices for a day, much to the delight of the staff of Reminder Publications. Autographed photos of Bernsen decorate many cubicles.
Stock is a computer animator and games designer who produced, wrote and directed "Angel's Blade," a horror film set in both the present day and the 19th century over a year ago. He did a test screening of the film in a Long Island theater and is revising and augmenting some of the film's special effects.
Stock is co-producing the second film with Angel Light Pictures and, unlike the first film, has a name actor in a pivotal role. Bernsen's role is a loving homage to "Carl Kolchak," the character created by the late Darren McGavin in the highly popular "Nightstalker" movies and television series from the 1970s.
An interesting coincidence is that McGavin's daughter, Graemm, is the film's line producer. She also has a small role in the film.
This writer was heartened that his messy, artifact-strewn office was deemed "funky" by the crew and became the home for Bernsen's character.
Tony Timpone, the editor of "Fangoria Magazine" the bible for horror film fans was also here for the role of Bernsen's boss at the newspaper. It was a smart casting move, as that will insure Stock receives coverage for his film in the national magazine.
The film has a four-week shooting schedule and only had Bernsen for three days, so all of his scenes had to be shot as efficiently as possible.
Those who think filmmaking must be glamorous might be surprised at the Spartan world of the independent production. A crew of less than ten people set up the cameras and sound. Digital films gives greater flexibility with lighting and no lights were set up for the scenes.
Fueled by donuts and coffee in the morning, the crew's lunch break was to eat sandwiches from Romito's Deli while standing up. The production rented a RV for a dressing room.
The simplest of scenes requires multiple takes to make sure the sound, image and the performance are all optimal.
For a performer who has been in a variety of productions, Bernsen seemed right at home shooting a low-budget horror film in Western Massachusetts.
"I'm very much into the indie world," he said during a break.
Despite his status, Bernsen never pulls rank or complains. Crew members talk among themselves about how he is bringing so much value to the production.
If he likes a script and he can do the role, he'll consider it, he explained. Bernsen said he was pleased he could do this film as he was on the east coast dropping his son off at the University of Connecticut.
Bernsen likened his job to that of a carpenter. "Sometimes you work on castles and sometimes on outhouses," he said.
And, he added, sometimes it's a crumby castle and a great outhouse.
"If you're an actor, you act," he said.
What he likes about independent films is they have "more soul."
"They're all heart, all passion," he added.
Because he came to prominence on a hit television show, "L.A. Law," Bernsen admitted to having a problem years ago with his career not reaching a higher level. He said that as his career grew, he loved it.
He has formed his own company and is producing his own independent films. One is completed and is available on DVD, "Carpool Guy," while two others, "Donna on Demand" and "Dead Air," are in various stages of production.
Bernsen directed "Carpool Guy," which is a comedy starring ten soap opera actors in roles very different than those they play on television.
He said he loves directing and producing, but "it's a lot of work."
Although he said that beginning a directing career in his fifties requires a lot of energy, his experience in the industry has given him knowledge that younger persons might not have.
He said with a smile that directing has given him the same kind of thrill he received when he first discovered sex just the kind of remark his Arnie Becker character might make.
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> Features > Pg 2 Feature Stories > Aaand...action! Reminder offices become a movie set
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