Steve Conrad

2008 in Review: The Top 5 Film Interviews of HollywoodChicago.com

PatrickMcD — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:19:54 -0700

CHICAGO – After participating in close to 25 interviews in 2008 for HollywoodChicago.com, the mechanics of each sit down are interestingly similar. The reporters gather at a pre-determined spot (usually a Chicago downtown hotel).

And then either one-by-one or part of group, we are led into the inner sanctum of the actor or director’s interview room. Then, getting anywhere from 14 to 40 minutes, we get to ask questions.

Sometimes there are phone interviews. Nothing is more surreal than sitting in the home office, surrounded by everything that is familiar, and talking to one of the industry’s most notorious playwrights or an admired character actor.

The goal of each profile became the opportunity to either ask a question the interviewee had never heard, or to get a nugget of information that distinguishes the film or television show that they’re promoting. It is a terrific challenge.

After assessing all of the 2008 interviews, it was these five that stood out.

Melissa Leo, Lead Actress, “Frozen River”

“Frozen River” star Melissa Leo in Chicago on July 16, 2008.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

The Background

After playing Sgt. Kay Howard on the TV show “Homicide” in the 1990s, and having notable supporting character roles for years, Leo got the opportunity to be the prime mover in this unusual story of immigrant running on the Canadian border.

The Quote

“We are here to grow into our best selves. That is my religion. Whatever can get you there and whatever the trials, that is what betters us. That is how the story of this film is played out.”

Behind the Scenes

When asked about playing Suellen O’Hara (Scarlett’s sister) in the mini-series “Scarlett” (1994), she laughed that it was “ancient history.” When informed that the 1939 Suellen (Evelyn Keyes) of “Gone With the Wind” had died the week before, she regretted never meeting her.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lead Actor, “Redbelt”

“Redbelt” star Chiwetel Ejiofor in Chicago on March 31, 2008.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

The Background

This fascinating British actor (name pronounced choo-ih-tell edge-o-for), who began his career working with Stephen Spielberg (”Amistad”), has played many memorable roles for directors ranging from Spike Lee to Woody Allen.

He was amazing as a Jujitsu master in the underrated David Mamet film, “Redbelt.”

The Quote

“If anything, the film is commenting on the way of how people – through their own volition – favor a simple way of living within their own moral framework, but find themselves at times vulnerable to the bigger machines at work.

The lesson within the film is that if you maintain your own position, you’ll find ways of engaging if not defeating anything that comes your way.”

Behind the Scenes

While talking about Hollywood politics, we both got into a spasm of uncontrolled laughter.

Steve Conrad, Director/Writer, “The Promotion”

“The Promotion” writer and director Steve Conrad in Chicago on April 22, 2008.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

The Background

This Chicago-based writer/director put his heart and soul into the charming and brilliantly observed human comedy “The Promotion.” Passionate about the character of Chicago, he convinced the producers to film, with his all-star cast, on location in the city.

The Quote

“I would always try to measure the comedy through real human behavior. Among others things, it’s about carving out the space in America to become your better self, how that challenges you and what it costs. It amounts to the fight of all of our lives.”

Behind the Scenes

The interview was conducted in Conrad’s favorite tavern in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago.

Richard Jenkins, Lead Actor, “The Visitor”

Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor”.
Photo credit: Overture Films

The Background

Getting the lead role after a career of supporting portrayals (most notably as the father on “Six Feet Under”), Jenkins took “The Visitor” on his shoulders as the complex but heroic character of Walter Vale.

The native of DeKalb, Illinois, also spoke about his younger days watching movies at the Egyptian Theater there.

The Quote

“There’s nothing like walking onto a Hollywood sound stage.

You walk onto Warner Brothers and on those big sound stages that have been there for years there’s a list of every movie ever shot there. You are in the same place where Spencer Tracy, Errol Flynn, Jimmy Cagney and Humphrey Bogart made movies.”

Behind the Scenes

His distinct gravely voice felt like a private performance when coming out of the speaker phone. It was Richard Jenkins as Richard Jenkins.

Neil LaBute, Director/Writer, “Lakeview Terrace”

Director Neil LaBute and Samuel L. Jackson on the set of “Lakeview Terrace”.
Photo credit: imdb

The Background

One of the most notorious and controversial playwrights in America, LaBute put his distinct spin on race relations in his must-see morality film, “Lakeview Terrace.”

His unblinking instinct to showcase human beings in their most unsettled form formulates a provocative atmosphere.

The Quote

“If Rodney King asks the question ‘can’t we all get along?,’ I would say after much scrutiny the answer would be ‘just barely’.”

Behind the Scenes

Even though the indication was that Mr. LaBute would be available via phone only for 17 minutes, he graciously went overtime and engaged in all of the interview questions.

Quick Takes on Some of the Other Good Ones in 2008

Funniest Interviews

“Shaun of the Dead” Simon Pegg loved his personalized water bottle, and frenetic Sam Rockwell did several minutes on trying to light a cigarette.

Master Class

One of the top and most famous documentary makers, Errol Morris, held a group of us in awe as he spoke of his craft.

Big Stars

Oscar winner Chris Cooper was a larger-than-life presence and Rainn Wilson – Dwight Schrute himself of “The Office” – rhapsodized about fulfilling a life-long show business dream.

Finally, Dude, You Are So Old & Boring

One of the subjects of the documentary, “American Teen” spent most of the group interview surreptitiously text messaging a distant friend. “OMG, STFU!”

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Interview: Director Steve Conrad Elevates Chicago Setting, Sean William Scott in New Comedy ‘The Promotion’

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:41:34 -0600

CHICAGO – Barring extreme wealth or hermetics, everyone uses the grocery store. It is the great equalizer – the marketplace where all socioeconomic groups can co-exist side by side – in pursuit of daily bread. Inspired by this reality, writer and director Steve Conrad turned it into his feature directorial debut.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

It’s a notable comedy that was shot in Chicago with the definitive title of “The Promotion”. HollywoodChicago.com recently interviewed Conrad to glean his take on the dynamics of this unusual movie subject and to offer the lowdown on shooting the film in the city where he also lives.

“Well, it’s home,” Conrad said. “To me, doing a movie in Chicago means putting Chicago natives in a part of town where they live.”

“The Promotion” writer and director Steve Conrad in Chicago on April 22, 2008.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

Conrad added: “Buildings convey stories, settings convey stories and in order to tell the story right I want to pick the right place. This is easier for me here because these are the places where I walk around. I want to do it better.”

Seann William Scott (left) and John C. Reilly star in Steve Conrad’s “The Promotion”.
Photo credit: Chuck Hodes, The Weinstein Company

“The Promotion” is a story about two assistant grocery-store managers – Doug (played by Seann William Scott, who was Stifler in “American Pie”) and Richard (John C. Reilly) – who are vying for a coveted manager post at the new branch of their Chicago-based grocery chain.

“It was based on a real-life event that happened at a grocery,” Conrad said, “and it seemed the most logical place to set it.”

Conrad described seeing a store employee at a Chicago chain armed only with a yellow courtesy vest break up some unruly loiterers in the parking lot.

“They hurt him so badly just from taunts,” Conrad recalled, “and they absolutely refused to recognize any of his authority. He was completely diminished by it all. He turned around and walked away and I noticed it said on the back of his vest: ‘Have a nice day.’”

“The Promotion” co-star Seann William Scott (left) in Chicago on April 22, 2008.
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

Conrad continued: “So he’s walking back to work instead of quitting, which is what I might do or someone of lesser mettle might do. I thought it was heroic of him to go back. I’m not making too much of this. There’s so much to be admired in that person’s strength.”

Through the awkwardness of the store’s corporate office to the daily grind of customer problems, Conrad and his talented supporting crew – including Fred Armisen, Jenna Fischer, Lili Taylor and Gil Bellows – interpret this real-life scenario with poignant and hilarious observations.

Conrad describes the process with the talented cast: “I started out hiring people who I thought were actors before they were movie stars.”

He added: “I have better luck with actors because they treat the film like a craft. They want it to go well and they will do the work it takes to give the movie a good shot.”

Conrad coaxes great performances out of his two leads.

Williams deftly creates the mask of the everyman who tried to do the right thing while at the same time desiring the prestige and money of the new position. Reilly creates an intricate comic character and imbues him with a Canadian accent and a sad-sack soul.

RELATED IMAGE GALLERY
View our full, high-resolution “The Promotion” image gallery.

RELATED READING
Read more film reviews from critic Patrick McDonald.

Conrad reflected: “Some people can tell a joke and some people can make you laugh. I was really confident that John and Sean were in that second category. If you asked them, you can count on them to do any number of things.”

“I would always try to measure the comedy through real human behavior,” Conrad said in summary. “Among others things, it’s about carving out the space in America to become your better self, how that challenges you and what it costs. It amounts to the fight of all of our lives. It deserves to be treated with some force and some respect.”

There’s a running gag in the film culminating into a moment of pure joy that’s rarely seen in movies today. Steve Conrad has created a story of everyday people also honoring the small victories that define the meaning of life.

“The Promotion” opened on June 6, 2008. In Chicago, the film is showing at AMC River East and Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Hookup: 30 Admit-Two Early Passes to ‘The Promotion’ With John C. Reilly, Seann William Scott

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:22:32 -0600

CHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we’re giving away 30 admit-two passes to the new film “The Promotion” with John C. Reilly and Seann William Scott. The screening will take place on June 2, 2008 at 7 p.m. in Chicago. To win, just submit a comment! The first 30 people to do so are guaranteed free passes.

The movie poster for “The Promotion” with John C. Reilly and Seann William Scott.
Image credit: The Weinstein Company

Here’s a description of the new film, which is scheduled to open on June 6, 2008.

Oscar-nominated actor John C. Reilly (“Chicago,” “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”) and Seann William Scott (“American Pie”) lend their deft comedic touch to the story of two mid-level Chicago supermarket employees – Doug and Richard (a dubious new guy from Canada) – who compete ruthlessly for a coveted managerial post.

Doug and Richard couldn’t be more different, but going head to head in a contest of wits and will reveals how they have more in common than they thought. The duo battle toward a hilarious final showdown that will leave you guessing until the very end. The film is the directorial debut of Steve Conrad (writer of “The Pursuit of Happyness”).

Seann William Scott (left) and John C. Reilly in “The Promotion”.
Image credit: The Weinstein Company

Winners will be e-mailed with confirmation and venue information. To secure your tickets now, make sure you’re logged into your HollywoodChicago.com account. If you don’t yet have one, you can quickly register here. Next, click “Add new comment” below. This is required to win. In your comment, you must include your name and an answer to this simple question:

Who’s funnier and why: John C. Reilly or Seann William Scott?

John C. Reilly (left) and Seann William Scott in “The Promotion”.
Image credit: The Weinstein Company

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com