Harry here, with a report from Rhett Butler on the set of Joel Schumacher's film after 8MM which is shooting up in the New York area. Pretty darn good report, and any film with DeNiro deserves a look or two or three or four or five....

I live in New York City and I have a report from the set of "Flawless" starring Robert DeNiro and directed by Joel Schumacher.

From what I have read in the Daily News, Robert DeNiro's character is a former security guard who has had a stroke and is dealing with his disability.

Shooting has been taking place over the last week on Avenue A between East 14th Street and East 13th Street. Larger cranes with yellow gels have been illuminating the nighttime shoots. On the Northhwest corner of E. 13th and Avenue A there is a shop that has been dressed up as the "Paradiso" Hotel and Apartments. The sign above the door has been cosmetically grunge-covered. The look inside is that of seedy flophouse lobby. I saw film roll in this location on a scene with Barry Miller (Peggy Sue Got Married, The Last Temptation of Christ) attending the front desk, looking bored and writing in a book.

The scene that rolled last night was across the street in a acutal bodega, "Pim's Grocerys". Huddled inside amongst key camera and sound personnel was Old Scratch Himself, Joel Schumacher, his hair pulled back into a short pony tail.

Outside a crew member spoke to the crew via walkie talkie, one word - "Five". A moment later a black Lexus pulled up to the curb and out stepped Mr. DeNiro and a blond woman with glasses (personal assistant?). DeNiro was wearing dark pants, t-shirt and an Addidas-style track jacket. He stepped into the grocery store to join Schumacher and an actor who was in the TV show "The Equalizer" (I believe his character's name was "Jimmy" on the show. An actor with a white "Picard" hairline. Has been a character actor in various films, apparently is in "Scarface". The Helicopter hanging scene).

The action involved DeNiro having an exchange with an actor behind the store's cashier counter. When done speaking and/or paying, he turned towards the door and walked very slowly, taking baby steps, accentuating the character's disability. (Actually reminiscent of Boris Karloff's "The Mummy"!). As he reaches the door "Jimmy" speaks jokingly to the cashier and gestures towards DeNiro, possibly taunting him. End scene, cut.

DeNiro's presence in the neighborhood has generated much excitement and drawing crowds of lookie-loos. According to neighbors he has been stopping into stores to shop and at times hanging out on the sidewalks, being personable and friendly to all.

That's the news for now, Harry.

Rhett Butler