Ahoy, squirts! Quint here... Now the year 2005 is the 30th Anniversary of my favorite film of all time, JAWS. I've just confirmed my travel for the totally geeky, but too cool celebration of JAWS love in Martha's Vineyard (where the film was shot) called JAWSFEST. That happens this June and tons of people involved with the movie will be there. Everybody from actors to production designers to Peter Benchley! It'll be a blast. Check the official website out here to see what all's going on!
What's also cool is I hear there will be a screening of the rough edit of this new documentary on the impact of JAWS called THE SHARK IS STILL WORKING.
Roy Scheider, who played Chief Brody, has agreed to not only take part in the doc, but he's also the Associate Producer. Now the filmmakers are off to LA to arrange chats with Greg Nicotero of KNB EFX, who is a massive JAWS fanatic, Carl Gottlieb (writer of the screenplay for JAWS), Kevin Smith and other people either involved in the films or influenced by them.
Here's a note from James-Michael Roddy, one of the producers and the bastard that owns Quint's harpoon gun. I will fucking kill him one day and put that gun in its rightful place... my house... Here's what he has to say about the doc:
We are making this documentary as a testament to our favorite film. For thirty years - JAWS has inspired so many to pursue their dreams. From some of today's most talented Directors to leaders in the field of Shark research and Marine Biology, the movie has become a constant source of entertainment, inspiration and one of the greatest production stories ever. Our documentary focuses on the thirty years since the film was made, and how it changed the Industry, and continues to be a timeless classic. Star Trek has a fan-base that is served. Star wars as well. JAWS is very popular and crosses so many demographics. We want to celebrate the film, as well as recognize some of the many great fan films that have been made and the fan pilgrimages to Martha’s Vineyard.
So far, we have been met with nothing but positive support and endorsement. From Production Designer Joe Alves to Star Roy Scheider, we have been met with warmth and appreciation. Some of the other scheduled interviews include Carl Gottlieb, Greg Nicotero, Bill Butler, Kevin Smith, Jeff Kramer as well as Islanders and fans of the film series. Our next round of interviews will be conducted in California May 6th – May 12th.
A complete List of our Interviewees is available on the website.
We are hoping to schedule Steven Spielberg, which would be the Great White Interview in our Sea of Finaticism.
-- James-Michael Roddy
You can visit the official website here where you'll also see the awesome 1:1 scale Bruce head that Greg Nicotero and the KNB boys are constructing for Jawsfest!
Being the JAWS fanatic that I am, I can't wait to check out this doc, especially with the list of people they're getting for interviews. It'll be the JAWS equivalent of the EMPIRE OF DREAMS doc on the STAR WARS DVDs, a great mixture of those involved in the production and those in the industry that loved it. What do you folks think?
-Quint
