Posted on 12/01/2006 11:14:55 AM PST by qam1
Originally scheduled to be shot at Emory, the remake of "Revenge of the Nerds," the 1984 film in which a group of bookish and socially awkward outcasts band together to fight their oppressive bullies, has been cancelled, Fox Atomic Films announced last week.
The magazine explained that filmmakers' concerns with the direction of the movie prompted the decision to cancel, but some movie bloggers blamed Emory for the shutdown.
McClurkin said the filmmakers initially proposed to the University a crew of about 100 people with three trucks of equipment.
But the filmmakers' final proposal called for about three times as many staff and equipment. He also said that filmmakers wanted to shoot during weekdays, rather than the University's suggestion to film during the weekend or during winter break. McClurkin said such logistical problems, coupled with the film's R rating, dissuaded the University from granting permission.
Mike Riley, an independent contractor who acted as location manager for the film, confirmed that Emory had never made a contract with the film producers.
"There were other issues, internal issues, with the project from the beginning that contributed to the fact that they stopped filming, and Emory was not the primary cause," he said. "It was a setback when they could not use the campus but there were other options available to them."
Riley said the original plan had been to combine shots of Emory's campus, Agnes Scott College's, and Morris Brown College's to make it look like one setting.
"What we liked most about Emory was the scale of Emory," he said. "It was larger than any of the two campuses, and it is more of what you consider a 'state' university look to it."
The filmmakers filmed for about two weeks at Agnes Scott College before the movie was cancelled.
Demetrice Williams, director of special events and conferences at Agnes Scott College wrote in an e-mail to the Wheel that the college never discussed halting production with the filmmakers.
"Some students expressed frustration with inconveniences, but a great many participated as extras and enjoyed the unusual diversion," she wrote.
McClurkin said he often gets requests from filmmakers to tour the campus to see if it is a feasible option for filming, but that very few of these requests "pan out."
McClurkin did note, however, that the Sean Penn film "Into the Wild," which had some scenes shot on campus during last year's Commencement ceremonies, has recently finished up production. The movie is set to be released in time for next year's Oscars.
The film delineates the story of former Emory graduate Chris McCandess, an ascetic naturalist who died after living several years in the wilderness.
McClurkin said several factors are taken into account when considering offers from filmmakers.
"When we get a request for a movie, we want something that is in lines with the mission and strategic plan of the University," McClurkin said. "It also has to be something that we can handle logistically."
McClurkin said the University also considers the opportunities for student involvement, the financial proposals that the filmmakers will offer and the way the film portrays the University.
>>WE'VE GOT BUSH!!
LOL! My wife and I watched it about a month ago. She had never seen it and I hadn't seen it for many years, and when I had seen it I guess it was on broadcast TV, because both of us were shocked when "WE'VE GOT BUSH" happened. I didn't recall that scene from when I had seen the movie before.
Of course the wife complained to me that she didn't get to see any of the guys nude. :)
What's next, a remake of Mannequin?
Pan down...!
Hey, that's my Pi!
Bolero maybe?
Long live Booger.
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