July 26th, 2009
Thanks everyone who came tonight. Was a blast.
Here’s what some lovely people had to say about Bill Pope tonight…
When Bill first signed on to Team America, we were so stoked that the guy who shot the matrix and spiderman was going to shoot our dumb puppet movie. But as the scale of the project grew, it became clear that Bill was a perfect fit.
Who better to achieve that Bruckheimer look with marionettes? Who better to capture puppet sex with the same tender intimacy? Can you even imagine another cinematographer shooting that iconic scene with it’s blowjob, piledriver and hot lunch with the same unflinching honesty?
Truth is, we were lucky as hell to meet Bill and work with him on Team America. He is the best.
Matt Stone & Trey Parker
Besides being a fine cinematographer, Bill Pope is a good friend of mine. Bill has worked diligently at his craft, to give each of his films a unique look. He had always wanted an Oscar, but for many years his work went unappreciated. And then, five years ago, Bill photographed “Spider-Man 2″ and finally got his very own oscar: Oscar Tannenbaum. His new camera assistant. Bill, congratulations on your first film festival. Seeing as how you have shot most of my movies, I hope you have many more.
Best regards,
Sam Raimi
Had a stellar time at the bloor cinema. On top of Johnny Simmons, I’m pretty sure I saw Mr. Webber as well along with a few AD’s from Scott Pilgrim.
Thanks for a wonderful time Edgar. I’ve always wondered how the cats managed to jump through candy glass. Seeing those movies with the crowd definitely enhances the movie watching experience.
Glad to hear everyone had a cool time, i enjoyed reading those messages from Trey,Matt & Sam, thanks for posting them up
Well,that’s too bad… if I remembered this was going on, I would have tried to fly in early, but glad that Bill Pope is getting his due… so are you excited for your big day of visiting journos, Edgar? Everyone’s been hanging out the last few hours and only a few of us aren’t going to be hungover and/or jetlagged and/or exhausted from Comic-Con.
Wish I could have been there.
I was trying to muster a question about how he’s filmed two of the most amazing sex scenes ever (Bound and Team America) but I couldn’t quite think how to phrase it. I’m excited to see how Scott Pilgrim will look. (not the sex scenes! just in general…)
As I explained it to my friend last night :
Edgar Wright + Bill Pope + Ash + Puppet sex + Beer = Best Sunday night ever !?!
Hope they’ll be at least one more Wright stuff at Bloor before Edgar leaves town once filmming is done.
Also I thought I spotted young Nell outside the theatre between movies, Anyone else See Johnny Simmons there last night?
Yeah you’re right, I’m pretty sure I saw Young Neil too!
That night was worth every minute of the 7 hour bus ride I took from Montreal to get there!
Glad it went well, I would love to have been there, however, I was shooting my film this weekend (and that went well too
.
Saw this the other day, it’s a series of movies that an artist made fictional retro book covers for, and number 13 is….
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/5835907/I-Can-Read-Movies-a-series-of-imaginary-retro-paperback-book-covers-for-film-novelisations.html?image=13
They are brilliant!!
It was awesome. was my friends first time seeing Team America, she was pretty blown away.
(she also kept asking for subtitles when Bill Pope was talking in the mike)
It was good to see Army of Darkness as it was supost to me seen.
also,
*cough* Scott Pilgrim premiere at Bloor cinimas?? *cough*
Booya.
This was a fantastic double bill. Thanks so much to Edgar and Bill for putting this on.
And Edgar, like I mentioned, you should definitely check out Joel Schumacher’s Batman films again for the gratuitous gear-up sequences (particularly in ‘Batman & Robin’). They’re pretty hilarious. Sam Raimi’s influence is far-reaching, indeed.
Thanks again.
Josh Jensen
That was a great night, and I’m so happy I got to go to a Wright Stuff. Totally worth the drive from Ottawa immediately before and afterward. Hopefully there’ll be at least one more Wright Stuff that I can make it too.
And the Matt/Trey message was read aloud by Edgar, via e-mail. Didn’t know Raimi sent a message, though.
Best moments during the actual movies last night: people clapping both before and after the songs of Team America (and just about any awesome moment, with an almost slow-clap building at the vomit scene); and riffing on how Edgar noted that Army of Darkness was dumped into theaters without any hint it was an Evil Dead film and people in his theater in 1992 actually only realized and commented that it was Evil Dead partway through, someone said right after Ash goes through the vortex “Wait, is this Evil Dead 3?”
I had also never seen an Evil Dead film before last night, by the way. Saw Drag Me To Hell, though.
The Raimi message arrived 15 minutes after we wrapped up. Hence I posted it instead!
Enjoyed the screenings last night from the front row and even got to ask a question! (was the chick with the grey shirt).
The movies were a blast to see with such an enthusiastic audience. Will very much miss Edgar’s awesome screenings at The Bloor.
Thanks soooooo much for putting that together, great double bill, awesome night! Can’t believe that Mr. Pope had never seen Team America with an audience. Hope we gave him a night to remember!
Yes Bill, your work is very pleasing. It must be reassuring for the directors.
Sam Raimi is a cack. (That means funny).
you are both very silly.
thats nice though isn’t it, people taking time out of their day to write lovely things about Popey - better than any paycheck.
i am also cheered to see that even famous film dirctors get stuck with the old coat-over-the-arm evening out conundrum. and good tie edgar - dapper as usual!
lighting directors i meant boviously….oh dear rachel’s been a nob again, what a surprise!
funny how going to sleep at 4am means you’re not completely with it.
It sounds like it was awesome! I’m sure all the accolades for Bill are much deserved.
Yay!! Awesome! Glad everyone had fun
Much Love
William Homer Pope, this is your life.
And what a life!! the guy has worked on a lot of my favourite films so i’m really looking forward to Scott Pilgrim
awww i really wanted to go, but it was my Oma’s 80th birthday party and family from Holland were over for it. Everyone loves the Dutch!
I was so sad I couldn’t make it to this
You’re the best Bill Pope!!!
i’m so sorry (to myself really) that I wasn’t able to atend tonight…
How were these comments made by Matt, Trey and Sam tonight? Was it on video? Did they write it? ….if they were actually there I will kill myself!
AMERICA! FUCK YEAH!
It was fantastic! I had so much fun tonight. I was another person who, like the guy who asked that really long question, hadn’t seen any or the evil dead movies. I loved it and I’m going to go out and see the others as soon as I can. Thanks for doing these awesome events Edgar
I was there! it was epic…and fun. I want more!
Turns out I’ve been enjoying Bill’s work for years without even knowing it (prior to this blog, anyway). Hurray for Bill Pope.
Aaawww! I can feel the love from here.
Feel the love.
dolfyn.