GAYBY

[toto_too514]

Randy, as waiter/bartender: (Taking a large bill from Jenn) “Is that for the Manhattan & and the Martini?”

And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is the extent of Randy’s scene in the finished movie. But ya know what? The rest of the movie is more than worth the price of admission.

Gayby was screened last night at BAM, the Brooklyn Academy of Music. I had my reservations about this movie when it first came on the scene, thinking that it was a “one joke” kind of thing. And although there is the somewhat stereotypical “older, straight woman/gay best friend wanna have a baby,” theme, it was also so much more.

The characters had real lives and a very believable frienship. They had jobs and other friends. They had family giving bad advice and bosses taking advantage. They had long term-exes and a string of casual relationships. We get to see comic book geek Matt discuss the deeper meaning of "Wonder Woman," AND we get to see Jenn riding her moped through the streets of NY. Simply a fun, funny, and lovely little movie with a satisfying happy ending for all.

Other QWAN alumni were part of the production besides Jenn Harris and Matt Wilkas, (and Randy) including an absolutely wonderful Jack Ferver and a scruffy Christian Coulson. Also present in a don’t-blink-if-you-wanna-see-them scene, OHP faves Bridget Everett and Kenny Mellman.

One of the reasons I think the movie works so well is the fact that Jenn and Matt actually have been best friends since they met in college. They didn’t have to “act” the friendship part. Also having so many other good friends involved in some way had a huge role in making this light-hearted and very enjoyable movie.

At the Q&A, which was stalled a bit while Matt made his way in from Manhattan where he plays “Flash,” among other roles, in Spiderman: Turn off the Dark and Jonathan Lisecki who was dealing with major thunderstorms on his journey from DC, we learned that in addition to more screenings at many more festivals the movie will have a theatrical release in major cities like NY and LA in the fall.

But for those hoping to see more Randy (And Bridget and Kenny) you'll have to wait for the DVD and those always fun “bonus scenes.” There was what they were calling a dream/fantasy sequence which involved a bit of dancing by Randy that, according to the executive producer was, “in the movie, then out of the movie, then put back in,” but in the final edit wound up on the cutting room floor. (At which point Bridget, sitting in the first row, threw her empty water bottle on stage! LOL!)

I was hoping to find out more about the QWAN FB posting that states they will be bringing NOTES! & SWAN! to BTG this August, but there really wasn’t a formal meet and greet… it was more of a mingling of friends and cast members on stage. So I’m afraid we will still have to wait for a confirmation from BTG.

Really bad quality picure of the Q&A, but everyone was so cute, I thought I'd add it anyway.

Comments

[penny-sieve.livejournal.com]

I'll have to get the DVD anyway, since I don't live in LA or NYC, so it's good to know I can expect some Randy!goodness. Was he there, BTW (hopefully wearing a washed and ironed shirt :P)

[toto-too514.livejournal.com]

Well, they did say cities like NY and LA, so maybe it will be in something closer to you. But the prospect of seeing that dream sequence will be all the incentive I need to buy the DVD when it comes out.

Yes! Randy was there last night, as were many people involved in the movie... writers, producers, other actors.

And Randy actually DID have on what looked like a new button down shirt w/ grey slacks. Hard to tell the color b/c it was dark in the theater and even during the mingling on stage the house lights were rather harsh. Maybe light blue or beige???

But it looked clean, crisp and fresh! Hardly recognized him, LOL! If it weren't for his faithful totebag, I may not have even noticed him!

[penny-sieve.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen any pictures of the event, apart from the one you've posted.

[toto-too514.livejournal.com]

I did see what looked like a professional photographer taking pictures during the Q&A, so maybe the official Gayby website might have those.

But there wasn't a "red carpet," or anything like that, if that's what you're asking. Everyone just kinda wandered in and sat down for the movie. The mingling on the stage afterwards was a bit of an impromptu thing. Not sure if anyone was taking pics of that.

I have no idea if they took professional pics before the event. But I do know that when the Q&A started they mentioned that there were so many "Gayby friends," in the audience and invited them on stage. Randy didn't go.

[bigj52.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the report. I'll look forward to the DVD.

[toto-too514.livejournal.com]

Yes, I will be anxiously awaiting the DVD as well... although I think Bridget, Kenny, Jenn and Randy should work the deleted scene in to a Joe's Pub skit!

Maybe I'll mention it to Bridget at Wednesday's OHP.;p

[jbeck1106.livejournal.com]

Was randy alone? He seems to be a loner these days..

[toto-too514.livejournal.com]

Randy came in w/ a few friends. He most recently attended a Judy Darling party w/ his BF Brian the end of May.

[landlady-4rent.livejournal.com]

This sounds so funny. I can't wait to see the movie & deleted scenes. Thanks for the report. Hugs, Annie

[toto-too514.livejournal.com]

You're welcome!

Yes, the movie certainly surprised me with it's lovely quirkiness.
It's winning all sorts of awards too and is a top pick in many of the Festivals where it is playing!

But yeah, I am looking forward to those deleted scenes too!

[jackboy69.livejournal.com]

Where is Randy in the photo you posted at the Gayby ?

I really like to see this movie even if he's in only scene:-(

Did he answered any questions?

[toto-too514.livejournal.com]

Randy's not in the photo... he was not part of the Q&A. He simply watched the movie from the audience like the rest of us.

In the photo the man w/ the brown shirt and hand on his hip is Jonathan Lisecki, next to him is the executive producer, but I forgot his name. Then Matt Wilkas and Jenn Harris. I don't know the other people. But they were all involved in the movie some way.

Randy's deleted scene should be on the DVD in the bonus features.