COMMAND PERFORMANCE (Dolph Lundgren, 2009)

[Jox]

Have you seen this behind the scenes ONE? Very touching.

[Mosquito]

Have you seen this behind the scenes ONE? Very touching.

Oh indeed! I didn't check all of them yet, just a quick scan.

[Nathan]

Awesome pics Jox, you are doing a great job of keeping the CP site updated. It's nice to be able to almost piece the movie together in your head through the pictures. The colours and the "look" of the movie certainly give it a glossy finish, you can tell that even by the stills. Looks like we have some sort of fight in the rain scene there...could there be a little leakage in the boiler room..sprinkler system..very exciting!!

[Jack Caine]

The sight of those stills gets me all giddy with excitement. I suppose it's just a matter of waiting now...

[Jox]

Exactly.

It's nice to be able to almost piece the movie together in your head through the pictures.

I hope it's not giving away too much but I tried to put out a fair selection that's generous without spoiling it...

[Nathan]

No Jox, it was perfect because you made me think, "wow, what the fucks happening in that scene..." That's what stills should do.

[Jox]

I don't know if it concerns anyone here but you might wanna know the CP song "Lost In Love" by Melissa Smith is available to buy on iTunes.

And actually i just posted Part 1 of my Melissa interview on the CP site!

[Luigi]

Awesome! I'm looking forward to see the interview!

[Jox]

By the way in case you don't check the site regularly, the MELISSA SMITH interview part one is up

[Jox]

Producer Les Weldon interviewed by trade magazine Screen Daily about filming in Moscow
http://www.screendaily.com/russian-film ... 72.article

Russian Film Hub - Q&A - 'Have a healthy budget and a lot of time'
20 February, 2009 | By Theodore Schwinke

Les Weldon

Production: Command Performance. Dolph Lundgren directed and starred in this action thriller, produced by Nu Image Films and Millennium Films. Shot on location on Red Square and elsewhere in Moscow for two days in autumn 2008, with other locations in Bulgaria.

Why did you choose to shoot in Russia'

We needed Red Square and Moscow streets.

Did you consider anywhere else'

No.

Did you use local crews and equipment'

Entirely.

How complicated was the red tape'

Shooting permits were complicated. Red Square, because of the Kremlin, is a high-security area. We got permits but then they were cancelled because of the Moscow marathon. We had to improvise an early morning shoot.

What advice would you give to a producer considering a shoot in Russia'

Have a healthy budget and a lot of time.

Which person or company in Russia was indispensable'

The most important person for a Moscow shoot is the location manager. He can make or break your shoot as permits are difficult and complicated. We actually used a Bulgarian unit production manager who I had used before and who happened to be shooting a film there. It was a sort of blanket of security for us, and even then it was complicated.

What do you know now about shooting in Russia that you wish you had known at the beginning'

That I should have been there for a longer prep to anticipate the unexpected.

What does Russia need to do to become a first-class European shooting location'

It already is. You just need to adjust to how things are done there.

What was the best thing about shooting in Russia'

The locations and the positive attitude of the crews. The Russian people are extremely friendly and accommodating.

What was the worst'

The language barrier and the permits.

[Nathan]

I am glad they got to do some exteriors in Moscow, it will make the movie look much more expensive.

[Nathan]

Regarding the one-sheet poster Dolph was working on, was the purpose of creating this simply to submit it to Sony for the dvd artwork or for internet promotion just to give it an official poster instead of the pre-selling posters?

[Jox]

Good question but I think in Dolph's mind it's meant for all purposes aiming at promoting the film of course, including to show with the movie to releasing companies and try to get a theatrical release deal.

I'm not sure where it's at right now, I saw mock-ups for the one-sheet but they were far from being final so that's why we haven't released it yet. With ICARUS and all that happened in the last couple of months what the status for that is but of course I'll keep posted when I know something.

[Nathan]

Thanks Jox, it's a smart move because it makes the movie seem that little bit more than a DTV movie, which I'm hopeful it will be.

[Jox]

Third and last part of Melissa Smith's interview is online (might add the interviews as audio later) + Dolph directing Ida (blog and video).