heartunprepared

Welcome to the "Me and Orson Welles" Thread #28

"Me and Orson Welles" Synopsis – IMDb
Set in 1937, the story centers on a high school student (Efron) who, while strolling the streets of New York, happens upon the yet-to-open Mercury Theatre and is noticed by its mercurial founder, Orson Welles. The man lands a bit part in "Julius Caesar," the production that catapulted Welles to the top, and spends the next week learning about life and love.

Production Notes (Courtesy of Cinema is Dope)

Alternative (longer) summaries of the novel can be found here.
Another synopsis can be found on the movie page of the Isle of Man Film website here.

Cast & Characters – credits on IMDb

Zac Efron..................................Richard Samuels
Christian McKay............................Orson Welles
Claire Danes...............................Sonja Jones
Ben Chaplin................................George Coulouris
Kelly Reilly...............................Muriel Brassler
Eddie Marsan...............................John Houseman
Leo Bill...................................Norman Lloyd
James Tupper...............................Joseph Cotten
Zoe Kazan..................................Gretta Alder

Directed by................................Richard Linklater

Filming & Release Info

• Release date: U. S.:November 25th; UK: December 4th.
• Detailed information on the filming of the movie can be found in this post
• TPTB went to Cannes 2008 and presented some footage there. There were several articles mentioning M&OW in the Cannes coverage: THR (13 May), IndiWIRE (13 May), Variety (14 May), THR (17 May), Variety (20 May), THR (21 May) and WSJ (16 May)
• M&OW premiered at TIFF08: official press release from TIFF (13 Aug 2008), Variety (13 Aug 2008), THR (13 Aug 2008)
• Linklater’s new film to screen at SXSW (Austin360.com, 14 Mar 2009)
• Me and Orson Welles will screen at the Woodstock Film Festival which runs from Sep 30 through Oct 4, 2009 (Woodstock Film Festival Press Release, 29 Apr 2009)
• Me and Orson Welles Info | Facebook (US Nationwide: Dec. 11th)
• Movies - Me and Orson Welles (Canada Release: Dec. 9th)

Latest News...


Other official/affiliated sites:

• bebo.com - Profile from Me and Orson Welles <meandorsonwelles>
• Me and Orson Welles (MeandOrson) on Twitter
• Me and Orson Welles (Me and Orson Welles) | MySpace
• YouTube - MeAndOrsonWelles's Channel

Most Recent:


Videos

• Teaser Trailer
• Me and Orson Welles - Film Clip with Zac Efron
• Video of the press conference on 4 March 2008 @ IoM (courtesy of IoM Today)
• First clip of M&OW (Richard's audition scene in front of the Mercury Theater) - 05 Sep 2008, courtesy of LA Times
• Interview with Richard Linklater at Woodstock Film Festival
• Red Carpet World Premiere: EXTRACT (with Richard Linklater)
• YouTube - "Me & Orson Welles" Interview with Richard Linklater & Christian McKay
• YouTube - Washington Unplugged with Zac Efron, Claire Danes and Richard Linklater
• Me and Orson Welles: exclusive clip - Times Online
• A Wet Zac Efron? Yes, please! - heatworld.com
• Zac Efron speaks to iomtoday - Isle of Man Today
• Zac Efron, Orson Welles Fight For Lady's Hand In New Flick - NY1 Living
• Dailymotion - 'Me and Orson Welles' - a Life & Style video
• Zac Efron talks Me And Orson Welles interview :: Celebrity Videos :: handbag.com
• Linklater’s Other Orson Welles Tribute - From the Current
• Fans crowd red carpet at movie premiere - Topix
• Me and Orson Welles Premier on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Images[LIST][*]This picture of Orson Welles and Arthur Anderson (the real life apprentice who Richard Samuels is based on) in 1937 inspired Robert Kaplow to write the book:
[*]Various pictures from the filming of the movie can be found in this post[*]First official movie and BTS stills courtesy of Twitch via First Showing (20 Aug 2008), Cinema is Dope (5 Sep 2008)



Articles & Interviews

• Confirmation of the project at The Hollywoodreporter (18 Jan 2008): Efron hangs with 'Welles'
• Official press release from the Isle of Man Film (30 Jan 2008).
• Claire Danes joins the cast (IoM Today - 30 Jan 2008)
• Claire Danes, Ben Chaplin, Kelly Reilly, Eddie Marsan, Leo Bill, Imogen Poots and Aidan McArdle join the cast: Variety - 31 Jan 2008, Hollywoodreporter - 1 Feb 2008, ComingSoon.net - 30 Jan 2008
• Zac talks a bit about the project: Zac Efron Gets Serious For ‘Orson Welles And Me’ (MTV Movies Blog - 7 Feb 2008)
• Kelly Reilly is playing Muriel Brassler, cast is currently rehearsing for film (Daily Mail - 14 Feb 2008)
• Linklater, Carli & Samuelson talk about making the film on IoM ('Zac Efron - what's all the fuss about?') (IoM Today - 6 March 2008)
• James Tupper joins the cast as Joseph Cotten (Hollywoodreporter - 6 March 2008)
• Eddie Marsan talks about his role in M&OW (indieLONDON - 16 April 2008)
• Official Raconteur Reader blog writes about the casting of Christian McKay as Orson Welles (and then the scoundrel said... The official blog of The Raconteur - March 2008; original blog entry deleted since then)
• From a New York Times Bestseller to the Silver Screen, Kaplow Speaks on Recent Film Success (The Alternative Press, 17 June 2008)
• Interview with James Tupper: Bouncing back is all in a day's work (The Province, 7 July 2008)
• Interview with Toronto's Co-Director Cameron Bailey (indiWIRE, 19 Aug 2008)
• Director P.O.V.: Richard Linklater – Helmer reinvents '30s New York at Pinewood (Variety, 16 Oct 2008)
• 10th Annual Woodstock Film Festival to Bestow Its Highest honor on Filmmaker Richard Linklater (Woodstock Film Festival Press Release, 29 April 2009)
• Zac Efron is a revelation in Richard Linklater's Me and Orson Welles | Film | guardian.co.uk
• Claire Danes: Danger, High Voltage! - BlackBook
• Richard Linklater Talks Zac Efron, ‘School of Rock 2,’ Future of Filmmaking - BlackBook
• Zac Efron - The 2009 TIME 100 - TIME
• Richard on Orson : Persistence of Vision
• The Top 5 Films of November - Film.com
• FIND Interview: Director Richard Linklater on "Me and Orson Welles" | Film Independent
• Richard Linklater on Me and Orson Welles - Time Out Chicago
• Author of �Me and Orson Welles� Is a Teacher in Summit - NYTimes.com
• Zac Efron - Interview with Christian O'Connell - Video interview - Absolute Radio
• Me and Orson Welles - Zac Efron - Film Review Online
• Zac Efron 'I'm On the Craziest Ride of My Life' | Parade.com
• OMG, it's Zac Efron! Interviews - News - IFC.com
• Danes and Efron Bond Over Teen Success | PopEater.ca
• Zac Efron: crunch time for the poster boy | Film | The Guardian
• Audio Interviews with the Cast & Director of Me and Orson Welles : HeyUGuys
• Me and Orson Welles Interviews - Empire Online
• Me and Orson Welles: Robert Kaplow's notes from production - Telegraph

Reviews
Trade press and general media, established critics and movies sites:

• A full list of TIFF08 reviews can be found in this post. A few selected key reviews:
  • Toronto: Richard Linklater premieres 'Me and Orson Welles' (LA Times, 5 Sep 2008)
  • Toronto Watch: Me and Orson Welles (Thompson on Hollywood @ Variety, 6 Sep 2008)
  • Film Review: Me and Orson Welles (The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep 2008)
  • Toronto Review: Richard Linklater's Me and Orson Welles (First Showing, 6 Sep 2008)
  • TIFF Review: Me And Orson Welles (CinemaBlend, 6 Sep 2008)
  • Orson Welles lives at the Toronto International Film Festival (Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer, 7 Sep 2008)
  • A CHAT WITH ZAC EFRON (...and the winner is, 7 Sep 2008)
  • Me and Orson Welles (Variety, 8 Sep 2008)
  • TIFF Review: Me and Orson Welles (Cinematical, 11 Sep 2008)
  • Toronto Film Festival Day 8: Zac Efron Gives Second Best Performance in 'Welles' (moviefone, 12 Sep 2008)
  • Toronto International Film Festival: Me and Orson Welles (CHUD, 12 Sep 2008)
  • TORONTO: ‘Good,’ ‘Me and Orson Welles,’ ‘Every Little Step,’ ‘The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond,’ ‘The Hurt Locker’ (InContention, 11 Sep 2008)
  • The Toronto Film Festival Wrap-Up (ComingSoon.net, 15 Sep 2008)
• SXSW: As a surprise, Linklater unveils his latest (Austin360.com, 16 Mar 2009)
• SXSW: Annette Kellerman hangs with ME & ORSON WELLES... really!!! (Aint It Cool News, 18 Mar 2009)
• Me and Orson Welles Trailer Online | The Movie Blog (The Movie Blog, August 12, 2009)
• James King... MOVIES: Zac Efron does a High School....Shakespearian Tragedy. (James King Movies, August 19th, 2009)
• Zac Efron in ‘actually quite a good actor’ shock! (me-me-me.tv, August 19th, 2009)
• Zac Efron film set for December release - Isle of Man Today (iomtoday.co.im, August 21st, 2009)
• The Karate Kids: Me and Orson Welles Review
• UPDATES: Top 50 Hottest Young Actors - Zac Efron gets serious!
• Back from the dead: Tennessee Williams, Orson Welles in Oscar race? | Notes on a Season | Los Angeles Times
• Orlando Sentinel Blogs - OrlandoSentinel.com
• Me and Orson Welles | Free Movies: Watch movies online legally
• 2009 Holiday movie preview | USA WEEKEND Magazine
• Popnography: Zac Efron Plays the Part of an Actor
• Review: Me and Orson Welles | theblogpaper.co.uk
• ARTSblog Blog Archive Filmmaker and Actors Inspired by Arts Educators
• Zac Efron Shines In Me and Orson Welles Entertainment - Technorati
• In which we talk to Richard Linklater | Houston Movies | 29-95.com
• Movie Reviews by FAQs: Me and Orson Welles
• Awards Daily--Watching Oscar 24/7 Blog Archive Christian McKay Strong Supporting Actor Contender
• Me and Orson Welles' - KansasCity.com
• Who Knew Zac Efron Could Act? | The New York Observer
• Movie Review - Me and Orson Welles - When a Bombastic Young Man Bestrode the Boards of the Mercury Theater - NYTimes.com
• All's Welles and Good - NYPost.com
• Efron comes of age in Me and Orson Welles - smdp.com (Santa Monica Daily Press)
• Movie Review: Me and Orson Welles | California Literary Review
• Movies - At The Movies - Me And Orson Welles - Digital Spy
• Review: Me and Orson Welles - Film School Rejects
• Shadows on the Wall | Me and Orson Welles
• Combustible Celluloid film review - Me and Orson Welles (2009), Richard Linklater, Zac Efron, Claire Danes, dvd review
• Zac Efron does fine, but 'Me and Orson Welles' most notable for uncovering Christian McKay
• Me and Orson Welles - Film review - Time Out New York
• 'Me and Orson Welles': movie review | csmonitor.com
• Me And Orson Welles Review | FILMSHAFT.COM
• Boxoffice > The Business of Movies > Movie Reviews > Me and Orson Welles
• Movie Review of Me and Orson Welles Starring Zac Efron and Claire Danes | Claire Danes, Movie Review, Me and Orson Welles | BuzzSugar - Movies, TV & Music
• Art & Culture Maven: Zac Efron stars in Me and Orson Welles
• 'Me and Orson Welles': Zac Efron's New Movie - TIME
• Me and Orson Welles : Review : Rolling Stone
• Zac Efron shows his cool in Me and Orson Welles - HitFix.com
• Zac Efron departs from stereotype in 'Me and Orson Welles' - washingtonpost.com
• IT'S PURE PRO ZAC.. - mirror.co.uk
• Me and Orson Welles (PG) | Stars Zac Efron, Christian McKay and Claire Danes | News Of The World
• Me and Orson Welles review | Film Reviews - Times Online
• Me and Orson Welles Review - Telegraph

Additional Info

• Get Robert Kaplow's novel at Amazon
• Pictures of Orson Welles' original 1937 production of "Julius Caesar" in the Mercury Theatre
• Premiere listing of the original 1937 play of Julius Caesar at the Broadway Internet Database

Supporters List

1. othfan628
2. nyychick2
3. Fearlessღ
4. ~Jewel~
5. LivvyxBaby
6. yagirlbee925
7. sarahbeth0587
8. Lizzie♥Z&V
9. RainbowChaser
10. *°*Peryne*°*
11. V-Nessa
12. tyubi
13. bettybaby
14. HSMloveOTH
15. Sweet_Honeycomb
16. zanessatroygabriellalover
17. Z+Vfan
18. Miss Fate
19. follow the sun
20. Nonna
21. FunSizedKristy
22. blackgreywhite
23. erinbonnie
24. maalibu
25. twinkley_angel
26. angie<3
27. Jordyn1234567
28. christine323
29. *PassionateJ*
30. sashanaa
31. Lawrahhh
32. _Addict_
33. tweetylove
34. JustღBreathe
35. Zac Efron's # 1 fan
36. heartunprepared
37. Jamie Choate
38. IcePrinCessx3
39. BreakingFree
40. Gizziefan1
41. melliee
42. gigi0315
43. PortugueseGirl
44. PiCkLeS4dAwSoN
45. KateB
46. StormySky
47. ButterflyBabe
    

Previous Threads
#1: Because Zac fascinates us in 1937 and 2008
#2: b/c the hairdresser already yelled "CUT!"
#3: b/c we'd let Zac fill our quadruple space anytime
#4: b/c we are waiting for Richard in his bathrobe
#5: because he will take TIFF by storm
#6: b/c only Richard can make a Wheaties jingle sound great
#7: b/c we're loving all the great reviews we're getting
#8: because we're counting down the days until October
#9 :B/C we don't think it's too much to ask for a U.S. release...channeling!
#10 :#10: Because we love that reviews are putting him in the same class as Leo and Johnny!
#11 ~ "Sometimes you remember a week for the rest of your life."
#12: Because what girl wouldn't want to hear, "You want me to fight for you? Because I will."
#13: because according to Richard, "ten seconds in I knew I had my guy"
#14: "He's a leading man. I think he's a gifted performer ... Never underestimate him."
#15: Because we're on M&OW promo overload & we love it!!
#16: because Because as Richard, "Zac Efron is nothing short of dazzling."
#17: "Me and Orson Welles is a thoroughly charming film, with Zac Efron in terrific form."
#18: "Efron's solid as the center of the film and our way into this story."
#19: Because "that's what this movie is all about. Its a love letter to the theater."
#20: "He turns in an entirely convincing performance with just the right range."
#21:"Efron takes a step here from pinup status to actor"
#22: With his ambition and charm, Richard will get what he wants!
#23 ~ "Orpheus with his lute made trees, and the mountaintops that freeze"
#24 ~ "So what's it like to be a beautiful woman?" Richard asks, and we all sigh
http://www.fanforum.com/f251/richard...hard-63083311/
#26 ~ Because the future for Richard and Greta is filled with 'possibilities'
http://www.fanforum.com/f251/richard...life-63099539/

Future Thread Titles:
"He turns in an entirely convincing performance with just the right range"
"Efron, shedding his "HSM" persona, is likable, engaging, and totally relatable"
"Efron takes a more oblique approach, and it pays off handsomely"
"... Efron more than gets by in his role as the sweet, plucky, starstruck newbie."
"... one of the best movies about the theater I've ever seen."
"'Me and Orson Welles' is a little velvet sack of diamonds."
"One of the sweetest and most heartfelt movies ever made about a life in the theater"
"... a fiction confected about real people, is too good not to be true."
"This is a movie of great spirit and considerable charm."
"Deft, affectionate, and unexpectedly enjoyable."
Because Orson saw "images of magnificence" in Richard; just like we see them in Zac
"Where is thy ukulele boy?" "I think some ******* doth stole it."



The opening post gets updated with new information as it becomes available. If you want to be added to the supporters list, please either leave a message in the thread or send a PM to one of the Mods.

magiacs

TFTNT Dani!

StormySky

Thanks Dani

I still never done anything with this OP after complaining about it so much at the start of the last thread

begin again

TFTNT I quite like the OP

magiacs

I actually think it's OK too..

heartunprepared

Just needs a touch up. WAY too many links! And some better headers - no orange! And a banner... we have better images for a real banner, that one was made before we even had stills

StormySky

Exactly, it just needs tidying up. I will get around to it eventually

begin again

The links are organized So it works for me

Define Obsession

Oh now Richard!!!

magiacs

Love it!

Is that even allowed around here?

StormySky

Hmm possibly not I don't know if it breaks the PG 13 rule

Define Obsession

It doesn't in movies obviously

heartunprepared

I think it's cool

magiacs

So funny the hand gesture is OK - the word - not so much. . .

KateB

I was surprised they had the hand gesture in, too, but I love his expression. That could have said it all, even without the hand. He is soooo expressive, he doesn't even need gestures, just his face says it all.