CASTING BRIAN / A LIFE OF ITS OWN

[christine~]

September 26, 2008 - 08:45am

I've just returned from a first round of serious U.K. casting sessions where I met numerous actors interested in the role of Brian Epstein. A second-round process will take place in November, and I fully expect we will have the lead cast by the end of this year!

Looking back on this Blog, it strikes me how much has happened since we began this project, almost 3 years ago... Several past entries begin with "In Memory Of" noting that we have lost friends and partners along the way. And many of you will remember that we were hoping to debut the film in Liverpool by the end of this year, as a Capital of Culture 2008 event... and of course that's not happening...

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" indeed.

And that is, really, what's happened here. "The Fifth Beatle" has taken on a life of its own.

The film started as my passion project-- and to be sure, it's still very much that. But now it's so much more, and it represents something important to so many other people-- its family has grown along the way despite some tough losses, it's taken more gestation than expected to develop all aspects properly, it's been both magical and elusive narrowing in on our "perfect" Brian... but it's also closer than ever to entering a new stage of life altogether...

So stay tuned-- the next several months and 2009 have a lot in store for us... And thanks to everyone who's reading this, for being a part of this life of its own.

Vivek J. Tiwary

writer/director

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See this entry as part of Vivek's entire blog {HERE}
Thanks!
christine~

[yerblues1968]

Thank you for posting this information Eppylover. It was strange that all this was posted by the writer/director, Vivek J. Tiwary, as I was thinking and was curious about how the production of this movie is progressing while I was cooking dinner for my mother and me. Tonight, I decided to cook a shrimp and sausage gumbo with rice and prepared a nice salad to go with it--not that it matters. When I have time, I do enjoy cooking, but not for myself, as I like to share it.

I was getting ready to send you an e-mail to see if you knew of any developments, but then I realized you would know just as much as we do whether you heard anything or not. You would definitely keep us informed of any progress on the production of the film. Sure enough, you had immediately posted this information for us to keep us abreast of all that is happening. I am certain some of us were very anxious to know if the production of this movie was finally getting off the ground.

Tonight while I was cooking, I started thinking--knowing that it is mid-September--that for The Fifth Beatle movie to be premiered in mid-year may not be realized. Next year is fast approaching and many things has happened that had effected the production of this movie (such as a new casting director), and as Vivek mentioned "In Memory Of." A new casting director changes everything and may have to start from scratch. There were some major uncontrollable setbacks, which took time to "heal." But nevertheless, because of these unforeseen occurrences, a new level of understanding took place that gave the staff a better perspective in producing this movie, which honors everyone involved.

I am so impressed with Vivek's devotion to locating the perfect "Brian" and to reveal that there were several interested persons desiring to play the part. His presence is there during important decisions of this film. At this point, I do not really care how long it will take to truly film this "labor of love" to Brian. It takes time to create / produce anything to its complete perfection and having the foresight to examine all angles, every detail. "Patience makes perfect" in its evolution in my opinion as long as it is progressing, which is what is happening here.

It took "Gone With The Wind" almost three years before the perfect Scarlett O'Hara was cast, and this was a fictional character. It took the right actress to bring the main character to life. There were several setbacks in making this movie to the point where there were deep concerns that the movie would never be completed. A different director was also used. George Cukor was the original director, but Clark Gable preferred another director--Victor Fleming, who later replaced him. Viven Leigh preferred George Cukor. The production was very complicated in many ways. It took over six years from start to finish before the movie finally premiered in 1939. After all the long years and hard work, the end result was a timeless classic which garnered several awards, and is among the most watched films in history.


Douglas Montgomery and Vivien Leigh at GWTW screen test. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh.


Vivien Leigh accepting the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1940 for Gone With The Wind.




"Gone With The Wind" trailer. (1:34 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=49dQ0PxkVu0



"Gone With The Wind" screen tests for the role of Scarlett O'Hara. (6:50 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpfCIOQmwks



Vivien Leigh at the Academy Awards in 1940 accepting her award
for Best Actress for "Gone With The Wind." (0.56 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaPMpD4oxDA


From reading Vivek's words, I can see his own disappointment that The Fifth Beatle movie had not progressed to his expectations as far as meeting a desired deadline. I would not be surprised if he is under tremendous stress though sensitive not to reveal too much. I trust his decisions, and the crew, that the final outcome of this movie will be beyond our own "expectations."

The way I see it, 2008 is the year of the Beatles. Next year, 2009 will be the year for Brian Epstein.

Thank you again, Eppylover, for all that you do. I also thank Vivek J. Tiwary and The Fifth Beatle crew.


The film Gone With The Wind premiered in Atlanta, Georgia on December 15, 1939. It is a fictional romantic war film based on the Civil War (1861-1865) of the American South. The film is 222 minutes. A timeless classic that later received 10 Academy Awards. Here is a documentary on The Making of Gone With The Wind.




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 1 of 14. (10:31 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoPUc9K6-n0




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 2 of 14. (10:36 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j1stvcllRk




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 3 of 14. (8:45 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMUnh2ACdrk




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 4 of 14. (7:34 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQK5daloGBc




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 5 of 14. (8:27 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxMCqh7i-hk




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 6 of 14. (8:58 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4FqfAxaiIE




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 7 of 14. (2:12 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWAehzg5kRc




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 8 of 14. (8:05 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=esuX3rSUaRM




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 9 of 14. (8:16 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YeOfJ_wlxo




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 10 of 14. (8:42 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3KHTYMRSTM




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 11 of 14. (10:55 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV9o3dV_Lyo




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 12 of 14. (10:40 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCMGty4cJL8




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 13 of 14. (7:00 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjJtThkHvoY




The Making of "Gone With The Wind." Part 14 of 14. (8:32 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjiHs8KdzvA