SCREENING
REPORT
by
Anoray
(Click on the thumbnails
for a larger image)
Lucky
me getting to see Doug Jones at today's screening of "Butterfly
Circus" at the Laemmle Theater in Encino, CA!
After Webmaster
Helen's posted the event on Dougie's message board, I
was in a state of agitation figuring out how to rework
my weekend plans so I could go. I also felt more than
a wee bit chicken--so thank goodness for Helen's encouragement,
KateC's kick in the pants, plus the irresistible lure
of seeing Dougie, or I'd have missed out on this utterly
heartwarming film short.
Despite the
triple-digit baking heat of the San Fernando Valley, I'm
happy to say the theater was packed with a mixture of
cast, crew and enthusiastic supporters for both screenings.
While waiting in line among the murmuring crowd for the
first showing, I overheard people talking about their
involvement in the film. An adorable little boy with red
hair told us all, "When you see the boy holding the
caterpillar, that's me!"
Not long
before we filed into the theater, I spotted Doug's unmistakable
profile way up front. I'd brought a camera and notebook
in the hopes of pictures and a few words with Dougie to
share with dear Helen for The Doug Jones Experience
website. I hoped I hadn't missed my opportunity already!
In the blessed
coolness of the theater, I found a seat several rows back
from Doug and his wife, Laurie. The director, Joshua Weigel,
only had a moment to thank everyone for coming and expressed
his gratitude to all who contributed their time and talents
to the film. He and his wife, Rebecca, both seemed extremely
congenial and kind. Joshua explained The Butterfly
Circus was part of the Doorpost Competition and eligible
for the $100,000 prize if it won.
I certainly
hope it does win because it was an extremely touching
story about a severely disabled man who triumphs over
his despair with the help of his compassionate circus
colleagues. The musical score was rich and eloquent, the
photography very atmospheric, and the sets and costumes
wonderfully done for the 1930's era the story was set
within. The acting was emotionally involving and I give
my kudos to all the performers. Shot on a shoestring,
it looked big budget thanks to everyone's love and devotion
to the material.
As Otto,
Doug was moody, soulful, and totally elegant as a contortionist
and escape artist. He had some delightful screen moments
with the red-haired Caterpillar Boy. I realized
this was actually my first time seeing Dougie on the big
screen rather than DVD! I especially enjoyed seeing him
emerge from a small suitcase, then work his way out of
a straightjacket underwater in a later scene. He wore
sleeveless tops throughout, so we got treated to his willowy,
graceful arms whenever he was onscreen.
Everyone
loudly and sincerely applauded the film at the end. The
man next to me was sniffing back tears. "Didn't expect
that," he mumbled to me with a small smile. I noted
many people with lumps in their throats, myself included.
As we all shuffled back into the lobby, I caught Dougie's
eye and waved. He smiled and hugged me. "Anoray,
I'm so glad you could make it" My happiness level
went up about one hundredfold. "Dougie, Dougie, Dougie!"
I babbled rather senselessly from where I nestled my face
against his festive shirt. The floral patterns played
up the wonderful blues and greens in Dougie's sparkling
eyes perfectly.
Nothing like
attempting big hugs and eye gazing amidst a moving herd
of people! Just then, Nick Vujicic (who was amazing as
the disabled man in the film) was wheeling past in the
opposite direction, I believe to attend the second screening.
Dougie only had a moment for a warm greeting with Nick
before the militant ushers pretty much kicked us first
screeners outside into the courtyard.
Can I just
say how absolutely gallant Doug Jones is? For about the
next hour, although he was always the center of an eddy
of well wishers, puppies, and colleagues, he was kind
enough to intersperse chunks of time to chat with me.
I'm fairly sure I showed my gratitude and admiration in
a respectful way (even though I certainly felt like drooling
several times!).
I expressed
how much I'd enjoyed Doug's performance and the film,
although I wish I'd asked him more about the shoot itself,
like the rigors of doing the escape scenes. He did mention
Palmdale and Riverside, CA, as a couple of shooting locations.
We were both amazed at how it was only about a month ago
Dougie was actually filming The Butterfly Circus
-- and already this impressive, artistic project could
be enjoyed at the theater.
Doug introduced
me to the twin girls who'd played the Siamese twins, to
Conner Rosen ( the little Caterpillar Boy), Lexi Pearl
(the actress who played a trapeze artist), and Kirk Bovill
(the Tatooed Man). Kirk told me a funny story about how
he left the corporate world a couple of years ago to become
an actor, and he has been playing tons of "bad guys"
in various projects ever since. He was happy to be involved
in The Butterfly Circus because it was so uplifting--plus
he had fun putting a little bit of a "Beetlejuice"
voice into his character.
Dougie and
I also chatted about the upcoming Dragon.con and I wished
him a safe trip and a successful outcome with the various
panels, especially the one all about him. "I have
one all about me?" he asked bemusedly. Dougie explained
he usually shows up at the cons and Derek (his event manager)
tells him what he needs to do. Doug eyes lit up when we
discussed him soon meeting up with three very precious,
loyal DTF Fan Sapiens (Telly, KatyBacon and Rhiannon),
along with some newer faces like Michele.
At one point,
a very jolly fellow named Clent Bowers enveloped Dougie
in a giant hug. I learned Clent and Doug recently worked
together in a Jimmy Dean commercial, which should
be airing sometime in October. Keep an eye out because
it sounds like fun: Clent plays the character "Thunder"
while Dougie plays "Lightning!" I can't wait
to see what that has to do with sausages!
I also got
to meet Doug's best friend, Ken Jones (no relation) and
his wife, Jennifer. Ken had the most beautiful golden-brown
eyes!
Doug then
introduced Kevin and Caroline Rogers (who are both former
acrobats) and had a very amusing story. It turns out Doug
was Kevin's teacher back when Kevin was a 14 year old
student at the Barbizon
School of Modeling and Acting in Santa Maria. I looked
at Doug in disbelief. "YOU taught at the Barbizon
School?" He laughed. "Nobody knows that, so
you've got the scoop!" I giggled while Doug admitted
he commuted weekly to teach the only two male students
the school had at the time. That man is full of surprises.
Best of all,
Doug introduced me to his wife, Laurie, who has a very
warm and inviting personality. Like her husband, she's
charming and beautiful inside and out. We talked a bit
about how she's enjoying helping Doug with all the multitude
of things related to his career and how much easier it
is now to be involved in spontaneous projects. They can
also spend their free time together with less chaos. The
beginning took a little readjustment for both of them,
but it's settled into a very pleasant arrangement. I asked
her if she'd be accompanying Doug to Dragon.con, but she
said the only con she's attended so far was San Diego
Comic Con. Doug's schedule at cons is intense, so he gets
worried about her being bored waiting for him to be available.
She did enjoy SDCC, plus all of its bizarrely dressed
cosplayers. Two standouts she remembered were a family
of blood-smeared zombies (including the little children)
and a women in a white fur bikini with furry ears and
a tail. Laurie has a delightful laugh and smile, which
she shared with so many of the people present.
Finally,
the cast and crew were getting ready to gather at Chili's
in the mall center for a little party, and it was time
for me to head home. All during the meet and greets, it
had been getting progressively hotter. As I touched base
with Dougie one last time, I felt (and looked) like a
wrung out mop. Fortunately, Dougie said he was sweaty,
too, and he seemed to have no problem giving me some more
big hugs. One of Dougie's many well wishers took a couple
of pictures of us with my camera.
In those
photos, I look like a total grinning buffoon because Dougie
softly and sweetly said "You know I love you,"
then asked me to look at the camera while he took my hand
and kissed it. Between the unrelenting heat-- and now
Dougie's chivalry--I was now completely puddle-ized. "I
love you, too," I managed to burble somewhere along
the line. We gave each other fond kisses on the cheek
and said our goodbyes.
I pulled
my wayward molecules back together (sort of) and sloshed
to the parking lot. My car's thermometer read 119 degrees.
Big deal. My happiness meter was off the chart.
Anoray
Los Angeles, 30th August, 2009
Anoray
and Dougie
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