A long time ago (last December, actually) during the shoot at Café Montmartre for the fifth episode of Chad Vader saga, Madison filmmaker John Feith captured some behind-the-scenes footage of on-set banter. "I was picked as an extra for Episode 5," he jokes, "probably because Matt Sloan is a big fan of my birdsong ringtones."
While Chad (Aaron Yonda) and Clarissa (Christina LaVicka) were getting dressed for the shoot I pulled out my secret video camera," explains Feith. "Kenneth Burns was interviewing them for Isthmus and several other people were taking photographs -- there was this Entertainment Tonight celebrity feel to the whole scene I think I was able to capture." Secretly, that is, when he wasn't acting.
His video clip -- actually "bootleg footage of paparazzi pestering the stars" and okayed by the team at Blame Society Productions -- follows below.
"It really was an honor to sit next to Chad Vader at Café Montmartre's bar," Feith continues to crack wise, "even though he was drunk and spilled some of his Chocolatini on me. I'm never washing my jacket ever (watch for it on eBay in the near future)."
"And I was very impressed by the entire crew's attention to detail. Matt and Aaron would switch off directing, with Tona Williams and John Urban also pitching in when both appear onscreen together." Feith continues. "So at least four people got to yell 'Action!' at different points. I was, however, disappointed that they didn't use a clapperboard -- that always makes for good behind-the-scenes footage."
The latest chapter of the series, Chad Vader Episode 6, wrapped up shooting recently (complete with a cameo appearance by Madison mayor Dave Cieslewicz), and is slated for release on Friday, Feb. 16.
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