The Day Before Yesterday

A film called Flyboys opened in England 2 days ago. It's directed by Tony Bill and produced by Dean Devlin. It is based on a true story set during World War One. I knew much of this because I have a good friend who worked as Dean's assistant and also shot the EPK (behind the scenes) for Flyboys. It was shot 2 years ago. It didn't do well in the US. It cost $60 million and the money didn't come from a Hollywood Studio. In that way, it seems the most expensive independent film ever made. Dean Devlin had come over from LA and was doing the promotion for it. He was at an airshow in the afternoon and then was going to join us for dinner. I was chatting to a new friend Amber who i had previously met about 9 months ago while queuing outside Busaba Earthai. Dean Devlin also produced Stargate, Independence Day and Godzilla. He was now waiting to get into a restaurant on Wardour Steet with the rest of us. Me and Amber agreed that waiting to get into a restaurant was stupid, no matter who you were. I remained quiet at dinner although I did have a brief chat with Dean about new HD (High Definition) formats. I was slating the HDV format while he was advocating it which I thought was very strange. After dinner we went back around the corner where Dean said bye to everyone. One thing was on my mind and I was going to say it no matter how trite it might have sounded. So when he shook my hand I said,

"It was a pleasure meeting you and I wanted to thank you for making The Day After Tomorrow..."

"I didn't make that, Roland did..."

"Oh... oh, I'm so sorry...how embarrassing..."

I could see Amber wide eyed and gobsmacked. If I was trying to get a job from this man (which I am not in a position to and probably have no relation to him other than having a mutual friend) I had probably just blown it. You don't do things like this in this indusrty. People are touchy. I'm not sure what Dean was. We were laughing about it afterwards and I did feel a bit silly yet somehow bold in an accidental way. I had heard a lot about Dean for about 2 years until I met him. I rarely said anything to him throughout dinner and when I did, I got my facts wrong... and unitentionally may have irked, a massive Hollywood Producer.

"Priceless...", Amber said. Well, at least he'll remember who I am when I go to LA and take him up on his offer to stay in his house. I'm sure that's what he said....


- J

postdata. Roland Emmerich had worked together with Dean Devlin for many years, both as writing and producing partners before The Day After Tomorrow. Their latest offering 'Isobar' is currently in production. The accuracy of this information may be unreliable...