Phew!
Hello everyone. I know its been a long time since the last post. There are great reasons as to why.
I finished the Invasion script I was laboring on (thank you Final Draft!) and handed it over to a producer. I was thrilled with the ideas I was working on when I started, and the execution of those ideas was going really well. I felt that the only way to write a script for a show that is already outside the box is to BE outside the box. I thought I could throw in some story lines that would turn the Invasion world on its head. I was so misguided. After reading the last three Invasion scripts there was at least one major idea I’d been working on in my script which was incorporated (in one form or another) in their story lines. Who am I to think I could out “oustide the box” Shaun Cassidy? When I handed my script over I told the producer, “Its all but obsolete, but its a damn good writing sample”.
My usual shooting schedule for Invasion is a few days here and there. Out of the blue I was given two monster episodes back to back with quite a lot of shooting days. Combined with that commitment I was planning to head out to Austin for the SXSW festival which fell smack dab in the middle of the shoot for the second episode. Fortunately the Invasion producers were gracious enough to compress all of my work for the second into just one loooooooooooooong day of shooting so that I could leave for Austin two days later. By the way, if you are a fan of the show and where its come, you’re going to be blown away by where its headed!
Behind The Mask proved to be a great success at SXSW and what looked like a longshot going into the festival is shaping up to be “coming to a theater near you”. An increadible review of the film can be seen on “aintitcool.com”. I’ll try to set it up as a link on the sidebar to make it easier to access.
I was hoping that there would be a handful of people in the audience who would have had a few drinks too many at the premier party just before the screening and that their enthusiasm would slowly spread like an infection throughout the theater. I figured if just twenty or thirty people “got” the film we’d be able to demonstrate its marketability.
What happened in reality was everyone seemed to get it. People responded to the most subtle horror references as well as the classic, genre-defining conventions which the film so cleverly examines. In the end we received a standing ovation as well as an impressive reception from film distribution representatives from just about all of the big indie labels.
What happens next is more promotion, negotiations, maybe a deal getting hammered out, possibly more time getting logged in at the editing or sound studios, or maybe the project getting scrapped altogether. But at least there’s a good chance that one of the thousands of great films made every year will find its audience and we’ll get a chance to ride that train all the way down the line while checking out the view from coach.
I hope you’re all well. I’ll be in touch…
Hi Nathan,
That’s great news about the reception of Behind the Mask - and all of your Invasion work, as well. When it rains, it pours. I read the review too - nice job! Thank you for the update; we know that you are very busy - but very busy is very good! All the best -
Comment by Joanna — March 14, 2006 @ 5:54 pm
Hello Nathan,
Kim and I are very happy for you that your movie went great. You have been very busy. I cant wait until I will be able to see your movie. Invasion is also going really great. The whole family has really gotten into it so much and I also tape every episode. Good luck and we will talk with you later.
Comment by Darren Jones — March 14, 2006 @ 6:15 pm
Hey Nathan,
I was at the Premire of Behind the Mask at SXSW. It was a very clever film. I went to a bunch of films and the Behind the Mask premire was the best. You guys did an amazing job. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the film released nationally. Can’t wait for the DVD.
I was very impressed with your work especially. I watched the first show of Invasion and never watched it again, but now after knowing you are on the show and your dynamic performance in Behind the Mask i’ll give it another try.
This is the first time visiting your site. It’s really cool that you are so available to your fans, (which I am now).
In case you care, I am a screenwriter, my specialty is horror. I currently attending film school at the University of North Texas. Would love to share some of my scripts with you, if you are interested.
Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing more from you!
Comment by jason Pitts — March 14, 2006 @ 9:50 pm
Show me whatever you have Jason. I don’t think I could really do anything for you at this stage in my career unfortunately, but I’d love to see what you’re working on. You can send anything to me at Warner Brothers c/o Invasion Production in Burbank.
By the way, there were so many scenes cut down or out altogether from BTM that the DVD would have a ridiculous amount of great bonus material!
Comment by Nathan Baesel — March 14, 2006 @ 10:20 pm
Hi Nathan…
I was impressed by your humbled admittance of script writing misguidance. It’s probably not quantified until you hear back from the producer however. I know you will keep us informed.
A Fichtner Fan on my (WF) site suggested that William would have been an excellent candidate for Anne Rice’s new production of “Lestat” on Broadway (especially since he already has the fang prosthetic from Ultraviolet) I heartily agreed and then thought YOU would be perfect for the role of…LOUIS!! You both have theatrical backgrounds…you have a summer hiatus (I’m assuming…but will start shooting Invasion’s SECOND SEASON soon after, I hope!) he’d be in his hometown and you’d be Laurel and Hardy again. The only setback is, it’s a musical! Can you sing? William may need a singing coach from what I’ve heard in his past films (sorry William, but hopefully it was just your SAG caliber winning acting voice) I’d pay big bucks to see THAT production! What say you?
Good luck with the film! Sounds like you did a great job from that excellent critique! (and thanks for the watercolor WF portrait compliment BTW!) You have fans on the site as well!! Come visit sometime!
All the Best,
Comment by AJ — March 15, 2006 @ 5:59 am
Hi AJ! I picked up your piece from production on Friday and I was blown away. Its beautiful and now featured prominently in my living room. I hope it makes an acceptable home away from the gallery. Thank you so much!
I thought Elton John and Bernie Taupin collaborating once again on “Lestat” would be an opportunity I couldn’t miss. I should have missed. It was one of the most embarassingly bad auditions I’ve ever had. I flew out to NY specifically to audition for it about a year ago and I screwed up everything. At least I got a c.d. of Sir Elton singing the songs out of it.
I don’t know if Bill “sings” sings but he’s always humming some Rolling Stones tune or other classic rock gem. I’d pay to see him stomping “the boards” on Broadway!
Comment by Nathan Baesel — March 15, 2006 @ 8:43 am
I am so glad you like it! A warm living room environment is much more appropriate for that piece than a drafty gallery and I know it has a good home. I am honored.
Well, I guess I am much more perceptive than I thought!! I was speechless that you auditioned for Lestat!!!! I am sorry you had a bad audition. But perhaps if you HAD gotten the part…you may have missed the opportunity to audition for Invasion, which would have disappointed us ALL, AND you would have been stuck performing the same old dialog twice a day for months at a time instead of exciting storylines, great co-workers, a hit film, a loyal fan following and a little giftie for your living room. Things always work out for the best!
Comment by AJ — March 16, 2006 @ 8:35 am
Heya Nathan.
You must be a pretty tolerant guy to have to endure all of that. I’m very excited to see the return of Invasion. I’ve watched the show since day 1. Your role as Lewis is one of my favorites and really adds to the show’s theme of “innocence”. Your acting is always very realistic!
Keep up that great work. I can’t wait to see more.
Comment by Vince — March 16, 2006 @ 4:13 pm
Hi Nathan,
Glad to hear that BTM was such a success at the sxsw festival! I WISH I could have gotten there…but while your film was premiering, I was (quite literally) driving AROUND San Antonio for 5 hours (until 3 a.m.)! (Who the HECK [besides Texas] has “loops”?!?!? Not us NYers…that’s for sure!) And seeing the sign for Austin that said I was only 45 miles away did NOT help things…LOL. I was sooo tempted to ditch my friend and just drive to Austin and find the festival!
But I digress…sorry…it’s the jetlag! Before I went to Texas, I was in CA for the weekend and I had the chance to go on the WB VIP Tour on the 13th! I saw the “Invasion” Ranger Station and (because I’m such a talkative gal!) the tour guide even got us special permission to go onto Stage 17! (Sound familiar?) It’s the set for the Underlay home. MAN is that set HUGE!!!!!!! And gorgeous! I wanna live there! (who needs ceilings?!) The tour guide, Michael, wanted to take us to the lagoon and the Varon home…but you guys were filming so we couldn’t go.
I can’t wait until April 19th and the return of Invasion! You sure make it sound like the viewers are in for quite a ride! I’m also hoping that BTM will be released theatrically or at the very least put on DVD! This story soooooo intrigues me! One of my fave movies is Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (where he has the actors and actress from the original Freddie movies play themselves and Freddie has entered their lives) and BTM sounds similar to that…is that correct?
Well, hope you’re doing well and I hope that if you do any theatre work in NY during the hiatus that you’ll let us know. I’d love to see you on stage!
Comment by Annie — March 23, 2006 @ 3:22 pm
Hi Nathan,
I just stumbled across your website from an imdb link. Big fan of Invasion here in the UK and wanted to find out a bit more about my favourite actors from the show.
Great to keep up to date with what you’re up to.
Here’s to seeing more of you on TV!
Steve
Comment by Steve — March 27, 2006 @ 5:11 am