Well here it is. Behind The Mask opens tomorrow. I’ve tried so hard to put it out of my mind since we shot the thing two-and-a-half years ago. I’ve counselled myself not to expect too much from it, not to have ANY expectations so as to avoid all disappointment. Very Buddhist-like I’ve worked to snuff out the spotfires of desire. As the film has progressed along the seemingly endless meanderings of indie film post- production and promotion however, and as I’ve seen movie houses packed with hundreds of people (who have no motive but to enjoy a film) erupt in laughter or revelation I’ve been so encouraged by the the possibilities of this little film.
Now I sit very anxious about the opening. Although we’ve been embraced by most horror-genre media, the mainstream media has little affection for films deconstructing the genre even if it’s new ground we’re treading. I’ll soon see how/if BTM is embraced as the dollars are counted up after the weekend; and really that is the only litmus test that matters.
I think what concerns me most is that this role is the closest I’ve ever been to feeling completely in my element as an artist and I may never get such a proper vehicle to express myself again. I couldn’t be happier with the results of my labor. In a film that spans an hour and forty-five minutes there’s probably only two cringe moments, and that’s a feat! In the countless reems of material lining the cutting room floor I know there are gems which will appear on the dvd release and offer more fun cringe-free moments. In all, watching this movie is like recalling one long fond memory. I don’t want it to be the last.
I am excited, tremendously, about this weekend. Friends and family have been so sweet and supportive. Both of my brothers are rounding up huge groups for Friday night showings in Long Beach and Dallas. I know its not just blind love that’s motivating them either. I know they believe in the film and they are taking active parts in affecting a populist championing of this little film of ours. And you know honestly: in this day and age that’s the only way that a TRUE independent film stands a chance.
I hope you get a chance to see. I hope you enjoy it. I hope you’ll let me know honestly what you think. Click on the film’s site for theater listings near you and call a friend. Some popcorn, sodapop, milkduds and Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon. I guarantee you a good time.
I’m gonna be first in line!! Waltham, MA. 7:45 Friday night yelling…I KNOW HIM! THAT’S NATHAN BAESEL! HE’S WONDERFUL IN THIS! HE’S a GREAT GUY and I KNOW HIM!” I hope the theater is packed, so I can be obnoxious to a large number of people!! (and I want them to laugh hysterically at all the funny parts)
GOOD LUCK! I am so freakin excited for you!
Comment by AJ — March 15, 2007 @ 9:41 am
I have heard nothing but awesome things about this movie and especially your acting!! The trailers are great. Very unique twist on the horror genre. I am definitely watching it this weekend. I’ve emailed all my friends to check it out as well. This will certainly become an instant classic. Best of Luck!!
Comment by Laura — March 15, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Wow! Two and half years ago, you filmed this??? That’s amazing. I wish you all good things with the film’s release, especially decent box office! Best of all, it’s finally here!!!
Comment by Joanna — March 16, 2007 @ 6:42 am
Just saw the movie, awesome work. Hope to see a sequel now, more of the back story.
Comment by Ray — March 16, 2007 @ 7:54 pm
You ROCK!!!!!!
Saw the movie at 12:35 today and you blew my socks off! The movie was awesome and I can’t wait to go again and again! Because we went so early today (and because of the severely nasty weather) hubby and I were the only ones in the theater…but hey it just meant all my attention was focused on the screen instead of the guy kicking my chair!
KUDOS to you and the cast and crew for an awesome job.
Comment by Annie — March 16, 2007 @ 10:44 pm
I have been reading the reviews for the past hour and EVERYONE LOVED it AND YOU!!!! I am ecstatic for you! I think this is it! You are a rising star!
Baesel make the most of the deadpan script, a surprisingly fresh take on the usual cliches.- NY Daily News
Baesel is an extraordinary presence, holding the film together with his mesmerizing performance, charm and openness, and Goethals measures up to him. - Washington Post
Lead actors are perfectly attuned to pic’s tonal shifts. Baesel comes across as a younger, edgier and much scarier Jim Carrey (think “The Cable Guy II: Back for Blood”) - Variety
It’s a sleeper Nathan!! Another Blair Witch!! YOU ROCK!!!
Comment by AJ — March 17, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
I just got back from seeing Behind the Mask at a theater in Waltham, MA. I went with my wife, her brother and his girlfriend, and we all loved it. I am still thinking about it, and if it was playing any closer (we all drove an hour to go see it) I’d see it again. It was fantastic. I can not wait for it to come out on DVD so I can buy it.
Congratulations, as I said on the car ride home, that was one of the best ‘horror’ movies I’ve seen in years.
Also, I thought you were great on Invasion.
Looking forward to the sequal!!
Comment by Jon — March 17, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
I forgot to add something to my above comment, just an idea. When it comes out on DVD, you should see if they could sell a copy that it signed by the cast. I really loved the movie. Everyone was fantastic in it.
Comment by Jon — March 17, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
I saw the movie tonight in Hollywod and enjoyed it alot. I read a review saying it was comparable to Scream . . I actually enjoyed it more. It’s just amazing that this movie did not get a major release.
By the way, if you remember, I was the guy with the hat that walked up and said I liked the movie to you on your way out of the theatre. That was a cool surprise, seeing the star of a movie I just watched on the way out of the theatre . . . L.A.
Had to look you up on IMDB to see where it was my friend and I recognized you from . . after doing so I realized it was Invasion. Got this blog link from there.
Good luck with this movie and on future projects.
Comment by Eric — March 17, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
Hey, my girlfriend and I caught the movie this weekend and we both loved it. My exact words were “This guy is definitely going to be showing up in more films.” Great performance. Good luck in the future.
Comment by Jordan — March 19, 2007 @ 4:56 am
Just saw the flick, and liked it quite a bit. It’s a tough sort of movie to pull off, especially the genre twist at the end, but they did it, and I don’t think it would have been nearly as good without your giddily entertaining performance.
Comment by Paul — March 21, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
caught it last night in chicago. great, great, GREAT film. a wonderful and loving deconstruction of the slasher genre (this film is what scream was trying to do, but fell WAY short). terrific performances all around. i loved how the movie went in and out of doc/slasher look; excellent cinematography. it’s a real shame that this movie did not get released all that well. it deserves all the accolades that have been heaped upon it. i hope that it opens a ton of doors for everyone involved.
looking very much forward to the dvd. SPECIAL FEATURES!!!!
Comment by Adam — March 22, 2007 @ 5:43 pm
We saw the movie in Long Beach and LOVED it!! It was awesome, and you were really good in it. The really interesting (not to mention cool) part was that after the movie, we noticed that you were sitting in the same theater!! We would have like to have told you how much we loved both the movie and your performance, but found ourselves a bit star-struck! Glad I found your blog!
Comment by Betty Silva — March 22, 2007 @ 7:34 pm
I’m not a fan of horror movies and in fact have never seen more than just pieces of the Freddy, Jason and Mike movies. But Behind the Mask was amazing. I can’t wait to see you in more movies (besides you’re a cutie!)
Comment by Rebecca — March 23, 2007 @ 7:21 am