Posted by WetHotAmericanSummer at 208.154.17.239 on February 28, 2002 at 15:16:58:
In Reply to: A question for Kevin re: Clerks S.E. DVD posted by Scott D S on February 28, 2002 at 15:14:56:
: Hi Kevin. My name is Scott Saslow and I have a question regarding the Clerks 10th Anniversary DVD that is in the pipeline. At the MegaCon in Orlando this past weekend (I had a great time!), I had the good fortune of meeting you, albeit all too briefly. I'm sure you don't remember but I was the flannel-wearing one outside the auction who asked you about the DVD supplements. (I also asked where your wife went to high school.) Well, I took a film class last semester here at FSU and I wrote an extremley long and detailed paper about Clerks. I titled it "Origins of the Askewniverse" and recieved an A on it. I love this film. I identify with it. It is what got me into screenwriting in general.
: Well, there is a man named Eric Lichtenfeld. A couple of years ago, he wrote his UCLA thesis on Die Hard. He knew a guy who knew a guy at Fox who was overseeing the production of the Special Edition Die Hard DVDs. Mr. Lichtenfeld's (a nice guy with whom I have personally corresponded via e-mail about my own paper) thesis was used as part of the DVD supplements. During the first Die Hard film, the viewer can choose to watch with a running subtitled text commentary. This commentary is made up of excerpts of Mr. Lichtenfeld's paper as well as interviews he conducted with members of the cast and crew (even Alan Rickman!). It is very good, very educational, very insightful, not to mention scholarly. Ghostbusters and The Abyss: SE have similar features.
: Now, I was wondering if I may be able to contribute in a similar way. My paper consists of the following:
: a.) a plot synopsis (some of my best written work, IMHO) which details every pop-culture reference and every connection between this film and subsequent VA films (everything from Vulgar the Clown to Willam's appearance at the tail end of J&SBSB)
: b.) my own analysis (There is much more that I can add but, for now, I touch upon some Freudian subtext with Dante as the superego and Randal as the id.) I'd like to touch upon other subjects including existentialism.
: c. excerpts from your interview with Stephen Lowenstein for the book "My First Film" which is an excellent read, by the way (!)
: d. excerpts from the August 2002 Wizard Special Edition
: e. excerpts from various Mike McCarthy interviews found on this website (with Scott Mosier, Vincent Pereira, Jason Mewes, and Brian O'Halloran)
: f. excerpts from John Pierson's "Spike, Mike, Slackers, and Dykes"
: g. excerpts from an interview that I conducted with Marilyn Ghigliotti via email (she is very nice and was happy to answer my questions)
: h. excerpts from a website detailing the failed FOX live-action Clerks pilot
: i. excerpts from the audio commentary for Clerks: The Animated Series
: j. excerpts from the News Askew summaries (FAQs)
: Well, that's that. I can only hope you get this message. I'd be more than happy to send you a sample of the paper. I ask for nothing in return. I'm doing this strictly as a fan who has something to offer which might benefit other fans.
: Thank-you,
: Scott Saslow
: P.S. I was serious. Next time you are on Boca, dinner in me. :-)
: Scot Saslow
: 10675 Emperor St.
: Boca Raton, FL. 33428