Diggers

[doobrah]

From today's Variety:

HDNet Films, the hi-def feature production arm of Todd Wagner and Mark Cuban's 2929 Entertainment, has greenlit the period piece "Diggers," starring Paul Rudd, Ken Marino, Josh Hamilton, Ron Eldard, Maura Tierney, Lauren Ambrose and Sarah Paulson. Script was penned by Marino; Katherine Dieckmann ("A Good Baby") will helm.

Plot concerns two generations of hard-living clam diggers trying to maintain their way of life in the midst of enormous changes in the Hamptons during the 1970s.

HDNet Films' heads Jason Kliot and Joana Vicente will produce along with Marino and Anne Chaisson.

Cuban and Wagner will exec produce.

Pic will be distributed simultaneously in theatrical, homevideo and cable markets through 2929's Magnolia Pictures distribution arm, Landmark Theaters cinema chain and HDNet Movies network. Homevid plans are not yet in place.

Dieckmann is a filmmaker, journalist and critic whose helming debut, "Good Baby," was released in 2000 by Curb Entertainment. She has also directed musicvids for bands R.E.M. and Wilco.

HDNet Films' credits include Alex Gibney's docudocu "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room." Unit is in production on Matt Tauber's "All Fall Down" and is in post on Alex Steyermark's "One Last Thing."

[maggiethecat]

Shoulda known you'd scoop me, Doobrah!

I'm hoping for a classic 70s rock score . . . and maybe his sunburned, streaky-haired self in cut-offs?!

But HDNet, darn it. It's "Fancy Footwork" all over again, and those of us without HDNet will have to depend on the largesse (and taping capabilities) of those who do .

So . . . anyone up for a road trip to the Hamptons?

[doobrah]

HD Net is only available to cable/satellite subscribers who have HD TV. That's not me. That's the channel that's supposed to run BJ in HD this fall.

I mean, to switch from analog (for me, 'cause I'd want to do it right) means the HDTV monitor, the HD satellite, the HD TIVO, and the DVD recorder. And that sounds like the down payment for a house. Sigh.

[rducasey]

Oh my God Doobrah. This is a dream come true. Ron's next movie is about clam digging you say???. I live in Rhode Island, the Ocean State, where clam digging is a way of life. Everyone worth their salt can wield a clam rake. Why the clam is our state mascot. Oh boy, maybe they will need a technical advisor. I'm applying for the job. It's just a short hop over the water to the Hamptons. "Ron dear, give me your clam rake, I will show you what to do with it."

[rducasey]

And just in case you thought I was kidding, try going to www.riquahog.com for a picture of our mascot and a cute picture of Ron holding a clamrake.

P.S. we call them quahogs here (coe-hogs)

[Katryna]

rducasey said:

Oh my God Doobrah. This is a dream come true. Ron's next movie is about clam digging you say???. I live in Rhode Island, the Ocean State, where clam digging is a way of life. Everyone worth their salt can wield a clam rake. Why the clam is our state mascot. Oh boy, maybe they will need a technical advisor. I'm applying for the job. It's just a short hop over the water to the Hamptons. "Ron dear, give me your clam rake, I will show you what to do with it."

Mary - As a displaced Rhode Islander I too am so excited about Ron being in this movie! I loved your comment about the quohog (clam) being the state mascot! Hey - I'm going to be in RI next week. Maybe we should meet at Pt Judith or Westerly and wade over to Long Island - Just a short walk from there to the Hamptons!

[doobrah]

rducasey said:

And just in case you thought I was kidding, try going to www.riquahog.com for a picture of our mascot and a cute picture of Ron holding a clamrake.

Ok, I fell for it. That's got to be the *least* flattering picture of our Ron that I've ever seen. Hope he looks better in the movie -- and good luck the the technical adviser gig!

[rducasey]

You're right Kathy, I forgot you are from RI and your son still lives here right? So let's get together for some of that great clam "chowda". Now, don't you wonder why they couldn't have filmed it here? Darn! Yummy yummy RE and clams.

[dogma]

<< Ok, I fell for it. That's got to be the *least* flattering picture of our Ron that I've ever seen. Hope he looks better in the movie -- and good luck the the technical adviser gig![/quote]>>

i just thought it was one of those age enhanced photos,,

( only kidding ) but that is so exciting to have something like that go on in an area someone is familiar with

[Katryna]

rducasey said:

You're right Kathy, I forgot you are from RI and your son still lives here right? So let's get together for some of that great clam "chowda". Now, don't you wonder why they couldn't have filmed it here? Darn! Yummy yummy RE and clams.

Not to mention those clam cakes!

[rducasey]

You're making my mouth water. I'm sure you'll have your fill of those while you're here. Even though there's no more Rocky Point. Anyway that is exciting news that Ron is making another movie. We'll all be looking for news about Diggers. But first Freedomland. Can't get enough of our man Ron.

[maggiethecat]

doobrah said:

rducasey said:

And just in case you thought I was kidding, try going to www.riquahog.com for a picture of our mascot and a cute picture of Ron holding a clamrake.

Ok, I fell for it. That's got to be the *least* flattering picture of our Ron that I've ever seen. Hope he looks better in the movie -- and good luck the the technical adviser gig!

That ain't Ron! That's some clam-digging beezer with a rake . . . !

[Katryna]

rducasey said:

You're making my mouth water. I'm sure you'll have your fill of those while you're here. Even though there's no more Rocky Point. Anyway that is exciting news that Ron is making another movie. We'll all be looking for news about Diggers. But first Freedomland. Can't get enough of our man Ron.

It IS exciting that Ron is making another movie. I am SO eager to see Freedomland. I found an obscure article on the web last night that makes me believe that they have expanded Danny Martin's part over what it was in the book. I hope so as I have heard that this is the character RE may be playing. I want to see as much of him on the screen as possible!

[doobrah]

Additional news today on Diggers:

Release Date: TBA 2007
Limited release

So after Freedomland in January, we've got to wait a year for this one.....

[shmeep]

So I'm catching up on this week's taped episodes of The Daily Show and last Monday night the guest was Paul Rudd. Well, he mentions to Jon Stewart that he just finished filming a movie three days before. A movie with Ron Eldard. A comedy about clam diggers in the 70s. I must say that hearing him talk about it gave me quite a thrill. And I dig the thought of Ron Eldard hanging out with Paul Rudd. They must have had so much fun making that movie.