Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Hollywood director cuts film in Ketchum

JB Rogers works on new picture


By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

Film director JB Rogers with his editor Mike Sale Photo by Sabina Dana Plasse

In an office suite tucked behind the Clarion Inn in Ketchum are three men busily at work editing JB Rogers' latest film, "Demoted." Far away from the environs of Hollywood, "Demoted" is being edited for a Hollywood major release.

"The technology has evolved so that you don't need a giant facility," said the film's editor, Mike Sale. "This is the most relaxing part of film making."

Rogers is the director of "American Pie II" (2001), "Say It Isn't So" (2001) and "American Summer," to be released next year. He has worked as an assistant director on many comedy films, including several for the Farrelly Brothers, Bobby and Peter. Bobby Farrelly is a part-time Sun Valley resident.

"Demoted" features Michael Vartan, Sean Austin and David Cross and had a test screening at the Magic Lantern Cinema in Ketchum on Thursday, Nov. 20, which Rogers said was very successful.

"Traditionally, test screenings were done on flatbeds," Sale said. "Now it's easy and cost effective because it can be done digitally."

Based in Los Angeles, Sale said he misses his family, but he really likes working in Ketchum. No stranger to editing away from home, Sale has edited films in New York City, Toronto, Miami, North Carolina and Chicago.

"In the morning it's really nice to walk to the Coffee Grinder and JB and I can walk to lunch," Sale said. "In Los Angeles, it takes an hour to do anything."

Rogers came to Ketchum because his wife lives here, and he sends his three sons to school in the valley. His film career began in Los Angeles when he decided to take a year off after college before going to law school. Rogers never made it to law school, but he did work for Hollywood director Roger Corman for $100 a day and continued to learn the business.

"I describe the films I make as unexpected humor," Rogers said. "People use the words gross-out, but the films mostly take people by surprise."

Rogers loves doing test screenings because the audience's comments are constructive, and he likes to listen to the audience watching the film. Though Rogers is a history buff and reads history books most of the time, he does know his genre.

"Rule No. 1 is pain is funny," Rogers said. "Don't know what rule No. 2 is, but rule No. 3 is a monkey is comedy."

A release date for "Demoted" has not been determined but the film must be edited by spring.




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