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The Herald Scotland
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Brilliant Bruce Springsteen documentary but why the snub to Scotland?
**** Tony wasn't happy. 'Where the **** have you been? You're late.' 'Highway was jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive,' said Christopher. 'Aw you're gonna get ****ing cute now?' It's a measure of Springsteen's fame that he needs no introduction, whether he's being quoted in The Sopranos, earning Trump's ire on social media ('This dried-out prune of a rocker ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT'), or having a night devoted to him on BBC2, of which this documentary was the highlight. Springsteen's first visit to Britain, or 'the land of our gods and saviours' as the Beatles/Stones/Animals worshipper put it, was in 1975 to play the Hammersmith Odeon. The audience loved him but Springsteen thought he had been terrible. 'I had PTSD from it,' he joked. He couldn't bear to watch the film (shown as part of the night) for 30 years. After that it was all gravy for Springsteen, and the documentary in general, as we heard from the man himself, plus friend and bandmate Steven Van Zandt, fans (celebrity and otherwise) and journalists. Among the celebrities, Rob Brydon's devotion was writ large in a teenage scrapbook. Growing up near Port Talbot, Springsteen said more to him than The Jam singing about the Tube. Sting described his mate Bruce as 'a whirling dervish of benevolent male energy'. Tony Parsons said Britain needed Bruce as an antidote to the New Romantics. The 'ordinary' fans shone brightest, including Hazel Wilkinson, who danced with Bruce onstage at the Manchester Apollo; the striking miners' wives handed a cheque for £20,000 in Newcastle; and the nine-year-old lad who sang Hungry Heart with the Boss in Coventry. And what of the gigs in Scotland? We saw a ticket stub from the Edinburgh stop on the 1980-81 River tour, and Ravenscraig appeared in a miners' strike montage, but that seemed to be it. What, no Hampden, no Murrayfield? No excerpts from the glowing reviews in The Herald and other papers, or interviews with those who were there? Even the briefest of searches would have struck research gold. It was the same for Wales and Northern Ireland. Springsteen and young fan at Hampden. Colin Mearns (Image: Colin Mearns/The Herald) Now, it is possible footage or stills from the Scottish gigs were featured, but were not captioned as such in the preview version I saw. Perhaps stuff hit the cutting room floor. Every concert can't be shown and maybe it was enough for some viewers to run a caption saying 'over 60' shows have been played in Britain since Bruce and The E Street Band got back together. Plus fans, Scottish or otherwise, go where they can get tickets. My two cents: if you make a film titled When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain - part of a series that includes Bob Marley, Blondie and ABBA - it seems only right to cover all parts of Britain. It was an odd omission in an otherwise terrific hour that left no doubt about Springsteen's love for his UK fans and vice versa. He didn't need a fellowship of the Ivors Academy to prove he's always welcome here, but great that he got it, and from a Beatle as well. Now about that honorary knighthood …
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rob Gronkowski, Sistine Stallone, Mischa Barton & More Join Crime Thriller ‘Bad News On The Doorstep'
EXCLUSIVE: Former NFL star Rob 'Gronk' Gronkowski (The Roaring Game), Sistine Stallone (47 Meters Down: Uncaged), and Mischa Barton (The O.C.) are among new additions to Bad News on the Doorstep, the 1950s mafia crime thriller on which we were first to report a week ago. As previously announced, Chazz Palminteri and Robert Davi lead the cast opposite their sons, Dante Palminteri and Nick Davi. Others newly set include Robert Picardo (Star Trek: Voyager), Cerina Vincent (Cabin Fever), Federico Castelluccio (The Sopranos), Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos), Ed Marinaro (Blue Mountain State), John Fiore (The Sopranos), Kea Ho (Junction), Rob Goon (The Roaring Game) and Godsmack lead singer Sully Erna (Bleed for This). More from Deadline Issa Rae To Star In & Produce Comedic MRC Thriller 'Good People, Bad Things' From Ninian Doff Country Star Kane Brown Joins Taylor Lautner In Romantic Comedy 'The Token Groomsman' First Look Images Of Rob Gronkowski, Mickey Rourke, Fivel Stewart & Justin Chatwin In Sports Comedy 'The Roaring Game' Recently wrapping production in Rhode Island, Bad News on the Doorstep unfolds as a poignant coming-of-age narrative chronicling the lives of Frank and Gino, two Italian-American high-school football prodigies amidst the gritty backdrop of late 1950s New Jersey. Beyond the gridiron, they confront a myriad of trials, from the complexities of post-football existence to the allure of delving into the underworld of organized crime. As they traverse this tumultuous landscape, they glean invaluable insights and grapple with profound life lessons, shaping their destinies in unexpected ways. Directed by Tom DeNucci (Vault), the film is produced by Verdi Productions (Bleed for This). Chad A. Verdi (The Irishman) is producing, along with Michelle Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba and Sera Verdi. Exec producers include Peter Watzka, Dan Autiello, Joe Cervasio, John T. Callaghan, Anthony Gudas, Peter Baccile, Tom Bernardo, Vito Cucci, Joey Maurillo and Barry Maurillo. DeNucci and Cervasio adapted the script from the latter's semi-autobiographical novel. In a statement to Deadline, Verdi Production President Chad A. Verdi said, 'The entire cast of this film is a powerhouse of talent and showcase a remarkable range. From veteran actors to former athletes to famous musicians – and hidden gems like Sistine, an incredibly gifted up-and-coming actress with a remarkable presence every time she is on screen. We are eager to transport viewers back to the 1950s to experience this exceptional story of crime, family, loyalty, heartbreak and football.' Gronkowski is repped by UTA; Stallone by Independent Artist Group; and Barton by Cowley, Knox & Guy, WME, CLA Partners, and Kopeikin Law P.C. Best of Deadline 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More Men of Steel: Every Actor Who Has Played Superman - Photo Gallery 'Michael' Cast: Who's Who In The Michael Jackson Biopic
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Mad Men' Director Jennifer Getzinger: Ask for What You Want and Ask Again
Faith can be hard to attain when you're working in the entertainment industry. On the one hand, it's all there is to work off of, whether you're a nobody or a long-established player trying to keep in the mix. But with AI on the rise and jobs continuing to remain scarce, one starts to wonder what's even worth believing in. The answer? Yourself. During the latest episode of 'What No One Tells You,' television director Jennifer Getzinger discussed her leap from script supervisor to director and how it only came about because of her own tenacity. For year, Getzinger worked as a script supervisor on shows like 'Strangers with Candy,' 'The Sopranos,' and 'Sex and the City.' Later, 'Mad Men' creator and showrunner Matthew Weiner brought Getzinger onto the project as script supervisor for the pilot, which was shot in New York. Though the show was picked up to series and Getzinger invited to be a part of it, she found out it would require a bit of a sacrifice on her part. More from IndieWire Bella Ramsey Wants 'The Last of Us' Fans to Watch Upcoming Indie Films Like They're 'Game of Thrones' Dan Erickson on the 'Mesmerizing Dynamic' of 'Severance' Auteurs Ben Stiller and Jessica Lee Gagné 'The creator Matt Weiner said to me, 'Well we're going to go shoot the show in Los Angeles and I want my core team to come with me,'' she said. 'As a script supervisor, he wanted me to move to Los Angeles.' Getzinger was 'open' to the idea of moving across the country, but only if Weiner would allow her to direct an episode of the show. It was a huge ask, but based on Weiner's value of her and her own desire to move to the next stage of her career, she saw an opportunity and took it. 'He said to me, 'Look I believe in you, I know you're moving towards this, I know you're ready to do this, but I can't promise you anything. All I can tell you is if you don't come, it will never happen,'' Getzinger told IndieWire's Future of Filmmaking. 'That was what made me move to Los Angeles.' Sadly, Getzinger did not get to direct on the first season of 'Mad Men,' but when the show was renewed for a second season, her moment finally came. 'The producer called me and said, 'You know good news, we're going to get to do this again, bad news is we need a new script supervisor because you're going to be directing,'' said Getzinger. 'So that was my first shot at professional directing.' Getzinger would go on to direct not only for 'Mad Men,' but on 'Orange is the New Black,' 'Westworld,' and most recently on the hit HBO series 'The Penguin.' Watch a clip from her episode of 'What No One Tells You' below. Want to find out more about Future of Filmmaking and 'What No One Tells You?' Visit our new Future of Filmmaking landing page and sign up for our weekly newsletter, 'In Development.' Best of IndieWire Nightmare Film Shoots: The 38 Most Grueling Films Ever Made, from 'Deliverance' to 'The Wages of Fear' Quentin Tarantino's Favorite Movies: 65 Films the Director Wants You to See The 19 Best Thrillers Streaming on Netflix in May, from 'Fair Play' to 'Emily the Criminal'
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
1990s band Alabama 3 to play show at SWG3 in Glasgow
Alabama 3 will be performing at the SWG3 on Thursday, December 4. READ NEXT: American star to perform at iconic Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow The band, who are famous for songs like Woke Up This Morning - which was used for the opening credits of The Sopranos - first formed in 1995. They are known for blending country, blues, and acid house in their songs. READ NEXT: Scottish star who collaborated with iconic singer announces Glasgow gig The upcoming Glasgow show comes as part of the band's UK tour, which will also take them to the likes of Bristol, London and Manchester. Tickets for the Glasgow show will go live at 10am on May 30. To grab tickets, visit
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Former bouncer's Glasgow gangland drama becomes surprise smash TV hit
Anton O'Donnell came up with the idea for the six-episode pilot Concrete Jungle, which aired on STV earlier this year, as he worked on the doors of bars on Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street, talking with his colleagues about other hit shows like The Wire and The Sopranos. The 'gritty' gangland drama tells the story of emerging Glasgow gangster Jamie McGregor, who when double-crossed in a drug deal, must use any means necessary to repay a huge debt. O'Donnell said he spent all his free time, and sometimes even while working on the doors, writing his screenplay, which took around two years to complete. The amateur filmmaker said that after he completed the script, he sent it to a few competitions, but after getting nowhere with it he then decided he would film the series from scratch by himself. 'I sent it into the BBC writers' room competition, and a Channel 4 competition, and when I got the replies to say, 'thanks, you've been unsuccessful on this occasion,' I was like, 'no, I'm not letting this one go',' O'Donnell said. 'Like I do believe in this one.' Having zero experience in the filmmaking industry didn't stop O'Donnell from pursuing his 'passion project' which he said he was just 'obsessed' with and struck an unlikely creative partnership with cinematographer Bryan McIntyre, after putting an advert up on Gumtree. (Image: Supplied) After taking a week off work to shoot the first episode together, the pair realised that to fulfil O'Donnell's creative ambition, they would need to enlist more people to get involved with the project, so co-director and editor, Graeme Watt, was quickly involved too. 'Graeme would do the lights. Brian would do the sound. Then Graeme would do the camera. I would do the sound, holding the boom mics and all that stuff,' O'Donnell joked, retelling some of the chaotic beginnings of their first couple of shoots. Shooting over almost a decade did have its challenges with continuity between filming being one of them, O'Donnell made sure he was 'all over it' so that the scenes blended perfectly despite, in some cases, being shot months apart. 'I was all over the continuity in terms of clothing and things like that, but there were challenges because Ryan, who's in the opening scene, had to grow his hair long for a movie that he was in. 'So, he turned up with this long hair and I'm going 'Oh my, what will I do', so we had to get him a beanie cap in that opening scene in the robbery. 'So, he's wearing a beanie cap because he's got long hair, and he didn't have long hair in the rest of the episode. (Image: Supplied) O'Donnell added: 'Sometimes you just have to kind of think fast, and then there's actually scenes that get cut out because, like my weight, my weight was just kind of jumping all over the place. 'I was pretty consistent, but some scenes I'm a wee bit heavier, but there were a couple of scenes where I was unwell, and I lost a ton of weight and I actually had to cut those scenes out of the show, because it was so obvious I'd lost so much weight.' The trio spent around eight years shooting the series intermittently with a budget of only around £5000, with most of the funding coming out of O'Donnell's pocket. Concrete Jungle spent 10 weeks in the STV Player's most-watched list, claiming the number one spot when it aired back in March. (Image: Supplied) The broadcaster picked up the series following a chance encounter between STV's Jonathan Tate and O'Donnell at the first-ever Screen Writers Festival last year after the Paisley-based filmmaker fielded a question to Iain Smith during a live Q&A. O'Donnell said he was grilled by the legendary Hollywood producer after he asked: 'How do I get it out there? How do I take it to the next level, because I believe in it.' The exchange caught the eye of Tate, who then approached O'Donnell about the series during a break and asked him to send over the series, as he is a fan of crime dramas. 'As soon as I sent it over, he was like, 'By the way, I absolutely love this',' O'Donnell said. 'He said, 'I'm not gonna lie to you, it's a bit of a gamble for us because we've never had anything this gritty before, but I've watched it, and I absolutely loved it'.' (Image: Supplied) O'Donnell said he was overwhelmed with the amount of support he has received since Concrete Jungle aired on the STV Player. 'I honestly can't even put it into any words, and I don't even think its sunk in yet,' he said. READ NEXT: I saw Gary Barlow perform in Glasgow's Armadillo - my verdict READ NEXT: I saw Sophie Ellis-Bextor perform in Glasgow's Armadillo - my verdict The 39-year-old said that he believes that following the success of his series has helped 'open the door' to other independent talent in Scotland. O'Donnell added that Tate is a 'huge champion' of Scottish talent and that he is pleased to see STV backing more grassroots productions. 'I've actually seen people who followed me on social media making comments to me saying, 'you're setting the standard when it comes to filmmaking' and then a couple of months later, because they're doing their own thing as well, they're saying that they've now agreed the deal to have their stuff showcased in STV. 'I think Concrete Jungle has opened the door for other people to get the stuff on there as well.' O'Donnell said that he is now putting the final touches on his next pitch, which is to make Concrete Jungle's pilot into a full-fledged series or even a full-length feature film. He will also be joining Tate this week at the inaugural Glasgow Telly Festival, where he is hoping to retell his story in a bid to inspire more people to 'believe' in their own projects like he did.
