"THE SIX" MARCH INTO UNEXPLORED TERRITORY!  (October 2006 blog entry)

The movie you've all been hearing about:

In the summer of 2006 a strange set of circumstances developed which led to the filming of a short movie involving a number of group members.

Richard Gagnier was visited by family friend Jamie Buhlman, a cousin of sorts.  Jamie had just finished film school and, having heard an Ep of Richard's stand-up, mentioned that he would be available for a project.  Jamie also wondered aloud how Richard knew Del Rivers, who Jamie had discovered online while searching his own name (Del's actual name is James Buhlman, the same as Jamie's). Jamie had seen Richard's name mentioned on Del's webpage. Richard called Del and soon the two James Buhlmans were making small talk on Richard's phone.   

Richard had long had an idea to capture the personalities of two comic friends on film: "The Bob" and Bill Franklin.  Very often when the group members are out at a restaurant together Bill and Bob will have a sort of joke competition, one telling a joke, and the next then trying to tell a better one.  This crazed competitive streak in the two is something to observe and it reappears like clockwork whenever the group assembles. Richard had a rough idea for a short script that had a bible-thumper appearing at the door of a house where Bob and Bill are roommates.  The Bible-thumper would find himself caught in their house as a captive audience to one of their joke competitions. 

The night of the same day Jamie had talked on the phone to Del, and offered that he would be available for a film project, Richard and Del went out drinking.  Richard talked out his script idea with Del and later wrote the script.  The script was then filmed featuring Jamie as director and, as performers, Del, Bob, Bill, and Richard (three of the four group members).  The script developed a weird kind of interaction between the characters beyond that of a simple joke competition.  Although scripted by Richard, other than an actual joke of Bob's and one from Bill, the lines remain true to the essential characters and personalities of the performers. Del wound up going off script for an extended monologue about UFOs.

The film is now being edited.  It will be published to the web as a promotion for this website.  It may also feature a voice-over from honorary group member, Chuck McCoy.     

The film now being edited is notable for being the first project three group members have worked on together. The group members have, of course, done a number of live shows together but they have each performed their own individual sets in such instances. Generally they work completely separately as writers and performers.

Del Rivers on group projects like the "1960s' Del Rivers Story" cd track and the upcoming movie:

"I have always worked best with others, because I tend to be self-destructive with my over-perfectionisms and have general low self-esteem... the magic happens when others are the mirrors. My alternate universe of the Del Rivers Story began when the 'real' universe became a burden of failures, lack-of-success, financial difficulty, and too many criticisms. In my new direction, I create without worry - and if it's good, somebody will appreciate it eventually!"

Del on his participation in the film:

"I hope we (or I) pulled it off - my acting experience has always been bit parts on video and a 'Frankenstein'-spoof play that I did in the 7th grade. Acting is a lot like sex - the more you do it, the more you want to do it! ... It was a pleasure working with friends, including a distant cousin, with Rich putting us together for a common goal."

Del on his upcoming projects:

"I have many pies in the oven, but the best ones are the Frontal Lobes & Dumplings cable show and a CD collaboration with Chuck McCoy. Before I 'kick it', I want to release a couple more music CDs and perhaps work on another television show."