Wednesday, February 10, 1999
Magical mystery tour
Disney takes to the road
in a big yellow bus, providing
a glimpse of the motivating forces behind its newest release
"Rushmore"
By Elena Powell
Daily Bruin Contributor
Five guys in one bus do not a typical promo make.
While many movie studios opt to promote their films by having
the people come to them, Disney’s doing with Touchstone’s latest
release, "Rushmore," the old fashioned way – taking its act on the
road. In the tradition of the dog and pony show, a huge, yellow bus
carts Wes Anderson – director and co-writer of "Rushmore" – and
actor Jason Schwartzman – a Westwood native who portrays the lead
character, 15 year-old Max Fischer – across the United States. The
bus also carries along a Disney representative and two drivers.
"It’s kind of like Road Rules," Schwartzman said. "Mission: the
Ghost of Villa Nova," he added, his voice comically deepening and
trailing off, mocking the television show. "You have to sleep in
the cemetery."
True, at each destination awaits new assignments, but here the
mission is a little bit different. Instead of thrilling hikes and
death-defying feats, these guys have to embark on one of the more
tedious aspects of being up-and-coming filmmakers: promotion.
The critical success of "Rushmore’s" limited December release
(for Oscar consideration) and its opening last Friday has created
quite a buzz around the quirky little film. Now, as the two make
their scheduled stops at various universities across the nation,
they give an average of 20 interviews a day.
Although the quintet sometimes spends up to 20 hours on the road
between cities, Schwartzman somehow manages to stay both
enthusiastic and realistic.
"I can’t even stay in my house for 20 hours, let alone this
bus," said Schwartzman. "But it’s great and its got a TV and a VCR
and it’s fantastic and it’s a great opportunity … but you know,
it’s not easy."
"Rushmore," which was co-written by Anderson and Owen Wilson
(who teamed up once again after their first feature "Bottle
Rocket") revolves around 15 year-old Max Fischer, a navy blue clad,
pathologically scheming student at the prestigious Rushmore
Academy.
With his absurd extracurricular activities and indefatigable
motivation, Max blends in at Rushmore about as well as the huge
yellow bus currently housing the film’s lead player.
"When Owen and I wrote the script, we saw Max as someone whose
grand ideas could just as easily be grand failures – sort of a
cross between Frank Lloyd Wright and Orson Welles," Anderson told
the Los Angeles Times.
This gem of a film role found Schwartzman by accident. He landed
the role while visiting his famous uncle, filmmaker Francis Ford
Coppola. Though the son of actress Talia Shire (Adrian to "Rocky"
fans), Schwartzman tried to downplay his Hollywood heritage on the
set.
"I felt the more I embraced it, the bigger of a failure it would
be if everything turned sour," Schwartzman said. "But so far
everything’s been great and I’m not as nervous. I’m fine with it. I
guess it’s just, that’s my family."
Never having acted in a film before, Schwartzman was slightly
unsure how his comic performance would be received.
"Wes (Anderson) knows Ben Stiller," Schwartzman said. "So
sometimes, for funny stuff I’d ask Wes, ‘Do you think Ben would
think this was funny Wes? Do you think Ben would laugh?’ And he’d
say, ‘Yeah, Schwartzy, he’d laugh.’"
This support from cast and crew made for a family atmosphere on
the set, with the role of father figure played by co-star Bill
Murray, (one of Schwartzman’s idols).
"He likes to be paternal, he likes to be like a dad," said
Schwartzman. "He took us out for dinner a lot and we just had a
great time."
Mesmerized by films like "Amadeus" and "Xanadu" as a small
child, Schwartzman toyed with the idea of becoming an actor, but
was more set on his musical aspirations.
Drummer of the band Phantom Planet (which played Westwood Plaza
in January), Schwartzman considers himself both an actor and a
musician.
"If I’m at a concert, I’m a musician first. And if I’m promoting
a movie, I’m an actor first," said Schwartzman.
Although glad to be promoting "Rushmore," Schwartzman looks
forward to the prospect of coming home as he heads back to Los
Angeles on a bus housing more collective dramatic and musical
talent than any big bus since the Partridge Family,
"I miss my town," said Schwartzman. "We’re drivin’ and it’s dark
and it’s gray and it’s miserable and dismal and I want to be back
home."
Rushmore is currently playing in selective theaters and will
open nationwide Friday.Photos by Van Redin
Bill Murray (left) stars as steel tycoon Mr. Blume, who takes
charismatic student Max Fischer, played by Jason Schwartzman
(right), under his wing – until they both fall in love with the
same woman.
At Rushmore Academy, Max Fischer, played by Jason Schwartzman
(middle) is the head of practically every extra-curricular
activity, from the debate team to the dodgeball society to the
language clubs.
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