'Animal House' star unveils film in Lincoln
In 2001, Ross Media Arts Center director Danny Lee Ladely invited Peter Riegert to Lincoln to show his Academy Award-nominated short film "By Courier."
Today, Riegert has returned to Lincoln for another screening — the world premiere of his first feature film, "King of the Corner," a movie that is the direct result of his first visit to the Ross.
"This is literally the world premiere, in Lincoln, Nebraska," said Riegert, who is best known for his role in "Animal House" and has recurring parts on "The Sopranos" and "Law and Order."
During his first trip to Lincoln, Riegert, who was looking for material to turn into a movie, met University of Nebraska-Lincoln English professor Gerald Shapiro and got a copy of his book, "Bad Jews and Other Stories."
Together, Riegert and Shapiro took the book and crafted a deadpan comedy about a man whose life is crumbling before his eyes.
"I've always loved the movies, but I've been a fiction writer for 30 years," Shapiro said. "When I began working with Peter on this not only had I not written a screenplay, I'd never read one."
Riegert had adapted an O. Henry story for his short film. But he had never written a full screenplay.
"Gerry has made it a truly amazing experience, because he is a disciplined writer," Riegert said. "This is what he does for a living. He gets up and writes. Actors get up and daydream. It's not exactly the same thing."
Even though "King of the Corner" was a low-budget project, Riegert was able to attract a proven cast that includes Eli Wallach, Rita Moreno, Isabella Rossellini, Eric Bogosian and Beverly D'Angelo.
"The cast certainly wasn't doing me any favors," Riegert said. "At this level, actors don't do favors. Not these people, they've got better things to do. For them, it was the material."
The film, which takes its title from a line in the script, was shot in the spring of 2003. It cost $400,000 to get the film in the can and another $150,000 was spent on post-production costs.
Riegert shopped the movie to film distributors but found no takers. Eventually, he and producer Lemore Syvan decided they'd get the movie into theaters themselves.
"We don't have to go to New York or L.A right away, those are expensive venues anyway. (Ladely) is an ally," Riegert said. "At least we have a place to start. And if we're not going to go to New York or L.A., let's plant our flag right in the middle of the country, right where they're telling us nobody goes to the movies.'"
Ladely offered to show the film for two weeks and host the world premiere.
"It was always in my mind to make a big splash with this and we're doing it," Ladely said.
Next week, Riegert will be off to Florida for screenings in Naples and Sarasota. Then he's headed for Rochester and Buffalo, N.Y., Santa Fe, N.M., Salt Lake City and Denver. He plans to spend the next four months promoting his film, playing it in as many theaters in the country as possible, including venues in New York and Los Angeles, before "King of the Corner" is released on DVD.
Reach L. Kent Wolgamott at 473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com.
‘King of the Corner'
The gala premiere screening of "King of the Corner" is set for Saturday night at the Ross Media Arts Center, 13th and R streets.
Director/star Peter Riegert will be at the Ross to talk about his film after the sold-out screening. Joining Riegert will by University of Nebraska-Lincoln English professor Gerald Shapiro, whose book "Bad Jews and Other Stories" is the basis for the film.
Riegert and Shapiro will answer questions about the movie at each of its screenings today and Saturday.
Screening times are: Today at 4:30, 7:30, and 10:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30, 4:30, and 7:30 p.m.
Advance tickets are available at the Ross box office.
Today, Riegert has returned to Lincoln for another screening — the world premiere of his first feature film, "King of the Corner," a movie that is the direct result of his first visit to the Ross.
"This is literally the world premiere, in Lincoln, Nebraska," said Riegert, who is best known for his role in "Animal House" and has recurring parts on "The Sopranos" and "Law and Order."
During his first trip to Lincoln, Riegert, who was looking for material to turn into a movie, met University of Nebraska-Lincoln English professor Gerald Shapiro and got a copy of his book, "Bad Jews and Other Stories."
Together, Riegert and Shapiro took the book and crafted a deadpan comedy about a man whose life is crumbling before his eyes.
"I've always loved the movies, but I've been a fiction writer for 30 years," Shapiro said. "When I began working with Peter on this not only had I not written a screenplay, I'd never read one."
Riegert had adapted an O. Henry story for his short film. But he had never written a full screenplay.
"Gerry has made it a truly amazing experience, because he is a disciplined writer," Riegert said. "This is what he does for a living. He gets up and writes. Actors get up and daydream. It's not exactly the same thing."
Even though "King of the Corner" was a low-budget project, Riegert was able to attract a proven cast that includes Eli Wallach, Rita Moreno, Isabella Rossellini, Eric Bogosian and Beverly D'Angelo.
"The cast certainly wasn't doing me any favors," Riegert said. "At this level, actors don't do favors. Not these people, they've got better things to do. For them, it was the material."
The film, which takes its title from a line in the script, was shot in the spring of 2003. It cost $400,000 to get the film in the can and another $150,000 was spent on post-production costs.
Riegert shopped the movie to film distributors but found no takers. Eventually, he and producer Lemore Syvan decided they'd get the movie into theaters themselves.
"We don't have to go to New York or L.A right away, those are expensive venues anyway. (Ladely) is an ally," Riegert said. "At least we have a place to start. And if we're not going to go to New York or L.A., let's plant our flag right in the middle of the country, right where they're telling us nobody goes to the movies.'"
Ladely offered to show the film for two weeks and host the world premiere.
"It was always in my mind to make a big splash with this and we're doing it," Ladely said.
Next week, Riegert will be off to Florida for screenings in Naples and Sarasota. Then he's headed for Rochester and Buffalo, N.Y., Santa Fe, N.M., Salt Lake City and Denver. He plans to spend the next four months promoting his film, playing it in as many theaters in the country as possible, including venues in New York and Los Angeles, before "King of the Corner" is released on DVD.
Reach L. Kent Wolgamott at 473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com.
‘King of the Corner'
The gala premiere screening of "King of the Corner" is set for Saturday night at the Ross Media Arts Center, 13th and R streets.
Director/star Peter Riegert will be at the Ross to talk about his film after the sold-out screening. Joining Riegert will by University of Nebraska-Lincoln English professor Gerald Shapiro, whose book "Bad Jews and Other Stories" is the basis for the film.
Riegert and Shapiro will answer questions about the movie at each of its screenings today and Saturday.
Screening times are: Today at 4:30, 7:30, and 10:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30, 4:30, and 7:30 p.m.
Advance tickets are available at the Ross box office.
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