Puffer, NancyArizona Republic; Phoenix, Ariz.
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Because these independent shop-bar-restaurant owners know that this is a community effort, and (it) pays homage to many of these same owners that withstood all these years of corporate gentrification, many have pledged to donate food to our cast and crew for different days.
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Tempe takes center stage in a new feature-length, locally produced film highlighting the music scene from the '90s which so many Tempeans look back upon wistfully as the golden heyday of local bar-scene rock. Think Gin Blossoms, Dead Hot Workshop, Meat Puppets and The Pistoleros and the Tempe bars and venues where they earned their claim to fame.
Production began last week on the film titled, "Stuck Outside of Phoenix," based on a novel and screenplay by Art Edwards, who was also a member of the Tempe band The Refreshments.
"It is a feature narrative about the beginning of the Tempe '90s music scene; Tempe would soon become one of the most important cities in the world for exporting popular music. Tempe had around the same number of major-label bands, and top-100 songs, as the Seattle grunge phenomenon," said Nicholas "Nico" Holthaus, the film's producer, who has lived in Tempe for nearly 20 years.
The film is the story of a character named Josh "Hote" Hotle, a 21-year-old bass player who wants to get out of Phoenix, escape his problems and join Seattle's emerging grunge rock scene, even as Tempe's own music scene is on the cusp of national notoriety.
"But a funny thing happens on his way out of town," Holthaus said.
The film crew plans to gather footage over 20 days.
"We'll be shooting at most of the bars and clubs that have been around since those days. Mostly in Tempe, but we'll branch into Phoenix and possibly Mesa for different venues. We're still working on the right venue for our big concert location, where we'll need 500-1,500 background actors," he said, adding that the film's featured venues are all independent, mom-and-pop businesses.
"As far as who we'll be shooting, it'll be all local talent, including some 'diamonds' I've found outside the normal local acting pool. Plus there'll be quite a few cameos of the rock stars that were part of the scene the movie is devoted to," Holthaus added. "Don't be surprised if you see a Gin Blossom or Meat Puppet or Refreshment or two. Think 'Singles' (1992), but in Tempe, and not a big budget romantic comedy."
Holthaus was able to finance the film's production without a single loan, with the bulk coming from online fundraising website Kickstarter.com, in addition to Indiegogo.com, private donations and backing from The Democracy Foundation. Matter of fact, he exceeded his goal on Kickstarter.
"I should also mention that a huge expense that would have gone under the catering budget is being absorbed by community restaurants. Because these independent shop-bar-restaurant owners know that this is a community effort, and (it) pays homage to many of these same owners that withstood all these years of corporate gentrification, many have pledged to donate food to our cast and crew for different days. We still need quite a few more contributors to keep our laughably underpaid cast and crew marching on their stomachs," Holthaus said.
The theme of the movie is, "Of, by and for the community" of Tempe, Holthaus said, and he says the film could be described as "kind of" true.
"'90s Tempe music itself is the main character of the story, really, and a lot of the old places and events will be referenced," he said, noting that all of the film's characters, as in Edwards' book, are fictional; but that doesn't mean you won't recognize some glaring similarities.
"So of course there'll be audience members, and book readers, who, in the know, will say, 'that's gotta be Doug Hopkins,' or, 'that's gotta be Robin Wilson,' etcetera. And they'll probably be partially right. I can't speak for Art on this, but I see multiple 'real' characters in many of his fictional characters," Holthaus said. "If I see someone who happens to look like one of our real-life musicians, and who can play instruments and can act, well, hell. Why not? It's all amorphous. Just adds to the fun of it all."
The soundtrack will feature songs from The Gin Blossoms, The Refreshments, Dead Hot Workshop, The Pistoleros and other Arizona bands, as well as some never-before released songs.
The film's theatrical premiere is expected in September.
"We hope to be showing this at all the Harkins theaters, starting here in Tempe, then branching to other cities in Arizona and abroad, everyplace there are still hordes of '90s Tempe music acolytes," he said.
Holthaus hopes to achieve a similar impact to that of his previous 2008 film, "Mill Ave Inc," an edgy documentary about "corporate infringement and the gentrification of Mill Avenue."
For more information on "Stuck Outside of Phoenix," visit the film's website at www.kickstarter.com/projects/1215450090/stuck-outside-of-phoenix-the-movie?ref=live.
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Nancy Puffer is a columnist who contributes to the Tempe Republic.
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