Laker Jim: When you think about Fletch, what
comes to mind? Paul Myerberg: The strong impression I have from
working on Fletch was the director, Michael Ritchie.
Michael was one of the nicest people you'd ever want to
work with. Aside from being a gentleman, he knows what
he's doing on a set, which makes everyone's job easier. Laker Jim: I'm sure
you heard the sad news a while back that Michael Ritchie
passed away...it is a great memory of him that you
have....something nice you'll never forget.
Paul
Myerberg: No,
I hadn't heard about Michael. That's too bad. I spoke
with him several years ago when he was about to start
another film (I don't remember which).
Laker Jim:Did you
ever have a run-in with Chevy? Tim Matheson? anyone else
besides Ritchie?
Paul Myerberg: By run-in
do you mean a negative situation? 'cause I never had a
run-in with anyone on the show. Lots of professionals. I
wasn't aware of anyone with an ax to grind. Chevy was great to work with and,
of course, a big basketball fan even then. We also put
basketball stuff in his apartment - a huge cut out as I
remember (it's a long time ago).
Laker Jim: I noticed
you have a prop Laker shirt
on ebay from the movie...Do you have
anything else from the movie? And did that shirt ever
make it on camera?
Paul
Myerberg: The big question. Someone else
asked as well. That's for a future hunt. I don't know if the shirt was on
camera. It was on his chair in the newspaper office. I
imagine if he was sitting on it, you wouldn't see it but
if he was standing you might.
Laker Jim: Do you
ever watch Fletch? Are you a big FLETCH fan?
Paul
Myerberg: I love Fletch. It's still an
excellent movie which has lost nothing over the years.
It's been at least a year since I've seen it.
Laker Jim:If so, what
do you think of Kevin Smith's new Fletch Movie he's
making...Fletch Won?
Paul
Myerberg: I know nothing about the new movie
but I confess to wonder why Hollywood can't come up with
more original ideas rather than recycling the old. In so
many cases the first one is completely superior to the
new - consider Psycho. What's next "Lawrence of
Arabia, 2004"? I do hope Fletch Won lives up to it's
family tree.
Laker Jim: Being a
Fletch fan, Do you mind that he's using a younger actor
(Jason Lee) to play a younger Fletch instead of Chevy?
Paul
Myerberg: I'd think that would be the case.
Like My Favorite Martian. But I wouldn't be surprised to
see Chevy in the film somewhere.
Laker Jim: If
contacted, due to your connection with the first film, do
you think you can recreate the look of the early 80's for
Fletch Won? The movie is about Fletch's first
case...and are you a fan of Kevin Smith (Clerks,
Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma)
Paul
Myerberg: I'm currently on CSI, Crime Scene
Investigation, and am very happy where I am. Kevin Smith
does interesting work. In fact I watched Dogma last
night.
Laker Jim: How
exactly does your job work...Did Ritchie say make it look
like a Die-Hard Laker fan would have his place...or does
he say "I want a huge Magic cut out here...a hoop
there..or get a picture of Coop and Magic?
Paul
Myerberg: I
was what's called the "Lead Man," or Lead Set
Dresser, under Marvin March who was the Set Decorator. We
were responsible for renting, purchasing, or otherwise
getting our hands on, all of the furniture, pictures,
smaller accessories, garbage cans, kitchen equipment,
you-name-it, that went into each set to make it
appropriate for the film. If you look around your room,
everything that isn't part of the structure (walls,
windows, doors...) is set dressing, including the
computer you're reading this on. Michael
trusted Marvin pretty much. In general a director might
ask for something specific but not always. A Production
Designer will also tell a set decorator his vision for a
set and expect those standards to be met.
Laker Jim: During
filming, are you on call incase something was needed?
Paul
Myerberg: After we finished a set, we'd try to
get Michael to come by when he was available. That way,
if something needed to be changed it could be done with a
reasonable amount of time to accomplish the task. Then
we'd be there when the shooting company arrived. They'd
rehearse and if something needed to be tweaked, we'd do
it. Once the camera rolled for the first take, we'd leave
and go to the next set. Any changes after that belonged
to the prop master. After the shooting was complete and
they got a negative check from the film lab, we'd take
out our things and restore the property.
Laker Jim: Were you
responsible for that huge picture of that weird looking
little dog above Fletch's bed?
Paul
Myerberg: I remember the picture but I don't remember
how it got there. If I had to guess, I'd say Marvin
ordered it and we hung it.
Laker Jim: What do you think of this site?
Paul
Myerberg: The site is great. I
hadn't seen the script for many years. Reading the first
section brought back memories.
Laker Jim: Paul thanks so much for your
time. This was great!
Paul
Myerberg: Thanks for the interest.
|