Hey everybody.  Just a quick update from the set in Pittsburgh. 

I don’t want to get into trouble for posting any pictures until I get some kind of clearance from the publicity department at Summit.  That said, the above shot was already leaked out so I’m sure it’s okay.  It’s a mock-up of one of the sorority girls’ deaths that was posted on Bloody-Disgusting.com (there are a few more angles of it on that site, which you can get to by clicking here, but be aware that they give away a spoiler as to who it is in the cast). 

After a big cast read-through on Saturday morning in Los Angeles, I flew into Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon.  Our production had a bunch of seats on the plane as Pete and I flew with Stewart Hendler (the director), Briana Evigan, Leah Pipes and Jamie Chung.  Rumer Willis met us at the airport, and after checking into the hotel, we all went out for dinner and drinks to celebrate.  Although we don’t shoot until next week, we’ve been lucky to have rehearsals -- which is an absolutely luxury on a film set.

We’ve had several blocking rehearsals with Briana, Leah, Rumer and Chung.  Margo Harshman (who plays Chugs) joined us this afternoon for the first.  It’s been a blast to see the scenes come alive as Stewart starts to work with them.  Pete and I have been filling in, reading some of the parts for the missing actors for the rehearsals.  It’s been a little surreal considering that we started the script about two years ago -- now, to be standing in a field of grass in the middle of Pittsburgh acting the film out ourselves is just wild. 

I couldn’t be happier with the cast.  Everyone is excited and passionate and really gung-ho to make a cool film.  I can’t wait to see it all start to come together for real next week.

Pete and I have been reworking the script a bit as we see what happens in rehearsals.  And, of course, there are production concerns that need to be addressed. But I feel that the rewrites are really helping the movie.  The script is a bit of a balancing act -- we want it to be scary as hell, but are also really trying to keep it entertaining with touches of humor.  It’s tough to describe -- ours is not a horror-comedy (like Tremors or Slither -- although both are films that I really loved).  Our Sorority Row has its foot planted firmly in horror/suspense, but, much like Scream, there are definitely funny moments. 

Also this week, we’ve had camera tests, make-up tests, wardrobe fittings, special effects tests, production meetings, and other pre-production activities.  We’re shooting some B-roll today.  Shots of the campus and establishing stuff.  Everything is coming together for a great shoot. 

I’ll update again soon.

Josh

P.S.  As a side-note, the character names listed on IMDb are wrong.  For those keeping score, Briana is playing Cassidy, Leah is playing Jessica, Rumer is playing Ellie, Jamie is playing Claire, Margo is indeed playing Chugs, and Audrina is playing Megan.