Hoboken Days #19—Amanda Peet
(“#19” as in the 19th entry on my Instagram page for my collection of Hoboken portraits done in the 80s & 90—have a look at #1)
You’ve probably heard that making a movie and getting distribution is nothing short of a miracle. In 1997 I was witness to one effort by an Irish film director and his young stars to fulfill that dream. The working title was “Sax and Violins” and was directed by the late Nye Heron. There was a role for a photographer, thus the renting of my 720 Monroe Street studio for a few scenes. Not filmed at my studio was the murder scene—darn—and there was no reference to the items in the film’s title. I’m not sure if the movie never saw a big screen.
The role of one of the models was portrayed by Amanda Peet. In one or her first movie roles, she might have been the lead—was she also the victim? Barry McEvoy, the actor portraying the photographer, used my analog Nikon camera setup for his photo session scenes. It became apparent to me that neither McEvoy, nor anybody on this film crew were concerned about how a still camera works. It should have film in it, for one. I had to insist on loading it so that observant movie-goers could tell, by way of the spinning rewind crank, that there was actually film in the camera. A roll of 36 exposure Kodak Panatomic-X was volunteered.
Well, the best laid plans—movie camera rolling, speed, action! —after frame 36 or thereabouts, when the film in the Nikon couldn’t advance further, the actor, clearly in the zone, simply let the film rip—and rip—and rip. Sigh…
The director, by now, must have figured I knew something about still photography and asked me to shoot a roll or two of Ms. Peet in character. My dream of having my pictures in a film (thinking Eyes of Laura Mars) was about to be realized, fingers crossed. Alas, I don’t recall a print order, so there went that fantasy. But time has passed, one actor became hugely famous and along came Instagram to showcase a few images taken some three decades ago.
Fast forward, I recently watched Ms. Peet and Jon Hamm in Your Friends & Neighbors. Brilliant series, riveting story, wonderful characters, great acting—I smell multiple Emmys. Almost thirty years later, she’s just as captivating—if not more so.
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