Austin Actor Jett Garner Talks About His Role in Baghead and How He Perfomed a Bit of “Slamdance” at Sundance on Some Pushy Paparazzi
Austin Actor Jett Garner Talks Tarantino, Trouble at Sundance and His Role in a little Duplass Brothers film called “Baghead.”
Film Title: Baghead
Film Type: Feauture, Sony Pictures Classic
Cast: Ross Partridge, Steve Zissis, Greta Gerwig, Elise Muller, Jett Garner
Directors: Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass
Writers: Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass
Austin actor / filmmaker Jett Garner scored a roll in the current indie darling “Baghead” and gives us a look at how it all began, his first time at the Sundance Film Festival and what it’s like to kick a little Paparazzi ass.
Q: How did your involvement with “Baghead” begin?
A: My Baghead experience began in June of 2006. I received a call from my buddy Jay Duplass, who stated that he emailed me his latest feature script. Jay requested that I give it a read and tell him my thoughts.
Q: Have you worked with the Duplass Brothers before?
A: Jay and I have known each other socially and creatively since January of 2002. We’ve both made a habit of sharing scripts and completed projects. Jay and I both know that we will shoot straight with each other in regards to what does and doesn’t work.
Q: So he sent you the “Baghead” screenplay to read. What did you think?
A: I read the script and gave Jay my feedback as requested. I found the script to be quite hilarious. Four weeks later Jay called and asked if I wanted to play a role, a character he eventually gave my birth name. Of course, I told Jay yes!!!!!!
Q: What was your filming experience like? Did you have any idea of that it would be a hit?
A: Filming was fun and challenging at the same time. I was certain from day one that the film would be a hit. It just felt right. Fast forward to December 2007. Filming had wrapped fourteen months earlier. Jay called and said, “Jett, book a ticket to Sundance.” I did just that and arrived to Park City on the day of Baghead’s premiere.
Q: Outstanding. What was your first time at the Sundance Film Festival like?
A: It was interesting. Unfortunately, the day was somewhat somber, as Park City caught wind of Heath Ledger’s untimely death. However, the screening was a hit. The audience gave us a fantastic experience with their laughter, the occasional scream, and their absolute attention. I attended one additional screening in a smaller venue. It was strange during my three day stay in Park City, to walk around and have random people come to you and mention your participation. Sundance climax. Other than the film, I did have an interesting experience in Park City.
Q: Oh yeah? Give us the Sundance dirt.
A: I was walking toward a coffee shop, and saw Quentin Tarantino. I have met Quentin socially on several occasions in Austin at various events. I’m not claiming he and are friends. We simply speak and recognize each other when we cross paths. At any rate, I was walking toward Quentin, and I began to wave. He looked at me as if he wanted to rip my head off.
As I got closer I noticed he was turning around shouting some bold language at two guys pointing a camera his way. Finally, Q recognized me, and said hello. The guys, with the camera remained in the parking lot outside of the coffee shop. They now had their camera pointed at someone else. Quentin expressed his frustration with the amateur paparazzi being in Park City. He and I exchanged pleasantries and congratulations. He was super excited about the Baghead buzz and my involvement.
Q: Hit Sundance screening. Quentin Tarantino. Paparazzi. Does it get any better?
A: Actually, yes. I continued my trek to the coffee shop and noticed the two guys with the camera were now filming me.
Q: The paparazzi who were following Tarantino?
A: Yeah. As I got closer they started shouting questions about my relationship with Quentin and my place at the fest. They were quite aggressive and quite offensive. Shouting at me like I was a human being without any sort of ego, feelings, ect. Two numb nuts. So, I saddled up right beside and said “give me a minute off camera then I’ll return the favor on camera.” The suckers turned the camera off and slapped on the lens. I scanned the parking lot real quick to see if anyone was watching. To my surprise I found myself alone with them. I started my off camera interview with the old “when I first met Quentin - he ran up to me and did this -” I smashed the taller of the two guys in the balls with me knee.
Q: You kneed the paparazzi in the balls!?
A: He bent over. His buddy acted as if he was going to do something. However, I gave him my martial arts stare and he thought better of it. Anyway, bottom line is two dudes acting like assholes got a dose of their own medicine. About a month later, Quentin’s tirade, which was captured on their camera at the fest, hit the net, and it gave me great pleasure to know that I smashed one of those jerks in the privates for being so crass and rude.
WATCH THE TARANTINO PAPARAZZI TIRADE VIDEO BELOW:
Q: So after your kill bill episode, you’re back home in Austin, Texas. What were you thinking when you found out that Sony Picture Classics had bought “Baghead?”
A: Wow!!!! As someone involved in this - wow!!!!! A pleasure to be a part of this film. Obviously, Baghead has just opened in Austin, with a much bigger release to follow this summer.
Q: So what’s next for Jett Garner now that Baghead is taking off?
A: Right now it’s business as usual. Moving on and forward. I’m working on two more short films as we speak and basically just strapping in and waiting to see where this “Baghead” ride will take me.
WATCH TRAILER FOR “BAGHEAD” BELOW:
Baghead - Theatrical Trailer
