Living in Oblivion (1995)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Tom DiCillo

Writer:

Tom DiCillo (written by)

Release Date:

21 July 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Nick is about to discover the first rule of filmmaking: if at first you don't succeed... PANIC!

Plot:

Film about filmmaking. It takes place during one day on set of non-budget movie. Ultimate tribute to all independent filmmakers. |

Plot Keywords:

Filmmaker | Filmmaking | Struggling Actor | Diner Scene | Eye Patch

Awards:

7 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Steve Buscemi	...	Nick Reve
Catherine Keener	...	Nicole Springer
Dermot Mulroney	...	Wolf
Danielle von Zerneck	...	Wanda
James LeGros	...	Chad Palomino
Rica Martens	...	Cora
Peter Dinklage	...	Tito
Kevin Corrigan	...	Assistant Camera
Hilary Gilford	...	Script
Robert Wightman	...	Gaffer
Tom Jarmusch	...	Driver / Intern
Michael Griffiths	...	Sound Mixer
Matthew Grace	...	Boom
Ryan Bowker	...	Food Service / Clapper
Francesca DiMauro	...	Production Assistant
Norman Fields	...	Hair / Make-up Artist
Lori Tan Chinn	...	Costume Designer
Vincenzo Amelia	...	Cook
Laurel Thornby	...	Nicole's Mother

Directed by
Tom DiCillo

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Tom DiCillo		written by

Produced by
Hilary Gilford	....	executive producer
Jane Gil	....	associate producer
Michael Griffiths	....	producer
Dermot Mulroney	....	associate producer
Robert M. Sertner	....	co-executive producer
Marcus Viscidi	....	producer
Danielle von Zerneck	....	associate producer
Frank von Zerneck	....	co-executive producer
Meredith Zamsky	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Jim Farmer

Cinematography by
Frank Prinzi

Film Editing by
Dana Congdon
Camilla Toniolo

Casting by
Marcia Shulman

Production Design by
Stephanie Carroll
Thérèse DePrez

Art Direction by
Janine Michelle
Scott Pask

Costume Design by
Ellen Lutter

Makeup Department
Linda Jackson	....	assistant hair stylist (as Linda J. Jackson)
Linda Jackson	....	assistant makeup artist (as Linda J. Jackson)
Chris Laurence	....	hair stylist
Chris Laurence	....	makeup artist
Evelyn Ortman	....	additional hair stylist
Evelyn Ortman	....	additional makeup artist
Laura Tesone	....	hair stylist
Laura Tesone	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Cybille MacDonald	....	unit manager
Lemore Syvan	....	additional unit production manager
Meredith Zamsky	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ian Bearce	....	second assistant director
Derrick Kardos	....	second second assistant director
Jeffrey Lazar	....	first assistant director
John O'Rourke	....	first assistant director
Jody Solomon	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Betsy Alton	....	on-set dresser
Annie Ballard	....	property master
Robert Covelman	....	property master
Harlan Gruber	....	construction coordinator
Sarah Lavery	....	art assistant
Tom Nifenecker	....	set dresser
Craig Orvieto	....	set dresser
Larry Orvieto	....	set dresser

Sound Department
Josh Cramer	....	assistant sound editor
Kenna Doeringer	....	assistant sound editor
Stuart Emanuel	....	sound editor
Jeanne Gilliland	....	boom operator
Kenton Jakub	....	dialogue loop editor
Hal Levinsohn	....	supervising sound editor
Tim O'Shea	....	sound editor
Eliza Paley	....	supervising sound editor
Mathew Price	....	production sound mixer
Jacob Ribicoff	....	dialogue editor
Dominick Tavella	....	sound re-recording mixer

Camera and Electrical Department
Joseph Baccari	....	grip
Axel Baumann	....	second assistant camera
Daniel Beeman	....	dolly grip
Bill Bettencourt	....	still photographer
Andrew Blauner	....	electrician
Steve Calalang	....	second assistant camera
Paul Candrilli	....	key grip
Dominick Condi	....	still photographer
Howard Davidson	....	dolly grip
Sean Donovan	....	grip
Vincent Enche	....	grip
Edwin M. Figueroa	....	dolly grip
Bobby Flecker	....	generator operator
Susan Gabbay	....	second assistant camera
Robert Gibson	....	grip
Bob Gruen	....	still photographer
Andrew Hall	....	grip
Jeremy Hall	....	key grip
Tom Hamilton	....	grip
Xavier Henselman	....	best boy grip
J. Alan Hostetter	....	gaffer
Timothy Johnson	....	electrician
Scott Kincaid	....	electrician
Todd S. Klein	....	key grip
Dennis Langschultz	....	electrician
Maddy Lederman	....	grip
Doug Luka	....	electrician
Frank McCormack	....	electrician
Ben McCullough	....	best boy electric
Sandra Mueller	....	camera intern
Linda Phillips	....	electrician
Tom Potoskie	....	dolly grip
Nate Ranger	....	second assistant camera
Johnny Santiago	....	third grip
Cornelius Schultze-Kraft	....	electrician
Douglas W. Shannon	....	gaffer
Charlotte R. Snyder	....	grip
Michael Stiller	....	best boy electric
Adrian Truini	....	dolly grip
David S. Tuttman	....	first assistant camera
Ben Wolf	....	third electrician
Alan Wolfe	....	first assistant camera

Casting Department
Meredith Jacobson	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Rena DeAngelo	....	wardrobe assistant
Sandi Figueroa	....	wardrobe assistant
Jill Merritt	....	wardrobe supervisor
Barbara Presar	....	assistant costume designer

Editorial Department
Josh Cramer	....	apprentice editor
Keiko Deguchi	....	assistant film editor
May Kuckro	....	apprentice editor
Janet MacGilvray	....	apprentice editor
John J. Richardson III	....	assistant film editor
Jane Schneider	....	apprentice editor
Stan Sztaba	....	negative cutter

Other crew
Glenn Carbutt	....	key production assistant
Sarah Ferholt	....	production intern
Lisa Gold	....	production assistant
Lisa Katcher	....	script supervisor
Jessica Levin	....	production intern
Danna Liebert	....	script supervisor
Robin Moraetes	....	assistant production coordinator
Silvia G. Rigano	....	production intern
Sam Rohn	....	location scout
Taz Saunders	....	production assistant
W. Ed Stephenson	....	key production assistant
Michael Ventresco	....	title designer
Karen Dockser Walter	....	production assistant
Thomas J. Whelan	....	location manager
Jon Winkelman	....	production assistant
Elizabeth Zagrany	....	production accountant

Production Companies

• JDI Productions
• Lemon Sky Productions

Distributors

• Asociace Ceských Filmových Klubu (ACFK) (Czech Republic)
• Atalanta Filmes (Portugal)
• Budapest Film (Hungary)
• Cinemussy (Spain)
• Columbia TriStar (video)
• LK-TEL Vídeo (199?) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Sony Pictures Classics

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language.

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Italy:T | Netherlands:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

JDI Productions

Trivia:

Shot in 16 days.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the gaffer talks about his private film project, the script on the bed flips between shots.

Quotes:

Nick: There needs to be more tension when you see him.
Nicole Springer: I thought I wasn't supposed to see him.
Nick: Well, maybe you see him a little.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Dwarfs: Not a Fairy Tale (2001) (TV)

Film maker's delight

This film captures the true essence of the stresses involved on a film set. The story is about the characters involved in the process rather than the film-within-a-film. While the film is funny it is so close to the bone that I was initially surprised to see it appear in the comedy section.

Steve Buscemi is right at home in this film, his influence rubs off on the support actors, and his stress is convincing. This film makes you squirm but laugh - unlike conventional comedies - in this film you identify and live with the actors.

The screenplay timing is superb and taunts the audience to an almost stressful level. Offset this with lots of comedy and you're left with a powerful mix. You are almost relieved when it is over... but you are left with great memories of a strange but enjoyable film.

Absolutely the highest possible recommendation, especially if you can relate to film making, acting or directing.