Gary “Uncle G” Brown Visits A Movie Set (2023)

26 November 2023

Gary “Uncle G” Brown Visits A Movie Set

By Gary “Uncle G” Brown
GaryBrown@garyunclegbrownarchives.com

Back in 2019, I moved to Las Vegas. For the 13 months previous, I rented a room in the historic district of Greeley, Colorado. By now, I had just survived my 4th winter in the snowy state, and I had no plans for a fifth one. I have never done well in cold climates. I moved there, point blank, because cannabis was legal, and not because of the great skiing. Coming off a divorce, it seemed like a good idea. I first lived in Fort Collins, for a year and a half years. A beautiful town. I left when the house I was living in, was sold. Then it was a hop, skip, and jump, to Greeley. Was okay there. I always knew Colorado would be a stepping stone to where I really wanted to live. I rented a car from Hertz and drove somewhere around 900 miles. Looking back, this ended up one of the best things that I have ever done.

I hadn’t been to Las Vegas that long when I found out that one of my favorite independent movie companies, Full Moon Features, was going to make a new film in Sin City. Well, this is a no-brainer.

My job at the time was that of a freelance writer. A website dedicated to cannabis hired me to do reviews of different strains of weed. Not only did they pay me to write, but they paid for expenses as well. So the ganja I purchased for this, ended up being free for me.

One evening, while medicated probably, I emailed my editor and shot a few ideas for stories, including one that involved Full Moon Features. Was approved. Peace of mind. I knew whatever I did, I’d get paid. My divorce from a couple years before this, cost me dearly, so I needed every penny I could muster. I did correspondence with the film company. We traded my being a fly on the wall observing how movies were made, with me instead, observing while helping them out, by being an extra in a Halloween party scene. I was asked to come in costume, but to not dress as anything that was copyrighted; Bart Simpson. I decided to be a generic hippie. For those who know me, it’s not that much of a stretch. Basically, just dress as an exaggerated version of myself. I had a cool tie-dye t-shirt that I picked up years before that, at a head shop in Houston, Texas. I added to my homemade costume by getting a red headband that I would quickly learn to hate, and a pair of bell-bottom jeans that I haven’t worn since, at a nearby shopping mall.

The big day came. My call time was at 10 AM. I arrived a few minutes before and stayed until it was close to midnight, and no longer needed. for me, it was an extraordinary experience. One that I will not forget, for a long time.

Months later, around Halloween, the movie came out. Debuted on the Full Moon Features streaming channel. I can be seen (flashes) from the 14th minute, up to the 45-minute mark. The director (Danny Draven) was very generous with the screen time that my tie-dye t-shirt and or I received. Earned me the nickname, Hippie, with Mr. Draven. There you go. I left a lasting impression.

Meanwhile, my story for the pro-cannabis website had mixed reviews. Too serious? I did what I had promised to do. Surprises me that people up to this day, 4 years later, are still reading it. It gets steady hits on my archival website, all year round.

In closing, if Full Moon Features ever comes back to Las Vegas to do another movie, I’d volunteer in a heartbeat, to participate somehow again.

Bonus Reflections

16 June 2019 – Written a few days after filming…

Film: Halloweed Night: Meet The Weedjies
Directed by: Danny Draven
Studio: Full Moon Features
Status: In Production.

I‘m in costume. My second time ever on a movie set. The first time was the film, Annie (1982). I lived nearby where they were filming. Was in West Long Branch, New Jersey. I skipped work and called in sick (cough cough).

A highlight, was meeting director, John Huston. We actually shook hands. Visually, he reminded me of what he appeared like in the film, Chinatown. Spoiler Alert…dead man walking. I had just seen that movie, again, on cable. I first saw it at a movie theater when it was first released. He asked me very nicely if I was a member of, SAG. When I replied no, he asked me if I wanted to be. An extra in an alleyway scene. He envisioned me as a hoodlum. I explained nicely about being married and having various obligations. I was 20 years old (around there). He let us (my first wife Marie-Adele and myself) hang out as long as I (we) stayed out of everyone’s way. Said he noticed me playing with the kids (extras) and appreciated me keeping them occupied. We stayed until it got late. Reality check; work the next day. I obviously never forgot the experience.

Thirty-seven years later, I find myself on the film set of Full Moon Features: Halloweed Night – Meet The Weedjies. Advertised as one of the Deadly 10 new films that will come from Charles Band/Full Moon Features next year. Starting in February these soon-to-be classics, streaming on Full Moon Features Amazon Prime channel. I need to re-subscribe. With the moving, money was tight so I let that, and most of my other streaming channels go. Full Moon Features contains LOTS of cool films and bonus-like entertainment; behind-the-scenes films or film trailers. Worth the small amount of pocket change they are asking. Full of horror/sci-fi/adult comedies. Right up my alley.

Mindy Robinson is a popular actress and mega-popular political activist. My own personal experience; the coolest lady. And get this. I made her laugh, I think more than once. One time, I’m in the background of a scene (extra), and the director, Danny Draven, wants me to walk into the picture and sit nearby, Mindy.

“Quiet on the set. We’re rolling. Action“.

I start walking. Within a few seconds, I trip over a wire and stumble into where I am supposed to be. Dressed in costume as a hippie, I had on very dark sunglasses. Where I was, wasn’t very well-lit. Mindy of course, saw me trip. All kinds of cables are on the ground. Those who work in film, know that’s a given. Embarrassed, it’s an oh shit moment. Wasn’t hurt. I carried on and finished what I was told to do. I didn’t really fuck up anything (thank God). I would giggle too if it was Mindy who did the same thing.

Sitting right next to Mindy, I, of course, not personally knowing her, asked the B movie star all kinds of mostly stupid, random questions. Frankly, and I say this in the nicest way possible, but at first, I found Mindy a little intimidating. I bet a lot of people wanted to just talk casually to her on the set that day like they were best friends, and totally punked out. What did I care? I was there, after all, to do a job. Yet, the environment I found myself in, was new to me. Shit would take a few moments to sink in, and then I’d catch on. Make way, ladies, and gentlemen. New guy in the Full Moon Features Universe. Just put whatever on the floor, and I’ll for damn sure, trip over it.

For example, I questioned Ms. Robinson as to why I shouldn’t be sitting closer to her. There was a space between us. I’m not a pervert! I, of course, acted very professionally. Note…I’m nearly deaf nowadays. No one on the set knew this. It made sense to me since when filming, we would be pretending to have a conversation. And Mindy was like; “No.” Then I felt stupid, and my heart was crushed. Not really, but I did feel out of place, and just unsure about what was going on. But then she explained how the director has us where we are for a reason (paraphrasing) and very kindly informed me that we’re where we were supposed to be. As things played out, I understood. If I would have read a script, I would have known. The space between us was going to be used, a lot actually. Needed enough empty room to fit a person between us. Thats where he would land, after being thrown by a rather large man. Oh!

As events progressed, my job as an extra was to then, react to what was happening around me. I did poorly, I imagined. Mindy, on the other hand, was great! A definite asset to what was going on the set, that day. There were a lot of people. Organized chaos. Mindy answered whatever stupid questions I had. I would have had less, should I have read the script. To this day, I’m very grateful. Like I already said, in my book, she’ll always be a very cool lady.

I didn’t want to play fanboy when there. Get this shit. I didn’t ask for any autographs. Of course, it was tempting. My friends know that I’ve been collecting them since I was a kid. But I did ask if I could get a photo with a few folks. Mindy Robinson just happened to be one of them. Way more than just a pretty face. She’s very intelligent, and with that, she’s very opinionated. Great at current events. Her website and social media pages clearly point that out. I also posed for a couple of pictures with actress Robin Sydney, and actress/comedian Libbie Higgins. These ladies ROCK!

Here’s something else I said no about while doing all this; cannabis. I was straight the whole day. Felt that I needed to be that way. Making movies is FUN. Big business also. A lot of money is involved. Important to respect that. At the end of the night, I paid Lyft to give me a ride home. When I arrived there, I sparked up some Tommy Chong weed that I scored at a dispensary nearby where I was staying. The end of a wonderful day!

On the movie set, they had fake alcoholic drinks and weed. The small bag of fake cannabis that I saw, looked good but smelled funky. Akin to oregano. And then Charles Band handed me an empty beer bottle to hold for a scene he was directing. I still have that. It has a label for a fake company. Pretty detailed, actually. And for the scene with Mindy Robinson, I had a non-alcoholic, carbonated beverage, but sure looked like we were boozing it up. All photographed well.

The story, written by Shane Bitterling, along with both Danny Draven and Charles Band, takes place at a Halloween party scavenger hunt, held on Halloween night, in an old haunted hotel, in Las Vegas. The first prize was a very rare strain of cannabis they called the Golden Nug. As an extra, I played a party guest. I never do find anything. You do see my dancing. This is extra funny because anyone who knew me, and I’ll say, since I was a teenager, knew I hated to dance. Made me feel awkward. Yet, here I am for the whole world to see, a dancing fool.

Regarding That Damn Red Headband

I imagine as time went on, that damn red headband slowly crept up my forehead till it appeared that I was wearing a beanie. This made me look bald. I’m not! Nothing wrong with that, but I do have hair. Of course, I don’t check my appearance. Why do that? On a movie set, this is a HUGE mistake! Explains this picture. At least, I’m smiling. Again, Mindy looks out of this world. Simply beautiful! She posted this on her Twitter page. It got maga-likes.

I‘m so super grateful for being allowed on the set that day. I’m honored to have been given direction by Danny Draven and Charles Band and to have hung out with or around Robin Sydney, Libbie Higgins, and, of course, Mindy Robinson. Thanks, Hugo, and everyone else there that day of shooting. It was cool hanging out with you all, as well. Oh, and throughout the day, I drank and ate stuff provided by Craft Services. Good job!

Oh…the film was renamed before it was released: Weedjies! Halloweed Night.

Closing Statement (November 2023)

Last but not least, remember I’m an actual film critic. Weedjies! Halloweed Night is not just a stupid stoner movie, but an actual comedy/horror film, that involves weed, in the storyline. Is rather entertaining. Special Effects guy Tom Devlin does some really good work, here. Weedjies! Halloweed Night is a well-done independent film. Not big Hollywood. I say that, as a good thing.

If into cannabis, I’d recommend doing a few bong/vape hits, having some munchies nearby, and enjoying. Should you be into old-school horror movies, think of this along the lines of, Ghoulies Go To Las Vegas. Available on the Full Moon Features streaming channel, and last I checked, it was also available on (with commercials) Tubi TV.

Helpful Related Web Links

Full Moon Features – www.fullmoonfeatures.com

Mindy Robinson – Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/iheartmindypage/

End of Story

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