Jane Krakowski is taking on some of Hollywood’s most iconic roles, but you won’t be able to see this transformation on next season’s 30 Rock. Jane has made a series of webisodes, in conjunction with Breyers Smooth and Dreamy ice cream, which gives a modern take on some classic movies.
Jane explains how the idea of doing the webisodes came together: “When they sent me the script, I loved that it was a modern woman’s take on Gone With the Wind and King Kong with the knowledge of what the movie is. Our heroine can make these outside comments — comments that are very modern and witty. I found that there was a lot of humor to be found there. We did a lot of improvising. I really enjoyed the creative freedom that you can get by making a webisode.”
Jane fearlessly takes on the role of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind, as she seemingly shares the screen with star Clark Gable. “I was so impressed with the advances in green-screen technology and how it was so seamless,” Jane says.
“In the Gone With the Wind one, Clark Gable moves my chin three inches, and it’s exactly the way it was in the movie. It’s just astounding what they can do — and the amount of experts who were on the set at all times, covering the eye angles and making sure that every body angle was exact. It wowed me when I saw the final product.”
Jane was especially eager to shoot these comedy shorts — not only because the idea really intrigued her, but also because she truly is a fan of Breyers. “Breyers called asking if I would be interested in doing these webisodes. They sent me an example of the advances in green-screen technology, and I was just blown away by what they could do. Plus, I’ve been a fan of Breyers ice cream since I was a little kid. I didn’t like milk as a child, so my mom used to let me have Breyers ice cream for breakfast.”
Another fond memory Jane has of her childhood is filming the hit movie, National Lampoon’s Vacation. She is especially surprised by how people respond to her character, Cousin Vicki.
Jane remembers: “That was my first movie ever. When you make a movie, you have no idea the longevity it will have. It’s so amazing to me how much people remember that movie. They stop me on the streets and quote my lines. It’s become its own cult classic of that genre.”
With co-stars like Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo and Randy Quaid, one can imagine that it would be a fun shoot. “Filming was a BLAST. I was 12 years old at the time, and we filmed my scenes in Colorado. Chevy Chase was so nice. We were filming over the Fourth of July weekend, and he rented a parking lot in the area we were in and had fireworks delivered. He threw a whole celebration for us. Everyone was so generous and nice to us kids, and we had a really fun time making the movie.”
Next season on 30 Rock, fans might be treated to a Vacation reunion of sorts. Jane explains: “I think Harold Ramis, who directed Vacation, is slated to direct an episode of 30 Rock next year, so it’ll be fun to work with him again so many years later. I really hope they can schedule him in.”
But you don’t have to wait until next season for Jane to make you laugh: Head over to smoothanddreamy.com to see Jane’s latest webisodes of King Kong and Gone With the Wind. Don’t miss the feature where you can put yourself in the movie and enter a big Hollywood sweepstakes. And tune in next week when Jane discusses her experience on Ally McBeal and her current job at 30 Rock.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Interview: Jane Krakowski — Coming to a Computer Near You; Part 1
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Baby News
Maura West and Scott DeFreitas (Carly and ex-Andy, ATWT, pictured left) have welcomed a baby girl to their ever-expanding brood (the couple has four other children).
Arianne Zucker (Nicole, Days) and Kyle Lowder (Rick, B&B) are expecting their first child together in December. Days executive producer Ken Corday said that Arianne's pregnancy will not be written into the story line.
Jessica Leccia (Natalia, GL) and husband Brian Malloy welcomed their first child, a daughter named Ivy Lola, on June 10.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Days: Such a Tease!
•EJ makes a deadly threat against Rafe.
•Kate records a conversation between herself and Daniel.
•Bo (Peter Reckell, pictured) has another vision of Zack.
•Rafe goes to Emily’s grave and says he’s sorry.
•Sami is forced to give Johnny over to EJ.
Thursday – Daniel confronts Stephanie for overdosing on her pills.
Friday – After a run-in with Rafe at the cemetery, Nicole realizes he’s going to be a problem.
Monday, June 15, 2009
B&B: Such a Tease!
•Ridge reaches his breaking point.
•Taylor receives news that she has been hoping for.
•Stephanie’s unsympathetic words have an effect on Eric.
•Brooke realizes how much her actions may have cost her.
•Owen asks Bridget (Ashley Jones, pictured) for a favor.
Y&R: Such a Tease!
•Mary Jane starts to believe that her relationship with Jack is more serious than it is.
•Nina discovers holes in Cane's story that could change everything.
•Mac (Clementine Ford, pictured) makes a heartbreaking choice between Billy and Raul but will it end the way she will have hoped?
•Victor catches Adam with incriminating evidence. Will this be the end of Adam's reign of terror?
•Daniel and Jana are arrested when incriminating evidence comes to light. Will Michael be able to prove their innocence?
GL: Such a Tease!
•Beth is horrified when she learns the jail time James could face.
•Rafe demands answers from Natalia.
•Jeffrey is rocked to find that Edmund's body is missing.
•Cyrus (Murray Bartlett, pictured) overhears a clue about the diamonds from Christina.
ATWT: Such a Tease!
•Emily is caught off guard by Bob's news.
•Rosanna (Cady McClain, pictured) comes to Paul's defense.
•Liberty is horrified by Parker's behavior at prom.
•Meg makes a decision about her relationship with Dusty.
