University Daily Kansan / Friday, December 7, 1990
11
KU grad works on movie set
Film production is not glamorous but is hard work, he says
By Wes Denton
Kansan staff writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — From the roof of the Trinity North Hospital, the Kansas City skyline shone brightly against the December night, a pleasing sight for the weary crew of the movie "Article 99."
The crew members, 'many from smoggy Los Angeles, had not seen such a clear skyline for quite a while.
But for one of them, Joe Weissbeck, the Kansas City lights were a familiar sight. Weissbeck, a 1986 KU player, was set as an assistant property master,
On Wednesday, the crew was in its second day of shooting a night scene on the hospital's roof, and the cold wind that had engulfed the Kansas flood toll on the actors, camera operators, directors and other crew members.
The movie, which is about a Vietnam veterans' hospital, stars Kiefer Sutherland and is scheduled for release in about a year
"This is not a glamorous life," Weissbeck said as the cold wind ruffled through his short red hair.
Heavily dressed, Weissbeck stood ready to move on the director's orders and to place props where they were needed. Weissbeck's job on the set is to arrange shots for the camera and arrange props for the actors.
"I deal with everything the actors touch, from glasses to eyeglasses," he said.
Weissbeck works 12 to 15 hours a day, six days a week.
On their day off, crew members and actors sleep and wash their clothes, he said.
"You have no life beyond the set," Weissbeck said.
Opposed to deskwork
The scene that had occupied their time since 6 p.m. was finished, and Weissbeck and crew were ready for a 30-minute break.
It was close to 10 p.m., dinner time for the crew and actors.
"They feed us good around here." Weibschad said as he chose pasta over steak. "I gained 15 pounds since shooting started in October."
The 28-year-old Topeka native earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1986. In 1987, he earned a master's degree in law. He then planned to go to law school
But sitting behind a desk was not what he wanted to do, Weissbeck said.
”
I deal with everything the actors touch, from glasses to eyeglasses.
assistant property master
Joe Weissbeck assistant property master
His interests in theater and film developed while he worked on the 1983 television movie "The Day I Gave Up" while he still was a student at KU.
”
After leaving KU in 1987, Weissbeck moved back to Topeka, where he worked at the Topeka Community Theater and the Topeka Civic Theater as a technique coordinator. His work includes scenes for stage production, he said.
"Theater doesn't pay well," Weissbeck said.
After two years in Topeka, Weissbeck received offers to work on the motion picture "Kansas" and on the television movie "Cross of Fire."
Weissbeck then worked on two major movies: the recently released "Mr. and Mrs. Bridges," starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, which was filmed in the Kansas City area, and "Sarah, Plain and Glenn Close, which was filmed in Grand Island, Neb., and Emoria
people in this business," Weissbeck said.
You get to meet a lot of famous
He said it was fortunate that he was able to work in those movies.
"It's not what you know, but who you know." he said.
you know," he said. Weissbeck said that as a property
Weissbeck said that as a property master, he was still a beginner.
"Most people start when they are younger," he said.
"You basically don't need a college degree for what I'm doing," he said.
His boss on the "Article 99" set started working on movie sets when he was 15, Weissbeck said.
'Definitely a character'
Charlie Carnagallo, a co-worker of Weissbeck's on the set of "Article 99," said Weissbeck was ambitious despite the little experience he had.
With a smile developing on his face, Carnaggio said this was his first time working with Weissbeck.
"He's a friendly person who likes to get along with everyone," he said. "He's got to be joking every time."
Leaning back in a chair, tired from the late nights on the set, Brendy Bauman, on set scenic painter, said, "I'm ready. He's defied 'a character.'"
Bauman said this was her first time working with Weissbeck
Weissbeck is not afraid to get in the middle of things, she said.
"If you want to find Joe, just look for the director or head cameraman." she said
Bauman said the crew on movie sets never received enough credit for their hard work
"Joe deserves that," Bauman said.
"He's on要求on of his job."
Early Thursday morning, as filming on the set continued, Weissbeck grabbed a handful of snacks and waited for his coat to dry. A bucket of water had fallen on him earlier while he was moving props.
He talked about future plans.
"My next stop is Los Angeles," he said. "There are no jobs in the Midwest.
"In this business, you've got to go where the movies are."
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