'Answer This!', feature film starring Ann Arbor, out on DVD today with bonus features
The Ann Arbor-filmed and -set movie “Answer This!” —created by native sons/brothers Chris (director and screenwriter) and Mike (producer) Farah—is being released today on DVD.
Extra features include a look behind-the-scenes, with cast and crew interviews; a short, contest-winning "Love Letter to Ann Arbor" video; three deleted scenes; outtakes of three different scenes; and the trailer.
The 5-minute "Love Letter" video focuses primarily on a few different Ann Arbor institutions, including the Farmers Market, University of Michigan radio station WCBN, and the Michigan Theater. The short appears on the “Answer This!” DVD thanks to a contest held by the Farah brothers, which invited people to shoot their own videos about Ann Arbor; the one that appears on the DVD—by Matt Bendure, Sean McAninch, David Merian, and Joe Sleep—is the contest winner.
Here’s an exclusive clip of the winning Love Letter:
The DVD’s behind-the-scenes short (about 8 minutes long) offers some general insights from the Farah brothers and producer Anna Wenger, as well as from the actors in lead roles (Chris Gorham, Nelson Franklin, Evan Jones, Arielle Kebbel, Chris Parnell, and retired U-M English professor Ralph Williams). One interesting detail that’s revealed is how Kip Pardue—who plays a pretentious, Swedish comparative literature graduate student—got coaching throughout the shoot from the film’s Swedish sound man.
Locals will likely most appreciate, however, the commentary provided by the Farahs and Wenger.
In the first-half hour alone, viewers learn that the film’s memorable opening close-ups were done at FunnyOrDie’s studio in California after the shoot was over (Mike Farah works for FOD); that the lead character’s Greenwood Avenue house was actually where the crew stayed during the shoot; the movie’s free-hug guy on U-M’s campus was based on a real person; the exterior in the bounce house scene doesn’t look like U-M’s campus because it’s not—the scene was the subject of a complete re-shoot at a park in California; law school students were less than thrilled about a film being shot on their turf; and a carpet cleaning truck stalled the filming of scenes at Espresso Royale.
Although recent years have seen a number of feature films shoot in the Ann Arbor area, "Answer This!" is notable in that it is also set here, while most of the others have Ann Arbor stand in for another location. "Answer This!" is also the first time that U-M has permitted its campus to be used and identified as such in a fictional movie.
Check out all our past coverage of "Answer This!" here.
Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.
Comments
Armena Marderosian
Fri, Mar 9, 2012 : 11:30 a.m.
I LOVED the film "Answer This" + kept going back to see it again, and told all our faculty friends, neighbors + classmates, giving them copies of the flyer. Like the film Amadeus, which i went to see 7 times IN the Briarwood theater before there WERE videos + the only way to see a film again was to GO again to the theater, "Answer This" has GREAT MUSIC! And great music makes a good film even better. "Answer This" has excited happy energy even when the subjects are confused, awkward, mismatching, + blundering. It is FUNNY! It is BEAUTIFULLY filmed, a PLEASURE to look at, + I hope to see in in the theater again soon! I've lived in Ann Arbor 32 years, + never been inside the Michigan Football Stadium, so I'm glad of the chance to be insdide it thru this film. I did also love that there's a random bulldog who was not actually in the film - to me that was one more funny thing for being random, + homey kind of. Our two daughters who live far away, one in Istanbul + one in Tucson, heard all about it, + hope to give them DVDs. Our younger daughter went to Greenhills, + the older went to Pioneer. Armena Marderosian, longtime Burns park resident
rachdm
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 3:33 a.m.
I've been very excited to see this movie! Espresso Royale on State St is one of my favorite places and I've spent many an evening playing trivia at local bars/restaurants!
Sonia
Sat, Jan 14, 2012 : 6:56 p.m.
I had hoped to give this to my newly admitted to Michigan daughter for Christmas but it will make a great Valentines Day gift!
Kathleen Kosobud
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
Saw the preview at the Michigan Theater, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I especially enjoyed the dissertation defense. Lots to identify with. Someday I aspire to own the t-shirt.
Kilgore Trout
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.
First heard Chris and Mike speak at the Downtown library in the fall of 2009, then saw the premire last year at the Michigan. Excellent local film that is worth owning.
Caroline Rankin
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.
Being from Ann Arbor and also having gone to The University of Michigan, Answer This! is a film that really speaks to me. I love that it shows Paul's pride in not only the history of the university, but the city as a whole. It makes me proud to be an Arborite! :D :D
Natasha
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.
I'm excited to see the film; I live in Georgia and didn't get to see any of the screenings. I love Christopher Gorham and everything he's in, so it should be a treat when I finally get to see it!
mmouradian
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 : 2:29 p.m.
Good movie for the Ann Arbor scenes and the acting. Actually very good acting. I enjoyed it very much. I do have issue with the GA having a fling with a freshman, and the prof "giving" his position to his son. These two things were the basis of the movie and both seem wrong and unethical. Both left a bad taste , after thinking about the movie.
Sarah
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 : 1:49 p.m.
looks interesting!
My A2 cents
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 : 2:43 a.m.
I've heard only good things about this film. Would love to see "Answer This."
Justavoice
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 : 2:19 a.m.
Good story, comedy, Michigan, and all the usual hang outs. How better to spend a great evening or two or six. Just get your own popcorn!
OPA!4500
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 : 12:32 a.m.
I can't wait to see this! I always love looking for places that I recognize in a film.
Amanda Polanco
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 : 12:11 a.m.
Loved seeing all the A2 sites in the movie!!
Rachael
Tue, Jan 10, 2012 : 9:18 p.m.
I think it's really inspiring to see a movie like this filmed in Michigan. Now that I go to U of M, I like walking around the city and recognizing places from the movie- including Ashley's! The movie helped me form a connection with this amazing city before I set foot on campus :)
bluecollar
Tue, Jan 10, 2012 : 7:23 p.m.
What a great movie. A free copy would be even greater!
Meg
Tue, Jan 10, 2012 : 6:36 p.m.
Cute movie - it was fun to see many familiar Ann Arbor sights throughout the film.
Bill Lumbert
Tue, Jan 10, 2012 : 6:22 p.m.
Great movie, would love to see it again!
godsbreath64
Tue, Jan 10, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.
Great comments. GREAT movie. Fun-fun-fun:)
CallmeJ
Tue, Jan 10, 2012 : 4:39 p.m.
Loved the movie! It was a treat to see some of my favorite A2 sites on screen accompanied by a good story-line.
Andrew
Tue, Jan 10, 2012 : 3:23 p.m.
I love hanging out at Ashley's and I can't wait to see the film partly take place there and around Ann Arbor!
pubmedme
Tue, Jan 10, 2012 : 3:20 p.m.
How great is Professor Ralph Williams?!
train317
Tue, Jan 10, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.
I see a ton of movies and "Answer This" was my favorite movie for 2011. I loved the story line and the chemistry of the actors on screen made the movie fun and enjoyable to watch. Hats off to the Farah borthers for bringing something funny, unique and entertaining to the theater.
Renee
Tue, Jan 10, 2012 : 1:56 p.m.
Can't wait to see all the spots I know and love in Ann Arbor in the movie!
DOT
Tue, Jan 10, 2012 : 1:15 p.m.
fun & funny - gotta love it - gotta have it!
Nicole Coxon
Tue, Jan 10, 2012 : 12:57 p.m.
love quirky comedies, one of the best movies seen in a long time.... Whats not to like about this movie.