10 Things You Didn’t Know About VFW
Some movies speak to us more than others. 2019’s VFW is a love letter to the amazing action and practical effects we used to see on the shelves of our local rental store. Director Joe Begos, actor/editor Josh Ethier, and Associate Producer Brian Dutton laid down one of the commentary tracks for the VFW release and you can clearly tell that the trio had fun making the film. It goes to show that some movies are tailormade to be shared with friends and I think VFW is the perfect flick for such an occasion.
Now on to 10 Things You Didn’t Know About VFW!
- CUTS- The original script was much bigger. When Fangoria decided to make the film the budget when from a proposed $20 million to $1 million.
2. PICTURE SHOW- The gang hideout was an old, abandoned movie theater. They went to look at the location to see if it would be right and noticed another building across the street that would eventually be used for the outside of the VFW. It was an abandoned HIV Clinic.
3. BLANK CHECK- The interiors of the VFW were from an actual VFW. They paid to trash most of the stuff and built sets for some of the bigger destructive pieces.
4. WEEKEND WARRIORS- They did the effects shots on the weekends when the cast wasn’t there. They were able to spend as much time as they needed without the pressure of spending too much time getting them right with the limited days on set with the cast.
5. OUCH- Editor Josh Ethier played the big, bad guy named Tank. They told Martin Kove to really hit him during the fight scene and Ethier said he had bruises on his chest for a week.
6. NEVER SAY DIE- Fred Williamson refused to die at the end.
7. ABRACADABRA- They had to digitally remove hundreds of vehicles in the background of most of the exterior scenes as they were essentially surrounded by highways.
8. SPLOSIONS- The “Deuce and half” military truck was loaned to them from a Marine military museum that was local in Texas. They allowed them to pretty much do whatever they wanted with the truck including putting it in the crash/explosion at the end.
9. TEAM BUILDING- The crew rehearsed together for 6 days prior to shooting. It gave the cast a chance to hang out and build some comradery before filming began.
10. BY THE BUCKET- The incredible FX were done by the team of Josh and Sierra Russell. They had just won a Fangoria award for best creature effects. The entire film was done using practical effects and most of the actors would go on to say it was the goriest film they had ever been a part of.
