A film about Jim Varney and Ernest P. Worrell.
See more at BeingErnestFilm.com
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Check Out "Ernest Goes to Comics" — Launching Tomorrow!
3 months ago
– Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 02:23:47 PM
As IOBE production presses on, we wanted to draw your attention to another Ernest project: "Ernest and the Dream Stone", a brand-new Ernest graphic novel from our friends over at Ernest Goes to Comics!
Like our documentary, this graphic novel has the blessing of the Varney and Cherry families, and we're psyched to see other folks keeping the Ernest energy going! You can find more information below, and support their Kickstarter campaign — which launches tomorrow (9/17)!
- The IOBE Documentary Team
For the first time in over 25 years, ERNEST IS BACK! That's right—he’s starring in a brand-new, spooky, heartwarming graphic novel launching Sept. 17 on Kickstarter!
We crafted a fantastic, true-to-form, Ernest-y adventure. Adapted from an original screenplay, you'll not only hear Ernest's voice as you read, but it'll feel like experiencing a brand-new Ernest movie there in your lap!
Go to www.ErnestGoesToComics.com to sign up for weekly exclusive free content and updates (and keep an eye on your spam/promotions folders too, Vern)!
This is more than just a comic—it's a tribute to the character that has touched millions of hearts. But we need your support to make it happen! If the project is not fully funded by October 17th, this new Ernest P. Worrell adventure may never see the light of day!
Join us on this journey, and let’s bring Ernest back where he belongs: into the hearts and hands of fans old and new, KnoWhutImean?!
MORE Interviews, ANOTHER Ernest Day, and Next Steps
4 months ago
– Fri, Aug 30, 2024 at 01:59:52 PM
Howdy, Ernest P. World! Here's a behind-the-scenes look at our multi-city shoot from earlier this summer...
IOBE Tennessee Interviews
A post-interview selfie with "Ernest" Actor / Writer / Composer Bruce Arntson
Sound Mixer Peter Kurland talks about cutting his teeth on the "Ernest" franchise.
Setting the scene for our interview with Josh and Emilie Cherry.
Josh Cherry reveals the original "Window Slam" window from the Ernest commercials!
Capturing even more of Writer / Actor Daniel Butler's "Ernest" stories and memories
Andy Van Roon recalls collaborating with Jim Varney on a "Hatfields and McCoys" screenplay.
Karen Duncan (Hair Stylist / Makeup Artist on "Ernest Goes to Camp") shows off some Jim Varney continuity photos.
Bruce Arntson's infectious joy is exactly the vibe we want this documentary to capture.
Ernest Day 2024
Daniel Scarpati records some of the lakeside action at Montgomery Bell State Park.
The IOBE team grabs some spooky interviews with "Ernest" fan cosplayers! (L-R: Daniel Scarpati, David Pagano, Justin Lloyd, Sadie Slack as Ernest, William Whitehurst as Dr. Otto, Valerie Champagne)
Even more cosplay of some obscure "Ernest" franchise characters: fans dressed as Harmony Star (from "Ernest Saves Christmas") and Rene Loomis (from "Ernest Goes to Africa")!
IOBE Kentucky Interviews
The IOBE team with Radio Host Jack Pattie, who acted alongside Jim Varney at the Lexington Children's Theatre in the 1960s. (L-R: David Pagano, Justin Lloyd, Jack Pattie, Mo Edwards, Daniel Scarpati)
Recording some b-roll at Charlie Brown's, one of Jim Varney's favorite Lexington haunts
The IOBE team with Mary Polites (Jim Varney's teacher at Children's Theatre)
Next Steps
So what's next for the documentary? We've been adding more information to our website FAQ, including:
When are we going to see some actual footage from the film?
We've been organizing and transcribing all of the footage we've captured, and have been working on a rough cut of the film using our interviews, b-roll clips, and other archival footage.
We also want to prioritize creating a new teaser trailer to use for future fundraising and promotion. This teaser will feature actual interview footage we've shot. As soon as it's ready, we'll post about it here!
Future fundraising? Does that mean there is going to be another IOBE Kickstarter campaign?
We will not be running a second crowdfunding campaign for this documentary. The Ernest fan community already showed up to support us in 2021 — without them (i.e. you), we wouldn't have gotten to this point!
Any future fundraising will come from other sources (e.g. individual donors, investors, film grants, etc.). And of course, anyone who missed the original Kickstarter campaign can still support us via our BackerKit store.
Do you have a full list of everyone you've interviewed?
We'd love to! But it will all depend on our future fundraising. The lists of "how many interview trips we want to take" and "how many interview trips we can afford to take" are two different lists.
We'll make the best film we can no matter what.
- David and the IOBE documentary team
Celebrating Jim's Birthday / IOBE Behind-the-Scenes
6 months ago
– Sat, Jun 15, 2024 at 06:27:34 PM
This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
The IOBE Team Returns to Ernest Day!
7 months ago
– Sat, Jun 01, 2024 at 03:52:54 PM
Ernest Day 2024 is a week away — Saturday, June 8th — and we will be there!
While we originally planned for our next shoot to be earlier in the Spring of 2024, there were TOO MANY new guests announced for the annual Ernest Day event at Montgomery Bell State Park...
...so our team decided to instead return to Tennessee this week, to record more interviews in the days leading up to (and following) Ernest Day!
Post-Production Begins!
11 months ago
– Thu, Feb 01, 2024 at 09:55:25 AM
It's 2024 somehow! Here's the latest on the IOBE documentary project...
Post-Production Kick-Off
After a busy end of year, we are excited to announce that we have begun post-production on the documentary!
What does this mean, exactly?
We've started reviewing and transcribing the footage of each interview to piece together the story of the film
We still have more interviews to shoot, although how many more will depend on the success of future fundraising
Despite all of this, there's still a long way to go to having a completed film or a firm release date
Fan Video Specs
Starting post-production also means that we finally have the long-awaited details on the "Submit a fan video" reward tier! If you supported our Kickstarter campaign at that level, keep an eye on your email inboxes. We'll be sending a separate message soon with info on what (and how) to submit!
Notorious DeLoreans
Thanks to a particularly viral photo of Jim Varney in his DeLorean, sales of "The Importance of Being Ernest" biography book shot through the roof, cracking the top 100 in the "Actor and Entertainer Biographies" category in Amazon. In the span of a week, Justin tripled his book sales — even outselling Bono!
This Saturday, David will be discussing the IOBE documentary on "Gwatney Unplugged with Scott Romine" on Central Arkansas' 103.7FM THE BUZZ. Local listeners can tune in to hear the interview at 9 AM CT. For everyone else, it will be posted at gwatneyunplugged.com soon after!
Coming Up
Our next documentary shoot is currently being planned for the spring. When that happens, we'll have more behind-the-scenes updates and photos to share.
As always, you can check out our FAQ for the latest answers, or message [email protected] with any questions. Thanks for your continued patience and support!
