Meanwhile, we picked up another interview here in NYC, where our documentary production is based! This one was with Gabe Bullard, a writer and journalist who has written extensively about nostalgia, regional identity, and (in at least one instance) Ernest P. Worrell.
Sitting down with Gabe Bullard.
The NYC crew (L-R): Valerie Champagne, David Pagano, Daniel Scarpati
More to come!
- David
IOBE Production Continues!
over 1 year ago
– Thu, Jun 15, 2023 at 07:40:41 PM
As we celebrate what would have been Jim Varney's 74th birthday, here are the latest IOBE documentary updates...
IOBE KY Interviews
Last month, we traveled to Jim's hometown of Lexington, Kentucky, to conduct interviews with a few of his friends and family members...
The IOBE team interviews Anne Lambert (longtime friend of Jim Varney)
Julieanne Pogue (longtime friend of Jim Varney) and Justin Lloyd
The IOBE team interviews Ed McChord (Jim Varney's cousin)
Director David Pagano and cinematographer Daniel Scarpati get serious about having fun.
Some appropriate set dressing.
The IOBE team interviews Andrea Lloyd (Jim Varney's niece) and Justin Lloyd
L-R: Daniel Scarpati, Andrea Lloyd, Justin Lloyd, and David Pagano discuss various pieces of Jim Varney memorabilia
A few Jim Varney VHS tapes in need of digitizing.
Ernest Day co-founder Phil Baker gets ready for his close-up.
Jim Varney's grave and some assorted mementos, circa 2023
Signing the guestbook of our Airbnb rental.
Ernest Day 2023
Even though we didn't film this year's Ernest Day event, we still got a few updates from our team members in attendance!
Fans show up en masse for the annual Ernest Look-alike Contest.
The Montgomery Bell State Park map and a legend for locating all of the Ernest Day activities.
You know the Ernest fandom is full force when two Billy "Boogie" Worrells and two Auntie Neldas show up (seen here with Ernest Day co-founder Phil Baker).
Dizney Coast to Coast interview
David Pagano made a recent appearance on the Dizney Coast to Coast podcast! David and host Jeff DePaoli discussed "Ernest Goes to Splash Mountain", the IOBE documentary, how Ernest inspired modern comedy filmmaking, the correct way to pronounce "Worrell", and more. You can take a listen to the full interview below!
That's all for this update! Happy birthday, Jim!
- David
Meanwhile, in Kentucky...
over 1 year ago
– Wed, May 31, 2023 at 03:45:16 PM
IOBE documentary filming continues in Jim Varney's hometown of Lexington, KY! More photos coming soon.
An Interview / Our FAQ / Rewards for You
almost 2 years ago
– Tue, Jan 31, 2023 at 02:04:00 PM
Happy 2023, Ernest P. World! Here's what's been going on lately with the IOBE documentary project...
The IOBE "Frequently Asked Questions" page has been updated with information about projected reward fulfillment, our plans for the production, and more. You can find those (and other answers) here: https://www.beingernestfilm.com/faq/
If you've got a burning question that still needs to be addressed, feel free to send us an email!
Speaking of FAQs—one thing we've been asked about often are the physical rewards from the Kickstarter campaign: prints, books, original artwork, etc. We are planning to start shipping these very soon!
But before we can ship, we need to "lock" our current orders on BackerKit. Basically, this means we'll be getting final confirmation on all mailing addresses and charging credit cards for any additional items purchased.
(This doesn't mean that new orders can't be placed in the future, it just means that all existing pre-orders will be finalized and prepared for fulfillment.)
Anyway, we are planning to lock orders on FEBRUARY 13th of this year, and to charge credit cards later that week. So if you need to update your mailing address or payment information, now is the time!
Finally, Justin Lloyd and David Pagano made a recent appearance on 96.3 KKOB Radio in Albuquerque! Discussion topics included our inspiration for the documentary, things Jim Varney and "Breaking Bad" have in common, a recently unearthed Ernest ad for Blake's Lotaburger (above), and more.
Take a listen to the full interview here. Thanks to Brandon Vogt and AMarie Castillo for inviting us!
More updates coming soon!
- David
IOBE Production Kickoff!
over 2 years ago
– Sat, Jul 23, 2022 at 01:19:47 AM
After years of anticipation, preparation, and perspiration, the IOBE team kicked off our documentary interviews with a trip to Nashville, TN, USA! We are hugely grateful for the interest, time, enthusiasm, and generosity that every single one of these folks brought to our project. ❤️
Ernest Day 2022
Clad in their IOBE Crew t-shirts, Justin Lloyd and Daniel Scarpati prep their cameras for the Ernest Day shoot.
Fans gather for the annual Ernest Day screening of "Ernest Goes to Camp".
Daniel Butler catches up with one of his "Ernest Scared Stupid" co-stars.
L-R: William Whitehurst as Auntie Nelda, Mo Edwards as Billy "Boogie" Worrell, EGTP's Erin Natal, Ernest Watch Party's Aaron Cohen.
IOBE TN Interviews
The IOBE team interviews Thomas Morrison (Prop Master / Sound Recordist on the Ernest commercials)
L-R: Justin Lloyd, Thomas Morrison (holding Vern's piggy bank from the Ernest commercials), David Pagano
The IOBE team interviews Dawn Shepherd (PR / Creative Department at Carden & Cherry)
Dawn Shepherd's collection of Ernest memorabilia.
The IOBE team interviews Jim May ("Ernest" Cinematographer and “Vern”)
Dianne Patrick ("Ernest" Head Scenic) discusses the paintings she created for the bank in "Ernest Goes to Jail".
The IOBE team interviews Terry Arthur ("Ernest" Key Grip / Rigging Master and “Cannon Master” on Ernest Rides Again)
The IOBE team prepares to record a walk-through of the Cherry Syndication archives. (L-R: Daniel Butler, David Pagano, Ramiz Haddad, Daniel Scarpati)
The IOBE team interviews Clarke Gallivan ("Ernest" Assistant Director / Production Manager / Editor) and Coke Sams ("Ernest" Writer / Producer / Director)
The IOBE team arrives at Jim Varney's former house (location for "Hey Vern, It's Ernest" and many of the Ernest commercials)
Daniel Scarpati lines up his camera to match the framing of a shot from "Hey Vern, It's Ernest"
Nearly the entire IOBE team with Scott and Heather Smith, owners of Jim Varney's former house. (L-R, back: Daniel Scarpati, David Pagano, Scott Smith, Heather Smith, Erin Natal, Justin Lloyd. Front: Ramiz Haddad. Not pictured: Daniel Butler, Valerie Champagne, Mo Edwards)
