AUSTIN, Texas—The University of Texas Film Institute and Burnt Orange Productions will begin principal photography on “The Adam Rifkin Caveman Comedy” in and around Austin on Nov. 7.
Adam Rifkin (“Detroit Rock City,” “MouseHunt”) will write, direct and star in “The Adam Rifkin Caveman Comedy,” a comedy set in prehistoric times. In the spirit of early Woody Allen classics such as “Bananas” and “Sleeper,” “The Adam Rifkin Caveman Comedy” follows the exploits of the hapless Ishbo, a philosophical caveman who yearns for more from life than sticks, stones and raw meat. The rest of his tribe, including the cave girl he loves from afar, the beautiful Fardart, who only has eyes for Ishbo’s studly, but dimwitted brother Thudnik, write off his forward thinking ideas as the ravings of an idiot.
“A great comedy is a rare find, and we are delighted to have Adam bring his comic genius to Texas,” says Carolyn Pfeiffer, president and CEO of Burnt Orange Productions, which is financing the film.
Pfeiffer (“The Quiet”) and Brad Wyman (“Monster”) will produce the tentatively titled film, while Dr. Thomas Schatz, executive director of The University of Texas Film Institute, will executive produce. Casting already has begun in Los Angeles and Austin.
“While working on this film, University of Texas students will have the opportunity to work with green screen technology—a digital effect where actors perform in front of a green screen that enables background scenes to be added in the post-production stage,” explained Schatz.
Rifkin recently wrote “The Return of Zoom,” which is now in production starring Tim Allen for Revolution Studios; “Underdog,” being directed by Frederik Du Chau for Spyglass; and “He-Man” for producer/director John Woo. Rifkin also is in the final stages of postproduction on his yet untitled drama, which he wrote and directed, and was produced by Wyman.
About 30 University of Texas at Austin graduate and undergraduate students will work on the film in all stages of production as apprentices and interns, from accounting and office management, to set production, props and costumes, to casting and publicity.
Burnt Orange Productions is a unique, public/private venture specializing in the production of independent feature films in collaboration with The University of Texas Film Institute, which provides specialized training in various aspects of feature filmmaking to give students experience on high-quality, low-budget films with viable commercial potential.
Burnt Orange Productions and The University of Texas Film Institute recently completed filming “The Cassidy Kids” and premiered “The Quiet,” starring Elisha Cuthbert, Camilla Belle and Edie Falco, and directed by Jamie Babbit (“But I’m a Cheerleader”) at the Toronto International Film Festival.
For more information contact: Erin Geisler, College of Communication, 512-475-8071.
