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Movie «"Stop this train!"» was filmed in just 19 days, with the musical numbers recorded in just two hours.
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Director Adam Shankman credits the film's success, despite its tight deadlines, to the cast's cohesiveness and their ability to adapt to changing conditions.
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This film is the first feature-length work in the Drag Race franchise.
According to director Adam Shankman, film "Stop This Train!"« was filmed in just 19 days.
The film, which follows two flight attendants who must save the day when a devastating storm threatens to derail a high-speed train, stars alumni of the show. RuPaul's Drag Race Ginger Minj, Brook Lynn Hytes, Jujubee, Marcia Marcia Marcia, Simone and more make the drag queens the central characters of the first film set in the Drag Race franchise.
«"We also shot in 19 days. So we moved very quickly, and… almost all the bit parts were shot in half a day," Shankman, 61, said during a panel discussion at People Inc. in New York City on May 27. "I think I spent maybe two hours on each musical number. So it's quite an unusual DIY effort.".
Jujubee, Ginger Minj, Brooke Lynn Hytes, RuPaul, Simon, Marcia Marcia Marcia, and Latrice RoyaleCredit: Chad Salvador/Variety via Getty
Despite the tight deadline, Shankman said filming many of the musical numbers in a confined space benefited the process, making it "easier." As he put it, "there were only so many things we could do.".
Shankman has known RuPaul since 1994, and they previously worked together on Drag Race show . On the eve of the 20th anniversary Drag Race , film "Stop This Train!"« will be the first full-length film in the franchise.
Director Adam Shankman and the cast attended a preview screening of "Stop That Train!" Photo: Astrid Staviarz.
The film, written by Christina Friel and Connor Wright, offered viewers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. But according to Shankman, there was less improvisation than expected.
«"There was a lot less improvisation on set than you might think because the comedians really wanted to perform what was written because they thought it was funny," he says.
For Marcia Marcia Marcia, being in this environment for 19 days was one of the highlights of the trip.
«"It was really fun," she says. "I think the great thing about drag queens is our ability to adapt. We're very independent. It's not a phrase, but you know what I mean.".
She also notes that the actors' natural chemistry helped everything come together, citing a "traumatic bond" that helped strengthen their rapport.
Jujubee and Brook Lynn Hytes attended a preview screening of "Stop That Train!" Photo: Astrid Staviarz.
Brooke shared a similar view, calling the 19 days it took to film a "dream," albeit a very intense one.
«"As Adam said, we shot for 19 days, so you didn't have time to think about anything, you just did it, hoped for the best and tried your best," she said.
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For actors accustomed to working under pressure, filming a feature-length movie in less than three weeks felt surprisingly familiar—only on a much larger set.
«We shot it in 19 days, and I just want to point out that you can’t even shoot a whole season in 19 days. Drag Race »"," Minj joked. "So I'm really grateful that we had the time we spent on Drag Race , to prepare for this, because, you know, on Drag Race You think, „Here’s the script, you have two hours, put it all together and go shoot.“.
Read the original article on People.