TRIBECA — Edward Burns' latest film, "Newlyweds," an ode to his home neighborhood of TriBeCa, opens this week — but don't expect to find the indie film it in most theaters. It's going straight to digital On Demand and iTunes.
Burns, a longtime TriBeCa resident, shot the whole movie on a shoestring budget of just $9,000, thanks to many friends who donated their time. The film takes place entirely in his neighborhood and he initially considered calling it "Triangles Below Canal," a play on the love triangles between characters and TriBeCa's full name.
"Shot on Canon 5d," Burns tweeted recently. "12 days. 3 man crew most days. 1 man others. Actors wore own clothes. Did own hair makeup. Free locations."
The movie follows newlywed TriBeCa residents Buzzy (Burns) and Katie (Caitlin Fitzgerald) as they sort through their relationship while strolling the neighborhood's cobblestoned streets, have heated exchanges outside the Franklin Street subway entrance, and dine at neighborhood favorites like Walker's, Bubby's and Estancia 460.
"I eat lunch in some of those places, you know, every other day," Burns said of the filming locations, in an interview with iamrouge.com.
"So, I went to them and said, 'Hey, I’m doing this low-budget movie, we just need a table in the corner, we’ll be here at lunchtime but it’s a two-man crew, we’re going to shoot available light, there’s no boom operator, and we’re not going to ask anyone to be quiet.'"
Distributed by Tribeca Film, the movie was released this week for digital On Demand downloading ($6.99) and will be available on iTunes Dec. 30. The film will not have a broad theatrical release.
The film co-stars Kerry Bishe, Marsha Dietlein, Johnny Solo, Dara Coleman and Max Baker.
Burns turned to Twitter throughout the filming and editing process, asking his fans for suggestions on everything from the movie's title and poster to a name for a stripper character.
Over the past couple days, dozens of those fans have returned to Twitter to tell Burns how much they liked the new film.
"I cant believe a bunch of you guys have already checked out #Newlyweds this morning," Burns tweeted a few hours after the film was released. "Thanks so much for the early support."
