Robert Siegel, the writer/director of the new movie
Big Fan, has kindly agreed to respond to questions from members of BigBlueInteractive.com (BBI). Fans should submit their questions here in The Corner Forum section of the website. We will forward to Mr. Siegel what we consider the best 5-10 questions.
Robert Siegel is a writer/director based in New York. He is the author of numerous screenplays, including "The Wrestler", starring Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei. From 1996 to 2003, Siegel was editor-in-chief of the satirical newspaper The Onion. "Big Fan" is his directorial debut.
Big Fan Movie Website (Trailer) - (
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Maybe we can ask him if he'd like to bring his film to Albany & meet some die hard Giants fans at training camp, maybe organize screening a screening of the film?
2. In the Trailer it shows the incident mirrors a bit the Burress situation -- (it happen in a strip club and then the threat of league suspension) -- what did he think when Burress incident happen ? Life imitating art?
2. There seemed to be some tailgating scenes in the trailer. Were these shot on location, and if so, when?
2. Sports fans are able to brush off a lot of negative aspects of their heros (treatment of women, financial foolishness, selfishness, drug abuse) as long as he's on "our team." Is this a central theme of the film?
1. Why does the guy put on an Eagles jersey on at the end of the trailer?
2. Was the tailgating scene shot at a Giants regular season game? If so, was it kept private?
hey if any of you here can answer that its even better.
Let me know which one. I'm looking to buy my next jersey.
Did you interview any fans of sports to get ideas?
When/how did you get into the script writing/directing business?
Were there any licensing issues you faced with the league, teams or others?
Did you have to make the main character so pathetic? Part time parking garage worker?
2. Can you talk a little bit about casting, particularly the lead? Did anyone turn it down? If yes, who?
3. Team and player worship is obviously celebrated in the U.S. and elsewhere. It certainly drives a lot of advertising and is considered mostly benign. What inspired this particular view?
Well, that's it. Saw the trailer and I'm very eager to see the film.
I attempted to do a documentary on Giants fans several years ago and NFL Properties attorneys shot me down bigtime. They said I couldn't even interview a fan who was wearing a Giants hat or jersey...forget game footage or tailgate footage before games.