Neither the Police Nor an Eviction Threat Could Stop ‘Bulldozer,’ the Underdog Sundance Sitcom

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During the production of the movie titled “Bulldozer”, it was discovered by the authorities that they were shooting a half-hour comedy pilot without obtaining the necessary filming permits.

Andrew Leeds, the director, remembers that when police arrived at the filming location in the Valley, they ordered the production team to leave. They attempted to force open the door.

In this critical juncture, it’s crucial to note that Bulldozer, independently funded without studio interference, was essentially pieced together by leveraging the goodwill of individuals such as Mary Steenburgen, who portrayed the mother character in the series starred and created by Joanna Leeds. The producers were determined to complete filming, keeping Steenburgen secluded from the disorder so she wouldn’t perceive the production as being disorganized, given her stature as the show’s most prominent figure.

Executive producer Rhett Reese, famous for co-writing Deadpool and Zombieland, shares that he was figuratively engaging in a conversation with Mary while keeping an eye out for approaching police officers, whispering to himself, ‘Oh my goodness, I hope they don’t notice me,'” says the report.

In the end, the production decided to depart, even though they claim to have had the necessary permits. However, they admit they lacked sufficient knowledge to report any issues to the police.

The occurrence was part of a series of extraordinary events that occurred during the comedy’s challenging journey towards the Sundance Film Festival. Among the 16,000 entries, it was one of only two scripted pilots to be shown at the festival.

The lead character, Joanna Leeds, is portrayed as a young woman who is undertreated and intensely emotional. She often finds herself in crises that she herself creates.

As a gamer, I can’t help but observe that numerous comedy series with female leads seem to stick to familiar rhythmic patterns. Typically, they introduce a sexually adventurous main character who jumps from one romantic encounter to another. Interestingly enough, these shows often include a scene where the star is seen pondering life while seated on a toilet.

As a sister of director Andrew Leeds, popularly known as Bulldozer, I’m not passing judgment, but let me tell you from my perspective and that of my female friends – we’re a complex bunch. We’re drained, we’re irked, and life doesn’t always go smoothly for us. Trying to find a connection on apps can be a frustrating endeavor, with ghosting being a common occurrence. So, I often wonder, how are people managing one-night stands? It seems like an intricate dance that we’re yet to master.

Five years ago, Joanna was on the verge of launching a project with Endeavor Content, having completed the necessary paperwork just before the COVID-19 pandemic began, effectively ending its prospects. Other interested parties emerged and disappeared, but throughout this time, her brother Andrew and friend Reese remained steadfast supporters of the endeavor.

Reese is well-known for championing projects that others seem to shy away from, like the 2016 film “Deadpool” and the comedy reality show “The Joe Schmo Show”, which he made alongside his partner Paul Wernick. However, it was with the project “Bulldozer” that Reese took the risk of investing his own funds for the first time.

Reese, who funded it with Andrew, Joanna, and his brother Caleb (who is also the executive producer), states that this project represents the highest level of conviction he has about it. He’s not just criticizing the system for lacking courage and urging executives to greenlight riskier projects; he’s also challenging us to consider why we might be hesitant to take risks ourselves.

Andrew, who’s known for his roles in shows like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “Barry”, leveraged his connections to bring on actors such as Allen Leech, Harvey Guillén, Kate Burton, Nat Faxon, and comedian CP.

Joanna asked her doctor if she could use his office for filming, not fully grasping that it would bring along 40 crew members, causing congestion in the building’s corridors.

As I was engrossed in my gaming session, mid-shoot, a sudden halt occurred when the building’s landlord broke the news: he was considering eviction, targeting none other than our team doctor, unless we, the Bulldozer crew, came up with some sort of financial arrangement to his liking.

Caleb Reese, laughing, described an incredible ordeal: ‘It was a massive fiasco! He was furious! He wanted to dismiss everyone, including those he didn’t manage,’ he said. Joanna was weeping, believing her doctor was facing eviction. Then, Andrew appeared and suggested, ‘Use it for the scenes,’ as she had a major crying scene planned due to this.

The doctor managed to stay in his practice as the production company covered the rent for him. However, Joanna is no longer a client at that particular clinic.

As a gamer, I poured my heart and soul into crafting that pilot, meticulously working on the shoot and post-production to ensure it wasn’t just a mere concept, but something truly ready for prime time. And boy, did we deliver! The episode we created would fit seamlessly into any lineup, from FX to HBO to Apple TV+. The crowd at our Sundance premiere on January 28 erupted in laughter, making me feel like I was watching an early screening of a blockbuster like Deadpool.

Reese takes great satisfaction in having filmed in Los Angeles, a city that has experienced a decrease in production following the pandemic, two labor disputes, and now the LA fires.

Regarding Joanna, she’s got a good amount of content to carry her through the rest of the season if it’s successful. Even amidst the highs and lows, she cherishes the hectic scenes from filming, occasionally finding amusement in being booted off that Valley location by the police.

Joanna recounts, “One of the officers told us, ‘You need to leave that place immediately,’ but then he added, ‘Isn’t that Mary Steenburgen?’ To which we responded, ‘Yes.’ He replied, ‘She is so attractive.’ We asked, ‘Can we stay a bit longer?’, and he said, ‘No, you still have to go.’

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2025-01-31 02:25