Production Notes
Producer/Director Scott Petersen shot approximately 40 hours of footage
for Out of the Loop. Principal photography was completed in November 1996
with the Veruca Salt and Dale Meiners (the Wesley Willis Fiasco)
interviews. Petersen and Jude Leak spent three weeks editing the movie
over the next eight months on an Avid Media Composer at Brand X Filmworks,
a local production and post-production house that specializes in
independent features, music videos, and corporate programs.
Out of the Loop was shot on BetaSP, a video format popular for news, talk
shows, reality-based programming and other types of shows where the budget
does not allow for 16 mm or 35 mm film. Beta is especially popular with
news and documentary crews for its accessibility, portability, and ability
to shoot 30 continuous minutes without stopping.
Petersen never shot with more than a crew of three, including himself. On
a few occasions, Petersen went out by himself-carrying equipment, shooting
and lighting interviews, monitoring audio levels, and asking questions.
Fortunately, these days were few. Directors of photography Joe Piscitelli
and Philip Krawiec are responsible for the look of most of the rest of the
documentary. Pete Biagi lensed the Dale Meiners and the lengthy Veruca
Salt interviews.
Like many independent features, Out of the Loop was financed almost
exclusively by credit cards. Petersen received a small grant from the
Illinois Arts Council. Filmmakers Kevin Smith and Richard Linklater also
took pity on Petersen and donated money to the production. Everyone
involved with the project worked for free or for significantly less than
what they normally make or deserve. Unfortunately, the movie's final
budget will not be revealed until a distribution deal is reached.
The movie's running time is 86 minutes.