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Frequently Asked Questions about Whyaduck Productions
Q: Why a duck? A: My first film was a documentary called The Marx Brothers in a Nutshell. ''Why a duck?'' is a reference to an old Marx Brothers routine from their first film (and Broadway show) ''The Cocoanuts.'' Groucho is going over a map with Chico … ''Here's a little peninsula, and here's a viaduct leading over to the mainland.'' Chico, of course responds with, ''Why a duck?'' When I formed my corporation for my Marx Brothers documentary in 1981, I called it Whyaduck Productions, Inc., figuring I'd dissolve it after production, then start a new company for the next film. But I found that people remembered my company name even if they forgot my name, so I just kept the corporation running permanently. So now this silly name, Whyaduck, still appears on all of my work, meaning the first laugh usually comes during the opening credits. That's why a duck! Q: How is your last name pronounced? A: Like Why-dee, or ''Whitey.'' Needless to say, my black friends really love calling me by my last name. Q: You're usually credited as ''Robert B. Weide.'' What does the ''B'' stand for? A: Edgar. Q: I'm a huge fan of yours and I have no life. How can I keep apprised of the status of your forthcoming projects, DVD releases, personal appearances, etc? A: My, how flattering! You need to sign up for the DuckProds mailing list on my homepage. What you don't want to do is send me an e-mail asking for updates. 99% of those e-mails go unanswered, merely for lack of time. Sometimes my office will e-mail a response if the answer can be relayed in ten words or less. But don't count on it. Q: If I sign up for your e-mail list, will I be constantly inundated with your obnoxious, self-promoting mass e-mails? A: No. I only send out my obnoxious, self-promoting mass e-mails about two or three times a year. Q: How can I submit a question for this DUQ FAQ? A: You can e-mail my office at DuckProds(at)aol.com. If my assistant thinks it's a good question, she'll submit it to me and it will go on this page. If it hasn't appeared within three weeks, assume it wasn't ''Frequently Asked'' enough. Q: Do you accept scripts, treatments, ideas, concepts, pitches, notions, bribes? A: No to everything. What kind of bribes? Q: What if my idea is really, really cool and original and a surefire money-maker? A: See previous answer. Q: Would you be willing to pass my script onto someone who would read it? A: No, that's your agent's job. If you don't have an agent, you should get one. Q: How do I… A: Please don't ask me how you get an agent. Let me make this simple. Here's the disclaimer from the Contact page on my website: ''Whyaduck Productions does not accept story outlines, treatments, scripts or ideas for other people's work, so please don't send them. Unsolicited material sent through the mail is either returned or destroyed, unread. All e-mail containing ''pitches'' or story ideas are deleted, unread. Also, we do not act as a forwarding agent for messages or correspondence intended for any third parties.'' Is that clear enough? Hey, stop that! Sniffling will get you nowhere. Q: Is Curb coming back for a sixth season? A: Yes. It started shooting in October '06, probably to premiere in the Fall of '07. Q: What's this I hear about you not returning to the series? A: With all due respect to Mark Twain, rumors of my departure are actually quite accurate, although I did direct one final episode for the upcoming season (Episode 2). I've loved everything about the show, and it's been very good to me, but I now have other creative opportunities available that I want to pursue. I worked on ''Curb'' almost exclusively for seven years. Each time I return for another season, it's usually a nine-month commitment. I'm attached to direct a feature next year, so it basically boils down to a scheduling conflict. Q: Why does it take nine months to do ten episodes? A: Editing is the big time eater. When we wrap shooting, the actors can go off and take other work, but I generally remain in that editing room with Larry for another four months. Q: What is the feature you're supposed to direct next year? A: It's a comedy titled, ''How To Lose Friends & Alienate People,'' starring Simon Pegg (''Shaun of the Dead'' ''Spaced''). See the next section for more info. Q: Have you started shooting yet?? A: We began principal photography on June 4, 2007. We'll be shooting about nine weeks in London, and a week in New York. Q: What's it about? A: It's based on a best-selling comic memoir by British journalist Toby Young. Toby was a rather celebrity-struck model-ogling hack who published an intellectual/pop culture hybrid rag in London called ''The Modern Review.'' One day he got a call from Graydon Carter at ''Vanity Fair,'' asking him to come to New York and work for the magazine. Toby was like the proverbial pig in shit as he was thrust into the promised land of celebrities and super models. He then proceeded to piss off just about everyone he came in contact with, until he was finally fired by Carter and sent back to England with his tail between his legs. Most everyone in England knows this book as it was a best seller there for months. It sold respectably in the U.S. The screenplay by Peter Straughan is brilliant. A fair amount of creative license has been taken with the actual characters and events. It's not a hard-hitting expose of Graydon Carter and Vanity Fair. It's playful and very funny. There's also a love story, of course. As word got out that I was looking to direct a feature, lots of screenplays were sent to me, but I knew I had to direct this one by page 10. Of course, I'm terribly excited about working with Simon Pegg (''Shaun of the Dead,'' ''Hot Fuzz''). He and I can do a lot of damage together. The film also provides a welcome reunion with Kirsten Dunst, whom I last worked with on ''Mother Night'' when she was 13 years old. The rest of the cast is amazing. It includes Jeff Bridges, Danny Huston, Gillian Anderson, Megan Fox, Max Minghella, Lindsay Duncan and Miriam Marolyes. I'm a very lucky boy. Here's a link to some recent press. I'll include more links as other cast members sign on. Q: Wasn't it announced in the trades last year that you had created a comedy pilot for ABC? What happened to it? A: ABC loved the script and was about to order production of the pilot. But we had different opinions about casting the lead role. I actually created it for a specific actress who was a virtual unknown. ABC knew that going in, and they liked the actress, but then they got nervous at the last minute and asked me to consider casting the part, which I wasn't interested in doing. Finally, I got the call saying they would order the pilot that day if I would open casting on the lead. Otherwise, they weren't prepared to move forward. So I said ''Thank you,'' and we parted ways. It was very amicable, and prior to that, my working relationship with the network was extremely positive. There were no histrionics on either side—just two different points of view. I actually liked the ABC execs I was dealing with. Q: Would you consider doing another TV show after ''Curb?'' A: Sure, under the right circumstances. But as you can tell from the scenario described above, I have to believe in what I'm doing because, fortunately, I don't have to work just for the gig. And of course, I can't let a TV schedule interfere with movies, which is what I'm focusing on for the time being. Q: Is your Oscar nominated documentary, Lenny Bruce: Swear To Tell the Truth, ever going to come out on home video and DVD? A: Sadly, I think I can finally answer that question with a very definitive ''probably not.'' For the full story, follow this link to my Lenny Bruce page, and see the last paragraph. And I think you need that little ® insignia after ''Oscar.'' Q: We've been reading for years about your planned feature film based on the Kurt Vonnegut novel, ''The Sirens of Titan.'' When can we expect it to reach theaters? A: Let me check my calendar to see exactly when hell is due to freeze over. Actually, it's a good question with a sad answer. I refer you to my page for The Sirens of Titan. You'll find the answer at the top of the page. Get out your handkerchiefs. Q: Where is your Kurt Vonnegut documentary? Haven't you been filming him for years? A: Actually, that's two questions. But yes, my Vonnegut documentary has broken all records for my longest-gestating project that I still plan to complete. I've been following Kurt around with a camera since 1988, so do the math, as they say. You actually see him age on film, whereas I've only aged off-camera. I have given up on making predictions as to when this film will be completed. I've basically shot most everything I plan to shoot. I now need a qualified Vonnegut-familiar editor who is willing to work on a partially deferred salary, as the financing comes from my not-so-deep pockets. I refer you to this link to get all the details. Q: Didn't I see you and your dog on The Dog Whisperer? A: Why, yes you did. My wife Linda and I are happy to say that our pooch Jake has been doing great since the miraculous Cesar Millan set him straight. And what dog in Hollywood could hold his head up high without his own page on the IMDb?
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