M. Scot's Movie Talk
Before you fork over your $10 for the premiere of "Trade In" on Saturday night, you should know that this ribald comedy is the furthest thing from a polished Hollywood vehicle.
Filmed entirely in Tucson, the movie obviously wasn't backed by investors with millions of dollars at their disposal. With no stars to speak of and a production design that makes the Ford Pinto look like a thing of untold beauty, "Trade In" is what it is.
But this cash-strapped comedy is no clunker, and unless you are offended by obscenities, rampant sexual behavior and/or the sight of Ron Jeremy in a flowery shirt, I'd say go for it.
The premiere, after all, is bound to be a blast.
Most of the actors are expected at the Fox Tucson Theatre on Saturday night, along with their friends and family. The ensemble cast of "Trade In" was drawn mostly from Tucson's acting pool, a hardworking bunch that's far from jaded about seeing themselves on the big screen.
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The premiere will mean different things to everybody in the cast and crew, of course.
For local car salesman Dave Aufmuth, it means his longtime dream has finally been realized. He came up with the story, about bitter rivals in the unseemly used-car trade, and he and his wife, Linda, were the executive producers.
"I'd love to do nothing but make movies," said Dave Aufmuth, 62, who plays a slimy banker in the movie. "I loved every step of the process — the 12- to 16-hour days, everything.
"We're hoping that the premiere will be a big success, and that we can build on that and put together a package for distributors."
For Tiffany Shepis, Tucson's reigning scream queen, "Trade In" meant a chance to play something other than a damsel in distress. She plays an overheated saleswoman with a smart mouth.
For Dwayne Palmer, 47, a talented veteran of Tucson's theater scene, "Trade In" meant a vital step forward — union membership.
"For me, I got my SAG card out of this," he said, referring to the Screen Actors Guild. "I never thought in a million years that I would get my SAG card in Tucson. I thought I would have to go to L.A. or somewhere else."
For Ron Jeremy, the hirsute porn star nicknamed The Hedgehog, "Trade In" meant another opportunity to get paid while fully clothed. He also appeared in "Blood Moon Rising," a no-budget vampire flick that was filmed last year in Avondale.
According to Palmer, the 20-day shoot at Aufmuth Motors in September 2008 was fully loaded with fun and excitement.
The cast also includes Tucsonans William Killian, Susan Arnold, Richard Pines, Benjamin Heflin, Jeremy Frey, Dan Higgins, Celeste Lawrence and Darwin Hall.
Directed by Jackie Lee James, "Trade In" stars Chris Mascarelli as Marty, a used-car dealer with a heart of gold. Locked in battle with a dealer named Wayne Empire (Joe Jones), Marty hires a marketing consultant (Christina Leigh) to help light a fire under his workers, most of whom are too busy getting busy with each other and with customers.
Meanwhile, Marty's step-brother tries to help by renting out the lot's back room to a film production company. The film, as it turns out, is a porno.
All of which raises the question: How much of "Trade In" is true to life?
"Well, there's never been a porno shoot at Aufmuth Motors, if that's what you're asking," said Aufmuth. "We did catch a manager with a sales girl in the back of an Escalade one time."
Finally, I wondered if Ron Jeremy expressed any concern that associating with used-car dealers might taint his adult-film career?
Aufmuth laughed.
"Not to my knowledge, no."
• What: Premiere of "Trade In," a comedy filmed in Tucson.
• When: 7 p.m. Saturday.
• Where: The Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.
• Cost: $10, or $12 balcony, available at foxtucsontheatre.org.
