The P.O.B. Conspiracy

We had an absolutely amazing cast and crew on The P.O.B. Conspiracy, and we want to thank each and everyone for their selfless (and free) contributions. --DiG & Steve

Rob Maher, improv genius and lead actor, "I had an absolute blast working with everyone on his film. If DiG and Steve were cooler and better looking I would have a man crush on both of them. I, unlike my character Bob, am generally an upbeat, positive, happy go lucky kind of guy. Rather than dig deep down in my soul and conjure all kinds of bad things that have happened to me in order to turn myself into Bob, I decided it would be much easier to just show up tired and hung over each day. The crew was amazed at how easily I could transform myself into Bob. Little did they know all it took was a bottle of tequila and a bad nights sleep and, voila.... I give you Bob. Honestly, if I looked the part it was because DiG wrote a great script and Steve told me exactly what he do. If I didnt look the part it was because of DiG's script and Steve's direction. I like to think I looked the part so kudo's to DiG, Steve, Gus, Dirk, Calvin, Diego, Chris, Cassandra and the whole gang. I can't wait for the sequel."

Calvin Smith, the whistling psychiatrist, "The filming at DiG's house (my "psychiatric office") was the first time I'd met Steve and DiG and Rob and the crew, and it was also my first time in front of a camera for a professional production, so of course, I was apprehensive. But to be honest, everyone was so genial and the set was so comfortable, I surprised myself in how quickly I got into the groove of things. Tossing lines off the back of Rob's head was really weird, but then, things were to get much weirder later. I think both of us were comfy, he on the sofa and I in that large chair, and the temptation was to fall asleep, but hopefully, we turned it into scene smoothness. And then I got to meet that massive assemblage of characters on the final day of shooting at the AOL buildings. And the squirrel. After spending a little while honing the fine art of walking down the hall whistling, we got that shot out of the way, and I walked into The Conference Room. Again, everybody was friendly and supportive (except for the squirrel, who is as upstaging a little furry critter as you could imagine). Watching that final scene come together was really instructive -- it's always fascinating to me to see the raw pieces that are going to come together to make a finished whole, and now here I was, part of that process. I know the finished product is going to blow everyone away. And I came away with something special... the squirrel's obvious star quality has inspired me to grow some more of my own facial hair. Hey, ya gotta compete..."

Dirk Parham, master of props and evil scientist, "My work on POB was really an education on professionalism on the part of Steve, DiG and the others. I have been making people sweat, bleed, drool maggots, grow gills, etc., for years, but these guys knew what they wanted and made it happen on film with whatever makeup or prop I provided. I am extremely proud of Bob’s tie and while I have never animated dead flesh before, I am happy with how the camerawork made our little buddy real. Rob made a great bald guy, perhaps indicating things not so far in his future. I personally have never been comfortable putting latex on another man, but Rob – I wanna say – you made it feel natural..."

Denis Roma, the ultimate Man in Black, ""I have two distinct memories of working on the POB Conspiracy. The first deals with the tone set by Steve and DiG during the filming. While both were committed to making a quality film, neither found anything in the filmmaking rule book about not having a good time doing it. Steve and DiG both made the effort to make sure the filming experience for everyone was professional and yet free of unnecessary stress for all involved. They were cool under fire and ready to adapt to any changes that had to made. I think it was an enjoyable time for the entire cast and crew. My second memory has to do with the filming of the final scene in the film: where all the antagonists are in one room. As Steve was shooting the Men In Black group shots and close-ups, Diego (who plays the janitor and whom I never met) kept whispering to people how creepy I looked as a MIB, not realizing that I could hear him. I guess Steve knew what he has doing when he decided to cast me in that role."

Chris Hubbart, our stunt driver from TakeOneStunts.com, " I will never forget my first day on the set of the POB Conspiracy for it was both humbling and inspiring. The filmmakers needed someone to sit in for an absent actor while the crew adjusted lighting. I gladly volunteered, and in reward, I was offered the character’s role. Whoa! Hold on a sec! I'm just a stunt driver. But here was an opportunity to get my face on screen. So what if the part was for a clueless nose-picking driver. I was ready to say yes, but then I saw it… Glued to the dash; Mocking me from its prominent perch… a Pee-Wee Herman bobble-head doll. Sadly I had to decline the role. I knew I could never handle the pressures of becoming the nose-picking Pee-wee Herman lover. A part like this required someone with far more experience than I. Someone like our fearless director Steve. Leaping into the driver’s seat, Steve took on the role with zeal. I watched in awe as he wielded his index finger with the precision and dignity of a conductor leading a great symphony. I could almost hear the soundtrack playing along with this graceful ballet between his nose and forefinger. I could never have delivered so much passion, such enthusiasm. I believe the film is truly better because of his professional nose-picking skills, as am I for witnessing such greatness. It moved me to better myself as a performer. You sir, are a genius and my hero."

Cassandra Shie, the acrobatic photographer, "Being the POB photographer, I needed to take photos of 'Bob' looking miserable in the hopes of getting a great cover shot for the poster. One night, after spending about 30 minutes setting up my lights after many days of scenes and filming, Rob was too drained of vitality, so entirely numbed by life, I didn't think he was acting anymore, but living as subject 'Bob.' The night warranted that, I, a bad jokester, make an attempt at an original your momma joke. Very quickly Rob's mental state fell into a deep insane sobbing tantrum. Oh, it was impressive: Sweat flooded his face, snot flew, inflamed eyeballs pierced my tourist soul, his whole face quivered, but the best drama was the way his mouth moved when he moaned, like a tranquilized delirious half-ton walrus trying to put it's mouth around a greased fish (talk about sexy cool!). Later that night when I was editing through my take, I chose to use the first image I took, you know the numb one before I unleashed my epic your momma joke. I never needed Rob to cry at all. So what I'm saying about my experience behind the POB camera is that MY creation of the latest, greatest momma joke rocked. Learning that, during the filming of this movie, made all the difference in my life as a photographer. Because of the dangers of telling this joke, it is unsafe to repeat it. Yeah it's that good, or maybe -- just maybe -- Rob is an out-of-this-world fake cryer. If so, the man needs a trophy."

Tod Fontana, office Kilroy: "It was truly surreal to see how professional quality video equipment, tracked camera dollys, boom mikes, filtered overhead lights, extendable sun screens, theatrical makeup, and special effects all magically transformed an ordinary office space into an amazing Hollywood recreation of an ordinary office space. I now have an elevated respect for what it takes to professionally recreate the mundane."