Monday, April 12, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

SHOOTING STARS: Production on Bullock's `Miss Congeniality 2' set to start

Sandra Bullock's latest case of professional split-personality syndrome kicks into high gear today as "Miss Congeniality 2" launches a five-week Southern Nevada shoot.

Bullock, of course, returns to the on-screen role she played in the 2000 comedy hit: FBI agent Gracie Hart, who went undercover as a beauty pageant contestant to thwart a nefarious scheme.

But Bullock also returns to an off-screen role she frequently plays: producer.

"It does make for a schizophrenic experience," she admits. "There are times when I'd rather be performing."

Yet, "as an actor, you're very isolated and insular," Bullock adds. As a producer, "I'm there morning to night. I get a rush out of it."

In addition to producing several features under her Fortis Films banner, Bullock is also executive producer of ABC's "George Lopez" sitcom.

Indeed, it was while she and "Miss Congeniality" screenwriter Marc Lawrence were working on 2002's "Two Weeks' Notice" that they first considered a "Miss Congeniality" sequel.

Initially, "we said we'd never do a second one," Bullock says, taking a break from a "Miss Congeniality 2" rehearsal. "Then we would come up with ideas as we were working."

At first, "we were joking about ideas," Bullock recalls. But some of them "weren't that far-fetched," so they reasoned, "the only way we can see making a sequel is if we can top the first one, yet the story could stand on its own."

Enter Las Vegas.

"We kept saying, what would top a beauty pageant," she notes, "in fun, in production value? Everyone says, `You can only go to Vegas.' "

One of the first "Miss Congeniality's" early scenarios involved Las Vegas, Bullock points out, but as the storyline evolved, "Las Vegas was written out of the script."

But that was then, this is now -- and Las Vegas provides a suitably sparkling backdrop for the "Congeniality" follow-up, which finds Hart and a new partner, Samantha Fuller (played by Regina King, whose credits include "Jerry Maguire" and "Daddy Day Care") on a case. Not to mention each other's case.

"It's the friendship and relationship between two partners who really have no business being around each other, but the support and love comes," Bullock explains. "It's sort of what `Lethal Weapon' had for men."

The Venetian and Treasure Island serve as the main casino locations for the shoot, but, except for a brief bit at The Venetian, most of this first week of filming will focus on "locations outside town," Bullock notes.

"We always start light and ease into it," the producer says of a production schedule that will include numerous night shoots -- and plenty of casino crowd-control challenges.

But Bullock's longtime colleague, executive producer Mary McLaglen, has plenty of Vegas experience; her credits include such made-in-Vegas features as "Pay It Forward," "Sgt. Bilko" and "DodgeBall," which opens in theaters this summer.

"Las Vegas offers innumerable colorful locations," McLaglen notes. And, after all, "you can't fake Vegas anywhere else."

Stay tuned to future editions of Shooting Stars for more -- much more -- on "Miss Congeniality 2."

And if you're interested in being an extra and haven't registered yet, Wild Streak Talent will hold an open call from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 3355 W. Spring Mountain Road, Suite 264. Call 252-8382 to schedule alternate audition dates if you can't make the call.

From "Miss Congeniality 2" we segue to "VH1 Divas," which checks into the MGM Grand Garden for a live 6 p.m. Sunday telecast featuring divas from Gladys Knight and Patti Labelle to Jessica Simpson and Ashanti. (Local viewers will, as usual, see it on a tape-delayed basis at 9 p.m.)

The show's third annual Vegas incarnation features a major change: a switch from a proscenium stage to an in-the-round format, which "evokes the idea of everyone coming together," notes Lee Rolontz, executive producer.

But "it's much more difficult" to stage an in-the-round production, she adds. "There have been concert tours in the round -- and on tape, where you can edit it. But if anything goes wrong" during the live show, "we don't have anywhere to go."

That should add a spark of excitement, in Rolontz's view.

"We're either really, really smart or we're brilliant," she says. But it fits in with the show's overall philosophy: "We always try to go where no diva has gone before."

The CBS pilot "Dr. Vegas," meanwhile, heads into its second (and possibly final) week on location, with Rob Lowe as a casino physician dealing with medical crises.

Today's schedule calls for exterior work featuring the Las Vegas Hilton's towering sign and interiors at a casino penthouse.

Tuesday through Friday, "Dr. Vegas" returns to Henderson -- and Station Casinos' Green Valley Ranch, where locations range from the pool to the casino. "Dr. Vegas" also hopes to capture a sunrise jog along the Strip Friday in front of Bellagio.

Meanwhile, back at Green Valley Ranch, cameras keep rolling for Discovery Channel's unscripted "American Casino" series, which debuts in June. And Fox's "Cops" is scheduled to conclude its month-long ride-along with Metropolitan Police this week.

Also on location this week: cable's Nick at Nite, which plans to shoot introductions and transition segments Tuesday and Wednesday with hosts Phoebe Jones and Louis Ramey, who are expected to interview fellow Vegas visitors at the Fremont Street Experience Tuesday and Wednesday.

They'll also stop by a casino and do some obligatory streets-of-Vegas driving shots on the road trip, which also includes a visit to the Grand Canyon.

Locally based Vegas Heat Productions, meanwhile, gears up for motor madness Friday through Sunday at "X-treme Madness 2004," capturing motorcycles, BMX bikes, street rods and monster buses in action at Dream Machines on West Oquendo Road.

Vegas Heat will tape the event for DVD and video, along with possible television distribution.

And while we're on the subject of extreme sports, Lear Casting needs about a thousand extras -- especially young riders and fans -- for an upcoming feature, "Supercross," which is set to begin shooting May 1 at Sam Boyd Stadium. Contact Sally Lear at 385-9000 for more information.