Interviewing the cast of Dog Days including Nina Dobrev, Eva Longoria, Vanessa Hudgens, Adam Pally, Tone Bell, and Director Ken Marino was such a great opportunity to see just how much fun they all have together. Although most scenes were shot separately in Dog Days, they all had something in common – talent and goodness. Here’s what I learned, and then there’s that story when I totally embarrassed myself in front of Director Ken Marino. Hint: it involves singing.
Thank you, LD Entertainment, for inviting me to the premiere of Dog Days. All opinions of my new found admiration for Adam Pally’s humor are my own.
Why It’s Important to Have Family Friendly Movies
I do parent movie reviews, because that’s what a lot of people ask me for, AND because having family friendly movies is important to me as a mother of 5. These kids grow up so quickly and have so much stress nowadays, that anything I can share with them that’s positive, funny, and helps them continue being a kid, I seek out! Check out my Dog Days parent review.
I asked Ken Marino why it was important to him to direct family friendly films. He shared that he was able to bring his children into the editing room and ask them about the jokes they liked from another film he directed, “How to Be a Latin Lover.”
Ken: “That just made me want to do another movie that I can share with my children. This movie came along and I just liked all of the relationships.
I’m a big dog lover. We have two rescues at home. I thought it was a good time to do it. I feel like right now it is important to have movies where you can bring your whole family and escape the madness out there. Watch a movie that is funny and might make you cry once or twice. It’s for adults and kids. My friend described it as a Pixar movie – jokes for adults and stuff for kids in there.”
When we don’t support movies like these, we don’t get more movies like these.
On Working with Dogs in the Movie
Obviously, we were going to talk pups. Nina Dobrev shared that all the dogs were cast before the humans. She wanted to get her dog Maverick in the film, but it was too late. She still snuck him in the background though.
When asked if this movie helped anyone become more of a dog lover, Adam Pally quipped,”Just the opposite, now I love cats.” He was cracking jokes the entire time.
Tone said that although he doesn’t have a dog, Dog Days made him more of a dog lover. He’s basically Maverick’s uncle now.
Vanessa admitted it was hard not to snuggle the dogs during filming. I feel ya, Vanessa, because that Gertrude is stinking adorable.
Dog lovers, unite!
That Embarassing Ken Marino Moment
After the press junket, Director Ken Marino stayed after a bit and chatted with some people. I couldn’t resist and told him how much I loved him as Vinnie Van Lowe in Veronica Mars. He was kind and laughed, and I swear in the moment found me delightful. Picture proof below.
I should have left it at that.
However, then we saw him a few minutes later at the elevator, and he was taking pictures with other fans. I resisted the urge to ask for a photograph (I mean, I’m totally professional) since he was about to walk into the elevator. However, then something possessed me to speak. Ugh, freaking Veronica Mars love.
Me: “Hey Ken, a long time ago, we used to be friends.” (Anyone who’s a huge Veronica Mars fan will get the reference as the first lines from the theme song.)
Ken: Blank stare. “What?”
Me: Couldn’t just let it go again. Attempts to sing (yes, sing) the theme song from Veronica Mars. “A long time agoooo, we used to be friends…”
Ken: Confused look. “Whhaaaaaat?”
Me: “Errr, nevermind.”
Elevator doors close.
Me: Horrendously embarrassed yet dying laughing, because, well, it was still funny.
All my friends started laughing, and we still laugh about it. They’ll never let me live that down.
Ken Marino was there to promote Dog Days. Veronica Mars was probably the last thing he was thinking of and has since gone on to do a million other successful projects. However, when you’re a huge fan of something (um, heck yeah, I donated to that Veronica Mars Movie Kickstarter Campaign), then you don’t forget.
But that says something about the talent in these shows and movies. When you create a fandom and are able to connect with an audience that much, it means you’ve done your job.
The Next Day at the Dog Days Premiere
The next day was the Dog Days Premiere and Green Carpet at Westfield Century City. What an adorable setup complete with dog themed treats, dog balloon animals, a place to make dog tags, and even puppies! Many of the talent came early to mingle and talk to friends.
Then there were interviews and the stars walked the green carpet.
Pete Shilaimon, Producer, Nina Dobrev, Rob Corddry, Jon Bass, Mickey Liddell, Producer, Finn Wolfhard, Jessica St. Clair, Elizabeth Phoenix Caro, Michael Cassidy, Ken Marino, Director, Vanessa Hudgens, Tone Bell, Eva Longoria
Ken Marino was talking to everyone and was kind enough to take a picture with me. The picture turned out funky, because I was trying to explain that I was the crazy yesterday that tried to sing to him. He was very kind (as usual), and I made my exit.
We continued to enjoy the party and talk to some of the other talent for the film, who were all lovely, and excited to be there. Michael Cassidy was very sweet and chatted with us for a long time.
Michael Cassidy stars as Dr. Mike in Dog Days
I even caught some video of Finn Wolfhard on the carpet as he was on his way to watch Dog Days.
It was so fun to see @FinnSkata on the green carpet at the @DogDaysTheFilm Premiere and all those cute pups! #DogDays #FinnWolfhard #StrangerThings pic.twitter.com/KhrTVTNTE1
— Tania Lamb (@LolaLambchops) August 5, 2018
It was time to go, we started to head out, and I saw Ken Marino again. We literally had to walk past him.
I just kept thinking, don’t say anything, don’t say anything, but then he said something to our group of bloggers. So I took the opportunity to ask him if I could have a redo of our picture earlier, since it didn’t turn out well. You guys, Ken Marino is a solid dude. He said, “Of course, let’s do a photo shoot!”
Very serious business
That kind soul took different pictures with me out of the goodness of his heart when he had things to do.
“Ok, now laughing.”
The commonality of the press conference with the talent from Dog Days was how much they all loved Ken Marino. They reiterated that he has a big heart and how much they love working with him. Eva Longoria also expressed how it’s great to have an actor-director, because he speaks their language.
Ken Marino said that the goal was to not only work with funny and talented people, but people also who were good human beings. Dog Days is for the good guys out there. Go see it.