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Uncle Al heart attack set up









Debbie & Puck scene









Steve's end of shoot speech



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A View from the Crew

One of the best things about running this website is when I get to hear from people who have had the extraordinary opportunity to watch Steve work, an experience that I long for but will probably only ever dream about. Since my favorite Buscemi film by far has always been Trees Lounge, you can imagine my elation when I received a lovely e-mail one day from a crew member who had worked on that very shoot. While wishing to remain anonymous, this person has generously offered to share some of her experiences on the set of Trees Lounge as well as some photos that she took of the production back in the summer of 1995.

When asked about her first impressions of Steve, she had this to say, “Truthfully, I was intimidated by him [due to his star status], even though he was so pleasant and calm. His eyes are very kind, he really listens when you speak to him.”

She goes on to tell some stories about the shoot…

“We shot in Valley Stream, Queens and Brooklyn. None of it was shot at the actual Trees Lounge, because by this time, it had been converted to a sports bar called Hannigan's, and was too different and too small to work with. The bar was actually called the Assembly bar, and was in Queens.”

“Shooting took place for a month, and I could probably name a million thoughts that I had for every day, all these images, Steve's mother smiling at us in the hospital where we shot the Teresa scenes, her blue eyeshadow and dark black bob haircut, or talking to Michael [Steve’s brother, also an actor in the film] in the back of Terry O's, my husband asking him for what turned out to be his very first autograph, and the look on his face, so touched yet embarrassed as he signed, things like that.”

“Because I worked very much behind-the-scenes, I spent very little time on set. When I could get there, I cherished every moment. It was great to watch Steve work with the actors, and I admired how difficult it was to give direction, and be in many of the scenes himself. It is very demanding. I think what made it easier was the fact that these actors were for the most part his friends. They were willing to deal with less than star conditions in terms of food and dressing rooms. Samuel L. Jackson, for example, flew in for one day to shoot his scene, then had to return to L.A.”

“The stars were all pleasant to work with. Mimi Rogers is a lovely woman. Mark Boone Junior is a panic, the most fun to be around, a guy you'd want at any party. Daniel Baldwin took time to shake hands with just about everyone, make eye contact, sign loads of autographs for the onlookers around Fireman's Field where the softball scenes were shot. He even drove himself to and from the set, because he was working on Homicide at the time during the week. He was just Danny, a regular guy, very into his craft. One of the times I was on set was during the scene where he confronts Debbie for being out all night with Tommy, and chases her up the stairs to beat her. He was so into the role, you could hear his shouting out on the street, and when he emerged from the house, he was visibly upset, red in the face, tears in his eyes, it was really something to see.”

“Just looking at [all the photos again], I started to remember all sorts of things about the shoot. I read the excerpt from that book about first time directors, and it mentioned the "original" ending. I remember getting a copy of the script during filming, they were very protected, but I borrowed one from someone and read it in one night to return it the next day. It had that ending in it, and immediately, I thought it was bad. The next day I was talking to an actor on set, during a lull in shooting. He expressed the same feelings I had, "I don't know if that is going to work." We felt conflicted. He certainly couldn't go to Steve and tell him he didn't like the ending, and forget about me, that would have been way out of line. We just shook our heads and hoped for the best. Now, having read that excerpt, I learn that it was all a ruse anyway! Of course, when we went to the screening and saw it wasn't included, we were already glad, but thanks to your site, I learned something too!”

She then described the specific photos…

“One is from the scene where Debbie's father pulls up in his car to ask Tommy in the ice cream truck if he has seen Debbie. Another, a really nice action shot, is Tommy getting beaten up outside the truck. You can see the boom mike and the padding behind Steve where he had to fall. It was a rubber baseball bat, by the way, except for when the headlight is being smashed out of the truck. And as for the kids grabbing up all the candy from the ground, it wasn't easy making sure they didn't keep some of it between shots - they were mostly neighborhood kids, and plenty of our crew candy would disappear from the craft services table, too! Once, in Brooklyn, someone stole 2 cases of soda from the craft truck, that was unfortunate!”

“There are two pictures of the Uncle Al heart attack set up. We had a stunt coordinator on set for that one, it is his Jeep that the ice cream truck smashes into. One or two are of the final shot set-up, which, not being in sequence, was of Debbie and Puck.”

“The rest are of Steve's end of shoot speech. Someone gave him a dozen roses, and there was plenty of champagne all around. The entire crew posed in front of the Assembly Bar (in Trees disguise) for a big group shot. I was hoping to get a copy of that picture, but unfortunately, someone broke into the set photographer's car and stole her camera, so I'm sure she lost a lot of really nice photos.”

“The last day of shooting was pretty emotional. Steve was genuinely grateful to all of us for our hard work, and he made a touching speech. I was glad to see everyone again at the wrap party, and the premiere party at a club called Webster Hall. Promotional CDs were given away, as well as highly coveted "Trees Lounge" shot glasses and coasters. I have a few other souvenirs, one of the softball team shirts (an extra one, unworn), an extra one of Raymond's gas station uniform shirt too. The one shirt we all really wanted was the Hyde Moving Co. one, but there were very few, and the actors got to keep them, or the people higher up in the production hierarchy.”

I had asked if cast/crew jackets were given out. She responded with an explanation about the realities of life on the set of a lower budget (about $1 Million) indie…

“As for cast/crew jackets...no way. I wish! We didn't even have name brand soda on set - some stuff called America Dry (not even Canada Dry!) and an ersatz Sprite called Dart! Some of the actors actually wore their own clothing, which I think added to keeping costs down. Some stuff was borrowed from designers in exchange for exposure. Some was actually bought by the pound at thrift stores in Brooklyn!”

She wraps up with some memories of her last contact with Steve and his brother…

“The last time I saw Steve and his brother Michael was at a benefit screening held in Valley Stream. I didn't actually go to the screening, because I was working, but they did sort of a bar tour afterwards, signing autographs. They went to a place called Terry O's, which is around the corner from P.J. Harper's where you went, and also to Hannigan's, the former Trees. Generally speaking, people who grow up in Valley Stream, like Steve, spend a lot of time trying to get out of Valley Stream. Even in their recreation. We never stay locally, we go to other town's bars! I have been to P.J. Harper's once, and only because it was really too cold to go anywhere else, although it is a nice place. Valley Stream is nothing if not blue collar, firemen, police, and sanitation abound. In fact, my father just retired from the NYC sanitation department after 33 years, I never asked him if he knew Steve's dad. My husband's parents actually are good friends with a family that lived next door to the Buscemis, it is that kind of town. People usually know each other or know of each other. In fact, my husband and Michael had a nice discussion about mutual acquaintances, jogging old memories.”

“I hope [these stories and photos] provide more insight into the behind the scenes process. I'm glad you like them, gladder still to be able to share them with you, and with the fans.”

And are we so glad you did. Thank you! If anyone else out there has photos and or stories they would like to share with the fans about their own experience working with Steve Buscemi, please feel free to mail them to me, the webmaster, at shari@indieking.com.