Ghost Town (2008)

Director:

David Koepp

Writers (WGA):

David Koepp (written by) &
John Kamps (written by)

Release Date:

19 September 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

Tagline:

He sees dead people... and they annoy him.

Plot:

Bertram Pincus, is a man whose people skills leave much to be desired. When Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts.

Plot Keywords:

Ghost | Dog | New York City | Penis | Medical Receptionist

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Wed. Dec. 30

3:10 AM

MAX

Cast

Greg Kinnear	...	Frank Herlihy
Jordan Carlos	...	Young Husband
Dequina Moore	...	Young Wife
Joseph Badalucco Jr.	...	Accident Bystander #1 (as Joe Badalucco)
Brian Hutchison	...	Accident Bystander #2
Tyree Michael Simpson	...	Sneezy Cop (as Tyre Simpson)
Julia K. Murney	...	Sneezy Lady
Ricky Gervais	...	Bertram Pincus D.D.S.
Claire Lautier	...	Upper East Side Lady
Aasif Mandvi	...	Dr. Prashar
Bridget Moloney	...	Receptionist
Raymond J. Lee	...	Greenpeace Guy (as Raymond Lee)
Joey Mazzarino	...	Food Delivery Guy
Brad Oscar	...	Day Doorman
Kathleen Landis	...	Resident
Téa Leoni	...	Gwen
Audrie J. Neenan	...	Admitting Nurse (as Audrie Neenan)
Kristen Wiig	...	Surgeon
Aaron Tveit	...	Anesthesiologist
Deborah S. Craig	...	Nurse
Betty Gilpin	...	WWII Nurse
Angelis Alexandris	...	Elderly Couple (Male)
Elaine Kussack	...	Elderly Couple (Female)
Kim Russell	...	Tennis Lady
Alan Ruck	...	Ghost Dad
Brian Tarantina	...	Ghost Cop
Darren Pettie	...	Construction Worker Ghost #1
Jesse Means	...	Construction Worker Ghost #2
Robert Kelly	...	Construction Worker Ghost #3
Gabrielle Fink	...	Violin Student
Michael-Leon Wooley	...	Hospital Lawyer
Monte Bezell	...	Cab Driver
Sebastian La Cause	...	Bartender
Dana Ivey	...	Marjorie Pickthall
Miles Grose	...	Night Doorman
Jeff Hiller	...	Naked Guy
Lou Sumrall	...	Harley Guy
Raymond McAnally	...	Assorted Ghost #1
Amy Van Nostrand	...	Assorted Ghost #2
Ira Hawkins	...	Assorted Ghost #3
Danai Jekesai Gurira	...	Assorted Ghost #4 (as Danai Gurira)
Richard O'Rourke	...	Man at Lecture
Brian d'Arcy James	...	Irish Eddie
Bill Campbell	...	Richard (as Billy Campbell)
Phoenix	...	Leonard
Jazz	...	Other Leonard
Josh Clayton	...	Waiter
Lisa Datz	...	Happy Person in Bar #1
James Ludwig	...	Happy Person in Bar #2
Melissa Thomas	...	Dr. Prashar's Patient
Shawn Hill	...	Bongo Player
Megan Byrne	...	Mrs. Pickthall's Daughter
José Ramón Rosario	...	Crane Operator
Jose Soto	...	Welder
Candace Thaxton	...	Harley Guy's Old Lady
Dylan Clark Marshall	...	Little Alex
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Melissa Otero	...	Ghost
Celia Allen	...	Upper East Side Shopper (uncredited)
Sherman Alpert	...	Museum party guest (uncredited)
Michael Bennett	...	Museum Exhibit Patron (uncredited)
Marmee Cosico	...	Night Ghosts (uncredited)
Alex Eckstein	...	Mrs. Pickthall's Grandson (uncredited)
Michael Kerns	...	Museum Exhibit Patron (uncredited)
Tina King	...	Nurse (uncredited)
RJ Konner	...	Black TIe Guest (uncredited)
Annie Rohling	...	Accident Bystander (uncredited)
Christina Russo	...	Elevator Ghost (uncredited)
Ken Sladyk	...	Museum Exhibit Patron (uncredited)

Directed by
David Koepp

Writing credits (WGA)
David Koepp		(written by) &
John Kamps		(written by)

Produced by
Gary Barber	....	executive producer
Roger Birnbaum	....	executive producer
Joseph E. Iberti	....	co-producer
Gavin Polone	....	producer
Ezra Swerdlow	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Geoff Zanelli

Cinematography by
Fred Murphy

Film Editing by
Sam Seig

Casting by
Pat McCorkle
John Papsidera

Production Design by
Howard Cummings

Art Direction by
Nicholas Lundy

Set Decoration by
Debra Schutt

Costume Design by
Sarah Edwards

Makeup Department
Christine Fennell	....	hair stylist
Lori Hicks	....	makeup department head
Michele Paris	....	key makeup artist
Sacha Quarles	....	hair department head

Production Management
Joseph E. Iberti	....	unit production manager
Susan Lazarus	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jeffrey T. Bernstein	....	first assistant director
Nancy Herrmann	....	second assistant director
Ted O'Connor	....	second second assistant director
Christian Vendetti	....	additional second assistant director

Art Department
Robert Barnett	....	charge scenic
Philip Canfield	....	leadman
Justin Elterman	....	graphic designer
Julia Garrison	....	stand-by scenic
Jonathan Graham	....	key construction grip
Connor Jones	....	art department production assistant
Tina Khayat	....	art department coordinator
Alexandra Mazur	....	assistant set decorator
Vinny Mazzarella	....	property master
Nick Miller	....	construction coordinator
Brick Mason	....	storyboard artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Michael Barry	....	sound re-recording mixer
Brian Bowles	....	adr supervisor
Brian Bowles	....	dialogue editor
Carlos M. Cano	....	assistant sound editor (as Carlos Cano)
Robert Fernandez	....	sound effects editor
Matthew Haasch	....	foley supervisor
Robert Hein	....	sound re-recording mixer
Robert Hein	....	supervising sound editor
Eric Hirsch	....	sound re-recordist
Mike Howells	....	adr recordist
Bobby Johanson	....	adr mixer
Nick Kray	....	adr mixer
Michael Miller	....	adr mixer
Dan Paikin	....	boom operator
Glenfield Payne	....	sound recordist
James Sabat	....	sound mixer
James J. Sabat Jr.	....	sound recordist
David Wahnon	....	sound editor

Special Effects by
Mark Bero	....	special effects foreman
Wilfred Caban	....	special effects technician
Steven Kirshoff	....	special effects coordinator (as Steve Kirshoff)
Devin Maggio	....	special effects technician
Roy Savoy	....	special effects technician (as Roy J. Savoy)
John Stifanich	....	special effects technician

Visual Effects by
Tom Bardwell	....	digital artist
Mark Bright	....	previsualization consultant
Cara Buckley	....	visual effects producer
Matt Connolly	....	animator
J. John Corbett	....	compositor: titles, Big Film Design
Camille Geier	....	visual effects executive producer: RhinoFX
Piotr Glabinski	....	3d character modeling and matchmoving
Ivan Andres Guerrero	....	dynamics technical director (as Ivan Guerrero)
Ivan Andres Guerrero	....	technical director: effects animation
Christopher M.K. Hill	....	matchmover (as Chris Hill)
Yoshiko Hirata	....	compositor
Bora Jurisic	....	matte painter
P. Jasmine Katatikarn	....	lighting technical director (as Jasmine Katatikarn)
Eric Leverenz	....	digital imaging
Karin Levinson	....	production executive: RhinoFX
Arman Matin	....	visual effects supervisor: RhinoFX
Bogdan Mihajlovic	....	lead techincal director/ visual effects plate supervisor: RhinoFX
Goran Ognjanovic	....	animator
David W. Reynolds	....	digital compositor
Jim Rider	....	compositing supervisor
Jim Rider	....	lead compositor
Jim Rider	....	plate supervisor
Joseph Ryals	....	digital imaging
Brad Scott	....	Flame compositor
Ronen Sharabani	....	Flame compositor
Vico Sharabani	....	visual effects supervisor: RhinoFX
Ryan S. Westphal	....	visual effects coordinator
Sean Curran	....	previz animator: RhinoFX (uncredited)

Stunts
John R. Favre	....	stunt performer
Jeffrey Lee Gibson	....	stunt coordinator
Michael Patrick Gough	....	stunt double: Ricky Gervais
Jay Spadaro	....	stunts
Jay Spadaro	....	utility stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Robert M. Andres	....	key grip
Eli Aronoff	....	first assistant camera: effects unit
Christian Baldi	....	electrician
Mark Beattie	....	additional electrician
Angela Bellisio	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Arthur Blum	....	dolly grip
Michael Cambria	....	second assistant camera
Stephen Consentino	....	Steadicam operator
Doug Dalisera	....	rigging gaffer
Russell Engels	....	gaffer
Timothy Healy	....	electrician
Nils Johnson	....	key video assist operator
Philip Kathrens	....	rigging electric
Bruce MacCallum	....	camera operator
Colin Oberschmidt	....	lighting technician
John Panuccio	....	key rigging grip
Andrew Peck	....	camera loader
Guillaume Renberg	....	remote camera operator
Lance Rieck	....	remote camera technician: scorpio head
Sarah Shatz	....	still photographer
Chris Skutch	....	best boy grip
Eric Swanek	....	Steadicam assistant
Eric Swanek	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Lukasz Jogalla	....	director of photography: second unit (uncredited)

Casting Department
Jennifer Cram	....	casting associate
Dylan Jury	....	casting assistant
David H. Kramer	....	adr voice casting
Christine Nelson	....	extras casting
Lucy Pho	....	extras casting assistant
Heather Reidenbach	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Danielle Cadorette	....	tailor
Kate Edwards	....	wardrobe supervisor
Emily Gunshor	....	assistant costume designer
Melissa Haley	....	costume coordinator
Christina Hribar	....	costume assistant

Editorial Department
Kent Blocher	....	first assistant editor
Dana Bloder	....	digital intermediate producer
Zuzana Bochar	....	post-production assistant
Tricia Chiarenza	....	color timer
Barbara Jean Kearney	....	digital intermediate executive producer
Jesse Morrow	....	on-line editor
Richie Roefaro	....	colorist assistant
Tim Stipan	....	digital intermediate colorist
Michael P. Whipple	....	digital intermediate engineer

Music Department
Jeffrey Biggers	....	music recordist (as Jeff Biggers)
Jeffrey Biggers	....	music scoring mixer (as Jeff Biggers)
Joseph S. DeBeasi	....	music editor
Sandy DeCrescent	....	orchestra contractor
Bruce Dukov	....	orchestra leader
Bruce Fowler	....	conductor
Bruce Fowler	....	supervising orchestrator
Walt Fowler	....	orchestrator (as Walter Fowler)
Kevin Globerman	....	digital score recordist
Jennifer Hawks	....	executive in charge of music
Katia Lewin Palomo	....	assistant music engineer
Katia Lewin Palomo	....	score mixing assistant
Kevin Mills	....	score recordist
Yvonne S. Moriarty	....	orchestrator
Kathy Nelson	....	music supervisor
Peter Rotter	....	orchestra contractor
Czarina Russell	....	music studio manager
Booker White	....	head of music preparation
James C. Wilkie	....	technical score advisor

Transportation Department
Dan Buckman	....	driver: Ms. Leoni

Other crew
Mary Bailey	....	script supervisor
Randall Balsmeyer	....	title designer
Sean F. Barth	....	product placement
Myo Campbell	....	production assistant
J. John Corbett	....	title designer
Emily Davis	....	assistant: Gavin Polone
Kristyn DiPane	....	mastering project manager
Lisa Falzarano	....	production assistant
Jason Farrar	....	assistant location manager
Dann Fink	....	adr loop group
Timothy Goldberg	....	location assistant
Harry Lapham	....	production assistant
Rebecca Lindsey	....	additional set production assistant
Talia Mayer	....	production secretary
Sean Murray	....	set production assistant
Leda Nornang	....	production coordinator
Lauren A. Oliver	....	clearance research (as Lauren Oliver)
Genevieve Palmieri	....	key production assistant
Evan Perazzo	....	location manager
Matthew F. Preston	....	assistant production coordinator
Antonia Proscia	....	first assistant accountant
Emma Rees-Scanlon	....	additional production assistant
Will Reichel	....	assistant: David Koepp
Rob Roy	....	location coordinator
Kara Ryan	....	production assistant
Miranda Sajdak	....	set production assistant
Peter J. Silbermann	....	unit publicist
Miriam Tielmann	....	set production assistant
Robert Tierney	....	production assistant
Marilou Vetter	....	accounting clerk
Marisa Vrooman	....	location scout
T.G. Wilkinson	....	location assistant
Adrienne Winterhalter	....	titles producer: Big Film Design
Bill Timoney	....	adr voice group (uncredited)

Thanks
Hope Omen Ferdowsi	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• DreamWorks SKG
• Paramount Pictures
• Pariah
• Spyglass Entertainment

Distributors

• Frenetic Films (2009) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Paramount Pictures (2009) (France) (theatrical)
• Paramount Pictures (2008) (USA) (theatrical)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (2008) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Universal Pictures International (UPI) (2009) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Argentina Video Home (2009) (Argentina) (DVD)
• DreamWorks Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• DreamWorks Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• FS Film Oy (2009) (Finland) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)

Special Effects

• Paws & Co (motion control equipment)
• RhinoFX (visual effects and animation)

Other Companies

• Animal Actors  animal handler (as Animal Actors International)
• Big Film Design  main and end titles produced by
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• David Haddad  transportation equipment
• Haddad's  transportation equipment
• Henry's International Cuisine  catering
• Henson Recording Studios  music recorded at
• New York Grip Truck  location grip equipment
• Paramount Pictures Production Services  location lighting equipment (as Paramount Production Support)
• Remote Control Productions  music recorded and mixed at
• Sound One Corporation  post-production sound services (as Sound One Corp.)
• Sound One Corporation  re-recorded at (as Sound One, NY)
• Technicolor Digital Intermediates  digital intermediate (as Technicolor New York)
• Zanellitivity Music  music recorded at

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some strong language, sexual humor and drug references.

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #44426) | UK:12A | Australia:M | Ireland:12A | Sweden:7 | Sweden:Btl | Finland:K-7 | Singapore:PG | New Zealand:M | South Korea:12 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

The Beatles' "I'm Looking Through You" is used in the movie, one of the very few occasions where the original version of a Beatles song has been used in a film.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the elevator talking to Gwen, Dr. Pincus told her to check the mummy for something he saw on the slide show: "...some bone loss on the upper left mandibular gumline." If there was bone loss on the upper jaw, it would be the maxilla. The correct verbiage should be "...some bone loss on the upper left maxillary gumline." The mandible is the lower jaw. Additionally, upon examination of the mummy in a later scene, the upper RIGHT side of the mouth was examined.

Quotes:

Bertram Pincus: [points to Gwen's shoes] Shoes. You're shoes are - comfortable?

Movie Connections:

References "Rawhide" (1959)

Soundtrack:

Which Way Your Heart Will Go

Death Becomes Him

A true delight. Ghost Town is David Koepp's most original script since Death Becomes Her and Death Becomes Her is one of my favorite comedies of all time. Daring, hilarious and elegant. Ghost Town is set in a more recognizable world, recognizable from many different angles, at times it feels we've seen all this before but what sets it apart is its heart. There is real heart here and a real intention. Ricky Gervais is fantastic as the "no people person" his unlikeable persona becomes the most likable aspect of the movie. I was taken by Gervais's predicament and I was never allowed to slip away. I was entertained and delighted throughout. 8/10