That's the United Nations in the background, a place looks exactly as it did back in the 60s other than the modern cars driving in front. I figured the setting made sense since it's just a short walk from the advertising firms in midtown, so I could be an employee cynically considering his own profession just after getting out of work.

Brilliant performance...and EXCELLENT cinematography!

You're the best.

If anyone is curious this is where we shot:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=New+York+City&ie=UTF8&t=h&layer=c&cbll=40.749811,-73.970095&panoid=8Ilo1yRkCzq6oQ2Kx733JQ&cbp=1,117.03252183690773,,0,-0.19541511467243602&ll=40.750067,-73.970039&spn=0.000509,0.000809&z=20

It's this really nice, really odd self-contained residential area that's raised above the normal street level in Manhattan. I recommend looking around on Google Street view if you can't visit yourself because it has all kinds of odd quirks, like the overlook facing the United Nations, and a bridge passing over 42nd Street. It feels kind of like an island in the sky.

I thought this was a great performance with very excellent staging and movement. BUT - it suffers from sound quality that could be better (yes, windy but use a fuzzy on the mic, etc.) and somewhat awkward camera movements. The zoom is also a bit jerky... (might be better to avoid the zoom)...

I thought he was gonna jump! whew.

I actually think the camerawork is exemplary. The jerkiness of the zoom only enhances the documentary style of the performance. As for the sound, the crackling of the sound is a magnificent allegory for the crackling of the advertising industry. The technical aspects of this segment are surpassed only by the films of Ingmar Bergman.

@bbrands

I wish I had special effects to do that! That would have been incredible.

@yksgib

Thanks! Unfortunately wind was an issue and we still got some even though our mic was covered. We actually did wait out the wind a few times when it got really blustery.

I highly recommend Mr. Blechman for a walk-on, especially considering his previous work: a suspected murderer AND a dead body on Law & Order,
George Clooney's body double, and a recurring role in my nightly fantasies.

You make being an extra for one day in 2006 sound very glamorous.

I agree with aiarachel. Not only did Alex make a convincing Law & Order corpse, but as a rogue's gallery mug shot he was able to demonstrate a depth and range that set him far above the other mug shots.