Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 252

Arte -Page 2 Section 13 Chicago Tribune, Sunday, May 11, 1986 Team behind Top Gun' brings back creative producing IK" Anthony Edwards and Tom Cruise in "Top 'It's 'Star Wars' on says co-producer Jerry By lain Blair 'jft ft It's red, white and blue a movie about patriotism, Amer-wl)ican individualism, and young, brave pilots in crisp uniforms who are a combination of Olympic athletes and rock 'n' roll heroes," ex-, plains producer Don Simpson enthusiastically. "It's 'Star except it's down here on Earth and real, adds Jerry Bruckheimer, Simpson's 'partner and co-producer. The guys who put Jennifer Beals and welding together and Eddie Murphy and Beverly Hills together in that well-known cop comedy, are busy discussing their latest project, Gun." Starring Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis, two of Hollywood's hottest young stars, the film is based on the real-life world of jet-fighter pilots attending the Navy's prestigious Fighter Weapons School located at Minmar Naval Air Station outside Diego, Calif. otherwise known as "Fighter-town, U.SA." "It all started when we saw this article in a magazine about the base and the life these pilots lead," continues Simpson. "It was back in '83, while we were still working on and the moment we saw it and the title, 'Top we both knew we wanted to do it.

"It was such a strong, unique concept, a look at the inside world of these top pilots who are really the modern equivalent of the gunslingers of the old, wild West It was irresistible, so we immediately optioned the story and then sat down to figure out how the hell we could make the picture. No easy task, even for a team of producers that appears to derive far more satisfaction from the actual moviemaking process itself than merely from cutting The Deal. "We like to get involved in every aspect of our productions," admits Bruckheimer, and this was certainly no different In fact, after we'd hired the writers Jim Cash and Jack Epps, Jr. to do the screenplay, we both suddenly realized that we'd never be able to do the subject matter justice without the full cooperation of the Navy. "So before we went any further, we flew to Washington to present the idea to the Navy brass and ask for their assistance.

Remember, at this point we still didn't even have a story, let alone a script it was still just an idea, a concept But Don got up and just start- 77 i Hot young stars: Kelly McGillis falls foTCruise. ed making, up something on the spot abouf a young Naval flier 'He's this type of character, and this is what happens to "He must have been convincing," laughs Bruckheimer, "because not only were they 100 percent receptive, but they then suggested a technical adviser, a former top gun' instructor named Peter Pettigrew who eventually became a key member of our production team. Next, they gave us access to the Mirimar base, where we all sat in on declassified briefings, and they even took the writers up in the F-14 fighters to help us shape the script for maximum authenticity." "Both of us feel that movie audiences like to see a process' film," adds Simpson. "People like to be introduced to new worlds, new experiences, and learn how things work, and that's what we tried to do with Top It introduces you to everything from the -incredible mind-blowing power of those jets to the special vocabulary of the fighter pilots. In order to achieve both authenticity and their admitted desires for a strong visual style, Simpson and Bruckheimer next hired British director Tony Scott, brother of Ridley "Alien" Scott, and like the producers, another ex-advertising man.

It's a revealing choice by producers who are certainly far from shy about leaving their personal stamp on all their projects. Prior to teaming up, Bruckheimer produced such glossy, high-concept features as "American Gigolo" and "Cat People." Simpson, as head of production at Paramount, oversaw such equally style-conscious offerings as "Urban Cowboy," "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "48 HRS." "A strong focus, look and single vision are essential ingredients for success of any picture, states Simpson. "It's just' not. going to work if the producer has one idea of what, a film's about, and the director has a totally different one not with us, anyway, he add bluntly. THE ARTS Richard Chriattanaan, nttmmnwnt aortor Oary Drawn, asMtant antarwnmant Bob Can, Tha Am aditcr Bruckheimer self-mockingly suggest "Jerry's 'Mr.

Outside' becauce he has an incredible working knowledge of the technical nature of filmmaking, as well as stuff like editing and photography," explains Simpson. "And Don 'Mr. Inside' because he came up through the studio system and knows the deal inside adds Bruckheimer. "He taught me almost everything, and I taught him what I know about the hands-on running of a movie set" "So we're practically interchangeable," breaks in Simpson. "It's a truly synergistic relationship." "The interesting thing is that though we're both from totally different places and family backgrounds he grew up in Alaska and I from Detroit we both have almost identical taste," points out Bruckheimer.

"And we both feel the same way about making movies. You start off with some idea or concept that just grabs you and wont let go. "That's how 'Top Gun' got made, and 'Flashdance' and 'Beverly His Simpson adds. 'Cop' was an idea I'd had for over nine years before we ever made it Sure, we read scripts and so. much at stake in terms of careers and reputations, that you simply cant afford to make those kinds of mistakes," agrees Bruckheimer.

"Look at what happened with 'Heaven's Gate' a multimillion-dollar flop it affected everyone from the crew to the director, stars, producers and studio executives. I think those days are over forever now, though. I think that with today's projects, producers are finally getting a little, more respect" There's no doubt that along with such household names as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, the team of Simpson and Bruckheimer is helping producers hog the headlines onces again, and given their long friendship, successful track records and similar goals, it came as no surprise when the pair finally joined forces by setting' up their own independent production company in 1983. "Jerry said I looked tired of my job, and I was, so I left, and the first thing we did together was 'Flashdance" says Simpson. by an exclusive long-term contract with Paramount, it's an operation that appears to cover all the angleSAStheimicknames "MrJn-side" for Simpson, "Mr.

Outside" for Tom Mm, ovactor Mm 0- Amwr, in Roborl Man, amartammarn. Paul Oapp, archrtacrura Jack Hurst, country music Larry Kan, antartairimant Oana Stakat, movm ltd arwth, arMftammant Lynn Van Matra, pop, rook muue John won Rhain, muaio haaca wiggna, Cskutdar Book World John Bladaa, Marary critic Naaa CowaA, aoaortal assistant Tribuna photo of Dim Bar and Or by Charlaa Osgood. Tha Arts waleomas oommants and ctttlcam Wrrta to Tha Arts, Tit Chicago Tribuna, Room 400, 43S N. Michigan Chicago. M.

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