Interview with Director Peter Lynch
September 3, 2009
Peter Lynch and Ed Robertson gather in Pages bookstore to remember Ultrasound
LL: Give us your “”elevator ride”" pitch: the concept for your film in three sentences or less.
PL: Tyler Stewart of the Barenaked Ladies wants to return to the places where the band started but ends up in rock ‘n’ roll Heaven getting a facial, because the club has turned into a spa. Then he tried to find Speaker’s Corner and it’s not there anymore either so he goes busking on a suitcase on Queen Street where he got started.
LL: What was the biggest challenge shooting in this location?
PL: Well, neither location – Ultrasound or Speaker’s Corner – are there any more. I had to find a way to get the feeling, of how Tyler felt about them, and to capture that. Also I used the Queen Street of today to make a link between the past and the present. It’s changed dramatically.
LL: What did you learn about Tyler that surprised you?
PL: How much an actor he is. I’ve always known he was a very funny guy, but he’s a natural actor too. He would pick up a hairdryer and start using it as a microphone – a lot of people if they did that it would feel goofy. Also, when he was walking around Queen Street, he’s very well known but has a populous side. He’s really an Everyman.
LL: Do you have story about a favourite historic Toronto venue of your own?
PL: I saw Devo at the El Mocambo, just when they had their first hits. I got their early and was in the washroom and I looked over and there is [Devo’s] Mark Mothersbaugh at the stall, in his suit. So I said to him “Are we not men?” and he started singing back “We are Devo!” That was a nice little Toronto moment.
Does anyone know where i can buy Peter Lynch’s movie ‘Arrowhead’ – i’m having great difficulty tracking it down.
Hey Melissa, We’ve asked Peter directly and will get back to you soon on where you can find a copy.
Hi Melissa, Peter is a busy guy, but we did find out that the film isn’t being distributed at the moment. That said, if you email us at info@citysonic.tv we might be able to dig up a viewing copy for you.