Here's your chance to prove that you are a true RENT buff. Come to New York City and tell us in person, why you think you're all about RENT and you could see it BEFORE it hits the theaters!

Here's how it works - Come to Rockefeller Center in New York City on August 4th. We'll be taping RENT fans as they tell us why they think they are amongst the most loyal of RENT fans.

We'll post the fan interviews on the official RENT site. You will then have three weeks to vote for who you think is the ultimate fan. The top three vote getters will be posted on the site after which users will vote for the person they think is the most deserving to receive two (2) tickets to an advance screening of RENT.

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Do you continue doing the original choreography or is it changed up a little bit? How are you guys remembering everything? - Jessica

The choreography has pretty much changed because the playing field became 3 dimensional. The stage production only allowed us to focus our physical energies in one direction, the audience, as it is with all staged productions. The feeling of the movement hasn't changed though because it comes from an organic place. RENT has never been about huge choreographed numbers anyway. I like to think of it as "inspired movement". There is one number that is completely choreographed and that you'll just have to see for yourself when the movie is released. J

Is it hard to play Angel in general? (I mean the high heels, eek I'm sure they hurt!) Is hitting those high notes in songs hard? Is it hard playing drag? - Lindsey

One of the most difficult things about playing Angel IS the heels. It was easier on Broadway because out of the three hours of it, I only had to be in them for about three quarters of the show. For the film I've been in the heels for 12 hours or sometimes more. Ahh, there's nothing like Epsom salt. Aside from that the role itself isn't harder than playing any character that you have to bring to life. It's all a challenge. The singing is in my vocal range but, as I said before, hours of it takes a toll on the vocal chords. Oh, and by the way, I hate makeup on my face. But Mindy Hall is one of the best makeup artists in the business in my book and if I would have to do it again, she's the master.

Do you have a website yourself? - Duane

I plan to have one as soon as I have the time.

Because of the time passing, and new members to the cast, was there ever any suggestion to just use the stage recording? - Cassie

With musical films you have to record tracks before anything is shot with the anticipation of what action is taking place. Even when we lip sync we're actually singing it through every single time. So...no.

That backflip looks awesome! Was that you? - David

I'd like to say it was me but it wasn't. But it looks pretty cool don't it!

Toughest scene to film? Most surprising moment? - Marlen

For me it was all tough but fun. You can't beat doing what you love and getting paid for it. The surprising moments I'll leave up to you.

Do you read these posts? - Serena

Yes true believers,...I do read the posts. I love to hear what you have to say and, in turn, I love to answer back. Forgive me if there's some gaps in between but I am up to date with the blogs. Keep writing 'cause I'm watchin'. Until then...

No day but today.

Hello folks. Jesse aka Collins here. Just checking in to show my gratitude to you all for being so enthusiastic in your responses on the blog. Rentheads have stopped me on the street and voiced their approval of what they've seen so far. I hope you all realize that it is truly amazing that you have such a vested interest in the outcome of this film. There were many, many moments filming where we were sure to make choices based on what the fans would appreciate. You guys had everything to do with the filming and, I believe, everything to do with how the world absorbs this story. That is remarkable. Thank you. In response to some of the questions posted:

Do you read these posts? - Serena

Yes I do read the posts. I do care to know what you guys think.

What's a D.P. and what's a bender? - Bree

A D.P. is a Director of Photography. Responsible for what the film looks like. Our D.P. Stephen Goldblatt is the best there is.

Any chance you'll be making a CD - just you? - Ann

No, I can't imagine that I would do a solo CD. It's one thing to sing as a character, in a dramatic context, with a great writer. It's another thing to sing as myself, in no context, with me as the writer. I have too much respect for REAL songwriters and musicians to pretend.

Toughest scene to film? - Marlen

The hardest scene to shoot was the finale because it meant 3 days of sadness. But even that was fun.

After you're done in LA, are you coming back to NY? - Rach

After filming concluded I came back to my home. NEW YORK CITY!

Is there going to be a soundtrack for the movie? - Lacey

Yes, there will be soundtrack album.

Chris Columbus is right. Taye Diggs was, by far, the funniest person on set.

Rentheads really DO rule! Take care all. Much Love and Respect,
Jesse L. Martin

Hey everybody --

Thanks for the hundreds of comments you all have been posting in response to our blog entries. Seems like Idina is far and away the winner in the comments sweepstakes, huh? Glad to see her many fans from Wicked are following her to this project as well. Seriously, your support and enthusiasm has meant so much to all of us. Keep spreading the word...

Anyway, I wanted to respond to some of the questions that have piled up. So here goes.

What's it like working with everyone again? Was it hard to get back into the character? - Lindsey

Working with everyone again -- and playing this character again -- has been like going home. I know it might sound sappy or something, but it's true. Even though we last performed this show together almost eight years ago, somehow the connection we all had to the material has stayed alive and fresh, and in some ways has even deepened. I have always felt a real affinity to Mark, and I still do, so it was nothing but a pleasure to step into his shoes again. I have always loved that in Mark I get to play someone who's alternately intense, funny, intelligent, a little wacky, pent up, grief-stricken, frustrating, and very much alive. It's the best role I've ever had the privilege to play.

With your busy schedule are you able to spend much time at home? - Lwazi

Lately, I've been gone far more often than I've been home. I was on the road with Little Shop of Horrors from last August until December, at which point I stayed in San Francisco to work on Rent, which just ended a couple of weeks ago. In the meantime I had a couple of weeks in New York while we shot the first few scenes, but that's it. I'm not complaining at all, though; I love to work, and I love to travel. It'd be pretty ideal, though, to get a job that keeps me home for awhile, since I also love to be home. We'll see what comes along next.

Do you ever think that you know your character so well that you don't need direction anymore? - Thomas

Honestly, no. I am always aware that because I can't really be objective about my performance, I will need someone there to point things out to me. I do believe that there are times when I might have a stronger insight about what a particular moment should feel like, since I'm the one living it, but in cases like that I hope the director and I have the kind of relationship where we can discuss and collaborate on such things. Happily, Chris and I had that, both in Adventures in Babysitting and in Rent. He's incredibly trusting of his actors, but also knows what he wants, and is able to communicate well so both of us are happy. That's a rare quality, especially when it comes to directors of films, who are sometimes less than articulate when talking to actors. Theatre directors tend to be a bit more actor-friendly.

Can we hope for a photography book, Anthony? - Bethy

Well, that's not entirely up to me; it would be up to a publisher who thinks highly enough of my photography to put it out into the world. I would love to have the opportunity to collect some of my work, although I'm not sure it's good enough to merit a whole book. There's more to this response, though, which will come later in the entry...

What's it like working with Columbus again, it's been almost 20 years since "Adventures in Babysitting?" Is there a "short hand" between you, since you've worked together already? - Rod

I think I already answered this a little bit, but I will elaborate by saying that he hasn't really changed at all, except that he's more confident now, in the wake of all of his enormous success. He's just as open, kind, and as much of a smartass as he's always been. I also discovered that he's a brilliant cartoonist, and he's had four kids since 1987, so now he's a dedicated father. I just hope that 18 more years don't go by before we work together again. I told him as much, too. I'm all for Jesse's idea of a rep company. I'd be there in a millisecond.

Do you think this production will convey the same spirit as the stage production? - Joel

In many, many ways, yes. I have no doubt about that. In some ways, the film will tell the story a little more clearly; no one would argue that Jonathan left a couple of things a little unclear, and Chris has taken the opportunity to strengthen those plot points in a way that should really help. Having said that, I hope the film has the same kind of emotional, visceral impact that the stage version has had for so many people over the years. It feels like it will, but I haven't seen it yet, so I can only go on my instincts.

Is it sad to realize you'll probably not be doing those scenes, especially the ones you're attached to, ever again? - Christyn

In a way, yes, but there will be a ten-year anniversary event of some sort in 2006 (yes, you heard it here first -- keep your eyes and ears peeled) so I'll get to do some of it again, plus whatever TV and/or live appearances we do in support of the film's release. And the luxury of the medium of film is that it's forever, so those scenes are captured for all time, which is a huge gift.

There's something about your writing - or your words in general, is more like it - that is so eloquent. I wonder: have you ever thought of penning a book of some sort? - Caitlin

First of all, thanks for the compliment. Secondly, yes, I have thought of penning a book. In fact, I've done more than think about it; I've gone and done it. My book is a memoir of the two most important events of my life -- being part of the original cast of Rent and losing my mother to cancer while I was in the show. It's scheduled to be published by Simon & Schuster in January, and will be called Without You. Writing it was the most challenging thing I have ever done. I have a brother, Adam Rapp, who's an accomplished author, so I'm very proud to join him on bookstore shelves. And going back to the question about my photography, I will be including some of my photos in the book.

How are newcomers Rosario and Tracie doing? Do they feel some extra stress? - Mr. K

I think they felt some extra pressure at first, but we all did our best to make them feel comfortable, and if they still felt nervous in any way, you would *never* know from the quality of their work. They couldn't have been more dedicated, full of heart, or fierce in the film. And on a selfish note, I'm so happy that I have two great new friends in my life.

How did you feel when they said that they wanted t make a movie out of RENT? Had you been keeping in touch with everyone before the movie? - Rachel

I'd kept in touch with some of the cast very closely, and others I've checked in with over the years. We've always known how one another is doing, as there's been a sort of phone or email tree. As for how I felt about the movie, there had been so many rumors over the years, but when I heard that Chris was doing it, I was hoping that my past relationship with him might prove to be helpful to me. :-) Happily, it was, and he gave me the greatest opportunity in my life: immortalizing this character on screen, and being a part of telling the best story I've had the privilege to tell.

Toughest scene to film? Most surprising moment? - Marlen

Believe it or not, no scene was "tough," because I was just so happy to be on the set. But five days of "La Vie Boheme" was physically and vocally challenging, although I could have done it for another five days, or longer. I don't think I've ever cried as much as I did during the three days we worked on "Finale B" and "Your Eyes," which was emotionally draining, but again, the work was so fulfilling that I wouldn't classify it as "tough." I'm not sure I would call anything surprising, per se, but often moments exceeded my already-high expectations. I don't really want to say much more about that, though, since I want to leave some things as surprises for you all.

Are you recording the songs again, or will you be singing to the album already recorded? - Meg

I think this was already sort of answered, but to clarify, we have recorded entirely new versions of the songs. You will be pleased with the results, I promise.

Is there going to be a soundtrack for the movie? - Lacey

Yep, and it will be out in advance of the film, although I'm not sure of the date of release. I'm sure the folks who manage the blog will let you know.

That's it for the current batch of questions. Keep them coming, and thanks again for all of your interest and support.

Anthony

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Rae: Are you really filming in Santa Fe?

Adam: Yes we went to Santa Fe for several days at the end of the shoot. It was a spectacular location, and a perfect way to end the shoot.

Jose: From the standpoint of someone who has lived the "Rent" experience, what are your thoughts on some of the nuances and changes that have been made, both artistically and visually (i.e. the new "long haired" look for Roger, showing instead of implying the riot, etc.)? Do you feel as if this is something that, if he were here to helm the project, Jonathan would have chosen to update and incorporate?

Adam: I don't think anyone knows what Jonathan would or would not have done. We can only proceed with the purest intentions, and stay as true to what the essence of Rent is. What the essence of Rent is not though, is the length of Roger's hair, or changing one location to another. Those are incidentals that get adjusted to fit the medium in which the story of Rent is being told. Just to put it in perspective, Roger's blond hair in the show was only that way because that was my hair when I got the job. I would say that is true for most of the original cast.

Jonathan never had a physical image of these characters that we were trying to match... we became the physical image. For the film, Chris Columbus and I felt that Roger should look a bit more "earthy"... less "cartoony." More Bruce Springsteen, less Johnny Rotten.

Marlen: What was the toughest scene to film? What was the most surprising moment?

Adam: The toughest scene to film surprisingly was "I Should Tell You," because of the technical pain in the ass, of trying to get the fake snow to look real and consistent. But I must say that our FX team was top of their game, and in the end it was well worth it.

Meg: Are you recording the songs again, or will you be singing to the album already recorded?

Adam: The entire score has been re-recorded for the film by Rob Cavallo, Grammy winning producer, most recently for best rock producer 2005, Green Day. It is a big loud rock record...as it should be!