MTV staffer Jonathan Mussman had a unique opportunity to work closely during high school with John Hughes. I don't want to spoil the surprise, so why don't we let Jonathan take it from here...
by Jonathan Mussman
As someone who spent his teenage years growing up in Northbrook, IL on the famed Chicago North Shore, John Hughes was more than iconic -– he was everything I strived to be. A successful filmmaker who never once turned his back on his hometown. We lived and breathed John Hughes as he captured my high school life to an exact T on film.
I first met John Hughes at a pre-screening of "Sixteen Candles" at the Old Orchard Theater in Skokie. From that moment I became obsessed with this man, who could capture my life and neighborhood on screen so well, to the point that the city and the suburbs were another character in his films.
Prior to the filming of "The Breakfast Club," John sent most of his actors to live among the characters they were portraying. As a freshman, I remember standing in the Student Activities office working on a project when all of a sudden Emilio Estevez came running through to seek refuge from a gaggle of screaming girls.
It was apparently day three of his “character observation” that he was outed in the weightlifting room, after someone recognized him from his one film: “Repo Man.” Moments later I recall seeing Judd Nelson being escorted down another hallway to Dr. Duffy’s office, our beloved Dean of Students, to be reprimanded for acting out in shop class.
By the time "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" started shooting, I was already a major fan of John's work -– I had modeled my future with hopes to follow in his footsteps. I was given the opportunity to act as a Student Activities rep for the film when they came to shoot at our school. I remember standing there for days and hours befriending the crew, publicists, actors and Mr. Hughes himself.
The magic of Hollywood was there right before my very eyes –- one scene I recall clearly was shot on the steps of our Center for the Performing Arts, the location that substituted for the memorable scene where Ferris came to school to collect Sloan and start their adventures downtown.
Many months after the last scene was shot in Chicago, I remember calling Mr Hughes to express my love for his craft. I recall calling his office and presenting myself as a student of Glenbrook North, and him taking the call moments later. We talked as if we were best friends. I asked him how the film editing was going and then actually had the guts to request a special screening for the students prior to its release. He said he would see what he could work out and then transferred the call to his unit publicist, who was still working on the film to collect further details of my request.
A few days later I received a letter from John letting me know that the studio responded favorably, and that he'd give us the print to premiere for my fellow students. Not only did the studio allow the premiere, they also booked and paid for the largest theater on the North Shore. The greatest moment in the letter was when John asked me to introduce the film. Needless to say I accepted the request.
I have so many fond memories, of being a guest on the set of "Weird Science," "Home Alone" and "Uncle Buck." Fortunately for me, all were located within miles of my house as John constantly challenged the Hollywood machine while setting up shop far from Los Angeles.
He will be missed –- an amazing filmmaker, proud Chicagoan, creator of a genre and, most importantly, someone who helped define a generation.
Comments