Local woman releases documentary

Back in 2000, Michelle Marx bought her first video camera and shot a documentary about her friend, the comedian Richard Lewis. Eight years later, that film is finally seeing the light of day on DVD.

This started when Marx was in New York, organizing a publicity tour for her longtime client to promote the comedian's book, "The Other Great Depression."

So, with camera in hand, Marx followed Lewis to "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and a "Today" interview with Matt Lauer, among other stops.

And when she finished, she thought "I might have something here."

She worked with a professional editor and created a sort of concert film of the press tour, "Richard Lewis Naked: Behind the Seen."

And then? And then she took the film, stuck it in a drawer and left it there for eight years.

"I didn't think I'd ever do anything with it, other than show it to friends," Marx said.

But, as the years rolled by and Marx left Hollywood for Colorado Springs, Lewis' star grew brighter, thanks mainly to HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (which was nominated for an Emmy for best comedy this year).

Earlier this year, as the audio book version of "The Other Great Depression" came out, Marx decided to pull out the film and make it available on Lewis' Web site. It's sold steadily, Marx said, helped out by Lewis referring to the film during TV and radio appearances.

"To me, it's an interesting look at the psyche behind what you see," Marx said. "You don't really realize how much of this stuff is scripted; it looks very natural but it's really very predetermined. Celebrities seem at ease, but they're really tight and nervous and tired.

"You don't see any of that while you're watching" a performance, she said. "It's interesting to watch that behind-the-scenes part."

Marx got into the publicity business working with musicians including the Police, Squeeze and Joe Jackson, then branched out to comedians such as Paula Poundstone and Gilbert Gottfried, and actors including Laurence Fishburne.

"My bent was always show business," she said.

But she mostly put her showbiz past behind her after moving to the Springs in 2001. In fact, she trimmed her client roster down to a single person.

"I never let Richard Lewis go," Marx said. "I've known him for 30 years. We are very tight - I could finish his sentences."

With "Behind the Seen" finally being seen, Marx said she hopes to do more documentaries. Maybe even before another eight years pass.

"I still want to do more, but I'm slow," she said. "Thank God I'm not feeding myself with it."

-

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0275 or awineke@gazette.com