Interview with Dave Regnier, Director of My Date With Hugh
Documentary Film Follows Man on Dream Journey to Hefner's Playboy Mansion
May 9, 2009
In a series of May 2009 email and phone conversations, filmmaker Dave Regnier talked about the making of his soon-to-be-released documentary, My Date with Hugh.
An Ordinary Guy in the Playboy Mansion
Dave Regnier is just an ordinary guy. Or is he? While most people would be content to dream the impossible dream, Regnier came up with a wacky idea – how does an ordinary guy get invited to the Playboy Mansion? – and did everything in his power to turn it into a reality.
"I came up with the idea after watching My Date With Drew," says Regnier. "I actually thought of the idea in the tub."
In My Date With Drew, Brian Herzlinger documents his adventures trying to get a date with Drew Barrymore. When the actress finally agrees, she has but one stipulation: pay it forward.
And Herzlinger did just that, by providing support to Regnier and acting as advisor when Regnier encountered roadblocks in the making of his own film.
A Little Help from Famous Friends
"I've met a lot of cool people and became friends with most of them," says Regnier.
The support for the project has been incredible. Not only was he the first filmmaker to score a deal on CBC's Dragon's Den, receiving assistance from Brett Wilson and Arlene Dickinson, but Regnier gained the interest of many celebrities who agreed to lend a hand.
"I've gotten major support from some huge Canadian celebs," says Regnier, who mentions that the entire cast of Keys to the VIP got involved, as did comedians Gerry Dee and Russell Peters. "He's going to be huge!" adds Regnier.
The struggling-comedian-turned-filmmaker even managed to enlist the help of porn legend Ron Jeremy, who agreed to speak to him in the weight room of his condo – an incredible place, notes Regnier. "You can see the Hollywood sign!"
Despite its subject matter – Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy Magazine – Regnier insists that his documentary is in no way controversial.
"The film is PG-13," says Regnier. "There is no swearing. There is no nudity. You could bring a ten-year-old to this film, no problem."
Challenges and Obstacles
According to Regnier, the biggest obstacle in making this movie was other people's negativity. "Because it seems like an impossible mission," he says.
While his family and girlfriend were supportive of the idea, others were reluctant to believe in Regnier and his project. "It's hard to be a filmmaker in Canada," says Regnier.
Despite all the help he received, the film took over two years to make… "And I'm still not done," adds Regnier, who eventually had to quit his job to dedicate himself fully to the making of his movie.
The film became a journey, an adventure that took Regnier all over the map, from shopping malls where he requested Santa's help, to the luxurious Playboy Club where many a man's boyhood dreams come true.
Getting into the Playboy Mansion
"It's just as hard to get into the Playboy Club," says Regnier.
But in the end, did he succeed? Did Dave Regnier, an ordinary guy from Cornwall, Ontario, get into the Playboy Mansion? It remains a secret.
"I don't want to give away the end," Regnier teases.
To find out more, visit the official film website or follow My Date With Hugh on Twitter
