March 11, 2003
The director tangle with the DGA over the untitled Montecito comedy (aka "Ugly Americans") at DreamWorks Pictures has been
sorted out. When Montecito picked up the project last year from Alec Berg, Jeff Schaffer and David Mandel, the intention was
that the trio would make it their directorial debut. DGA rules, however, doesn't allow three directors on a film, and the guild
recently denied a request from the trio for a waiver. So the three have decided that Schaffer will take sole credit, though they still
are expected to collaborate on helming duties, sources said.
In other news on the project, Scott Mechlowicz has joined Michelle Trachtenberg, Travis Wester and Jacob Pitts as the fourth
lead in the story of four friends' misadventures as they crisscross Europe after graduating from high school. The part is
Mechlowicz's first major role following UCLA drama school. He's repped by Meridien Artists' Mark Bass. The comedy is
scheduled to start shooting May 3. (Chris Gardner)
