As “Super Troopers 3” opens in theaters this weekend, audiences at the Greenfield Garden Cinemas will have a chance to hear behind-the-scenes stories from Ashfield native Tony Scelsi, who served as the film’s second second assistant director.
Following the special Aug. 8 screening at 6:15 p.m., Scelsi will discuss what it took to make the latest installment of the cult comedy franchise and answer questions about his career in Hollywood.
Scelsi, who now lives in Greenfield, began working on the franchise as a production assistant on “Super Troopers 2” before advancing to second second assistant director on the third film. A member of the Directors Guild of America, he has also worked on productions including “Don’t Look Up,” “Little Women” and “Black Mass.”
“The assistant directors, we’re kind of the equivalent of middle management on set,” Scelsi said. “We handle the logistics, and kind of work in tandem with the cast and crew beforehand in prep, and very hands-on on set. I was there for every shot, helping move along the schedule. … We literally work with every department. It’s largely a melting pot of a lot of different crafts, and we want to make sure those all come together so the director can focus on the cast.”
He added that on sets where the director is also an actor — such as “Super Troopers 3” where director Jay Chandrasekhar also plays the lead character of senior trooper Arcot “Thorny” Ramathorn — assistant directors are “even more so” there to support the vision and ensure everything runs on schedule.
“It’s one more that when the director is also starring in the film,” Scelsi said. “[We] just make sure that they can concentrate on the actors and everything else.”
Scelsi said that for smaller, independent films such as “Super Troopers 3,” the time spent shooting the film isn’t as long as so people may think. While larger-budget productions can spend nearly six months filming, “Super Troopers 3” wrapped in just 28 days, including only 20 shooting days.
That is not to say the process was rushed. Scelsi said the film captures the spirit and magic of the original movie, featuring all the core members of Broken Lizard — the comedy group responsible for the franchise — alongside Emmy Award-winning Scottish actor Brian Cox, who returns as the captain of the Vermont State Trooper barracks.
“There’s a scene involving an elephant that’s pretty great — you’ll know it when you see it,” Scelsi said, recalling one of his favorite scenes to shoot. “There was [also] a dinner table sequence which may involve some stunts. It kind of has the whole ensemble cast together, so you can only imagine where that goes when you get them all on screen together.”
“I was very fortunate to be next to the camera and there for every shot,” Scelsi continued. “When it comes to comedies, they could probably cut 10 different films, ’cause they try a lot of improv. So I feel like I got to see 10 different versions of the film. … I feel very privileged that I got to see some stuff that probably isn’t going to end up on screen.”
As a Franklin County native, Scelsi said it’s important to support local, family-owned movie theaters like the Greenfield Garden Cinemas.
“I’m really happy that it’s coming to the Garden, they do so much for the community,” Scelsi said. “It’s amazing to have a family-owned, historical theater that I can walk to in town. It meant a lot to my father; we went there a lot, so it’s a pretty special place. I’m glad they’re getting in the gamut of films, whether or not it’s smaller films like this. … They kind of make sure that they cater to everybody.”
For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit gardencinemas.net/?vdate=8/8/2026.
