resulting frames using an X-Acto knife, and glued each cut-out to animation cels that he then lined up to the film footage. The shot of light beams shining out of Brian's bedroom window in the final scene of the film was accomplished using a miniature brick façade of a side of the apartment building, fashioned together by Magliochetti with parts from a dollhouse supply store affixed to a plank of wood. Magliochetti stood behind the miniature and waved around a slide projector, causing flashing light to be projected through the miniature window. Post-production Brain Damage was edited at night at the Film Center Building, which allowed low-budget productions to utilize its film and sound editing facilities after hours for free, so long as they "cleaned the space by 8a.m., when the paying customers arrived". James Kwei, who had invested money in Basket Cases production and worked nights at the Film Center Building, served as an editor on Brain Damage. The first cut of Brain Damage was around 66 minutes in length, which led Henenlotter and Kwei to adjust the pacing in order to extend its running time. Release Pre-release In the interview with Martin, Henenlotter stated that distributors expected the "zipper scene" to be considered too graphic for an R rating by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), resulting in the scene being edited down. He added, "Apparently, the MPAA won't allow us to show Brian biting into her brain. I don't know yet, though. There's still a big question mark around some of this." The film was edited down for an R rating for its initial theatrical release. The release of Brain Damage was accompanied by the publication of a novelization written by Martin, limited to 1,000 signed and numbered copies. The book was published in hardcover under the Broslin Press imprint. Theatrical Brain Damage premiered in New York City on April 15, 1988, opening at Cine 1 and the Lyric Theatre. It was later released in Los Angeles, California, on May 20, 1988. Hearst went to a showing of the film at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, and later recalled that he, his family, and several friends were the only people in attendance. The film was distributed theatrically in the United States by Palisades Entertainment. It was released in Australia on November 25, 1988, opening at The Capitol in Melbourne. Brain Damage was screened out of competition