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Your upcoming duo of films, The XXXX Saga - in a few words,
what is it about?
XXXX and XXXX2 (pronounced "Quad X") are two films dealing with the adult
film studio of the same name. It follows several actors and directors as
they struggle to get their films made while forces try to shut them down.
In the sequel, they have to deal with all of that with a serial killer.
Two very different movies for sure. To put it bluntly, why pick the porn
industry as a backdrop for the movies, and what kind of research did you
do on the subject? Well,
we picked porn for a few reasons. Most importantly, the film is really
about freedom of speech and expression. And so we felt like, from that
industry, we could create some really cool characters and then create more
colorful characters as obstacles. Since we're already talking porn, and
I'm sure especially the male members of my audience will want to know: How
far are you planning to go in terms of nudity and sex?
That
will have to remain a secret. Let's just say, we're not running away from
it. We just have some fun ways of dealing with it. Why
did you choose the mockumentary-style of filmmaking for The XXXX Saga,
and what can you tell us about the intended look of your film as such? Well,
we went mockumentary for a few reasons. It'll give the actors a chance to
kind of run with their roles. We also felt that the added dimension of
fake realism might make the whole thing seem even more outrageous. The
second of the The XXXX Saga-films, The Porn Movie Massacre,
actually works along the lines of a slasher movie. Why, a genre at all
dear to you, and some of your genre favourites? The
second one is (I think) the world's first slasher-mockumentary-comedy
ever. But we did think it would be hilarious to change the genres up on
the audience and offer something completely different. (Other)
sources of inspiration when writing The XXXX Saga, and how did the
project get off the ground in the first place?
You
know, we're Twitchy. So we got it off the ground by deciding to do it.
This will be our 9th and 10th films. The idea started as a short film,
then was a web series a few years ago, but never released. So when we were
starting production on 3 References, we decided now was a good time to bring it
back. What can
you tell us about your projected cast, why exactly these people, and did
you throw any actual porn stars into the mix? And how hard is it to cast a
movie about the porn industry to begin with? Well,
no, we didn't want any actual porn stars. A few approached us, but we need
to make sure we keep it satirical. As for our cast, they are super
taleneted folks. We auditioned a bunch of folks who wanted to do the film.
So it was hard to narrow it down for us. As for their participation, they
read the scripts and saw what we were going to do and were on board. Our
cast is coming in from LA, Illinois, Canada. Going to be great. A few words
about your projected crew? Our
producers are Lauren Shelton, Francis Casanova and lead actress Terissa
Kelton [Terissa Kelton
interview - click here]. All of them are on their 2nd or 3rd Twitchy
flick. Super talented
and hard working. We're also getting help from Ford Austin on our fund
raising. Ford is a very talented producer out of NY/LA. His credits span
decades and he is a welcome part of the team As far as I know, the film is
still in its fundraising stages as we speak. So what can you tell us about
your fundraising efforts? It's
been gangbusters. We're way ahead of the pace. We always try to offer a
lot
for helping us out. So $25 gets you both movies on DVD after their
premiere. And we have some great perks for higher donors.
www.indiegogo.com/xxxxmovie
When and where will the movie
go into production, and any idea when it's going to be released onto the
general public (though I realize that might be waaaay too early to ask)? We
start shooting in August in Austin and we're looking at about a 2014
festival run. Let's
go back to the beginnings of your career: What got you into filmmaking in
the first place, and did you receive any formal education on the subject? I
did. I had an excellent film education at the University of Texas. I've
learned a lot since then, obviously, but it helped my confidence to do this
on my own. What
can you tell us about your early shorts, and your evolution as a director?
You
know, I'm always evolving. But I really try to be varied in the films that
I make. I don't want to be tied one genre or one type of story line. Your
first feature film was, I believe, Littlefield - so you obviously
just have to talk about that one, and lessons learned from it! Well,
it's very much a first film. No budget, no real experience. My partner
Chris Copple and I just dove in. It's SD, which is a bummer. But it's a
film that close to my heart and there are a lot of moments I really like.
But I think the thing we learned the most with that film is narrative
economy. It's important not to fall in love too much with your own
material. Any
other past films of yours you'd like to talk about? You
know, we've just had a great run. Every film has been different and we're
finding our audience every time. In one year, over 40 film festival
awards. Any
future projects past The XXXX Saga
you'd like to share? The
thing about Twitchy
is, we're always looking to the future. So yeah, we've
go projects planned out for 2014 and 2015.
During
your career, you have returned to the horror genre time and again. A genre
at all dear to you, and why?
Well,
it is. We do a bunch of horror shorts a year and XXXX2 will be our second
feature. Every year we sponsor a horror film showcase called Scarlet
Waters. But yeah, it's a genre we love. It's one of the genres that really
allows you to make a statement about society and culture and really handle
some cool themes in a veiled way. What can you tell us about
your company Twitchy Dolphin Productions, and the philosophy behind
it? And please talk about your partner-in-crime Chris Copple? Chris
and I have been friends for 7 years now. We started Twitchy
with my wife
and brother in law over 5 years ago. Our focus has been to stay micro
budget so we can make the movie we want to make and grow at a level that
makes sense. Chris Copple is the vision behind the look of our films. I
don't know if there are many better DP's working in Austin right now. He's
got a great eye for color and selecting the right shot. He's also a bit of
a MacGyver and can really make something out of nothing. How
would you describe yourself as a director? I
think I'm an actor's director, or a try to be. I believe in giving the
actor the first take. That way you know their performance is honest and
they're giving their best take. I think it also makes actors more open to
direction. Giving the actors the last take in a sequence can taint their
approach. I try to be laid back and keep the actors comfortable. Filmmakers
who inspire you?
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I'm
a big John Hughes guy when it comes to how I try to write and approach a
story. I'm obviously big Spielberg guys. Cameron Crowe. Richard Donner.
Michael Mann. Mel Brooks. Robert Rodriguez. And I don't think there would
be an indie scene without George Lucas. Your favourite movies? This
is a hard one. In no particular order: Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the
Lost Arc, The Godfather, Say Anything, Grosse Pointe
Blank, The Dark Knight,
The Breakfast Club, The Crow, Blazing Saddles, Heat. ...
and of course, films you really deplore? Twilight!
Just. Terrible. Your/your
movie's website, Facebook, IndieGoGo, whatever else?
www.twitchydolphin.com
www.facebook.com/twitchydolphin
www.facebook.com/quadxmovie
www.indiegogo.com/xxxxmovie
Anything
else you are dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? Thanks
for the interview! It's tough to be out here doing it truly independent.
So any help we can get, we appreciate it. Thanks
for the interview!
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