Your upcoming movie Helen Keller vs Nightwolves - in a
few words, what's it going to be about? Keller going
beastmode by going on a killing spree against nightwolves who killed her
parents and took her hearing and eyesight. She's a natural born Keller! I'm sure I'm not
the first one who asks: Why on earth Helen Keller? And how much of the
movie is actually based on her biography or on the play The Miracle
Worker? I thought it would be awesome to see the woman
who has been the source of constant jokes, turn the tables on everyone and
be a ruthless killer. Anne Sullivan is in the movie, but I used a TON of
revisionist history.
(Other) sources of inspiration when writing Helen
Keller vs Nightwolves? Gin. Maybe a little bit of
hashish... What can you tell us
about the challenges of writing an action comedy about a deafblind lead
character? How she communicates with other characters was
probably the biggest challenge. Luckily Helen Keller in real life was a
brilliant public speaker who toured the world giving inspirational
speeches, so at least I was able to draw on that. A few words about Helen Keller
vs Nightwolves' very own brand of humour?
In this
film, she actually makes fun of everyone else! That's the beauty of it. In
her mind, everyone else is an idiot. What can
you tell us about the intended looks and style of your film? We
really want an old grindhouse kind of feel to it like Machete.
The style will be like Black Dynamite. You
just have to talk about your Helen Keller Jessie Wiseman, and how did you
find her and what made her perfect for the role? I saw her
in the Sundance film Bellflower and I thought her performance
was tremendous, so we hired her for our next film that we just finished
shooting called $50K and a Callgirl, a Love Story. She was
excellent in that and really funny too. When I pitched Helen Keller vs Nightwolves
to her, she
thought it was brilliant.
As far
as I know, former Hercules Kevin Sorbo will play Helen Keller's
mentor in Helen Keller vs Nightwolves. Why him? He
was in my last 2 films Poolboy Drowning out the Fury as well
as FDR American Badass. Comedically he is god. His comic
timing is flawless. A
few words about the rest of your quite stellar cast?
Lin
Shaye, Barry Bostwick, and Jesse Merlin were in my last film FDR American
Badass. They were so good, I had to have them back. I like to hire a lot
of the same actors I've had in my other films. There's just a great
comfort level there. As
far as I know, Helen Keller vs Nightwolves is still at
its fundraising stages. So what can you tell us about your fundraising
efforts? We've had a great first 2 days, but there is still
a ways to go. You can find out all the info here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/785834588/helen-keller-vs-nightwolves Once your fundraiser has met its goal, how do
you plan to proceed - and even the faintest idea when Helen
Keller vs Nightwolves will be released onto the general public? As
soon as our Kickstarter goal is achieved, we will be in production within
6 weeks. Hoping for a winter release date of 2013. Any
future projects beyond Helen Keller vs Nightwolves?
I
have two film coming out next year, Darnell Dawkins Mouth Guitar
Legend and $50K and a Callgirl, a Love Story. Let's
go back to the beginnings of your career: As far as I know, you started
out as a standup comic. What can you tell us about your stand-up act, and
how (if at all) did this help your movie career? I learned
to write from it, and write jokes quickly.
You
immediately entered the film business as an actor, right? Did you have any
formal training as an actor, and what can you tell us about some of your
early acting experiences? I did, yes. I went to Ohio State
University and studied theater there, then I went to NYU. My first lead in
a studio film was a movie for Sony called The New Guy. That is
still the best time I've ever had on a set in my entire career.
Eventually, you stepped behind
the camera as a writer and producer. What prompted that step? And between
acting, writing and producing - what do you like best, what could you do
without? I wanted more control over the movies I was
starring in. I began my career doing a bunch of teen movies, which was a
blast, but you can't do teen movies forever unfortunately. I wish I could
though! Any past films of yours you'd like to talk
about? I think FDR American Badass! and Poolboy Drowning
out the Fury are the funniest films of 2012
and they should be bought right now!
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Actors, writers, filmmakers who inspire you? Tarantino,
Rodriguez, and Tommy Wiseau. Your
favourite movies?
Caddyshack is my jam. ... and of course, films you really
deplore? They are remaking Police Academy right now. I
haven't read the script, but I already hate it. Your/your movie's website, Facebook,
Kickstarter,
whatever else? Kickstarter: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/785834588/helen-keller-vs-nightwolves Anything else you are dying to mention
and I have merely forgotten to ask? I have trouble find
athletic cups that can fit me. Thanks for the
interview! You're welcome!
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