“I dreamed of working in the movies.”

Seth Grahame Smith (June 20, 2012) - ArcLight Cinema sat down with author/screenwriter/producer Seth Grahame-Smith in an engaging interview surrounding the beginning of his career, and where he stands currently. Smith was motivated to work in the film industry after growing up on 80′s films;  in particular, those directed by Steven Spielberg, and Stephen King served as his author idol. Deciding to migrate to Hollywood to make a name for himself, he began to write in order to scrape up a living. Finding himself unsatisfied with his path in the entertainment industry at the time, he broke free of his previous obligations, used what few contacts remaining in his book, and began to publish for Quirk Publications.

His first few projects were interesting coffee table fare, guiding readers through entertaining how to information pertaining to surviving horror films (How to Survive a Horror Movie: All the Skills to Dodge the Kills) and living the Spider-Man life (The Spider-Man Handbook: The Ultimate Training Manual). In 2009, Smith obtained his first big break in the form of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, a combination between the original Jane Austen novel and contemporary zombie literature. The book proved to be amazingly successful, having an appearance at number three on the New York Times best seller list while numerous other sources praised the novel for its unique interpretation of the original.

Due to the success of the first mashup, Smith was compelled to write another–starring Abraham Lincoln battling the undead, entitled Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Lincoln’s secret diaries were the basis of the project to map out a fictional secret campaign against vampirism in the mid-1800s. This latest work of fiction also debuted on the New York Times best seller list at number four in early 2010, and would later become a feature length film starring Benjamin Walker as the 16th President of the United States.

Author and screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith sat down with ArcLight’s Jonathan Josell to talk about his career to date. Seth discusses his start as a development executive and writer of coffee-table books for Quirk Publishing, prior to writing the New York Times best seller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. His upcoming feature film, which he wrote, is based on his novel Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

Source: ArcLight Cinema

ArcLight Cinemas and Geffen Playhouse presents a special Q&A with William Friedkin, director of The Exorcist. Before directing the legendary film, Friedkin mostly worked on live television shows and documentaries, including directing for The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. The first film he’d ever done was Good Times in 1967, starring Sonny and Cher, and admitted it as one of his worst films. He was later approached by Blake Edwards to work with him on a feature film of his TV series Peter Gunn, however, found it to be “the worst script [he] ever read”. When leaving Edward’s office, Friedkin was approached by a man named William Peter Blatty, who admitted to being the one who wrote the script.

Four years had passed, and Friedkin received a book in the mail from Blatty wrapped in a paper bag. It was a book entitled The Exorcist, based on a story of demonic possession Blatty heard when attending Georgetown University in 1950.  Being so impressed with the novel, he cancelled everything he had planned for the evening to call Blatty after reading, as the writer left his number in the book. He wanted Friedkin to direct the movie, solely due to the fact he was the only person that was honest about his work.

Originally, The Exorcist was a film about the mystery of faith; Friedkin didn’t want to turn the project into a horror film at first. However, upon meeting Father Robert Henly, the president of Georgetown University, the project took its now acclaimed form. Henly revealed to Friedkin one evening after taking shots of whiskey the diaries of the priests, doctors, and nurses of the incident in which the film was based on.

The make-up for the film originally was tested on a stand in for Linda Blair. While Friedkin didn’t think it was impressive at first, he eventually decided to use it in the film during a 12 second period as the face of the demon. The scars on Blair’s face stemmed from Friedkin’s own inspiration during the infamous crucifix scene; he thought it would make sense if she carved them into her own face with the crucifix or that it burned her skin, as it is a holy object. In order to get the scars just right, he researched burns that were obtained from being in contact with fire.

This summer, the Geffen Playhouse, will show a play adaptation of The Exorcist, penned by playwright Jon Pielmeier. Tickets are available at Geffen Playhouse. Moderated by Variety editor Stuart Levine.

Source: ArcLight 

ArcLight Presents an interview with Cary Elwes, an English actor who moved to the United States to study drama at Sarah Lawrence College. Made famous for his role as the handsome stable boy, Westley turned Dread Pirate Roberts in the 1987 romantic comedy adventure film The Princess Bride directed by Rob Reiner, and based on the novel of the same name written by William Goldman, which I am proud to own an original print of the book. Elwes moved on to other comedic roles in film and television and has also made a move to independent film direction.

In the interview, Elwes talks to audiences about his role as Westley in The Princess Bride and how Reiner hired him for the role after seeing him perform in the 1986 film Lady Jane where he starred alongside actress Helena Bonham Carter as Guilford Dudley, son of the Duke of Nothumberland. He also discussed casting for Reiner’s film and the amazing sword fight scene, in which he had to learn how to fence left and right handed–and had to come up with a longer sword-fight scene for the film.  You can tell that he enjoyed his time on the set of The Princess Bride. 

Cary Elwes speaks with ArcLight’s Jonathan Josell about some hilarious behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the movie The Princess Bride.

*The sound quality of the video footage isn’t the best, so it is suggested to turn up the volume.

Source: ArcLight Cinema

Jon Landau, an American film producer, took time out to discuss his career in movies with ArcLight Cinema. Landau started as a personal assistant on the set of a Dick van Dyke film to working with one of the biggest names in all of film, James Cameron, as the producer of both Titanic and Avatar.

Both of Landau’s parents were producers, therefore entering the movie industry was a natural direction to venture in. His first job was as a personal assistant on the set of Max and Sam, a small production starring Dick van Dyke and Sid Ceaser; a position he secured from knowing the producer of said film.

Because of his tinkering with computer budgeting (a process that was unheard of at the time), he was put on board as head of post-production of Beat Street, although Landau had no experience. The previous producer of the film stepped down and he was there to aid the new one on the details.

Landau seemed to be very skilled in learning as he went, for Disney also hired him as the head of post-productions on Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, only this time around it was the visual effects department. This experience would prove to be vital for Dick Tracy, a cult film known for its colorful presentation and eventually for a secret project by the name of Planet Ice, or as it is known today, Titanic. His continued partnership with James Cameron would progress into the highest grossing movie of all time–Avatar.

“It takes true artists to do this work … Every frame had to be looked at as a piece of art and it takes a creative vision to see how we’re going to add depth to that frame.”

Landau believes visual presentation is crucial for making an amazing film. What is the most rewarding part of his job? The reactions of the audience. He takes great pleasure in people enjoying his work, and fabulous work it is.

Source: ArcLight Cinema

Tucker Tooley sat down with ArcLight’s Jonathan Josell and discussed the beginnings of his career in film as an agency assistant and culminating to co-President of Relativity Media. During his career he has produced over 35-feature films including as executive producer for Limitless, Haywire, Dear John, and the newly released film Mirror Mirror starring  Oscar® Winner Julia Roberts:

Mirror Mirror is a fresh and funny retelling of the Snow White  legend that features breakout star Lily Collins (The Blind Side) in the role of exiled princess Snow White and Oscar®-winner Julia Roberts as the ruthless evil Queen overseeing her captured kingdom. This fantasy retelling will also star Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as the Prince, and Nathan Lane (The Birdcage) as the unfortunate servant to the Queen.

Relativity Media  is a next-generation studio covering many aspects of the entertainment industry, including film, television production, and distribution. Thirty-nine of the company’s films opened at #1 at the box office.

This is a great interview for aspiring filmmakers, as Tooley talks about his humble beginnings in a movie industry mail room, and climbing his way to the top. Tooley gained a large amount of experience from being in the presence of writers, producers, directors; pretty much anyone involved in the business.

It seems that working entry level for an agency can give an up-and-coming filmmaker or producer not only great experience and opportunity, but a great head start in the movie business. All that is needed is to remain passionate and persistent about your goals, it is what will take you far in the long run.

Source: Arclight