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with Fara Kearnes
May 26, 2007
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After screening in over 25 film festivals, Joel Miller's film "The Still Life" starring Jason Barry, is being distributed by Warner Brothers studio on 7 August 2007.
Joel, congratulations on the upcoming release of "The Still Life" in August and many thanks for taking the time to talk to scorsesefilms.com. So let's get started...
How did the tour of the film festivals go, and how was the film was received by audiences and critics?
JM: So far so good. We've screened it at 26 film festivals internationally and I haven't heard anything bad so far... We aren't doing anymore film festivals other than the few that we are still waiting to hear from. I've recently sent the film out to a lot of major magazines and newspapers for review so I guess we'll find out about the reviews soon!
Why the R Rating?
JM: Nudity, violence, and foul language...
You landed Warner Bros as the distributor, can you tell us your first reaction to that, and how the offer came about? And have they offered you a truck load of money to finance your next film?
JM: It was, and still is, pretty awesome! They were the only pitch meeting I got in person. So I walked in and pitched the hell out of the movie. They said okay to the film on the spot. It is still surreal and very exciting. As far as funding the next film I don't know... I am speaking to investors about two other projects, so with any luck ...
Brett Ratner said he had cold-called Steven Spielberg and got a $3,000 check to finish his student film. Have you ever thought about doing anything that cheeky?
JM: LOL no I really haven't... My tactic is to not really ask the big boys for anything, just keep plugging away and make them want to take note of you... I also don't know Mr. Spielberg though... Wouldn't have his number, would you?
You went through several personal tragedies during production of The Still Life. Can you talk a bit about that?
JM: Yeah, it was really tough. My buddy Dan passed away a couple days before shooting, both my grandmas died, my father died, a coyote ate my dog, and then in post another good friend died. It's been a rough ride... BUT I kind of focused on making the film and kept working on it no matter what. It's proven to be a crutch to get me through stuff I have to get through. I miss them all a lot and dealing with the death of my father has really been hard ... he has a small cameo in the film though.
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You've worn so many different hats - roadie, set dresser, actor on "Party of Five", producer, screenwriter, director, do you have to stop yourself from micro-managing during production, or do you believe it is precisely the 'can-do' attitude that is needed to get the film you want?
JM: No I really don't... You really have to know how jobs work even if you aren't the one doing it anymore. It is hard for me to tell someone what to do if I haven't tried to do it myself. The more you know the better job you can do.
Now that you are a seasoned director, any advice for up and coming film makers on how to claw and elbow their way into the business? Would you suggest the traditional film school route, or just get out there with a screenplay and equipment and start making films?
JM: I've spoken at about 15 university film departments now, and I start every lecture the same... "Come to Hollywood expecting everything but accepting anything." I talk to them for a half hour or so about how to really get their films going even though they live in places other than Hollywood or New York.
At the end of every talk, I give them a flier to the movie and tell them they are welcome to email me with any questions that come to mind... You know how many have emailed me? Not a single one... Interesting, isn't it?
Making movies isn't as tough as you think. You have to not be afraid of hard work and know that this form of self expression is something you MUST do... you're an artist! Artists NEED to create art!
Joel, thanks for your time and bBest of luck to you and your company with "The Still Life". Cheers.
Have a question on filmmaking? Email joel at albionentertainment.com or post on the message board.
"The Still Life", directed, written and produced by Joel Miller. Cast: Jason Barry ("Titanic", "Mirrormask"), Robert Miano ("Donnie Brasco"), Holly Fields ("The O.C."), Don S. Davis ("Stargate SG-1" Serie, "Miracle"), Rachel Miner ("The Black Dahlia"). The movie's homepage is at: thestilllifemovie.com
We also interviewed Joel in 2005 just after he completed "The Still Life." You can read that interview at Interview with Joel Miller.