TRAINWRECK'D SOCIETY

L. Michelle DeVito [Interview]

Welcome everyone to Day Two of the Trainwreck’d Society’s First Annual Week of Horror Celebration!  We are keeping the ball rolling each day this week, and we have a great interview up today for you fine folks with independent horror gal Michelle DeVito!

As many of you may remember, way back in 2011 we did our First Annual Trainwreck’d Society’s Person of the Year.  The recipient of that award was given to none other than the no-budget horror filmmaker Steve Sessions.  While his name may not conjure up any remembrances of his work, we still felt that his hard work and dedication to his craft deserved to be celebrated.  Sure, since then we have spoken with “bigger names” in the world of horror alone, but this is not to discredit the fine work that so many members of the independent film world (horror or not) have done.  And this definitely goes for the actors as well.  That is why I am so excited to have Michelle DeVito featured on Day 2 of 5 this week.  She is a brilliant actress who has tirelessly racked up over thirty roles (of all magnitudes) in just a couple of short years.  Most recently she can be seen in Nothing Left To Fear, which was produced by Slash from Guns N Roses.  And she will also have a part in the forthcoming Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.  She is a hard working, New Orleans livin’, bad ass kind of lady who deserves her time to shine.  And it definitely shall come.  We are honored to have Michelle featured this week.  Enjoy!

What has drawn you in to the world of acting?  How did you get started?

Growing up, I was always fascinated by the big screen. Always daydreaming of being up there myself. However, being from a small town and being somewhat alternative, I thought those dreams were pipe dreams and never took them seriously. It wasn’t until two years ago that it did become a reality. I was playing roller derby in Baton Rouge and a teammates best friend is a casting agent. I was looking to do something different; So, he helped me get into doing background work. My first production was HBO’s Treme and ended up being a series regular for the final two seasons. Since then, in the last 2 years I have been in 37 productions. It has been a crazy whirlwind of awesome!

You are based out of New Orleans.  Please tell us, what is it like in the acting world on the bayou?  Is there a lot of work to be had? 

The acting world here is much like New Orleans itself… Like no other! I love the unique characteristics that the local talent bring to the productions being filmed here. The horror genre is popular here which is a perfect match for New Orleans.

How was your experience on the set of Nothing Left to Fear, which was produced by Slash from Guns N Roses? 

NLTF was my favorite production to work on! I love horror movies and Slash! Being a long-time fan of GNR made it a huge thrill. As well as the story-line being so easy to follow and get in to. My role was that of a member of a small town, in which the story takes place. The entire cast became close during the production and we still see each other often. I am quite excited that it was released just a few short weeks ago.

Not to sound too corny but,…..What is your favorite scary movie?  

That is an easy one. Poltergeist! I was really young when it came out and ever since seeing Carol Ann staring into the tv screen, static screens have always freaked me out!

What would you consider the sweetest gig to land? 

The sweetest gigs to me, are the shows I already watch or various certain remakes. This last year I was cast on Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and did quite a bit of work on it. It was a huge thrill to work with Gary Oldman. He is such an amazing talent. Its due out in the spring of 2014. I also worked with 2 favorites, Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey, on True Detectives, which is starting this December. Right now, my current “hopeful” is Pirates of the Caribbean which is slated to begin production in fall 2014.

Have you ever considered getting behind the camera in some way shape or form?  Have you already?

No, my preference is in front of the camera, but I have a huge respect for the talent behind the camera. What goes into each shot, angle, set, wardrobe… etc, is astounding. The detail and work that goes into the “magic” of the movies will never fail to amaze me.

What other projects do you have in the works?

Right now I’m bouncing between a few series, Ravenswood and American Horror Story, as well as working on Will Smith’s Focus and Ryan Reynolds Selfless. I have several that are due out this winter, Barefoot, 13 Sins, The Lookalike and Grudge Match. It has been an exciting year!

What are your plans for Halloween?
I’m not quite sure about that (LOL).  I’ve been working so much that my  planning has fallen to the wayside. Thankfully, being in the film biz, has connected me to some amazing makeup artists to help with costuming. I will probably go to some home parties and do my best to torture my liver!  But, Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without visiting The 13th Gate, in Baton Rouge, and the House of Shock, in New Orleans. Gotta get my scare on!

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My personal life and my work has me grinning from ear to ear these days. It was a long bumpy road to where I am currently at. And, now that I’m here… I’m enjoying every minute!

Tibor Takacs [Interview]

And the time is here!  Welcome everybody to Day 1 of the Trainwreck’d Society’s 1st Annual Week of Horror!  We are pleased to kick off the festivities today with our first of five interviews to be featured this week.  Today we have a wonderful interview with the even more wonderful filmmaker and screenwriter Tibor Takacs.  Tibor is the mastermind behind such horror and thriller films as Rats, The Gate, Sanctuary, and……Sabrina The Teenage Witch(?).  Most most recently Mr. Takacs completed a great film called Spiders 3D, which regular readers might recognize as a project we featured a few months ago when we interviewed one of the film’s stars, scream queen Christa Campbell.  It is an amazing thrill ride of a film that is as fun as it is thrilling.

I found and interview with Tibor Takacs to be a wonderful jump start to our celebration of all these that scare the hell out of us.  There isn’t much out there that can send a grown man in to a sweat filled panic, than an innocent little spider.  So watching one menace an entire city and chase down humans could very well be one of the most frightening things one could imagine happening.  So enjoy Day 1 of 5 with the illustrious Tibor Takacs!

What inspired you to get in to the world of filmmaking?

One of your more recent films Spiders 3D was your first film done in 3D, which turned out great!  What was the experience like popping your 3D cherry, so to speak?

On set of “Lies and Illusions” with director of photography Zoran Povovic.

What are your plans for Halloween?

Sam Brown [Interview]

It is no secret by now that I am huge fan of the legendary sketch comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U Know.  We’ve had two of them on the site before, and today we are absolutely ecstatic that another one of these fine gentlemen has agreed to speak with us!  Sam Brown is a crucial member in the WKUK and is responsible for some of my personal favorite moments from the television show and live performances.  Sam brings a brilliant sense of mild mannered showmanship that is vital to the all of the success that WKUK has seen in the past.  Picking a favorite cast member is like trying to pick your favorite child:  you KNOW which one is your favorite, but you are too afraid of hurting the others so you tell them you love them all equally, although that his horse shit.  So I am just going to be honest…..  Today we are featuring my favorite Whitest Kids cast member.

And if his comedic brilliance isn’t enough, he apparently has the stamina of a god damned race horse.  Lucky NYC fans will have a great chance to catch Sam performing at Piano’s at 9:00 p.m. for the Sam Brown and Greg Johnson comedy hour……all after he runs a literal marathon!  Yes, Sam is repeating a venture he did a few years ago of hosting a lovely after party for the New York City Marathon.  This is some all new sorts of craziness in my lazy ways and eyes.

And even more great news!  If you are looking to break in to the comedy business, or just want to impress your co-workers with some wit and wisdom from the comedy world, Professor Brown may just be at your service.  Keep on reading below to find out how he might be able to make you not just a much funnier person, but probably a better person altogether.  So on that note, we are absolutely honored and humbled to introduce Sam Brown!

What made you want to join the world of comedy?  Was it always something you thought you would do when you were a kid?

I come from a pretty funny family (in my opinion) so being funny just used to be how you got noticed. Besides that I remember always being drawn to characters like Gonzo from the muppets that celebrated being weird which later turned into an admiration for performers like Andy Kaufman. I always wanted to be different and not in that obvious teenage rebelion way that now means heading down to your local hot topic. I remember when it came time to take Senior photos in high school since I’m from Cape Cod the thing everyone would do was get thier picture taken on the beach, so I thought it would be fun  to take it a little further and actually get chest deep in a full suit and tie in the ocean. It was freezing because it was only march but the pictures turned out great. It was like a Pink Floyd album cover. Unfortunately the yearbook editor decided that itd be best to crop the pictures at my shoulders so it only looks like I’m standing in front of the ocean. That bitch.

Of all the televised sketches in history, what would you consider to be your favorite sketch, whether you were in it or not?

Definately not one of my own, what kind of ego maniac do you take me for? How about I give you a few and if its too long you can just cut some out.

MONTY PYTHON: The Arguement Clinic. The writing masterfully evolves where once you get what they’re doing, they do it in a new way. I mean there’s no one right way to write a sketch but really thats how you should do it.

SNL: Steve Martin’s Christmas Wish is definately up there. A sketch that has a brilliantly written build up slowly transforming a genorous man into someone who is lustful, greedy and out for revenge.

THE STATE: they did an intro once where David Wain explained that in the group they all had different jobs and his was the editor and while it wasn’t as glamorous as being the star it still had its perks. No jokes just thirty seconds of talking before the intro. Then they roll the intro which at first seemed to be the one they always had but slowly more and more shots of David Wain were cut into it until finally its just all him then they cut to the group shot and he actually is spotlit. This was very influential to me. It showed me that in sketch you could break your show for the sake of a joke.

Alright now some vanity…when were you on the top of your game during the show?  AWhat was your favorite role to play?

For me there was really two modes of the show, writing and performing so each has thier own high point for me.

As far as writing I think when Trevor and I came up with the Jaws sketch is a moment I look back on fondly. It just felt like a different joke and ultimately what I am trying to do is get someone to laugh at something in a different way. That one makes me proud.

Performing: anything where I get to yell a lot. Normally I’m a really mellow guy but from time to time I totally lose my temper so when I get a roll where I can go off I can channel that pretty well (Cubicle Boss, Loveliest Bride, Sam’s Miss March Audition).

How are your experiences on the road with the guys after all these years?  Have you all grown closer over the years or you all just tolerating each other at this point?  Or is it all the same kind of man love as it was so many years ago?

Its tough but I love it. It isn’t being stuck with the same four other people all the time that makes it tough. Its just travelling. Flying has quickly become one of my least favorite activities on the face of the earth. Not even because of a fear of death or anything. Its just the constant nickle and diming. I feel like pretty soon airlines will charge you money not to sit on a bear trap. Its the other guys that actually make it bareable for me. WKUK is something that I still feel the whole is greater than the parts. There’s a certain energy that we have together that I could have faith in before we had a TV show. I felt like if I can just make these guys laugh we can really be something and now all these years later (13?!) and I still feel like if I can make them laugh we can be something greater. I’d put up with whatever the airlines can throw at me for that. I’d proudly sit on that bear trap.

You and the rest of the WKUK have a fan base is unlike any other out there. 

Thats not a question. How long have you been doing this? But yes, I like them. Thats one of the things I like about doing a live shows, meeting the fans. It can sometimes be longer and more work than the actual show but signing stuff and taking pictures with everyone can be the most rewarding part. When I was seventeen my mom brought me to go see John Waters speak which I thought was pretty cool, so when I see parents bringing thier kids to our shows and telling us that our show has brought them closer it makes me feel good.

Has there been any progress made on the WKUK movie?  Is it still in the works?

Yeah, we’re still plugging away at it.

How much time do you figure you spend on Twitter and Facebook?  Do you justify it as “work” as many of us do?

Not enough. Its like homework for a comedian and I’ve always been bad at doing my homework. I would love to delete my facebook but I need it to advertise my shows and classes so I would see that as a pretty selfish act considering how often I work on shows with other people. Twitter is a good joke writing tool but sometimes I am just too down myself to hit send. Either that or I am just not funny enough.

I understand you are going to be running the New York Marathon this year, and following it up with a stand up show….what the hell man?  I would think you would allow yourself to sit down after a run like that.  How has the training for this event been for you?  And can you tell us about the post-run event?

I ran it six years ago and did the same thing and it went great plus this is both an easy way to plan an after marathon party and pack a show. I’m really excited though, the people on the line up are some of my favorite people to spend time with and its at Pianos which is where WKUK performed weekly for years so it’ll have a homecoming feel for me.   The training is good. This is actually the third marathon I’ve trained for since I trained last year and hurricane sandy had other plans but I’ve run my long practice runs and now I’m in the taper weeks where I rest more than train. I feel good.

I also understand you are looking to be doing some sketch comedy writing workshops in the L.A. are this winter.  Would you like to pimp out some details on what you are offering?

This is one my favorite things to do. I never took classes myself which made it really nerve racking at first but the more I just vocalized what I found to be true in my experience the more I discovered that through thirteen years of writing sketches I figured out how to do it. Now its just a matter of talking about something I’m very passionate about with people that hopefully share that passion. In the end I feel like I’m learning along with the students.  To top it all off I do this all through a really small comedy school, Miles Stroth Improv, that has some of the smartest and funniest comedians I know teaching thier classes.  Find out more info at Milesimprov.com.

What else does the future hold for Sam Brown?  Any new projects in the works?

Well my birthday is on Saturday so theres that. Mainly though I have a movie that some other comedian friends and I raised money to make. We didnt really raise much money either so its going to be a challenge but I feel like adversaty can create a better outcome in the end.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

While I was writing this my dog, Party Dog, farted. He farts a lot and it always smells awful but also always I laugh.

Jim Piddock [Interview]

It has been brought to my attention recently that television is where all the best writing is these days.  This theory has been proven time and time again with the popularity of cable and network shows constantly being on the rise due to new lack of restraint on television audiences that has been in place for well over a decade now.  And some of Hollywood’s biggest names in front and behind the camera are showing up on the small screen more and more often.  Case in point:  HBO’s soon to be released on DVD, Family Tree, written, directed, and produced by the great Christopher Guest and Jim Piddock.  Guest and Piddock are old chums.  Jim has been featured in the Big Guest 3 films (read below for further details) that are easiley some of the best ensemble projects I have ever seen.  Piddock, beyond his acting chops on stage and on the screen, he is also a writer with credits to his name such as The Man featuring Samuel L. Jackson, The Tooth Fairy featuring Dwayne Johnson, and the 1992 erotic thriller Traces of Red, featuring James Belushi and Lorraine Bracco.  Yes, Guest and Piddock have had individual success in their long and storied career.  And now we are fortunate enough to have had the two team up to create what you will surely find to be one of the funniest shows on cable television today.  And as we already made clear, that is a hard feat to reach in this, the golden age of television writing.  And we were fortunate enough to be able to steal a few minutes from Jim to talk about his latest projects, past works, and what else he has on his plate these days. So enjoy!

You’ve had great success on the stage, in films, and on television.  Tell us, what is your preferred method of acting, if you have one?

They’re all rewarding in different ways, but as I get older I find the routine of doing film or tv easier to navigate and maintain a balanced lifestyle. I wouldn’t rule out going back to the stage, if the right project came along, but it’s not that high on my list of priorities right now.

You have appeared in what I call the Big Guest 3 films – Best In Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration, all directed by your pal and fellow legend Christopher Guest.  These movies just seem like they would be so much fun to work on, especially with the immense amount of improvisation.  Tell us, is this so?  What have your experiences been like working in this setting?

I think every actor who works on anything that Christopher directs will tell you that the improvisation part is very nerve-wracking, but the on-set experience is as good as it gets. It’s highly actor-friendly and relaxed. First of all, you’re hanging out with a lot of other actors you admire and have mostly worked with multiple times and, secondly, we work very quickly compared to most productions, so there’s a lot less hanging around. When a group of very funny, talented people get together, there’s generally a lot of laughter and very few people hiding in their trailers when they’re not on camera. 

The Family Tree

You have also recently teamed up with Guest as a writer/producer/actor on the new television series Family Tree, which will be released on DVD and as a digital download on October 29th.  Can you tell us a bit about the show?  Where did the concept for this show come from?

The show originated over a lunch that Christopher and I had around the time he’d been looking into his own family history a little bit. We liked the idea of an ongoing series about a rootless and impressionable young man trying to find his bearings in life, and establish meaningful relationships and purpose to his existence, by delving into his genealogy.

Apart from the endless and varied comic potential of the premise, we also felt it tapped into the larger, cosmic themes we all ask ourselves at some point: who am I, what is my place in the world, and where do I fit in the grand chain of history?

What did you want viewers to take away from this show?  Do you think viewers have or will get what you are hoping to convey?

I think we wanted people to be amused primarily. But, in addition to laughing, we hoped they’d be emotionally engaged with the main characters and care about what happens to them. And judging by the overwhelming majority of responses we’ve had to the show, from both critics and viewers, I believe we succeeded in that. I have heard from so many people, almost all of whom I don’t know, who said they felt genuinely bereft after the last episode of the first season ended. Which is very gratifying because it means that after 8 episodes they were emotionally invested in the series, and in the journey of the characters and the stories we were telling.

Based on the critical acclaim alone, has there been any stages of pre-production for a second season?  If so, is there anything new you would like to accomplish during a second season?

Not yet, but Christopher and I met for a couple of hours recently to discuss possible season 2 ideas and we came up with about 15-20 episodes ideas in a very short space of time. We also have a great ending for the final (or possibly just the second) series which will be even more unexpected than some of the surprising directions we’ve already taken.

You also have a project entitled Russell in development, in which you wrote and shall be an executive producer on as well.  I know it is early stages, but can you tell us a bit about this project?

It’s a family movie about an Australian conman who has a spell put on him by an Aboriginal shaman and undergoes a body-switch with a koala. You know, that old chestnut.

What would you personal consider your greatest professional accomplishment to date?

Working uninterrupted in show business for 35 years.

Is there anything in your career that you have yet to do that you are working towards getting done?

There are many other projects I’ve written and am attached to produce which I’d desperately love to see come to fruition. But, as an actor, the one thing I’d love to do is play a regular character on a long-running series. I’d love the chance to live with and develop a character for a length of time. And the money probably wouldn’t hurt either.

While it seems as though you are constantly working, you must take a break now and then.  What do you do for a little “me time” just to de-stress if you will?

I still play football (soccer) once a week. And I spend an awful lot of time watching football and baseball. But I also like to read and travel when I can.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

The fact that I had to encourage the waitress I had at dinner last night to google me because she didn’t believe I was who I said I was. For some reason it amused me that, after all these years and all I’ve done, I still felt like I had to justify myself to someone half my age. And while I was eating.

Kevin Hamedani [Interview]

I remember being about 7 years old and watching Back to the Future over and over again. I then started writing short stories around that time. So I’d say at a very young age I just knew, for better or worse, that I was obsessed with movies and wanted to make my own.

It was a great experience but also very frustrating. I knew very little about how a film set worked so I made a lot of mistakes. Luckily I had a wonderfully talented and experience DP John Guleserian who helped me make it through. One big lesson I learned from him was when I was blocking a scene and I had the actors stand close together like it were a stage play. That’s when the DP said: “This isn’t a play! Why are they standing next to each other!” That was a HUGE wake up call. I learned then that you can and should use the space around you because the camera will find the actor…big lesson.

My co-writer Ramon Isao and I were at the Austin Film Festival in 2009 for ZMD when we  met another filmmaking duo who had a similar  script they wanted to pitch to a big actor guest at that year’s fest. That planted the seed for JUNK. That and the fact I had done a year of film festivals and that world is bizarre, incredibly exciting and filled with colorful characters. I had yet to see a movie that took place at a fest so that was the final push to make JUNK.

Where you at all surprised about the backlash several film festivals gave the film by not letting it in?Yes, very. I did a private screening once the film was complete in Los Angeles,  A friend of mine, Scott Sanders (who directed Black Dynamite) took me aside after the screening and told me how impressed he was. That was big coming from him because Sanders is the most brutally honest friend I know. But then he said we probably screwed ourselves w/ film festivals by making a movie about it. I didn’t believe him but eventually I realized he was right. Even my hometown of Seattle rejected JUNK w/out so much as a rejection email. I think this movie really pissed some programmers off. That’s too bad. i thought they’d have a sense of humor but they take themselves very seriously. The ironic thing is that I made this movie with love for film festivals, but the reaction has lead me to really despise that whole world. So many great films fall through the cracks due to politics, lack of star power, etc…

It wasn’t fun. I will never act and direct again unless I have a bigger budget.

Music composing would be the only other job on a film that I could potentially do. I love music and play a little but I’m not very good so it wouldn’t be that great.

I am so happy w/ my cast. Leads and supporting. I managed, somehow, to keep my vision intact.  With the supporting cast and the colors they bring to JUNK, it resembles the crazy world I intended to create.

The Northwest has a beautiful, gloomy feel to it which is why I’ve shot both my features there. It’s a beautiful place with an underlying haunting, cold pulse that brings more layers to your work than you intended.

I have a few projects in development. I hope this family drama called Prince Ali moves forward. It’d be a great change to do something that isn’t a comedy

What was the last thing that made you smile?That’s a hard one….I don’t know.  I met Vince Gilligan recently and had a nice long chat with him about The X-Files, Breaking Bad, etc… I had a smile for a week after that….

Lisa Hammer [Interview]

In the 90’s it meant something completely different to be an “underground filmmaker/musician/artist/etc.”.  Just as the terms “alternative” and “independent” have become so skewed lately that it is hard to tell what or who is true to its/their origin and might be considered “underground”.  Of course, many technological advances have been made to make such a jaunting insight a true reality, some of which really isn’t such a bad thing.  But for me, and I hope many others, these terms meant nothing more than the act of being an artist with a specific taste and desire to create only what they feel is worthy of being shown, at least in their own heart.  Sure there are common characteristics such as being off-putting or risque that seem to be a commanility as well that most likely were the initial push “underground” as they say.  But in all actuality, that was the point!  Doing something different!  Different only in the manner that is pleases your own eye, even if it isn’t something you are used to seeing or hearing during the prime times or spot lights of our lives.

And in the 90’s, and thankfully to this day, there has been one woman who was and will always be in the upper echelon of the underground world.  Yes, I understand the bizarre sound that may make when you say it out loud (sort of like an “Anarchist Leader”, right?), but it is the truth.  There will always be somebody who’s work stands out amongst the rest of the rest of the rest.  And that woman is without a doubt the brilliant musician and filmmaker Lisa Hammer.  She has been grinding the gears of the weird for several decades, creating some of the finest underground works to date.  Whether it is masterminding German Expressionist masterpieces, or doing voice over work for Adult Swim cartoons, this is a woman who may not do everything she wants, but she certainly does only what she wants.  So ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, the lovely and talented Lisa Hammer!

What initially drew you in to the world of German Expressionist films?

In film school I saw Sunrise by FW Murnau and I was mesmerized by the beauty and timelessness of the story and the gorgeous scenery and cinematography. The film made me cry with no words spoken, only titles. That is so powerful. From there I was hooked.

Who would you consider your greatest personal influence in the medium?  

It’s a mash-up of Murnau in my silent films, Cocteau with my surrealist fairy tales, Bunuel for my sacrilege, Lynch for my dream imagery, Busby Berkley for the musical aspects, and John Waters for my camp. I aspire to reach the comedic genius heights of: Peter Bogdanovich, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Blake Edwards, Roman Polanski and George Cukor, to name a few. Too many to name!

Can you tell us a bit about your involvement in Miranda July’s Joanie4Jackie film anthology?  How did your participation in the anthology come to be?

She asked me to submit my film Empire of Ache with Dame Darcy for her video chain letter project, (the short films created by several women circulated the world for a few years.) I don’t really know how she heard about us, it just came out of nowhere but I was very happy to participate!

You have been in the world of music and film for a lot of years now.  In your expert opinion, how do you feel the worlds have changed with the introduction of technology, social media, etc.?  Are the changes positive, negative, or both?

Since the technology for both music and film has become affordable and easy to use, anyone and everyone is both a filmmaker and in a band now. The market is flooded with artists and amateurs. Andy Warhol’s prediction that everyone would get 15 minutes of fame has actually happened. It’s great to see so many people being creative, but I think I preferred it when there were only a handful of us, it was a bit harder to create our films and music, but we got much more attention. Now it’s hard to get noticed at all, thank god I already have a history and a group of loyal fans! The trick now is to get noticed and it makes me want to go back to school to study marketing. Ha!

On that note, what do you believe the term “underground” means today, as compared to what it may have meant 20 years ago? 

20 years ago I was noted as one of the very few underground experimental female filmmakers in the industry, I got a lot more attention from magazines and distributors. My colleagues were very few and also got tons of attention. People like Nick Zedd, Jim Jarmusch and Richard Kern, to name a few in the NY circle.  Now I don’t see an underground per se, I see everyone grabbing a cheap digital camera and uploading their films and web series to youtube. It’s hard to find the actual underground film projects, you have to sift through lots of amateur shorts and web series, and an awful lot of videos of cats doing silly things. It does raise the bar for filmmakers, as we have to create the best work of our lives and get it into festivals and create a buzz in the industry. The competition is healthy.

What do you personally believe to be the highlight of your career thus far?  What accomplishment(s) make you the most proud?

I have so many, every film has been my favorite, from the insanity of Pus$bucket, to the artistry of The Invisible Life of Thomas Lynch, where I got to mentor with amazing director James Merendino (SLC Punk.) I loved filming POX where I got to write with Ben Edlund (Firefly) and Doc Hammer (The Venture Brothers) and direct an incredible cast in a haunted silent film star mansion in Hollywood (I lived there!), and recently the filming of  The Sisters Plotz with my partner in crime Lisa Ferber has been one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life.

I’ve been really lucky. I have been blessed to direct the amazing talents of celebrity guest stars: Eve Plumb (The Brady Bunch), James Duval (Donnie Darko), Clayne Crawford (Swimfan), Allen Lewis Rickman (Boardwalk Empire), H. Jon Benjamin (Archer), Jonathan Katz (Dr. Katz), Arden Myrin (Mad TV), Leo Allen (SNL), Aryn Cole (All My Children), Yelena Shmulenson (A Serious Man) and I lived through directing Courtney Love! I get to work with my talented husband Levi Wilson (Not Fade Away) on all my projects, which is the best thing of all. We have so much fun on every project. 

Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming film The Sisters Plotz?

The Sisters Plotz is a frothy romp through the world of three eccentric heiresses who live in a townhouse with their butler, who is really an earl, but is slumming it. These kooky aristocrats have no idea what year it is, don’t know how to do anything for themselves, and rely on their servants to do everything for them. It’s a slapstick musical comedy with amazing songs by Lisa Ferber and May Feinsinger. We all get to sing and dance, but it’s not corny, it’s a bit surreal and campy, as if John Waters and Busby Berkley had created a love child. Lisa Ferber wrote it and I helped create the story, and then I directed it. Eve Plumb plays our sister Celestia, a Dada poetess. Levi plays the sarcastic butler, Reginald. Lisa Ferber plays my sister Whimsellica, a dreamy painter, and I play the dangerously recreational inventor, Ladybug.

It started as a web series and got to be a top 5 most watched video on Funny or Die. I decided it needed a longer format to tell the whole story. I’m editing the feature film right now and it should be done by 2014. And… we added a PIE FIGHT.

You are a filmmaker, screenwriter, musician, composer, so on and so on.  Of all the trades you have racked your resume with, what is your absolute favorite?  

I am more talented at music than filmmaking, but I seem to gravitate towards directing film. I’m really a mediocre filmmaker, so maybe I am striving to improve in areas I lack in? I really have been neglecting my music a bit, but I’m a little sad as my wonderful guitarist from Radiana (Steven Deal) passed away a few months ago, and I feel lost without him. By 2014 I will seek out new band members and continue the band in his honor. It’s hard to sing with a broken heart.

Least favorite?  

I love all of it! Except: I hate creating shot lists and breaking the script down to make a budget. If anyone out there wants to help me with line producer duties on the next film, please email me! Hahaha!

With so many different forms of art already under your belt, is there any form that you have yet to tackle that you would like to? 

I’m an aspiring novelty inventor. A few of the inventions seen in The Sisters Plotz are actual inventions I am developing. I just need help from a patent lawyer, if any readers are patent lawyers, also please email me. Hahaha!

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My absurdly gorgeous Himilayan cat, we call her Missy Shitepants, as she has long white hairpants and she often doesn’t clean them well. It’s pretty gross but it makes me laugh. Also the Hulu show “Quickdraw” makes my sides split. And my awesome husband Levi, who cracks me up constantly.

John Hamburg [Interview]

It is no secret that there are a couple of dozen folks who are currently running the world of comedy as we speak.  Essentially, the cast of Zoolander and Old School run the show.  Throw in SNL and The Office, basically all of NBC comedy.  As well as anyone who makes their way in to a Judd Apatow production of any kind (even his “failed” television shows Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared).  We continue to see the same faces appearing alongside one another consistently.  We could speculate as to why this truly has come to be, but let’s just stick with the facts…..  they are hilarious and crazy talented.  But even they can’t do it all on their own.  It is the writers and filmmakers that bring their comedic wit and genius to the screen.  It’s obvious if you think about it.  These are the people who come up with this shit!

And one of the highlighted films of the Hollywood illuminati, and my personal favorite of the batch, was 2009’s I Love You Man starring Paul Rudd, Jason Siegel, Rashida Jones, Andy Sandberg, Thomas Lennon, and so many more regularly casted members of today’s comedy world.  It is a beautiful tale of man who needs to find another man…..just as a friend.  It also happens to be spawned from acclaimed screenwriter/filmmaker  John Hamburg.  And surprise!  Hamburg is the amazing mastermind behind none other than the likes of Safe Men, Zoolander, the critically acclaimed Fokker series, and the hilarious and also Ben Stiller fronted film Along Came Polly.  Yes, John Hamburg is obviously a key player in the world of comedy today.  He has proved himself time and time again as one of the finest filmmakers and screenwriters of this day and age.  And we are extremely excited that he has agreed to share a few words with us, and talk to us about some of his past works and what the future holds for him and the world of comedy as we know it.  It is an incredible honor to have John Hamburg join the Trainwreck’d Society family.  So bow your heads everyone!  Now look up, and read on with our interview with the legendary John Hamburg!

What draws you to write and create in the world of comedy? Have you ever considered experimenting in other genres?

I simply see the world in comedic terms. I always have. Even the most dramatic or tragic situations – I tend to see the comedy in them. So it is not really by choice, it is just my nature. I have considered making movies or tv in other genres, but I think no matter the genre, my work will always have some kind of comic bend to it.

You’ve written no less than 5 screenplays that featured actor Ben Stiller. Is there something about his acting chops that intrigues you? If so, what? Or is it sort of a friends helping friends sort of set up?

Ben and I met after he saw my first movie, SAFE MEN, at the Nantucket Film Festival. I was already a huge fan of his from his early movies and The Ben Stiller Show on Fox. He is an incredible and underrated actor. I think his performance in MEET THE PARENTS is one of the great comic performances of all time. He doesn’t always get credit for being such a great actor, because his work can be very subtle and he is comfortable reacting to other actors in the scene. Ben and I click on many levels — but I think the idea of being sort of befuddled by the world, confused, anxious, tense, and finding ourselves in awkward situations is something I am interested in as a writer (and human being!) and that Ben connects to brilliantly as an actor.

How did you come up with the concept for the Fokker series?

I did not come up with the concept for the Focker series. It was based on a short film that Jim Herzfeld developed as a screenwriter. I came on to the first MEET THE PARENTS after several drafts had been written, primarily by Jim, and did many drafts of my own both before and during production.

You made your break with one of my personally favorite indie comedies, Safe Men. But, a couple of years prior to that films release, you had a short entitled Tick. Can you tell us a bit about this project? How did it come to life?

First off, I am deeply appreciative of the SAFE MEN fans out there, so thanks for saying that about my first feature. TICK was a short film that I made while at grad school at NYU Film School. At the time, Hollywood was making these big high-concept comedies (many of which I loved, some of which I thought were terrible), and I thought it would be funny to do a high concept comedy, but make the execution very lo-fi. So I came up with an idea about two slacker bomb-defusers in a town where bombs keep going off. There was very little danger to it, the bombs were basically harmless and the tone was very light. But something about the idea of two guys who were in a very dangerous field, but totally inept and, spending more time on romance and personal grievances when they were supposed to be defusing bombs struck me as a very funny idea for a 10 minute short.

The movie got into the Sundance Film Festival, and basically jump-started my career, because a Hollywood agent saw it, some producers saw it and were interested in doing a feature with me, etc. We did a special 10 year anniversary SAFE MEN DVD and I actually put TICK on the DVD.

What do you personally consider your greatest achievement in your career?

On a macro-level, my greatest achievement is just being able to do the very thing that I dreamt about doing when I was a teenager – writing and directing comedy, be it in film, tv or commercials which I also direct on occasion. On a more specific level, while I’m both proud of (and find huge flaws!) in everything I’ve done, the movie I LOVE YOU, MAN, which I wrote, directed and produced, achieved a kind of tone that I had been working towards for many years. I was happy that it did well critically and commercially, but more importantly than that, was the idea that I made the exact movie that I set out to make, which can be a very challenging thing, especially in the studio system.

Was Rush always your band of choice when writing the script for I Love You Man? If so, what makes them so special? What other groups might you have considered?

RUSH was always the band. I love their music – they are incredible musicians – but also, they are a band that tends to have primarily male fans. And they are, of course, very popular, but not in the league of, say, The Rolling Stones, or The Who. People are fervent RUSH fans, but there are also many folks who just don’t “get’ them. So I felt that RUSH was the perfect band for two dudes to bond over in a movie about male friendship.

And it also turns out, having worked with them, and gotten to know them, that they are the most hard-working, grateful, and nicest guys in the world (they are Canadian after all). Forming a relationship with them has been one of the great by-products of the I LOVE YOU, MAN experience.

Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming project, Brother From Another Mother? Are you excited to get back in the director’s chair on a feature film?

BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER is a movie I wrote (my good friend and collaborator Ian Helfer co-wrote the story with me) about a 30 year old guy who escorts his 16 year old half-brother on his college tour. They go to the alma mater where the older brother dropped out of… and a lot of comedy, drama and awkward and painful family dynamics occur on the trip.

It’s been a challenging project to put together — I think it has a chance of being my funniest and most emotional movie — but it’s not a down the middle comedy — which is a lot of what is getting made by the studios right now. Fortunately, we are now working with a great independent financier to put the movie together, so hopefully, if it all comes together, I’ll shoot it within the next year.

I am every excited to direct another feature. Believe me, I hate having a long gap in between “Directed by” credits – even though I know that I’m not just taking a vacation between directing movies – I’m working on various things the whole time, I promise!

In the past few years I’ve written TV shows, directed commercials, produced other movies — but my true passion is writing/directing/producing feature films, so I can’t wait to get back that.

If you could create a biopic about any famous stand up comedian, who hasn’t had one yet, who would it be?  And who could you see as the lead?

Oh, man that’s a tough one. I’d have to say Steve Martin. His book BORN STANDING UP is one of the great stories ever written about what it means to be an artist – and in particular an artist who expresses himself through comedy. I grew up listening to his comedy albums – my dad would play them on long car rides — he is the funniest, most unique stand-up I’ve ever experienced.

Who would play him? I have no freakin’ clue — maybe some brilliant actor who’s yet to be discovered.

So what is next for you? Any new projects in the works?

I have several projects in the works. In addition to BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER, I am about to write two more features I’ve been developing. I’m producing some television this year as well, and I also produced an insanely funny, filthy super low-budget movie that Paramount is releasing this year… I would tell you the title but we may be changing it, so suffice it to say — it’s about a DESTINATION WEDDING that goes awry. A super-talented young guy named Nick Weiss directed it with a cast of really great young actors, and it’s been a ton of fun to work on.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

This morning, my two year old daughter told me to act like a sea lion (which I did, of course) and then she started feeding me fish. That really put a smile on my face.

J.B. Ghuman Jr.[Interview]

A couple of years ago I saw this great little indie flick called Dakota Skye.  It wasn’t the most memorable of films, but it had an amazing cast of actors and actresses whose performances always stuck with me as a terrific example of un-tapped indie talent.  Especially with the film’s bad boy J.B. Ghuman.  He played the one you wanted to hate so much, but found yourself siding with his ill ways out of love for him.  I spent a lot of time thinking about the film, and decided that I would like to speak with somebody involved, especially J.B. himself if I could reach him.  Well not only did I reach Mr. Ghuman, but I became so enthralled with the cat when I realized he was actually a very accomplished filmmaker as well.  He was actually the man behind another beautiful indie gem that I always loved and adored, Spork.  Spork is a film about a transgendered 14-year-old girl who deals with the everyday pressures of high school that so many kids face, but about twice as difficult as your average new teenager.  It is beautifully shot, funny as hell, and even pulls at the old heart strings a bit.  I came to learn that this was J.B. Ghuman’s true talent.  He is a gifted actor, but has chosen to leave that world behind to live behind the camera.  And there are so many other fantastic things to say about this guy, with his own unique brand of art creativity.  Hell, even his manner in interviews is unique and refreshing!  But, I think I will let the man speak for himself.  Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. J.B. Ghuman!

When did you first realize that you wanted to live, work, and breath in the world of art, no matter the medium?

Oh gosh…hmm. Well…i’d say the first time I discovered a passion for a sort of “art” if no medium matters at least…would be when I was around 10 yrs old or so…I used to write poems for both my mother and sister and then slip them under their doors randomly throughout the day. At first they used to get touched by this…later they simply would forget to tell me they read them. I’d get upset and storm off. Why do you ask, love? ox jBjR!

Your beautifully dark and edgy indie film Spork has enjoyed a great amount of success since its release.  Tell us, what was your general rhyme and reason for making this film?  What was your inspiration, so to speak?

To be honest, I don’t have a specific “Reason” to writing the film. In danger of sounding a bit too bohemian, I tend to get a bit “possessed” with an idea at the most random times and then simply become hell bent on seeing it come to fruition. As far as inspiration goes…I’ve heard I think the most from folks that my film rips a lot on “Napoleon Dynamite” and whereas I did not actually rip from that film…I did in fact rip from a even more profound and dark film by the title of “Welcome To The Dollhouse” while writing “SPORK”. Todd Solondz is a true maverick in story telling and his skillful yet careless way of crass language and serious under tones was a major influence as far as dialogue and vibe. Though John Waters is king of surrealism and false realities with there bright colors and over the top personas. I just adore the child in him…he/she is so wild and fun in a sort of sinister way. But…a’dunno…I worship the dark, magical stuff in Tim Burton’s skull. He’s got this strong way about him that…ya know…lets you know he’s coming from a mile away. It’s neato…but doesn’t feel that “cool”…like a car chase or big action film director can do…rather a bit more etherial…more subtle tone of flare. I dig it…a’dig em’all, man. The music is a uber soft touch on Baz Lurhmans kneck. Not really a tap or even a pinch…i’d def. say a soft touch. So music was added…I had been walking home from the gym and this song came on…”Is it cos’im cool”. So random…never really got big in the states, and whatnot. I had been staring at spork for so long and then jus took a break. I started to sort of dance on my way home to it and it just felt so…a’dunno…so bitchy. It made me laugh. I rushed and added it before I forgot it to the script. I filmed it a bit more fun too. There’s this amazing scene when Betsy and all the girls grab their asses and it’s right into camera. It was in the film all the way up till it’s initial export before Tribeca cause my producers said the mothers wanted it out. I was like “Wtf…why?!?! We can have black face but not little bratty white girls grab there clothed ass in a comedy? Absurd.” Gosh, I ramble a lot. So weird…how we are all getting so comfortable…with typing…it’s like i can hear my thoughts as i….type them. (sniff, eye rub)…so…what’s the next question?

Were you at all surprised by the success of this film?  And do you think audiences have understood what exactly it is you where trying to convey?

That is…a full question, my dearest. I mean…cheese, man. Well…(neck-crack)…i was actually. I dunno…i guess i was. I had some wacky family stuff going on at the time. I’m not big on talking about it to be honest but a’will say that it was just like…ya know…a pinch in time, dark. Like…black hole dark. So..when shit gets like that…and i’m sure some people understand…you don’t really care about anything else. Though…as the film started to climb, awards, traveling…the countries and smiles…a’dunno…it did sort of surprise me i guess…cause…i mean…if i had known how happy the films success would have made me…a’think I would have just gotten happy ahead of time. And I did not…so…yea, it surprised me. In the most awesome way, though. In that sort of way, given all that was going on, where it doesn’t make you puff out your chest and feel better than anyone…but like…in that way that makes you wanna shrink…so small that you can only see the shine of it and it makes you teary eyed and shit. And hell yea, dude…i do think audiences understood. I mean…let’s put this shit this way…I was in brazil…literally i’ve said this story a thousand fukin times, but i don’t care…i was in brazil..and i literally…could give a shit about anything. zero magic, zero care of the air…moon, sun…whatever…i just wanna go back to bed…and not think…about anything. I walk downstairs…watch my film in another fuckin language…Portuguese…and it’s not even like the exact translation. i was like…”Wtf…this isn’t evan landing right…the jokes an shit?” Sigh…i jus sat there…pondering if I should do something crazy…sleep on the street or some shit…i dunno. We walk out and this bum stops me…he yanks on my arm and keeps trying to say something. They push him and i’m all “nah, nah…let’em speak…sup, bud?” He starts to wave his hands and ramble some toothless speech. He gets teary eyed…i stare back…i start to get teary eyed…dunno even know why yet…i ask the lady next to me “what…what is he saying…?” she listens and then says back to me…”he says your movie…is like medicine…for the heart”…and then…i kid you not..i fucking…lost it. Like…started balling and hugged this smelly ass homeless man. No lie, hand to the stars. So yea…they did…and I think they did cause it’s not me I’m talking about in the film…it’s basically a human experience to find yourself and be happy. I simply said it in a fun and sort of dark, comedic way. With like…random shit.

I first became interested in hearing from you to talk about your role in the 2008 flick, Dakota Skye, in which you performed so delightfully.  Can you tell us a little bit about how you geared up for that role, and what was it like being a part of that project?

Geared up for that role? I mean…I read a book on punk and then just sort of had fun on set. It was cool…really cool. The last time I really tried the whole acting thing. I dunno…it’s just not for me…i get nervous now in front of crowds and…i’m just not that guy anymore. But the director was a total sweetheart…same with the writer and cast. All we’re chill… 🙂

I’ve noticed that you have seemed to have taken a break from the acting world lately.  Is this a positive step for you, or do you miss the world and plan to return?  Or is it all up in the air?  

A’mean…you really go for it with these questions, gurl. (nsert wipe of brow) Well…yea…i’d say it was positive. To be honest being an actor taught me sort of how to brand my own self with my art…but at the same time…give me the confidence to know I’m simply not the Dorothy…I’m the wizard. And I’m happy with that…with my social anxieties now and jus…i’m off the grid to be honest and enjoy my sort of “in the shadows” life…It allows me see things in a way I think is good for me given what i’d like to say in my work. That makes sense, right…? I think so…

Is there any word on your script for Rhino?  Is there a chance we might be able to see it become a reality soon?

Oh gosh…honey…You mos’def. will see RHiNO! soon. I have passed on so much shit that would have made me so much money, eaten so much fucking pizza and literally have almost broken my creative back…(nsert slam of foot on floor)….to stretch my creative eye to the point it no longer blinks. It’s been tuff, gurl…everyone wanted me to simply jump on a teen comedy to move into the matrix right away and cash in…i was so high on the magic that SPORK had given me…i simply…a’dunno…a’jus…a’jus couldn’t imagine pushing RHiNO! aside doing something for money when what I am trying to do with RHiNO! could do for someone what SPORK…did for me. I know it sounds cheesy and stupid…and almost self driven. But…a’swear, it’s not. And the funny thing is I think the stars had planned for me have to wait for it this the whole time. Cause I look at SPORK and the stuff I’m making now if even as a personal installation or even a music video with hardly no budget..and like…it’s working. I’m totally…growing. I’m learning more and more on just how to get the things I share to look exactly like i see it and if not…then at the very least…better. Whether it’s from anothers input or simply a road block that turns into the best exit. But…who knows…i pray it lights up soon. I do know one thing…no matter how much time it takes…i’ll simply be that much more of a stronger director to bring my mamma to life.

So, what else have you been up to lately?  What are some of your latest works?

MMmm…i dunno. It’s been so creative weird and hectic for me. I’m trying to really take things to a higher level and sort of get my slant out their but in the business realm of things. I did a music video for LIL DEBBIE and then CAZWELL, LUCIANA, etc. I’ve got another Lady Tigra video in the can and two more music videos I just shot in the can as well…but there wicked rad looking…so I’m pumped to stitch them all together. But then I did this really neato-beato photo-installation shoot in Palm Springs with Jake Shears and Amanda Lepore. Jakes one of my tight boys and I’m a huge Amanda fan so it was jus dope as fuck and the shots are sick looking so it’s gonna be a cool installation once it’s done. Did another installation with David Woodman, the cat who was apart of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin and shit…oh, and talking with Miley Cyrus for something a bit off the cuff but sorta dope as hell as well..can’t say much but i’m uuuuber stoked to shoot it. Holy shit i need a dish washer.

I understand you grew up as a B-Boy as a youth.  As the years go by, do you still participate in break dancing, or have you had to hang that coat up?

Are you crazy…I breakdance weekly, punk. (insert beat-box / shoulder floss) Nah…I mean I do…and surf and all that “i’m so hot” guy stuff. But to be honest…i’m approaching my mid-thirties now, honey. My back hurts, my shoulders been pulled for 3 months and this kid wizard has so much on his plate yet at the same time is doing it all for the shine with shadows darting left and right. I try and break as much as i can, esp. on my roof with my head phones. But it’s getting to be very rare these days.

What have been some of your favorite films from 2013?

Er…i’m a little behind to be honest. Is it lame if I say THE LITTLE MERMAID on BluRay 3D?

What was the last thing that made you smile? 

Aww…I wanna say so badly that “it’s the question itself” but that’d be so cheesy, no…so obvious…right? Grrrr….hmm…whatever. It is…it’s the question itself. So what….eat me.

ox jBjR!