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| SXSW '08 Interview: "Goliath" Writer-Director-Star David Zellner |
by William Goss
The "Goliath" Pitch: "It's not the nasty divorce or the demotion at his job that sends a man over the edge, but his missing cat."
Describe your movie using the smallest number of words possible.
A cat is missing.
Is this your first trip to SXSW? Got any other film festival experience?
We've been to SXSW many times and are always excited to be welcomed back. "Goliath" had its premiere last month at Sundance.
Back when you were a little kid, and you were asked that inevitable question, your answer would always be "When I grow up, I want to be a..." what?
...moviemaker/scientist/explorer
Not including your backyard and your dad's Handycam, how did you get your real "start" in filmmaking?
Carl Weathers told us that we had the goods. We've been going full-force since then.
Do you feel any differently about your film now that you know it's on "the festival circuit?"
Too soon to tell, since we just finished it not too long ago. Overall we're very happy with it though.
Of all the Muppets, which one do you most relate to?
Myself, Gonzo. Nathan, Beaker. (David's brother, Nathan, also stars in "Goliath" and is a frequent collaborator.)
During production, did you ever find yourself thinking ahead to film festivals, paying customers, good & bad reviews, etc?
We just focused on making the film the best it could be.
How did this film get rolling at the beginning? Give us a brief history from writing to production to post to just last night.
We had made a bunch of short films that had been successful on the fest circuit. We were ready to tackle a feature next but some larger projects we were trying to get off the ground were in limbo. "Goliath" presented itself at the perfect time and we were able to dive right into it.
If you could share one massive lesson that you learned while making this movie, what would it be?
It is very hot in the summer in Texas.
What films and filmmakers have acted as your inspirations, be they a lifelong love or a very specific scene composition?
I have an endless list, but some staples would be Herzog, Kubrick, Altman.
Did you watch any movies in pre-production and yell "This! I want something JUST like this, only different."?
"Brewster's Millions".
What actor would you cast as a live-action Homer Simpson?
Jack Elam.
Say you landed a big studio contract tomorrow, and they offered you a semi-huge budget to remake, adapt, or sequelize something. What projects would you tackle?
Big fun action movies.
Name an actor in your film that's absolutely destined for the big-time. And why, of course.
All I can say is that the leads in this film did a really amazing job.
Finish this sentence: If I weren't a filmmaker, I'd almost definitely be...
...an explorer or scientist.
Who's an actor you'd kill a small dog to work with? (Don't worry; nobody would know.)
Jack Elam.
Have you 'made it' yet? If not, what would have to happen for you to be able to say "Yes, wow. I have totally made it!"?
Not yet, getting close.
Honestly, how important are film critics nowadays?
We need all the help we can get.
You're told that your next movie must have one product placement on board, but you can pick the product. What would it be?
Cadbury Cream Eggs.
You're contractually obligated to deliver an R-rated film to your producers. The MPAA says you have to delete a sex scene that's absolutely integral to the film or you're getting an NC-17. How do you handle it?
Put a big black box over the sexy parts.
What's your take on the whole "a film by DIRECTOR" issue? Do you feel it's tacky, because hundreds (or at least dozens) of people collaborate to make a film - or do you think it's cool, because ultimately the director is the final word on pretty much everything?
Well, ultimately, it's one big collaboration.
In closing, we ask you to convince the average movie-watcher to choose your film instead of the trillion other options they have. How do you do it?
"Goliath" is funny, original and a little bit sad.
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David and Nathan Zellner's Goliath will play as part of the 2008 South By Southwest's "Special Screenings" slate. For more information, click here.
link directly to this feature at http://hollywoodbitchslap.com/feature.php?feature=2427
originally posted: 03/05/08 08:13:12
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