NYC Premiere

So we're in NYC right now, promoting the film...and the premiere is later tonight, which I'm kind of nervous about. It's the first real, red-carpet premiere I'll ever have for my own movie! Needless to say, I have the jitters.

Earlier today, I did early morning radio with Larry Flick at OutQ and Fangoria Radio on Sirius! Good times! Generally, I hate doing early morning radio, because i'm usually out really late the night before (lol) and I'm a zombie by the next morning! But today was fun and relaxing. Larry was a funny guy and I spoke with Dee Snider and Debbie Rochon for Fango! i met Dee at Comic-Con (such a cool guy) and I finally got the chance to meet Debbie- smart and a sweetheart. I love her:)

Heads up: I think Kevin will be on Letterman and Conan, and Kelly will be on Conan too.

Ok, gonna go get ready for the Premiere! eeeeeeee....

later,
james

1:48 PM - 26 Comments - 39 Kudos - Add Comment

(PEOPLE SEEKING ADVICES - READ THIS FIRST) ANSWERS to your Questions here!!!

Hey everyone,

So here it is, the 'ten answers' to the questions that you guys have left on my comment section!!! I apologize in advance if your questions weren't picked, but there were so many, and I had to cherry-pick my favourites! Some of the questions were similar so I grouped them together....

I had so much fun answering them...though it was a nightmare sorting and compiling the questions! lol.

Thank you so much for all your responses.

love and respect,
me


Q and A:

-What did you wanna be when you grew up? – from Scream Queen
When I was a little kid, I wanted to be one of two things. A magician or a ninja. Hmmm, yes. I was young.
Now that I'm a film-maker, it's like being a magician. I create illusions and fantasies on the screen. Maybe I'll make a movie about ninjas and I'll complete my childhood fantasy!


-How was it working with such a great actor as Kevin…? - from MAC
-My question is pretty simple. How was it like to work with Kevin Bacon? Was he your first casting choice? – from Simon Vandelay
Now a lot of people in this business give the standard PR answer about how well they get along and how much they enjoy each other's company, and usually, that isn't the case.
However, on Death Sentence, that is truly the case. As much as I would like to bitch about them, I couldn't. The cast of this movie are some of the best I've worked with. From Garrett Hedlund to Kelly Preston to John Goodman, and of course, Mr. Kevin Bacon himself. He was so professional, down-to-earth and truly collaborative. I learned a lot about the biz by working with him. He, indirectly, taught me how to navigate the treacherous waters of Hollywood and not to lose myself in it.
Myself and all the younger actors (ie. the gang members) really looked up to him. He was like the wise, older brother!
Kevin was in my top three choices and I'm so glad that I got him. People are going to be reminded again as to why he's one of the finest actors out there.


-How have you personally approached working with your actors on each of your films? – from Adam Barnick
As a director, I've found that I have to approach each actor differently. Everyone has a different temperament and sensibility. It's important for me to collaborate with my actors and find out what works best for them. This helps me to extract what I want out of them.


-Question: did you ever thought about the effect SAW1 could have on people before it was released? not just that it became a "good horror" but a movie that indeed saved people from self-destruction? – from deserted soul
I'm surprised and amazed at how much of this I hear from young people. I think the film has connected with the younger generation in a bigger way than I could ever imagine.


-OK this is a question about a director's influence in the marketing department (since this whole Q&A is about PR). Do directors have any real power or need in the marketing of their movie? Or is it all ultimately up to the studio? – from Jared
It is ultimately up to the studio…unless you're Ridley Scott or someone big like that. But usually the marketing department love to hear your ideas, since after all, you're the film-maker and has the best take on the material. Though, just because they listen to you, doesn't mean they'll do it. LOL.
Fox Atomic has been very collaborative and I love the stuff that they're coming up with for this film.


-Is Death Sentence written by you or are you directing from other material? – from Ms. 357
-Seeing as how Death Sentence seems to be so different from both SAW and Dead Silence (like, genre-wise and whatnot), what drew you to go for directing Death Sentence?- from allana
-why did you decide to make death sentence an action flick instead of a horror flick? – from Lonnie
-What was it like stepping out of a genre you seem so natural with and taking on a completely different kind of movie? – from Anonymous Henchman
For me as a director, I think it's important to mix things up. Been pigeon-holed as a 'one-genre filmmaker' is very limiting. I'm a fan of all kinds of movies. One day, I hope to make my romantic comedy…but that's a different story ?
So naturally, when the script for Death Sentence came across my desk, I was intrigued. I love the revenge sub-genre and thought that this might be a good segue out of horror and into the action genre…but yet, still retain that kind of intense film-making I love. When I read the script, I thought the screenwriter, Ian Jeffers, did such a great job at making Death Sentence a taut thriller but yet a character-driven movie. His adaptation of Brian Garfield's novel of the same name was what Kevin Bacon and I fell in love with. I think people are going to be surprised that this isn't just a throw-away exploitation movie.
Having said that, Kevin and I both really wanted to make a kick-ass action thriller too! In this age of over-done CGI action movies, I wanted to hark back to old-school, in-your-face action with crazy stunts! Kevin and Garrett Hedlund did a lot of their own stunts.
I'm very proud of this film and I don't usually feel that way about any of my work. I think Death Sentence is the best thing I've done as a director so far.



-Hey James, my question is about Death Sentence. I was wondering if you are going to reference any other of your films in this project. - from David
-Will Billy have a cameo in this film? – from nick
Hell yes!!! Billy the ventriloquist dummy from the first SAW film makes another cameo in this one. He's my 'Hitchcock cameo' instead of myself. I'm not gonna spoil the fun by telling you guys where he is…you have to spot him for yourself :)


-Hey James, Here's my question: I'm an amateur filmmaker, and of course my dream is to be a successful director such as yourself. Do you have any advice? …I'm sure this question can apply to many like me who are looking for a big break. – from Mark
-Q: Can you talk about your earlier years... about your transition from Saw the short film, into Saw the feature...how did you "get your break" as we say? – from Brett
-My question: Do you have any advice for young filmmakers, especially for those who are interested in working the horror genre? – from kim
Ok, so I think this is the one question that I constantly get all the time. I'm going to take this opportunity to answer it here. It's very difficult to give one umbrella-advice, because we're all in individual situations. The best way for me is to talk about it from my own experience and see if it's applicable for you.
Leigh Whannell likes to describe 'Saw' as an accidental horror film. When Leigh and I first met in film school in Melbourne, all we wanted to do was make a film. Not a horror film. Not an action film. Just a film. It didn't matter what genre it was. We would get together regularly and talk about the movie we were eventually going to make, and in doing so we became best friends and kept hanging out long after film school was finished. Leigh had a pretty cool job on a TV show in Australia, and I worked at a small production company – but neither of us wanted to do it forever. We just wanted to make a film.
Out of frustration, we came up with the idea for 'Saw' and had decided that the only way we were ever going to make a film was if we paid for it ourselves. We sat around trying to come up with the cheapest idea possible, and finally hit upon the story of two guys stuck in a toilet for ninety minutes. It suited our budgetary limitations perfectly. We decided it was going to be a taut, Panic Room-style thriller. We didn't want to come up with a 'big budget story' that was out-of-our-reach and unrealistic…we knew we were only capable of making a small movie, but we wanted it to be really good.
So we spent a long time, almost two years, honing the script…because we knew the script was the most important weapon in an indie film-maker's arsenal. We didn't settle for anything less than what we thought was the best.
Now, the irony was, because we had spent so much time and effort in crafting the script, it started to get the attention of a lot people.
Leigh and I then did something to help propelled our project above all the thousands of indie scripts out there- we short a scene from the script, and used it as a tool to help sell me as the director and Leigh as an actor. It became somewhat of a calling-card. This, along with the script, clinched the deal. Producers at Twisted Pictures saw the short, read the script and realized our vision for the project, decided to take a chance on us.
Now, Leigh and I have always said, 'we haven't done that many smart things in our lives, but shooting that short was one of the smartest things we've ever done.'
And thus, SAW was born.
(Now, I'm not saying that any of this will work for anyone, but it did for us.)


Oooh - I missed the "juicy gossip questions" part of your blog entry, hehe...so in saying THAT... Be honest - did you ever tell Shawnee Smith the REAL reason why you picked her to play Amanda? ;) And hey - I don't blame you either...she is a sweetie!! :) – from Matt K.
LOL. I think Shawnee found out that I had a school-boy crush on her when she listened to the audio commentary (on the first SAW DVD) where Leigh and I talked about it.
Shawnee left a message on my phone, teasing me about this…needless to say, I was too embarrassed to call her back :)


-James, are you a boxer man or are you into briefs? – from Mike Mendez
Lastly, the most important question… Mike, I'm a briefs man. No sagging balls here!



Thanks all :D

4:15 PM - 28 Comments - 47 Kudos - Add Comment

Marie Claire article

Hey guys, here is an artice I wrote in the September issue of Marie Claire that is out right now. It was something fun to do. Hey, it's a great magazine!! :)


Here are 5 non-horror movies that have scared and traumatized me at one point or another:

There's Something About Mary
After seeing Ben Stiller gets his goods caught in the metal deathtrap of his fly, i think like most guys, I stayed away from pants with zippers for awhile. Only now am i slowly returning to it. But with great apprehension. Though, the film did teach us to improvise if we ever run out of hair products. MacGyver would be proud.

Problem Child
Oh my goodness. If and when I become a parent one day, the child in this movie is my nightmare personified. 'Junior' is one of the most obnoxious little brats ever portrayed in a movie. If the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio were ever to turn Chucky from a killer doll into a real life boy, it would be this kid!

Cable Guy
That scene where Matthew Broderick finds out that his conquest last night was a prostitute bought by Jim Carrey. When you think you picked up a really amazing girl, the last thing you want, is to find out that she was paid for by your friend. Yeah, that's not cool. Not that it has ever happened to me.

13 Going On 30
This film is a great commentary on growing up too quickly. It makes me look back and think to myself, "where did my youth go? Wasn't i just in school yesterday?" I find it scary how quick time flies. I don't want to end up like the saying that goes- 'the star that burns the brightest, burns out the quickest.'

Breakfast at Tiffany's
i love Audrey Hepburn in this movie, but every time I think of Holly Golightly, i get very anxious. It's not because I don't like her. On the contrary, I think it's because every girl I've ever fallen for has shades of her in them. She might be flaky as a bowl of cereal, but she has the ability to melt me with one smile.

10:37 AM - 26 Comments - 35 Kudos - Add Comment

Behind-the-scene of Death Sentence

check out a clip of the-behind-the-scene on maxim. Pretty cool :)

http://www.maximonline.com/Deathsentenceexclusive/video/4204.aspx

1:34 AM - 10 Comments - 16 Kudos - Add Comment

Death Sentence: Q and A

Hey friends,

So the marketing geniuses for Death Sentence think it would be fun for me to do a Q and A through my myspace page.

Since a lot of people ask me things that i haven't had the chance to answer, I thought this might actually be a good opportunity for me to do so!!

So post whatever questions you want for me in my COMMENT section (not here)...and I'll pick 10 of my favourite questions, and I'll answer them all in a blog!! The questions can be Death Sentence or non-Death Sentence related (just nothing about SAW IV...haaa).

So think about you ONE question and fire away (i'll even give juicy gossips away ;) lol.

cheers mate!

james

1:56 AM - 26 Comments - 37 Kudos - Add Comment

Comic-Con 2007...here we come!

Heading down to San Diego for Comic-Con 2007! I don't quite know what to expect, but I think I'm really excited. I'm bringing Kevin Bacon and Garrett Hedlund too!! Yes, ladies, you hear right...Garrett will be attending. On Saturday the 28th July, we'll be on the floor amongst the fans, signing...and chatting, i guess :)

7:29 PM - 15 Comments - 24 Kudos - Add Comment

DEATH SENTENCE - part 2 (photos)

(Disclaimer: The pictures here are photos from my own personal collection and are in no way the official stills released by Twentieth Century Fox; and should not be used as such.)

Hey Everyone,

More pics to share with you all.









Another snazzy camera contraption for the alley chase sequence- mounted onto a modified buggy. Boy, can this thing fly!
Thom is strapped into place with the steadicam. Great camera operator. My cinematographer and I are seated in the back.







Hector posing in muscle car number 2. I love how the gang's tribal tattooes are tattooed onto the car as well.







Me, posing infront of muscle car number 1. I love this mustang. I seem to be obsessed with muscle cars!







Man, I look like a kid.







Haaa, sleeping on the job :) i think it was 3am and I was so tired.







Garrett and Edi contemplating their next move...in the chapel set.

9:14 PM - 40 Comments - 42 Kudos - Add Comment

Comic-Con 2007

There's a good chance I might get to go to Comic-Con this year for Death Sentence. It's between July 26th to 29th. i'm really excited. I don't do many conventions, but I really love Death Sentence and I want to go and promote it...and see how crazy Comic-Con is. Everyone tells me it's amazing and I'm really looking forward to it! I'm gonna bring some of my actors with me...it will be so much fun!!

Stay tune for more update :D

2:23 PM - 24 Comments - 22 Kudos - Add Comment

DEATH SENTENCE - part 1 (with photos)

(Disclaimer: The pictures here are photos from my own personal collection and are in no way the official stills released by Twentieth Century Fox; and should not be used as such.)



hey Everyone,

It has been about seven months since i got back from South Carolina and I've been knee-deep in finishing up Death Sentence. Before i go any further, I just want to take this opportunity to say that the filming of Death Sentence has been one of the best experiences I've ever had. The city of Columbia was such a great place to film in and the people there were so friendly. i ended up making a lot of great friends that I wasn't expecting. I have to say, the positive vibe of filming affected my psyche and made me more sociable away from the camera. Unlike my previous experience that made me wanted to curl up and never come out of my hotel room. But that's another story.


(The kick-off party before the shoot, not quite unlike the wrap-party at the end of filming. Yes, just another excuse to party!)

I love all the people I've worked with on all my movies, but there was something really special with the cast and crew of Death Sentence. I guess I wasn't the only one that felt this way. I would hear a lot of the crew telling each other that in their twenty years of working in this business, this is the best crew they've ever worked with! I felt so honoured.

Part of this positive atmosphere was due to my cinematographer, John Leonetti. He is truly one of the nicest guys I've ever met, let alone in Hollywood. He has an unwavering 'can-do' attitude. Everything with John is 'that's bitchin' or 'I'm in!' He's an old-school hippy and I love him for it.


(John, my cinematographer...me...Albert, my 1st assistant director)

Also, I want to give a shout out to Albert Cho, my first assistant director and Joel Kramer, my stunt co-ordinator. Together, they've worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood such as John Woo, James Cameron, Michael Mann, Doug Liman and Arnold Schwarzenneger (in fact, Joel used to double for the Gorvenator in the hey days). I just love hearing them tell stories about the mischief and craziness on the sets of some of my most favourite films they've worked on.


(Joel in the go-cart strapped with the CAMERA for those low-angle, rushing shots.)

Now, Kevin Bacon...where do i begin with this guy?? Well, firstly, i think Kevin is one of the most underrated actors in the business. A true consummate professional and an amazing actor. He has co-starred and been directed by some of the biggest, named actors and directors in Hollywood...yet, he treats me with the same respect he would show, to say, Clint Eastwood or Ron Howard. He is such a nice and down-to-earth guy.


(Checking the shot through a viewfinder.)

For the role of Nicholas Hume, I needed someone who is believable as an everyday office-man; a loving father and a husband...


that slowly transforms into a tortured and vengeful soul consumed by anger and violence. Kevin played this dual role with equal measures.





It was a dream come true to get him for this role.

Kelly Preston is a sweetheart, John Goodman is a legend, Aisha Tyler can kick any of the guys' asses (both, physically and intellectually!) and Garrett Hedlund is a rising star. Boy, this kid is good. No one is gonna recognize him in this film. He is so bad-ass as the leader of the gang.

From this:


To this:







to be continued...

2:31 PM - 86 Comments - 130 Kudos - Add Comment

Blog 3: My Latest Trick
Category: Life

It has been awhile since I've posted a blog. Ok, so this will be my 3rd blog in the history of blogging for me, so where should I begin...

Ummm...well, firstly...it's a Sunday, I'm trapped in my hotel room, bored and lonely. I'm in South Carolina right now. That's right folks, in the land of the Gamecocks. The hotel I'm staying at was packed over the weekend with people from out of town, here to support the local football team. "Go Cocks!" as the commonly heard chant would go.

So what am I doing here in Columbia, South Carolina? Well, i'm here prepping my third movie. A good, old-fashion, seventies-styled revenge thriller based on the book by the same author who wrote Death Wish. I've always wanted to do a bad-ass revenge movie and this was the perfect vehicle for it.

I've been here in Columbia for nearly two months now...and when I first got here, the temperature was overwhelmingly hot and humid. And there were constant thunderstorms! Going around looking for locations was a torturous experience. Most of the stories I'm interested in telling are usually dark and morbid, and therefore tend to be set in derelict locations that are unbearably disgusting to be in. I seem to be filming in a lot of haunted locations!

So in the last two months I've been extremely hectic prepping for the shoot that is literally around the corner. I'm really excited with my cast.

Anyway, this blog is the result of being trapped in my hotel room with nothing to do on the weekends and no one to hang out with. Fortunately, Columbia is a college town and my costume designer was a 'pledged' sister and she has promised to get me into one of these sorority/frat parties! Being from Australia, this whole fraternity thing is so alien to me. Can't wait to party it up American Pie-style!!!


Alright, I'm hungry, someone join me for some southern fried chicken : )

5:34 PM - 41 Comments - 57 Kudos - Add Comment