Caffeinated Clint
“Feast”, “Pulse”, “Prophecy”, “Phantoms” (!) Producer
Super-Producer Joel Soisson – who you’ll all remember from the last season of “Project Greenlight” – was recently attacked by your questions– on everything from the “Feast” and “Pulse” sequels; to what went wrong with “Dracula 2000; why direct to video sequels are his thing, and whether or not he has direct contact with Viggo Mortensen. Here’s the answers.
1. Matthew Asks : Hey Joel, What qualities in an individual do you think lends to a successful producer?
Joel Says : I think there is often a big difference between a successful producer and a good producer. A successful producer has a nose for commercial or critically respected material. And sometimes that’s all you need. Because the guy who gets his hands on the right material often has all he needs to call the shots.
A good producer, on the other hand, knows filmmaking inside and out. Ideally, he or she has worked in multiple capacities, above and below the line. Grip, writer, production assistant, director, camera, gopher, you name it. Because a producer is not about one job. It’s about everybody’s job.
Which is why most people don’t really know what a good producer does. A good producer can be quite invisible, working behind the scenes to make sure everyone else’s job goes smoother and more efficiently.
A great producer, on the other hand, is that rare breed of leader who can convince people to do the impossible. And if that fails, intimidate them into doing it. I’m still working on that skill set.
2. Brian Asks : Joel, I just want to say I highly enjoyed the movie “Feast” and found it both funny and creepy. I just want to know if you plan on going more in-depth about the actual creatures and what they are. Is there some other dimension they came from or are the aliens? Can’t wait to see the sequels or prequel whichever you make. Brian Russell, US Navy, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma
Joel Says : Thanks, Brian. We’re in the early stages of figuring out the Feast sequels. I think there will be a lot of beer consumed before the origin issue is finally settled.
3. From Ferre’ Paul : You were producer on “Maniac cop 3 : Badge of silence” (and director after William Lustig left the set…), would you be interested in reviving the character of Matt Cordell ? (Did I say remake ? No, I don’t think so..)
Joel Says : Truthfully, that was never a franchise that I felt much attachment to. It really is Bill’s (and Larry Cohen’s) baby. I think they should be the ones to breathe life back into it. I mean this as a complement when I say that those two are just a bit more demented than me.
4. QADS420 Asks : After the awesome “Prophecy” 4 and 5…. were those the last two in the series or is there more to come?
Joel Says : My dream is to hook back up with my friend Greg Widen (writer and director of the first Prophecy) and remake the original for the budget it should have had. We tried to tell the story of a second war in Heaven for a few million bucks. That wasn’t a war. At best, it was a skirmish.
5. Sandy Asks : Have enjoyed many of your films. I had the honor and opportunity to meet Viggo Mortensen in Watertown, NY when he was backing Dr. Bob Johnson for Congress I see that Viggo is going to the Miami Film Festival on March 5th. I have tickets to go, but have never been to a film festival before. I don’t suppose you could give me a hint or to on how to be able to speak to Viggo again. He and Dr. Bob had ideas about the healthcare crisis in the USA and my son and I are two of its victims. I am trying to get something started, here in the south (South Carolina), but I need some help. I know Viggo is extremely busy and I wouldn’t take up much of his time, I just need a few pointers. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Joel Says : Wow, Sandy, that’s a tough one. I really don’t know Viggo well enough to know his politics or schedule. I will pass your question on to a mutual friend who might be able to advise you better than I could.
6. Tim Meadows Asks : What can you say at this point about a follow up to Feast? Will John Gullager be involved, and what were you final thoughts on Feast?
Joel Says : We’re just now trying to figure all that out. Hopefully with John at the helm. This time around, he’ll be a fully-mature director. Which means that, like a grown-up chimp, it will take10 strong men (or 20 producers) to handle him.
7. Tony Asks : I have to honest and say I didn’t enjoy the American remake of “Pulse” much… I love the original though. I’m intrigued to hear that there may be another sequel though… will it follow the storyline of the U.S remake, or be a new story?
Joel Says : I loved the original as well, although it is a difficult film to translate for American audiences. Suffice to say that the next one will be an attempt to go beyond both versions in a way that addresses some legitimate fan concerns.
8. NeptuneFan Asks : Hi, How was it working with Kristen Bell on “Pulse”? Are you working with her again on the sequel?
Joel Says : It’s too early to tell if Kristen will be involved. But everybody who works with her becomes a huge fan. She’s smart, cute, talented, tireless and still finds time for social causes that make the world better. Which makes me want to kick her.
9. Armyofone5 Asks : Now that its over, can you tell us a couple of behind-the-scenes secrets of “Project Greenlight”? I mean, was it edited so that some people come out looking like villains and others heroes, etc? Did you personally enjoy the experience?
Joel Says : It was a fascinating detour in my career to be part of somebody else’s storyline. And yes, it is a storyline. From day one, the producers of the TV show are busy “writing” their characters. That is not to say any of it is fake. What amazed me most was how accurate they got it. But once they figure out who you are in the story, that is what they focus on. If you’re the villain or the fool, watch out. You will find yourself happily providing all the rope they need to hang you. Fortunately, I was cast neither as hero or villain My producing partner, Mike Leahy, and I were basically playing the role of den mother to a band of cub scouts. They would get in trouble and we would say things like “Wow, that really set us back,” or “If we don’t get our act together soon, we’ll be really [bleep]’ed up.” Which is really pretty much what we say, I guess.
Here’s the dirty little secret of ALL reality TV. Everybody knows what to say that will get them screen time. So they say it. If I see a camera pointed my way, I immediately cut my sentences in half, no matter what I’m saying because they love those tiny five-word sound bites. Or, I might be talking about ordering more film stock but switch to Marcus Dunston’s foot fetish when the camera guy walks by. And sometimes, just to fuck with them, I’ll just start whispering. Secrets are the biggest draw of all.
Even Nanook the Eskimo understood the game when he hammed it up for the cameras eight decades ago. And we’re still doing it today.
10. Tyne Asks : You produced “Phantoms”, which gets a bit of flick (and got a big tease in “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”), does it personally upset you when your films don’t do as well as you’d hoped with audiences and critics?
Joel Says : No. I actually kind of revel in it. Not the half-hearted pans, really, but the scorchers. My most memorable drubbing came after the premiere of “Blue Desert,” a low budget thriller that was my production company Neo’s first independent venture: “Blue Desert is awful. Watching this movie engendered the traitorous thought that the bloated salaries accorded some professionals is entirely justiied by their mastery of their craft” That one was written by my mother.
11. DarkStallion Asks : Joel!, Please, Please, Please, produce another “Bill & Ted” movie! I’ve been waiting for the third one for years!!
Joel Says : Thanks, Mr. Stallion. “Bill and Ted” is the only movie I have been a part of that I would be reluctant to sequelize further. It has been rehashed by so many movies during the past two decades, from Wayne’s World on down, that it would probably feel terribly tired and unoriginal. Then again, maybe it’s just me that feels terribly tired and unoriginal.
12. Caroline Asks : Hi Joel, I really enjoy your movies – especially “Pulse” and “Feast”. I hear you’re planning direct to dvd sequels to those… do you plan on doing any more direct to video sequels in the future? Maybe write another “Hollow Man”?
Joel Says : Yes. I love direct to DVD sequels, Caroline, and here’s why. Everybody meddles on theatricals. At least at my level of filmmaking. On most theatrical movies, you have so many feet kicking the anthill it’s amazing the ants can even build something that resembles a pile of dirt. With DVD movies, the budgets are lower and those same feet tend to step over you. You’re not worth the effort. Consequently you have more freedom to tell the story the way you intended. Not always, but certainly more often.
One dirty little secret about DVD’s. About the same amount of money often shows up on screen with a decent DVD effort, given the extreme waste of time and money involved in many theatrically-driven movies.
Still, the one thing you give up with a DVD release is the shared experience of 300 people screaming or laughing their asses off. It’s intoxicating. Which is why I still endure the pain of doing theatricals.
13. Fred Garrison Asks : I read on your IMDB resume that you were a line producer on an “Elm Street” film. What does a line producer do?
Joel Says : Good question , Fred. In my opinion, a line producer is the REAL producer on a movie. He’s the general with his boots on the ground getting the job done. Quite often, the so-called “Producer” is not even around during shooting. He optioned the script, shook a few hands and headed off in search of his next project. Which is not to say that is what happened on “Nightmare.” Back then at least, Bob Shaye was very hands-on.
I am not usually the line producer these days. But I never underestimate their value. By the way, here’s a handy way of determining who the most important producer is on a film. Get yourself to a cast and crew screening and see who they applaud when the credits come up.
14. Tom, Kansas, Asks : The “Dracula 2000” sequels were great, but I thought the first film left a lot to be desired. Why is that… you think?
Joel Says : Too many cooks. Um, that and the fact that there were too many cooks. Oh, did I say that, already? Bitter me.
15. Paul Bloch Asks : Tell me about your working relationship with Patrick Lussier, who you did the “Dracula” films with?
Joel Says : Quite possibly the most talented director I’ve worked with. And certainly the one that I have learned the most from. The worst part of it is, he’s younger than me and I hate him for that. Nevertheless, he’s a very good friend. See White Noise II. There’s a scene with a falling piano that should be required viewing for every serious film student thinking of becoming a director.
16. Trevor Hahn, Oakleigh, Asks : Do you ever think you’ll come to Australia to make a movie? We have great locations here in Melbourne!
Joel Says : As Clint knows, Trevor, I am hot on the trail of a project that takes place in Australia with Melbourne very much included. It is not a genre piece, really, but a kind of inspirational little art film. Every now and then I have to take a break from conjuring up new ways to behead people.
17. Stephen Jayne Asks : : How much of a say does a producer get in casting a movie? For instance, if you wanted “person X” to star in the new film you’re producing… can you make that happen?
Joel Says : It depends. Some very powerful producers (Scott Rudin and Jerry Bruckheimer come to mind) can probably pick up the phone and get any actor they want to seriously consider doing their film. They can also usually muscle the studios into backing them. I am not in that world so I am often slave to what the studio wants. I can, along with the director, certainly influence these decisions but rarely get the last word. Fortunately, I am usually in agreement with my colleagues on casting and rarely come to blows. Except John Gulager, and I managed to duck his swing.
Bu the way, you would be amazed how many times the actors you felt were absolutely awful during the shoot end up being the best thing in your finished film. And that comes from a lack of objectivity. You do not see a performance as the camera does or as the editor shapes it. For that reason as well, I am rarely strident about casting of actors. They often prove me heinously wrong.
18. AussieWonder Asks : Joel, you need to come to Australia to make a good horror film. All the ones they do here now are shite –
Joel Says : I liked “Wolf Creek.” And I find Australians naturally scary. So what gives?
19. Jonathan Berenstein Asks : I love “Trick or Treat”. I didn’t realise you made that movie until I looked you up. That movie is ace. A classic in my book. I remember seeing it opening weekend in the 80s. What about remaking that? That would REALLY work today?!
Joel Says : That’s twice in two days somebody’s hit me with that idea. And I thought it was ancient history. Then again, that’s when it’s probably time for a remake. I guess high school alienation never goes out of style. Thanks for the inspiration, Jonathan.
Little fun fact. The guy who plays Eddie’s nebbish friend is Glen Morgan who wrote Final Destination with Jim Wong, both friends of mine.
20. Blackwell Asks : What are your upcoming movies?
Joel Says “ Besides the Pulses and Feasts and some originals for Dimension that I am not at liberty to discuss, I have a pretty cool project in the works over at Maverick called “Buried.” Deals with urban exploration and some extremely nasty discoveries. I’m also working with one of my producing partners Keith Border on an “American Pie Presents” film for Rogue Pictures. Though I’m still not quite sure how a pie can present something.
