Xixax Film Forum

The Director's Chair => Paul Thomas Anderson => Topic started by: depooter on November 17, 2003, 06:59:27 PM

Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: depooter on November 17, 2003, 06:59:27 PM
Here's the PTA interview. As usual, his responses are uniquely his. Enjoy. You get it first........an Xixax exclusive.....

1. Let's talk about Couch. Was it shot on 16mm?  Furthermore, was it shot on
a Bolex?  Tell me about the location? Lots of people have been asking.

The illustrious "couch" was shot in 35mm with a panavision camera and primo lenses at a Levitz in Chatsworth, California. can't remember what stock we used, my short term memory is shot at that moment. The location was simple - it may only appear un-simple because of the bizzare backing we put up in the middle of the store......did i forget to mention "couch" is my favorite thing ever ever ever ever?

2. The "Solar Flares" or "Lens Flares" in PDL appear at remarkably timed
moments throughout the film. Were all these intentional down to the specific
moment? Please explain.

they were specific for the most part. hitting on a line or a moment, etc. some just happened because the Sun wanted to contribute something nice....
There really is no direction you can give to the Sun....for instance, when Lena meets Barry - the Sun directed those lens flares and I thought he/she did a wonderful job....


3. Finish these sentences...:

You might be surprised to learn that I can...

tie my own shoes.

One thing I can't live without is... (refrain from saying movies, music,
television, etc.)

swimming in the sea, baseball playoffs. my Nikon Cool Pix 5000. Apple.
I don't get it. They can put a man on the moon, but they can't...

fuck, that's a long, long list. How much time do you have? They can put a man
on the moon but they can't clean their own back yard. There's a great song
by Gil Scott Heron that answers that question better than I ever could called, "Whitey's On The Moon."

I'm not obsessive-compusive, but I always have to...

?????? But I am, you see!
Besides "A warm gun," Happiness is...

a cold and unloaded one.
My favorite meal is...

a happy one. Breakfast! eggs, any style. w/hot sauce (chilula) iced tea.

4. What's going on with the largo/jon brion collaborations? i see largo the
site still has a spot reserved for pta movies coming soon...???

great question. not so hard to say. I have hours of stuff that I shot just for the hell of it - and once I get my head from around my ass, we'll probably just throw them up there - they just need to be found amongst many unlabled and half-shot tapes. There's also another thing we did as a test a few years back with Fiona,
sweet elliot Smith, the great Brad Meldau and Jon at Cello Studios - just a test on shooting three cameras (video) and seeing if we could capture something - and that may soon find a home somewhere...more soon on that...it's all nice stuff, very simple, straightforward, no flashy pants - just music. it was a (relatively) successful test and if we tried something similar again, it might be more flash and pants and last waltz-stop making sense style....if these things ever make it out, look for a bizarre and wonderful bette midler cameo! ha!


5. Name a recent film that you thought was amazing, and why do you consider
it that way.

lost in translation, lost in translation, lost in translation! enough said, it speaks for itself. mystic river. noi albinoi.

6. Andy Serkis has expressed a strong interest in working with you. What did
you think of his work on the character Gollum in Lord of the Rings, and what
are your feelings about the effect that computer generated special effects
are having on cinema?

i love the lord of the rings and i can't wait to see the final chapter. i have nothing against computer generated effects. it's just like anything else: use 'em right and they work - otherwise i should just go home and stick my dick in a nintendo. (quentin's line...) The gollum/andy serkis stuff is truly wonderful and the perfect example of effects done well...praise Peter Jackson. I could never have the patience to do what he's done....a computer made frogs fall and lots of other sweet things, for me so I like them.

7. How many drafts do you usually write for each screenplay?

about 1,000,000,000,000 and 3 or 4 maybe 5.....but then again, I keep writing all the way through the making of the movie. it never really stops. once in a great while something remains completely untouched from the time it comes out of me to the time it makes the street.

8. Lot of people stand by the theory that Lena was an alien from outer space
based on a few things you said and all the lunar footage shown on TV.
Thoughts?

I stand by that. Have you ever met anyone as lovely as Emily Watson that WASN'T from outer space?

9. You've mentioned that you've been working on an adventure type film for
awhile. Can you give us a bit more info? Any timelines on when you might
finish up and begin filming?

errr, um, shuffle, scuffle........maybe sooner than you think.

10. Tell me about your relationship with Quentin. How did you meet? Do you
spend much time together. Talk about your trip to the Kill Bill set and your
thoughts on the film?

quentin and i were both raised by wolves in california and we reunited in 1997
through a mutual friend. I love him and i love his work. kill bill was one helluva friday night movie and i suppose we all have to wait for saturday night to really make sense of what the hell is going on....we spend as much time together as we should.....just enough. My trip to China to visit him was mostly about making sure that the extascy was good enough for him to try....seeing the great wall, visiting all the landmarks, sleeping in a nice hotel, watching him kill people, getting blood all over me and helping spend   Miramax's money....


11. Have you seen the new DVD collection of short films and music videos by
Spike Jonze,Chris Cunningham and Michel Gondry. Any chance in hell you'd
collect your stuff?

i haven't seen although i was given the chris cunningham dvd - can't wait to watch, they are all great.
i don't have the collection of b-sides that those guys do - maybe someday when there's more stuff....don't wait for it, I'll stick to my day job for now....


11. How about some new DVD Picks.

that's two number 11's!!!!

Dancer In The Dark - I know it's obvious, but this remains the best movie in the last 5 years. Hands down. No question.

You Can Count On Me - I was really late seeing this movie and I think it's just superb and simple and sweet.

The Shooting/Ride In The Whirlwind - must see low budget westerns.

The Life Of Mammals - BBC series.

Day Of Wrath - Carl Dryer DVD box set from Criterion.
Title: Re: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: aclockworkjj on November 17, 2003, 07:03:48 PM
Quote from: ptaYou Can Count On Me - I was really late seeing this movie and I think it's just superb and simple and sweet.
excellent choice.  not something i woulda expected.

ps. thanks 2 both of you for taking the time.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Sleuth on November 17, 2003, 07:04:29 PM
Mr. Paul Thomas Anderson can't spell ecstasy :(
Title: Re: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: modage on November 17, 2003, 07:07:04 PM
cool.

sooner than you think huh?!??
Title: Re: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: MacGuffin on November 17, 2003, 07:13:37 PM
Many thanks as always, Greg!

Quote from: depooterI don't get it. They can put a man on the moon, but they can't...

fuck, that's a long, long list. How much time do you have? They can put a man on the moon but they can't clean their own back yard. There's a great song by Gil Scott Heron that answers that question better than I ever could called, "Whitey's On The Moon."

Whitey on the Moon
A rat done bit my sister Nell.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Her face and arms began to swell.
(and Whitey's on the moon)
I can't pay no doctor bill.
(but Whitey's on the moon)
Ten years from now I'll be payin' still.
(while Whitey's on the moon)
The man jus' upped my rent las' night.
('cause Whitey's on the moon)
No hot water, no toilets, no lights.
(but Whitey's on the moon)
I wonder why he's uppi' me?
('cause Whitey's on the moon?)
I wuz already payin' 'im fifty a week.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Taxes takin' my whole damn check,
Junkies makin' me a nervous wreck,
The price of food is goin' up,
An' as if all that shit wuzn't enough:
A rat done bit my sister Nell.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Her face an' arm began to swell.
(but Whitey's on the moon)
Was all that money I made las' year
(for Whitey on the moon?)
How come there ain't no money here?
(Hmm! Whitey's on the moon)
Y'know I jus' 'bout had my fill
(of Whitey on the moon)
I think I'll sen' these doctor bills,
Airmail special
(to Whitey on the moon)
Title: Re: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on November 17, 2003, 07:48:45 PM
Quote from: Paul Thomas AndersonDancer In The Dark - I know it's obvious, but this remains the best movie in the last 5 years. Hands down. No question.

How long have I been saying this?

:yabbse-grin:
Title: Re: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Gold Trumpet on November 17, 2003, 08:43:26 PM
Quote from: Jeremy Blackman
Quote from: Paul Thomas AndersonDancer In The Dark - I know it's obvious, but this remains the best movie in the last 5 years. Hands down. No question.

How long have I been saying this?

:yabbse-grin:

Haha, I figured you'd like that. My opinion still stands.

I wish he would have spoken about his "adventure" movie project. He kept tight lip.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Gamblour. on November 17, 2003, 08:53:30 PM
Ahhhh! That was so great! Like I said before, anything he would've put would be good enough for me, but his answers were so great. I need to go see those dvds he mentioned as well as Lost in Translation again. Too fucking cool.

Also, the response to the Emily Watson alien question...fucking amazing. That was the perfect response.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Alethia on November 17, 2003, 08:55:01 PM
that was really cool, thanks alot greg.
Title: Re: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Gloria on November 17, 2003, 09:04:29 PM
quentin and i were both raised by wolves in california and we reunited in 1997...  

helping spend Miramax's money....

Thats hilarious!  Nice work depooter. Thanks!  :yabbse-thumbup:
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Pozer on November 17, 2003, 09:25:58 PM
his answers are pretty.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Duck Sauce on November 17, 2003, 09:32:09 PM
thanks,

iteresting
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: SHAFTR on November 17, 2003, 09:41:29 PM
that is cool

I wish he would answer more questions, when do you think the next time we can expect more questions/answers?
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: SoNowThen on November 17, 2003, 09:48:25 PM
thank you Greg and PTA
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Finn on November 17, 2003, 10:21:10 PM
Cool interview! I'm glad to know that he's a big fan of Dancer in the Dark. I'm also glad he liked Lost in Translation and Mystic River.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: ono on November 17, 2003, 10:26:36 PM
Ah, that was fucking brilliant.  He's interesting even when responding to such simple questions.  And why did I know PTA would love Lost in Translation?  It's so much like Punch-Drunk Love in tone, it's just eerie.  And yeah, Dancer in the Dark is one of the best movies of the last few years.  I've been saying it for a while, too.  Nice to see he thinks so.  It's just so damn tragic and beautiful at the same time.

Also, Nói albinói: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0351461/  Anyone know anything about this?  How it compares to the other two great films he mentioned.

And it goes without saying, but I guess it definitely should be said: thanks Greg for compiling this, and for PTA for humoring us.
Title: Re: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Duck Sauce on November 17, 2003, 11:26:10 PM
Quote from: themodernage02cool.

sooner than you think huh?!??

hes just trying to confuse us
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: modage on November 17, 2003, 11:29:26 PM
how soon does everybody think?  lets get a consensus, so we can then determine how long till then, and then figure on sooner than that.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: ono on November 17, 2003, 11:31:12 PM
Until he starts filming?  I'd like to think six months, but that may be a bit too optimistic.  And I wonder how long it'll take to film.  If it's an adventure film, it could be a while, but then again, Once Upon a Time in Mexico was filmed relatively quickly, IIRC.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Pedro on November 17, 2003, 11:39:00 PM
Quote from: themodernage02how soon does everybody think?  lets get a consensus, so we can then determine how long till then, and then figure on sooner than that.
i say itll be finished in 1.5 years
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Ghostboy on November 17, 2003, 11:51:37 PM
So SOONER than that would mean nine to twelve months....

Great great interview, Greg. Much love.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: aclockworkjj on November 17, 2003, 11:56:18 PM
Quote from: Ghostboythat would mean nine to twelve months....
...for the prologue.  :wink:
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Gamblour. on November 18, 2003, 01:00:42 AM
Shit, if he started doing anything within the next two years, I'd be happy, just as long as I knew he was making something. I need my PTA fix!
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Weak2ndAct on November 18, 2003, 01:05:11 AM
Ah, I figured that was as good as an answer to expect re: the alien business.  If I ever meet the man, I'm going to demand specifics.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: SHAFTR on November 18, 2003, 01:16:44 AM
Quote from: Weak2ndActAh, I figured that was as good as an answer to expect re: the alien business.  If I ever meet the man, I'm going to demand specifics.

Can someone give me the complete alien theory?
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: MacGuffin on November 18, 2003, 01:28:21 AM
Quote from: SHAFTRCan someone give me the complete alien theory?

http://xixax.com/viewtopic.php?t=1418
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Weak2ndAct on November 18, 2003, 01:31:38 AM
Quote from: SHAFTR
Quote from: Weak2ndActAh, I figured that was as good as an answer to expect re: the alien business.  If I ever meet the man, I'm going to demand specifics.
Can someone give me the complete alien theory?
Sure, I'm the one who started this with my second xixax post ever.  Here's what I originally wrote:

I have heard from 3 sources that worked on PDL that there was a whole deleted storyline that Lena was in fact an alien of all things, sets were built and scrapped, and scenes reshot. I didn't give it much credence, but after seeing moon landings pop up on the tv in the phone sex girl's office and Lena's apartment (during Blossoms and Blood/"Here We Go") I had second thoughts.

A guy who worked post on the movie was the one who started this all off.  I didn't believe it at all.  But some time later, the same question was posed to someone who worked on the film from start to finish, and they confirmed it.  Then, I had a friend ask someone who works very close to PTA ask, and they said I quote, 'it was supposed to be like, an-orc-in-the-valley' type of thing.  Yes, even bizarre elf-ears too.  Apparently, this stuff went out the window early in the game.  So there you go.

Still stickin' by my story.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: SHAFTR on November 18, 2003, 01:37:54 AM
Quote from: MacGuffin
Quote from: SHAFTRCan someone give me the complete alien theory?

http://xixax.com/viewtopic.php?t=1418

Thanks, crazy theory.  It doesn't seem that far fetched though.  Weak2ndAct, there is evidence, but I don't know if it's enough to support your argument.  I think I might mention that in my PDL paper, along with this board.  My Prof seemed very interested in the opinions/interactions of a webboard about the film.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Kal on November 18, 2003, 03:38:43 AM
Thanks Greg that was very cool
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Redlum on November 18, 2003, 04:16:57 AM
Thanks so much, Greg!
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Find Your Magali on November 18, 2003, 07:47:38 AM
I've been buried in work and just got around to reading it. Fabulous interview! Thanks, Greg!

My favorite insight is that PTA loves baseball! Long live the true national pastime.

I've been trying to deduce what his DVD picks might mean about his next movie. I think (pure speculation) that the key might be the two westerns he threw on there. Not because he's writing a western, per se. But maybe they're the kind of flicks he's watching as he gets in the mood to do an action/adventure kind of romp.

Well, I have to go check out "Dancer in the Dark" now ....  :P
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Ghostboy on November 18, 2003, 08:12:15 AM
Yes. Yes you do.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Link on November 18, 2003, 08:51:18 AM
I've been saying it too!  Though I think Dancer in the Dark is the best movie in much more than five years (better than, dare I say, Magnolia *GASP!*).

That was a great interview.  I love the fact that he pointed out that there were 2 11's.  I didn't even catch that.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: coffeebeetle on November 18, 2003, 09:06:53 AM
QuoteI love the fact that he pointed out that there were 2 11's.  I didn't even catch that.

I'm still not catching it...what's that mean?

Muchas gracias Greg...that was a wonderful interview.

I too have to check out Dancer now...and I'm fucking thrilled he loved Translation..
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: MacGuffin on November 18, 2003, 09:52:14 AM
Quote from: coffeebeetle
QuoteI love the fact that he pointed out that there were 2 11's.  I didn't even catch that.

I'm still not catching it...what's that mean?

The number of questions. It should be 12 questions, but there are 2 #11's.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: coffeebeetle on November 18, 2003, 10:16:51 AM
Danka.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Spike on November 18, 2003, 11:05:49 AM
Godamn it, that was fast. He really cares for his fans, I think.
It's great, he's praising my favourite director PJ!
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Slick Shoes on November 18, 2003, 11:21:09 AM
that was neat. thanks g.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: ©brad on November 18, 2003, 02:37:39 PM
that should keep us drooling for a while.

thanks gregster. good stuff.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Ernie on November 18, 2003, 04:27:38 PM
Ok, first of all - THANKS so much Greg, I think I actually forgot to thank you before on the original question thread. You are the best, don't let anybody tell you different, this is so much more than any of us deserve.

best questions, best answers...that is what is hands down....

sooner than I think sounds great. Cause, on realistic terms, I've been thinkin about a 2005 release at the latest, realistically.

hey, who else is checking out that carl dreyer thing right now without ever hearing of it before? Me for one. Netflix in two seconds.

one complaint - he likes LOTR - other than that: perfection, thanks again Greg. Glad he likes You Can Count On Me!
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Banky on November 18, 2003, 05:08:53 PM
Quote from: ebeaman
one complaint - he likes LOTR !

?
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Ernie on November 18, 2003, 06:16:23 PM
Every single time I badmouth LOTR either on this board or in school, people say stuff like and including "I think you've made your opinion of LOTR clear, you can shut the fuck up now!" so I don't normally express my opinions on it...just to clarify for Banky - I'm not a big fan of LOTR. It bothers me that my favorite filmmaker likes it cause I love taking note of his recommendations and it reminds me that we don't always agree.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on November 18, 2003, 07:28:10 PM
Let ebeaman speak. Some of us are not fans of LOTR.

But, ebeaman, he may like it for different reasons than you dislike it.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Alethia on November 18, 2003, 07:48:25 PM
i like lord of the rings, but dislike the matrix and fight club.  i havent really been yelled at yet.  kinda nice  :)
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Pedro on November 18, 2003, 08:37:33 PM
i really dislike lord of the rings

especially the two towers, which i hate hate hate.

Great Q and A by the way...I want that new film.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: aclockworkjj on November 18, 2003, 08:50:14 PM
Quote from: Jeremy BlackmanLet ebeaman speak.
who isn't?  Let's stone the fucker!!!... :wink:

Honestly, i tried watchin' the first LOTR (6 different times) and have yet to actually sit through it.  Never saw the 2nd, and have no desire to see the 3rd.  I can respect it technically, but other than that...nothing.

You Can Count on Me tho...there's a pick!
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: RegularKarate on November 18, 2003, 09:27:51 PM
If anyone shits out another opinion on LOR in my PT thread, I'm gonna ban them.

that Q&A gave me a boner
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Gold Trumpet on November 18, 2003, 10:25:58 PM
Hah, LOTR sucks. Ban me.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: RegularKarate on November 18, 2003, 10:27:15 PM
Oh, I'm banning you right now...

and by "banning", I mean shaking my fist at the computer screen
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Duck Sauce on November 18, 2003, 11:18:32 PM
ebeaman and aclockworkjj, you are invited to hang out in my skyscraper once im a billionaire anytime you want....

maybe we could not watch the terrible LOTR movies and chat a bit
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Gamblour. on November 19, 2003, 07:57:42 AM
Quote from: RegularKarateOh, I'm banning you right now...

and by "banning", I mean shaking my fist at the computer screen

"Shake harda boy!" (very obscure Simpsons quote...)
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: SoNowThen on November 19, 2003, 09:06:44 AM
LOTR is great.


You Can Count On Me is sooo fucking overrated it's not even funny.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: aclockworkjj on November 19, 2003, 09:13:05 AM
Quote from: SoNowThenYou Can Count On Me is sooo fucking overrated it's not even funny.
I wasn't under the impression that it was suppose to be a comedic film... :wink:

now, if you guys really wanna see someone get banned....hehehe.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Gamblour. on November 19, 2003, 09:27:28 AM
Quote from: SoNowThen
You Can Count On Me is sooo fucking overrated it's not even funny.

Wtf...how?
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: SoNowThen on November 19, 2003, 09:33:18 AM
shit cinematography, shit sound, boring boring boring shots, shit music

If I wanted to see a stage play with decent actors, I'd see one. I thought I was watching a movie. Don't get me wrong, I don't really think it's a bad film, but I would never call it good.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Pubrick on November 19, 2003, 09:46:11 AM
nah, it's good.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: ©brad on November 19, 2003, 09:55:29 AM
i, too, will join RK in his banning spree. it's too much for just one person.

Quote from: Duck Sauceebeaman and aclockworkjj, you are invited to hang out in my skyscraper once im a billionaire anytime you want....

maybe we could not watch the terrible LOTR movies and chat a bit

sounds like a good time... NOT! who's bringing the smirnoff ice?
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Gamblour. on November 19, 2003, 10:32:57 AM
Quote from: SoNowThenshit cinematography, shit sound, boring boring boring shots, shit music

How were these things shit? I don't remember anything being particularly bad about the cinematography, sound, or the shots. Boring shots? How can that be a complaint as long as what's happening in the shot is good? As for the music, the only I can recall was the solo cello piece by Bach, and I don't know how that can be called shit.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: SoNowThen on November 19, 2003, 10:40:28 AM
It looked like a movie made cheap (which I know it was). I thought the production design, the costumes, and the colors were very blah. Not blah in a way that helps the story, but just plain not good. I found the music to not add much at all to my experience, or the story. I found the shot selection the work of a very safe and lackluster director. In short, it had all the pitfalls of a cheap indie movie, and it's only so called saving grace was a fairly "naturalistic" story, and some good acting. There was still some hokey stuff (the beginning with the parents dying was just kinda silly). I understand why people would praise it, the story is kinda like how I used to want to write. Supposed to be subtle, not too much happens, emotions and personal relationships and blah blah. It just did nothing for me. I feel like it was Alexander Payne on cruise control. He works in a sorta similar feel and setting and presentation, but he did it brilliantly in Election and About Schmidt. If that makes any sense...
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: NEON MERCURY on November 19, 2003, 10:43:09 AM
..YCCOM is good choice..like i said earlier its all about Ruffalo..Eez28..
..he's got a good sense of humor...
..his answers were good...
that was a good Q&A..thanks Greg........
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: ono on November 19, 2003, 11:03:32 AM
...but Alexander Payne didn't direct You Can Count on Me.  Kenneth Lonergan did.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Pubrick on November 19, 2003, 11:07:52 AM
haha SoNowThen doesn't know what he's talking about.

seriously tho, You Can Count on Me was beautiful.

this is the best part of the interview:

Quote from: depootergreat question
it's like he wasn't expecting it, after all the frivolous (yet well answered) ones.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Ernie on November 19, 2003, 11:21:10 AM
Alright, what I have now is not a complaint, I just had this idea though, just for future reference on future Q&A's. I'm starting to think maybe we shouldn't have hinted at knowing what kind of film he's making next. Maybe we should have just played dumb and pretended we knew nothing at all about it and maybe, in his answer, he would have clarified what we already knew AND told us a little bit more...maybe. I don't know for sure of course but I was thinking about that when I read it. Maybe he would have taken pity on our ignorance, who knows?

Anyways, that's just an idea, don't blow up at me for making a suggestion, this was the best Q&A...thanks again Greg.

One question - what does "noi albinoi" mean? He said it in his answer to question 5.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: SoNowThen on November 19, 2003, 11:25:51 AM
Quote from: Onomatopoeia...but Alexander Payne didn't direct You Can Count on Me.  Kenneth Lonergan did.

Did I say he directed it? I said it felt like Payne on cruise control. In other words, Payne minus all redeemable qualities.

I thought the comparison would help you understand where I was coming from.

Quote from: Phaha SoNowThen doesn't know what he's talking about.

seriously tho, You Can Count on Me was beautiful..

Easy with the whip, beastmaster. See above.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Ernie on November 19, 2003, 11:39:57 AM
Alright, just to elaborate, here is (briefly) where I stand on LOTR....

I've always wanted very badly to like it mainly because the people that do like it, REALLY like it, and it's always good to be a fan of something that has such a cult status. The trailers and all the hype is always fun to watch for me and I feel left out cause it doesn't affect me so much at this point. But I really really do want to have that passion for the trilogy that all those people do but really I haven't in the 2-3 times I've tried to watch the first one. I have always planned to try it out more as I know many that say it gets better with replays but I haven't really gotten the chance to. Plus there is a part of me that doesn't want to be a fan of it cause mythology has never been my cup of tea and if I was a fan, each dvd release of each movie is like a box set (that's a dent I don't need in the finances), and finally - I'm afraid I won't laugh as hard at Conan's recurring LOTR geek bashes if I become a fan myself. So, that's what I think, I felt a need to back up my opinion.

Now here comes the part where P says something to the affect of "Oh, silly ebeaman, your time to talk about LOTR ended about 10 posts ago, what are you trying to do?"...so let me also answer that while I'm at it too - I just needed a little time to gather my thoughts and as I said, I felt the need to back up my opinion that I realize many will disagree with. By the way, glad to see you back P.

One footnote (forgot to mention) - I have not seen the extended edition of FOTR and I haven't seen any of Two Towers. Only the regular of the first one, nothing else.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: NEON MERCURY on November 19, 2003, 11:58:20 AM
well E..

i see what you mean....i say either the story grabs you and and you get sucked into it or..it doesn't....
i'm saying even if the story doesn't get you ..ONE HAS TO ADMIRE THE FILM ON ALL TECHNICAL LEVELS....
as for seeing the extended cuts..-don't bother, all they do is flesh out a story line that you dont take to likeing anyway....
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: aclockworkjj on November 19, 2003, 11:58:37 AM
Quote from: ©Radwho's bringing the smirnoff ice?
haha...ok fratboy...what's with the attitude lately?  it's not you.

but if you wanna show me how to drink sometime, we can do that too.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Ernie on November 19, 2003, 12:11:33 PM
Quote from: NEON MERCURYwell E..

i see what you mean....i say either the story grabs you and and you get sucked into it or..it doesn't....
i'm saying even if the story doesn't get you ..ONE HAS TO ADMIRE THE FILM ON ALL TECHNICAL LEVELS....
as for seeing the extended cuts..-don't bother, all they do is flesh out a story line that you dont take to likeing anyway....

Yea, see here's the thing - I've been told not to bother with the extended by some and told by others (SoNowThen for one) that it might completely change my opinion so...I think I may have to check it out. Either way, I'll end up seeing some version of it again...as I said, I always planned to.

And yes, I've always admired it on a technical level, absolutely...if in no other way. There's no question.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: boombanglarrabee on November 19, 2003, 12:43:05 PM
Quote from: ebeamanOne question - what does "noi albinoi" mean?

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0351461/
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on November 19, 2003, 01:44:26 PM
Quote from: NEON MERCURYONE HAS TO ADMIRE THE FILM ON ALL TECHNICAL LEVELS....

Yes, and everything about it visually. But like ebeaman I have never been able to connect emotionally to the movies. It has something to do with the writing and the acting (and the music).
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: NEON MERCURY on November 19, 2003, 10:23:46 PM
Quote from: Jeremy Blackman
Quote from: NEON MERCURYONE HAS TO ADMIRE THE FILM ON ALL TECHNICAL LEVELS....

Yes, and everything about it visually. But like ebeaman I have never been able to connect emotionally to the movies. It has something to do with the writing and the acting (and the music).


...whats wrong w/the acting.???cheesy, overly dramatic.....????

..as for the music i thought was fine and builds/blends nicely and fits the feel/vibe of the film nicely.....

what did you not like about it?????
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on November 19, 2003, 10:36:37 PM
Quote from: NEON MERCURY...whats wrong w/the acting.???cheesy, overly dramatic.....????

Yes, especially with some actors. It's really in the dialogue, though, which is falsely archaic and incredibly whiny and annoying sometimes. It has that Disney quality that makes you realize how worthless most of the dialogue is the second time you watch the movie.

Quote from: NEON MERCURY..as for the music i thought was fine and builds/blends nicely and fits the feel/vibe of the film nicely.....

what did you not like about it?????

It was even more overdramatic than the acting. Too twinkly and instructional. This is where you get sad. This is where you feel inspired. It really got in the way for me and I was actually scoffing at it during the movie.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: NEON MERCURY on November 19, 2003, 10:45:56 PM
Quote from: Jeremy Blackman
Quote from: NEON MERCURY...whats wrong w/the acting.???cheesy, overly dramatic.....????

Yes, especially with some actors. It's really in the dialogue, though, which is falsely archaic and incredibly whiny and annoying sometimes. It has that Disney quality that makes you realize how worthless most of the dialogue is the second time you watch the movie.

Quote from: NEON MERCURY..as for the music i thought was fine and builds/blends nicely and fits the feel/vibe of the film nicely.....

what did you not like about it?????

It was even more overdramatic than the acting. Too twinkly and instructional. This is where you get sad. This is where you feel inspired. It really got in the way for me and I was actually scoffing at it during the movie.

..i see your agruement.....which i understand....

i feel none of this personally..I guess, you really have to be into the story..and if it pushes/hits you then all of the supporting elements behind the story(FX, quality in acting, production design, score, etc..) just add to eveything........just a matter of opinion..i guess

one last thing though..>do you feel that "as a whole" that the LOTRs films are over-rated??????
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on November 19, 2003, 10:57:49 PM
Quote from: NEON MERCURYone last thing though..>do you feel that "as a whole" that the LOTRs films are over-rated??????

Parts are overrated... the music, the acting (Orlando Bloom anyone?). Parts are underrated... the visual creativity (not the technical achievements) and even some of the acting (Ian McKellan).
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Leatherface on November 19, 2003, 11:41:22 PM
Hi...

I don't know you guys or the board to well so my question might be a little dumb...

How did this interview come about?
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Pubrick on November 19, 2003, 11:46:21 PM
Quote from: LeatherfaceHi...

I don't know you guys or the board to well so my question might be a little dumb...

How did this interview come about?
depooter is Greg Mariotti, creator of ptanderson.com, every once in a while PTA is open for questions from fans, here is where (http://xixax.com/viewtopic.php?t=4274&start=0) the board submitted questions.

i'm sure greg can explain how he gots the hook up with the pta ppl, if that's what ur interested in.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: ono on November 19, 2003, 11:47:31 PM
Greg (depooter) is the guy who runs ptanderson.com, the "official" PTA site, I guess you could call it.  So he corresponds with PTA on occasion, and I guess PTA said he'd be willing to take some questions his fans had.  There's another thread where we all collaborated on questions.  Greg brought them to PTA, and this thread has his answers.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: NEON MERCURY on November 19, 2003, 11:48:28 PM
greg(depooter) knows PTA..
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Leatherface on November 19, 2003, 11:49:36 PM
Thanks guys.

Appreciated!
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Sleuth on November 19, 2003, 11:50:50 PM
How did this interview come about
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Pubrick on November 19, 2003, 11:51:13 PM
COOL,

ECHO.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Sleuth on November 19, 2003, 11:55:24 PM
Love is the answer nobody's buying
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: aclockworkjj on November 19, 2003, 11:57:09 PM
He's a blackbelt, David.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Sleuth on November 19, 2003, 11:58:15 PM
Quote from: aclockworkjjHe's a blackbelt, David.

I get it, you're doing an homage to P by saying what's in my signature!
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: cron on November 20, 2003, 03:43:52 AM
you know what's really funny?  a man dressed as a woman.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: freakerdude on November 20, 2003, 04:34:56 AM
Just rented Magnolia last night and now I have to go back and get Dancer In The Dark after reading this thread........I love it.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: kotte on November 20, 2003, 05:56:05 PM
Quote from: chuckhimselfoyou know what's really funny?  a man dressed as a woman.

Hilarious... :roll:

Love the answeres...I'm really into westerns right now so his picks where great. :)
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: NEON MERCURY on November 20, 2003, 06:17:34 PM
Quote from: chuckhimselfoyou know what's really funny?  a man dressed as a woman.

::pretends he has duck eyes::

you want to know what s even  more funnnier...."a woman that is dressed as a man but its neither of those genders..but its an ALIEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!." :shock:
Title: Re: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: aclockworkjj on December 05, 2003, 04:05:55 AM
Quote from: pta to gregmy Nikon Cool Pix 5000.
so...what are the chances of possibly snagging a photo from paul to post for all us fanboys?  Talk is dead now!  We want a picture...even if it's from his cool pix!!!!!

I know, i know...but even a still would hold me tight for a bit.  Just say pleeeaazzz...
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: The Silver Bullet on December 05, 2003, 05:27:35 PM
You try way too hard.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: aclockworkjj on December 05, 2003, 05:33:19 PM
Quote from: The Silver BulletYou try way too hard.
you are about 7 months too late with that comment bud.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: The Silver Bullet on December 05, 2003, 05:43:42 PM
Quote from: aclockworkjjyou are about 7 months too late with that comment bud.
I know. But that doesn't mean it's not accurate.
Title: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Derek on April 14, 2004, 04:46:40 PM
9. You've mentioned that you've been working on an adventure type film for
awhile. Can you give us a bit more info? Any timelines on when you might
finish up and begin filming?

errr, um, shuffle, scuffle........maybe sooner than you think.


Just an update: It's not.
Title: Re: PTA Fires Back!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: Pedro on November 25, 2006, 05:10:34 PM
Quote from: depooter on November 17, 2003, 06:59:27 PM



4. What's going on with the largo/jon brion collaborations? i see largo the
site still has a spot reserved for pta movies coming soon...???

great question. not so hard to say. I have hours of stuff that I shot just for the hell of it - and once I get my head from around my ass, we'll probably just throw them up there - they just need to be found amongst many unlabled and half-shot tapes. There's also another thing we did as a test a few years back with Fiona,
sweet elliot Smith, the great Brad Meldau and Jon at Cello Studios - just a test on shooting three cameras (video) and seeing if we could capture something - and that may soon find a home somewhere...more soon on that...it's all nice stuff, very simple, straightforward, no flashy pants - just music. it was a (relatively) successful test and if we tried something similar again, it might be more flash and pants and last waltz-stop making sense style....if these things ever make it out, look for a bizarre and wonderful bette midler cameo! ha!




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAcaUtlj8NE

this HAS to be one of his, doesn't it?