Interview with Director/Writer Tom McLoughlin!

I've been talking with Tom McLoughlin, director/writer of my favorite Friday the 13th sequel Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI, on facebook quite some time.

I finished reading his book A Strange Idea of Entertainment: Conversations with Tom McLoughlin recently.
I highly recommend it to all you movie buffs out there. After reading the book I wanted to know more.
So I decided to ask Mr. McLoughlin could I do a little interview with him and he agreed.
He recently started teaching film making at Chapman college and has been busy with all of his projects but had time for me. He's one of the nicest people that I haven't met. Yet.

What is your favorite horror movie?

The Exorcist. It had an overwhelming effect on me. Must of went 20 times to see it in the theatre when it first came out.

Which one do you like more, writing or directing? Or both?

I really enjoy both. But directing is far more fun, exciting, depressing, and pressure. But I love the people.

When was the last time that you had a really short hair?

When I was on the Dick Van Dyke series in 1976.

You worked with Woody Allen in Sleeper. Can you tell something about that?

I was so stoked to work with Woody. He was a comedy hero to me then. He hadn't even done that many movies yet. But I saw his live shows and bought all his comedy books. But he was truly a painfully shy man. He could barely make eye contact with people. But watching him improvise on the spot for takes was awesome.

In your book you tell a ouija board story.

(here's the story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqIM7G3WjyU)

Do you have more stories like that?

No, I learned my lesson about Ouija boards. I never messed with one after that and highly recommend others don't either.

Is there any story that you haven't told about making of Jason Lives?

No, I'd have to start making up stories now. I've done too many interviews, director's commentary, documentaries,..maybe one day someone will remind me of something I've forgotten.

In Jason Lives we can see your hands in some close-up shots. Is there other movies were we can see your hands?

The only other place I can think of is on my first movie One Dark Night. I played the Russian psychic Raymar from behind in a wig and my hand extended.

In One Dark Night a headstone in the cemetery is briefly seen reading Meyers, is it a reference to Michael Myers? Is there other references like that in the movie?

Yes, that was a reference to 'The Shape'. There are a few other little touches on the names on the other tombstones like my co-writer Hawes. And my name is on a crypt in the Mausoleum.

How often you visit at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary?

I visit fairly regularly. There are also many movie, concert, and other events that happen there. They just had a tribute to The Ramones and every year the Day of the Dead is celebrated there.

You're working on a remake of One Dark Night. How's it working out?

I'm writing like crazy to get through the draft. I'm very excited to do this re-envisioning of the film. I'm going to start getting the first sequence storyboarded next week.

Are you working on any other movie projects currently?

 Yes, another horror script. A pilot for a rodeo series, and a bunch of comedies.

How about your band The Sloths? Any big plans?

The Sloths are about to go into recording our first album next month. All original songs written by our bass player and myself. Plus we are performing 2-3 times a month.

How about European tour? You told me that you were in Spain last year. How did that happen?

We were REALLY blessed to be asked to play the big Purple Week-End music festival in Leon, Spain. It's been going on for decades and was an amazing place to place. Incredible audience!

I hope we get you guys in Finland someday. If that happens, will you have a beer with me?

I don't drink but I'd LOVE to go to Finland and hang out with you. Hopefully we'll get ourselves in trouble without even being drunk.

Thank you for your time, Tom!

Interview with Composer Fabio Frizzi!

Legendary Italian composer Fabio Frizzi (Zombi 2, The City of the Living Dead, The Beyond) is arriving in Finland with his "Frizzi 2 Fulci" concert next month. I've been talking with him via facebook and he seems to be very nice guy. So, I asked could I do a little interview with him. He agreed. Here's results.

You are coming to Finland soon with your Frizzi 2 Fulci tour. Is it your first time in Finland?

Yes, this is the first time that I visit Finland. It was a trip that I had promised myself to do sooner or later, me and my wife Francesca we love Northern Europe Countries. A lifestyle and a culture that are particularly congenial to us. But in Finland we were still not able to come. And more, being the host of a musical event as important as Supermassive 2014, as an artist excites me and honor me.

How did Frizzi 2 Fulci tour get started?

Lucio Fulci is one of the directors I've worked with the most. Among other things, it happened in a very important moment for my training and professional growth. Ever since we realized those movies in the 70's and 80's, around the world there were many fans who had curiosity and passion, not only towards the film, but also the soundtracks that I had written. This passion for that period of Italian cinema and Fulci in particular has grown over the years, then, in the internet era this has become more viral and pleasantly tangible. About 10 years ago I started thinking of dedicating a show to my old friend and those scores, finally to play live. And last year the train left. Giving me enormous satisfactions.

Can you tell how did you started working with Lucio Fulci?

Everything started with The Four of the Apocalypse, a spaghetti western a bit 'sui generis’, intense and strong. In that time I worked with my trio Bixio Frizzi Tempera. It was for all three a unique and challenging experience. We realized immediately that Fulci was a director who had clear ideas, an excellent musical training, a man enthusiastic about his work, which claimed passion and dedication.
He was very pleased with our work and from there would begin a long collaboration.

There will be screening of Zombie Flesh Eaters at Korjaamo before your gig. Can you tell something about working on it?

Zombi 2 (This was the original title) was my composing approach with the fantasy film, the horror in particular. I liked a lot the film, the location was beautiful, the lead actors excellent artists, the story dramatic and fascinating. Lucio Fulci made his debut with his great style in the new genre, which was to become central to his future experience. We recorded the music in Rome, in the studio of Maestro Bruno Nicolai. Always surrounded by great musicians and in this case accompanied by a young apprentice, Giorgio Cascio. And in these days was born one of the most loved themes of my music, with a beautiful sound research, and a melody that seems to be interpreted by the voice of the living dead. This will become a feature of my music in my many future collaborations with Fulci, fear told through melodies that contain something nostalgic, almost sentimental. I am happy that our concert Frizzi 2 Fulci in Helsinki, will be preceded by a screening of this film, the right movie to get into the atmosphere ...

You did music for The City of the Living Dead and The Beyond. What happened with the third one, House by the Cemetery?

Here is a question I get asked often. Let's say that at that time the relationship with Lucio had become a beautiful friendship. In that and in other case he told me clearly that he had some pressure from the production. In these cases a friend can not insist too much. And then I think we have a line in our lives that we tend to go. You can see that mine did not go there.

Have you heard the finnish version of Ibo lele? It's called Mombasa.

Absolutely, this story is linked to a very important moment of my life. It’s a story that I tell often. Carlo Bixio, my first publisher, one day called me and told that he had to offer me my first film, a real soundtrack. I was very young and the news thrilled and impressed me a lot. The title was Amore Libero - Free Love, an action comedy set in the Seychelles Islands. I started writing the first few themes, after reading the script. The theme of Janine, the female character, the theme of the forest… in short, I expressed my desire to write music. Bixio approved my proposals, but asked me to write something more, a song for the opening credits, something very pop, which, according to him, would have well prepared the viewer. And which could possibly have a future as a record. I tried and tried again. Finally I came up with the idea of Ibo Lele. After the release of the film, Bixio went to Cannes Midem, the international music market and the song liked very much. A few months later I received 45 of Mombasa starring Taiska, the song had been a great success. And this was one of the first gratifications of my life's work!

Thank you so much! See you in Finland :)

All the best. See you there Jarno.

Fabio Frizzi will perform his "Frizzi 2 Fulci" at Korjaamo, Helsinki, Finland 26.10.2014 as part of Supermassive 2014 Festival.

Edit 10/03/2014 Question and answer about Zombi 2 added.