MovieMaker interview.txt
http://www.moviemaker.com/?s=Lustig
Posted on Saturday, February 3rd, 2007 at 9:22 pm.
Written by admin
Keep Doing What You Do
Keep several projects going
Maintain control of the rights:
On Keep a blue-collar work ethic
Work with people of integrity
Be reliable
Serendipity Rules the Day
A Few Minutes with William (Bill) Lustig
Posted on Saturday, February 3rd, 2007 at 9:21 pm.
Written by admin
Poster for Maniac
Jennifer Wood (MM): First, please just give me a brief bio on yourself. Where you were born, grew up, education, all that good stuff.
Bill Lustig (BL): I was born February 1, 1955 in Bronx, NY, where I lived until I was seven years old and my family moved to Englewood Cliffs, NJ. The Sopranos turf. I dropped out of high school (a mere formality since I hardly attended anyway) on my 18th birthday. However, I did attend two semesters at New York University film school. The legendary NYU film school professor Haig Manoogian, admitted me into his class despite my lack of a high school diploma when I demonstrated my ability to load film into an upright Movieola with my eyes closed.
MM: When did you first become interested in film, and when was it that you decided to pursue film as a career?
MM: What do you think are the elements of a great horror film?
BL: Robert Forster starred in Vigilante in 1983 and later appeared in Maniac Cop 3 and Uncle Sam. Bob is one of the few true friends I have in this business. I was so happy when I saw Jackie Brown, which Quentin wrote specifically for him, and incredibly proud of his subsequent Oscar nomination. He is a brilliant actor and, more importantly, a fine person.
MM: Uncle Sam was the last time we heard from you as a director. Any directing plans in the near future? If so, what is the story?
MM: Do you work in acquiring the films that will be restored? If so, what do you look for in a film? Do you have certain criteria for deciding which films are worth restoring?
MM: For you, what was the most rewarding film to work on as a restoration and why? If you were given the chance to remaster any film yours or otherwise what would it be and why?
MM: You have worked on the restorations of some of your own films, including Maniac and Vigilante. Is the process different when working on your own film?
MM: You have been a well-respected name in the film industry for a long time now, both in this country and in Europe, where you are a true cult hero. What do you think is the key to longevity in an industry like this one, which is constantly changing?
MM: What do you expect from your collaborators as a: Director? Producer? Writer?
BL: I look for and expect professionalism, enthusiasm and creativity. Do the job. Love the job. And always bring something fresh to the job.
MM: What was your very favorite experience on a movie set?
BL: Working with the legendary Woody Strode on Vigilante.
MM: Worst experience on a movie set?
BL: Working with the intolerable Jeff Speakman on The Expert.
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