EMAIL Q&A
1.
The setting of the movie almost becomes a
character itself. Why did you decide to set the movie in San Francisco?
2.
One of the reason was that the city of San
Francisco offers diversity of people and scenery. Another reason was that I
love the city, and the city has rich history and their people are productive
like the characters in The Room.
3.
The Room seems like it could be very personal
story. Are there any autobiographical elements of your life that you put into
the movie?
4.
We have many Lisas, many Marks, many Claudettes,
many Dennys, many Johnnys, and other characters from The Room in the world.
5.
What other filmmakers are you inspired by?
6.
I inspire myself every day of my existence. But,
my creativity is connecting to the creativity of Tennessee Williams, Orson
Welles, Hitchcock, and others, because we are on the same page.
7.
I was struck by the use of symbolism in the
movie. For instance, the red rose signifying temptation and betrayal, and the
football signifying brotherhood. Was the use of symbolism deliberate?
8.
Of course the symbolism in The Room were planned
deliberately. The Room was made in 2003, and already there has been a shifting
political climate in these past few years. How do you think The Room comments
on current events, like the Iraq war, the Obama election, the economic
downturn, gay marriage, etc.? The characters and the plot in The Room are
universal, they will not change, regardless of the political climate, due to
natural human behavior and consistency in any relationships between people,
present and past.
9.
Why do you think that members of the press have
felt they can comment on the film, or on you the filmmaker, when they haven’t
even seen the movie?
10.
You should ask them. However, they don’t know
what they are missing and hopefully they will see The Room.
11.
Do you think that you have followed your dream
in a way that makes some people jealous, even while it inspires other people?
Lots of people would love to write, direct, and star in their own movie, but
very few people have the chance to do it. What do you have to say to people
about following their dreams?
12.
First think about 20 percent of your project,
than 40 percent, and so forth and you may accomplish your dreams. This simple
formula can be applied to any situation as long as you are honest with
yourself, and work at it.
13.
What do you make of the response people have
given The Room? It’s very different from most movies. For instance, people come
to see it again and again, and then tell their friends to come to see it.
People also like to participate in the movie and act out the characters and
scenes. Are you surprised by this reaction?
14.
Because The Room is different, and I’m thrilled
about the public response. It’s connecting audiences and people have fun with
it. “You can laugh, you can cry, you can express yourself, but please don’t
hurt each other.” People should see The Room at least four times in the
theaters, to discover other elements of the movie that connect people.
15.
Why do you think the drama of the movie also
works as black comedy?
16.
In any movie you have to have different flavors,
and it is up to the audiences how they react to them.
17.
What is next for Tommy Wiseau? Will you be writing
and directing another movie?
18.
At this time I’m working on The Neighbors, a
sitcom, and I’m open to any TV network which offers my production an
opportunity to work with them. The 22 minutes pilot of The Neighbors has been
completed. Also, I’m working on a vampire movie, and other projects.
PHONE INTERVIEW
1.
WISEAU: I’m yours for half hour. By the way, did
you receive the answers?
2.
MERCURY: I did, yes. How do you typically do
this? I have those questions, and you did provide the answers. Do you want to
focus on those questions, or ...
3.
It’s a free ride, it’s up to you [laughs]. You
decide what you want to do. You’re the reporter. I don’t give you rules!
Except, this will help us just in case of typo or whatever, so that’s the
story.
4.
You talked about using San Francisco in the
movie. Was The Room filmed there, or in Los Angeles?
5.
Both cities, actually. We had two crews. Los
Angeles and San Francisco.
6.
Did you ever live there?
7.
I used to. Not anymore. I live here in Los
Angeles right now.
8.
I understand The Room was also written as a
novel and a play. Which came first?
9.
Good question. Yes, that’s correct. Long story
short, I wanted to actually do the play only, because my background is theater.
You know, in America we have a situation where I did some studying, and my
hobby is also psychology. Long story short, I concluded that number of people
going to the theater and number of people go to cinema—theater, I’m talking
about play theater—is much less and then I changed my mind and actually I
produced The Room, the movie, the feature. And I did some research and I didn’t
want to approach any studio, which we never did except for distribution.
Because you see, The Room is just... I wanted to do it my way, okay? My way or
the highway, you know the story. So basically, I said, “No, I have to do it my
way,” and I don’t know if you heard, [but] we had issues with the crew, etc.,
etc. So that’s what I decided to do, and plus, The Room was shot on the two
cameras at the same time: 35 [millimeter film] and HD... and for your
information, on the DVD [special features] I say I’m confused. Let me stress
that entire Hollywood was confused. It’s nothing wrong to say that you were
confused because, long story short with the cameras topic, the film is the
film, that’s the bottom line. But as you know in today’s industry standard, we
have HD and the film and usually we combine performance if we do the feature
movie. The Room is the only one feature movie shot at the same time. Both
cameras at the same time.
10.
You mentioned an issue with the crew. Was that
because of the dual camera setup?
11.
Not so much. Much was related to the way I wanna
film it. The way I wanna present the audiences, you see. And that was the
dilemma. You know, long story short, to be nice, some people have a different
point of view, let’s put this way [laughs]. So, I wanna do my way that’s
basically... see, The Room is not the regular cookie cutter from Hollywood, as
you probably noticed, and it’s something that is different and I have a
different approach in this particular project. Because right now I’m working on
The Neighbors, for example, for TV stations. It’s a totally different
situation, you see.
12.
Are you encountering difficulties with that,
since TV is a much more collaborative medium?
13.
No, not at all. You see, I’m a person that will
respect your rules. Just tell me what your rules are. You see, you have to
understand that TV—you probably know, I don’t have to explain it to you, but—is
you have certain rules, regulations, etc., etc.. It still depends, what do you
want to do for cable, or regular TV, you know. Vulgar language, etc., etc. I
don’t have problem with that, because [with] The Neighbors I completed last
year the pilot, and right now I’m negotiating with the some of the
networks—well I’m still open, you know. And again, you see, it is what it is,
you know, so more stuff, you have to be respectful toward the people who have
certain rules or whatever, you see. The feature tells a different story because
the feature you present it, that’s why it’s R rated, because of nudity and
violence, etc.
14.
Do you appreciate the freedom that you had
making The Room? Is that something that’s hard to walk away from as you’re
doing television?
15.
Absolutely. I will tell you, I commend your
question, actually, because you’re right on the money. That’s correct. You see,
I think many filmmakers and directors—I’m one of them so I consider myself—you
see... but I have to have vision before I started doing something and a certain
environment will go against your, not so much wishes, but some of your
creativity, you see. And I believe in pro-freedom. I’m pro-freedom,
pro-expression. And we have certain limitations if you look at how you present
certain stuff, and the big picture. If you control 100 percent, you present the
way you want to present it. Otherwise you know you have different forces from
different environments. So I’m happy! To respond to your question, I’m very
satisfied. I’m thrilled about it basically.
16.
It’s amazing, too, that The Room is still
playing in theaters and people are going to see it, even people who’ve seen it
many times before. Why do you think that it’s gotten that kind of response?
17.
Well first, you know, I always say and I always
will say for rest of my life, I guess, that on the one hand really people need
to see [it] in the theater. It’s not like, because I want to make more money or
whatever. No, that’s not it. The it is, that the theater environment and the
big screen is slightly different when you actually have big plasma. Or I don’t
care what kind of screen you have. It’s much different. And another thing you
have to understand, you probably know that, that what you see in the theater
99.9 percent is 35mm film. So you have depth of field... the depth of field is
slightly different than what you see on the DVD. It’s a certain obstacle that I
would say, see it in the theater first. But our other story what we have now,
you probably know that, that people buy the DVD. That actually we have fans, a
lot of fans actually they go to the theater anyhow, you see. We have the sixth
anniversary of The Room in Los Angeles that was in June, so each June we have
this, annual anniversary so the next one will be June. You invited, if you’re
around [laughs].
18.
Well, it’s playing up here in Portland, Oregon,
which is where I am...
19.
Right, well, we are excited and thrilled about
that. We’ll see what happens, I dunno... but I know one thing, I tell you one
thing—that we have the fans in Portland, Oregon, too [laughs]. So I don’t know
what kind of extremes they will go, what they’re allowed to do in the theater.
But I always say, you can laugh, you can cry, but please don’t hurt each other,
that’s all.
20.
There are people here who are fans of the movie
and haven’t seen it in the theater yet. Do you think there’s something important
about seeing it with an audience?
21.
Absolutely. I agree with you 100 percent! Right
on the money, because you see again, it’s not like I’m saying it’s community
showing... We all have a different take. Hopefully you have opportunity to
maybe interview some fan or person who sees it for the first time, what the
take they have of it. The reason I say to see at least two or three times, even
four times, is because there is so many obstacle. If you be honest, objectively
speaking, honest, there’s no way in the world you can grasp all this stuff.
There’s no way. And I don’t care how good you are, how intelligent you are. You
may have a diploma from Oxford, whatever you wanna do. There’s still, I will
argue with you, there’s no way in the world you can see all the obstacle and
then fully analyze the movie—good thing, bad thing, whatever comes to your
brain! And again, you see, I like when people think very sincere way, not just
because they, “Oh yeah, well they hate the movie, whatever...” To me,
entertainment is entertainment and again I don’t care what people say as long
as they see the movie. As long as they are sincere with their criticism,
because there’s nothing wrong to criticize. There’s nothing wrong with that.
But I’m against that—I don’t wanna drop the name to you or your readers, but I’m
against certain conclusion when some of the readers and writers in the past say
that. I believe very strongly they did not see The Room based what I read. What
the take they have on it. Because you see, you have to see it, and then say, “Okay,
I like it, I don’t like it, I hate it.” Whatever your take is. And you cannot
just grab different words from different people because I know you did not see
it. Because otherwise, because you see... I studied psychology, as I mentioned
to you. And I believe very strongly that these certain doors I can open. And
some of the stuffs is very uncomfortable, for example the love scene, you see.
But at the same time, you really think, objectively we are all involved from
kids to adulthood, etc., etc. So, that’s what the good thing is about The Room,
because it does connect people and to respond to your comments about if people
see it in the theater sometimes people meet people or whatever, and I think,
they can talk about The Room. You know, positive, negative, whatever experience
they experience at the time. Or the new people, or whatever. We have a lot of
repeat customers, I must say that. In our audiences. And I like it. I love it,
actually.
22.
You go to a lot of the screenings; do you have
anything planned for the Portland screening?
23.
Well, wait a minute. I am not going to Portland
at this time. I may attend one of them, but they just started. So, eventually I
will, because you see, right now my schedule—again, I apologize to you, I was a
little late to call you—but eventually I will... I was in Austin, Texas, New
York, and my schedule is extremely booked right now. Like I say, I’m working on
other project as well, but I love audiences and I will come to Portland,
Oregon, and I don’t care how big, how small the theater is, doesn’t matter for
me. Because I love audiences, you know, fans, especially fans of The Room. We
got some email from, I believe, actually from all over. Portland, too. But this
is right now the first screening so we see what the reaction is. We have to
see, there is a lot different stuff going into it.
24.
Have you ever been to Portland?
25.
No. I was not in Portland, but I heard about it!
[laughs]
26.
It’s a great city.
27.
Yeah. You guys have a great city but you guys
are sort of unique, I didn’t realize that.
28.
Can you tell me more about the vampire movie you’re
working on?
29.
Well this we may shoot at Austin, Texas, but I
am... well, it’ll be something unique, let’s put it this way. So that’s
basically it. I think that a vampire, generally speaking, is an equal survivor
of human behavior, somewhat to certain degrees, which is prolonging the life,
if I may say that. So but. Whatever people believe in vampire or I believe in
vampire, that’s irrelevant, because I think the topic is, it’s much more deep
which actually relates to human behavior if you really think about it. Of
course, all that stuff, it’s sort of assumption and a lot of fantasy go into
it. But the probability is very high if you really think about it, how you can
prolong your life—have different blood type, or what is the .... I think this
technology, you look at around you, we go so up, that I believe 10 years from
today we probably don’t need a doctor. You will have your own doctor, computers
will say, “Okay, your sugar level is too low, you have to eat this or that,
etc., etc.” You know what I mean. Actually, I want to make a movie about this
one, too, something like that. But the vampire is a very exciting project that
I’m working on currently, yes.
30.
Is that something you’re writing?
31.
I already have two scripts for vampires—100 page
scripts. We do one at a time.
32.
Are there two separate movies?
33.
Yes. Two separate movies.
34.
Are they connected, plot-wise? Is one a sequel
of the other one?
35.
Actually, one is connected somewhat. And one, I
give you one clue, that it’s connected to all the vampires which you see in the
entire world. So it’s very deep in the depth. Okay? And, um, [laughs] yeah I
have crazy ideas right now, but I don’t... Okay, I will tell you anyway. It’s
too bad that some other people are very snobbish, people who produce vampires
movie. Because my vampires are very much connected to all the vampires, let’s
put it this way. So, I’m not giving more to you [laughs].
36.
That’s fine. But are you interested in other
genres? Because The Room is a modern-day drama/comedy, which is very different
from the vampire genre, and you mentioned some science-fiction stuff too. Are
you drawn to those genres even more than something like The Room?
37.
Well. I tell you right now that I’m extremely
adaptable and I think if you want to be part of entertainment... by the way, I
don’t know if you know, I did the documentary Homeless in America. Are you
familiar with that?
38.
I’ve heard of it, but I haven’t seen it though.
39.
Send me the email, just to my assistant. You
talk to him, I mean, we know we talk to you. I talk to you now. Send us email,
we’ll be glad to send to you, free of charge, Homeless in America. It’s totally
different, you see. I did this because... actually that was in the screening of
The Room I said to myself. “I want to find out what’s happening with the
homeless.” You see, I’m very comfortable in my life and I’ve been working hard
for it, but at the same time, you know, we are the biggest country, and the
strongest I would say, and I think the best in the world. The fact is, we have
the issue [of the] homeless. But the same time I give you only one sentence
about homeless. We cannot eliminate homeless even if you want to. And if you
look at the Egyptians from way, way back. From Egyptian to whatever, whatever
era you put on the map, we always have homelessness in the world. But we were
not honest, that’s my point. So that’s the reason I did Homeless in America. I’m
very proud, we got a lot of emails. I didn’t make any money on it, if you ask
me about money, but I’m very proud of it because I think that people should
know about it, you know.... And I bet you in Portland, you guys have a similar
situation, or here in Los Angeles, or up north or whatever we are.
40.
Definitely.
41.
So I will be glad to send you free of charge,
and you don’t have to pay for anything, the DVD if you have interest. Any more
questions? Two more questions, then I let you go.
42.
Can you tell me about the novel of The Room?
43.
Oh yeah. It’s completed and I’m waiting for
someone from publishing industry to contact us.
44.
Is it the same story?
45.
It’s the same story but it’s much more
detail-oriented cause I... you see, you have to understand, the script was
after the novel. So I have, I believe, over 500 pages. But we can condense
based on the, you know, some of the... my understanding is some of the
publisher, there are certain rules apply, I believe. Somebody sent us one time
this email, I don’t remember now, but they wanted 300, but not wanted 500
because of the cost, whatever. Eventually we will—see, everything in The Room
was done awkward, you know. The book is supposed to be first, right? And we did
the script after the book and then we now publish it. Eventually we will
publish. I’m pretty sure, 100 percent. Plus I don’t know if you ask me that
already, but my goal actually is to do in the Broadway a show in New York,
based on The Room. Because, again, this is an original idea what I have six
years ago, to adapt, is a play. So sort of I’m working and directing on this,
too, as well thinking about how we can put together. But eventually we’ll have
a play on Broadway: The Room.
46.
My last question is what your dream project
would be, if you could do anything in the world. Would you want to do a James
Bond movie, or a spy movie? Or a big-budget Hollywood movie, or anything like
that?
47.
Well I tell you one thing, that uh.... Yeah, I’m
open for any project.
48.
Is there one thing in particular that you’ve
always wanted to do?
49.
Actually yes, but I cannot tell you, I’m sorry
man. The reason for it is because you will print and you may actually... um.
Okay, lemme tell you this way. I give you little hint. That’s all I can do. It’s
related to Batman. Okay? And I rest my case. And I think, I give you another...
Well, since you’re a nice guy I’ll give you another clue. You’re from Portland,
you guys are very nice people. It’s related to one of the actor who just pass
away, and I think I give you enough clue. So actually, I did a little scene on
the Comic-Con. I don’t know if you’re familiar with San Diego?
50.
Yes.
51.
We have really great reception there! I enjoyed
myself very much. I did this scene actually with two Batmans. I played the
character, and again I don’t want to say it. You do the research [laughs]. So
no, I am open, seriously I am open for any kind of project. But the ideal is to
work with big studios or independent project, too. You know, I’m open. I’ve got
a couple first. I did the Tim and Eric [Awesome Show Good Job episode], I don’t
know if you know the TV show a little bit, but I am very serious about the
drama, comedy, and again, let me stress, to wrap this interview, that I believe
very strongly that the more colors—let’s say you’re producer, director,
whatever you do with your project, especially entertainment—you have to be
pro-audiences. So audiences decided if they want to see your movie or not and
the more colors you have, and I think it’s a little confusing about the black
comedy, you know, because people don’t realize that. I don’t care what movie,
name it one movie, and I’ll bet you have at least similar what we have in The
Room, but not in certain degree. And that The Room is not melodrama. When
people sometimes say, “It’s melodrama,” it’s not. Black comedy relates to
different colors, certain stuff is exaggeration. “You’re tearing me apart,
Lisa!” Etc., etc. But it’s dealing with real life. And that’s why The Room
connects people. That’s what I say. And I think some of the theater people don’t
understand. Then they are too stubborn to understand that let audience be what
they want it to be, you see? And I notice that some of the theater people are
extremely conservative and I think that’s not the way it’s supposed to be, as
far as I’m concerned. You know what I’m saying, right?
52.
Yeah, absolutely.
53.
Okay! Any more questions?
54.
I think that’s it.
55.
Okay-dokey! Thank you!
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