Watchmen – Zach Snyder interview

By A A on July 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Q: The extras on the Blu-Ray editions of both Watchmen and 300 are mind boggling! Do you as a director from day one of shooting a film think I now have two jobs to do? I have to shoot for theatrical and I have to shoot for the DVD?

Z.S. I try not to do that. It does creep, how can it not? For instance I am currently shooting my next film, Sucker Punch and we are already talking about it being PG 13. If it is, then I am already thinking for the un-rated director’s cut do we need to shoot some extra stuff that will satisfy those requirements? You have to definitely think a head because it’s a marketable thing and there are people out there who want these extras. That’s the kind of thing that has to be from day one. You just don’t want to miss out on anything.

Q: I don’t think you have any choice.

Z.S. Exactly, and I don’t really mind because let’s face it, I like things that are slightly gory and slightly violent and sexy so I tend to go that way a little bit. It’s kind of hard for me to restrain myself so I actually find it nice to have that outlet knowing that there will eventually be that director’s cut version later on to deal with.

Q: It has to be incredibly freeing and stress relieving for you when the DVD extras come in to play later on, because at least you have shot things, they won’t go to waste and then it doesn’t become a worry months later that you didn’t shoot something that you might need.

Z.S. Yes and the DVD people are really happy because they have mounds of extra footage to use. Plus I’m happy because I don’t have to restrain myself in the initial shooting process.

Q: There had to be a particular scene in Watchmen that was pretty painful for you to cut form the theatrical version, but now we get to see on the DVD.

Z.S. Oh definitely, and that was the scene where Hollis Mason (Stephen McHattie) is murdered by thugs. I loved that scene in the graphic novel and was so excited to shoot it. Sadly, in the end I had to drop it from the movie for time but now everyone can see it in its entirety on the DVD. It’s pretty amazing and detailed.

Q: With the Watchmen DVD I am absolutely blown away by the extras.

Z.S. It is unbelievable. Especially since there were so many scenes I had to cut out of the theatrical version, not to mention all the interactive features on the disc. It’s mind blowing.

Q: For instance, the facebook application is very exciting. Social networking is here to stay and what better way for movie fans – REAL movie fans – to interact and discuss their favorite films, scenes, etc than all watching the DVD together and at the same time have an online discussion.

Z.S. Yes, it’s completely cool. It’s like we’re all watching the movie now and talking about it. Social networking never stops so it’s a great opportunity for people with the same tastes and passions to discuss their views.

Q: So will we ever find you joining in to see what your fans have to say?

Z.S. Sure, why not!! I listen to the fans and am excited to hear what they have to say whether it’s good or bad! It’s amazing that I can hear from people from virtually all around the world and get their opinions.

Q: When you do hear from fans and get feedback does that give you ideas for next time? Do you take what they have to say into consideration when you are on the next film?

Z.S. I guess I do a little bit. You can’t really help but not think about what criticisms you have heard, or good things too. I think a lot of the people I do hear from are people who tend to like the same genres I like or work in. It’s kind of interesting to listen to their feedback because they are such fans.

Q: You also put painstaking time in drawing over 2000 storyboards for the movie. We now get to see those in a special added feature.

Z.S. That is so gratifying; especially given all the time I spent on those. I think it will be very interesting for fans to see the storyboards and then the scenes as they looked in the film.

Q: When you get on a set Zach, does anybody ever say no to you?

Z.S. You know, every now and then someone will say, maybe. I try not to set myself up for no’s. It’s what you ask ….

Q: … and how you ask it!

Z.S (laughs) Right! If you know what to ask and how to ask it, you can avoid no!

Q: You’re pretty demanding, not in terms of being a tyrant, but you expect a lot from your cast and crew and from what we can see by the films you have given us, it’s a lot of work.

Z.S. It is a lot of work and I do ask a lot of everybody but its work that I would easily do myself. I’m not asking for the impossible and I find that the people who work with me look forward to that challenge. They like to be pushed. I’m happy to dig right in there, or dag shit around and help at an instant. So I think that when your crew see’s that you are right in there with them, you get respect and people willing to go the distance to make the best films possible. I’m not precious at all like that, so people are happy to help especially if they see me doing it too if I can.

Q: That is the key, for sure.

Z.S. I have to say that everyone on Watchmen was amazing to work with and it was mind boggling how at the end of the experience everyone was crying. It was like summer camp.

Q: Plus, you had such a great cast on this. I thought you made some bold choices and they really worked. From Patrick Wilson to Jeffrey Dean Morgan and the incredible performance of Billy Crudup and what you put him through in that motion capture suit!

Z.S. Billy is a rock star; he was just amazing to work with. He is so dedicated and thorough. Dr. Manhattan is my favorite character and I just think that Billy was so pitch perfect for that part. He had just the right amount of “other worldly” but he also brought that right spark of humanity to the role. It was such a razor fine line of him being too emotional or knowing he’s a %&*er! I remember having long conversations about his performance and he was so unsure if he was giving me anything at all. It was a completely new process for him, but I think he hit it out of the park.

Q: Was he private about shooting the behind the scenes stuff for the DVD?

Z.S. Yes, as a matter of fact. Billy was the only actor who asked me not to shoot too much behind the scenes footage with him – just enough to show how he created the character. I totally supported that especially knowing what a very difficult task he had ahead of him.

Q: Jackie Earle Hailey as Rorschach. Wow – was he ever good too. I know he gave you an amazing audition tape that ultimately won him the role. I thought you were pushing to get that on the DVD?

Z.S. I was but in the end, Jackie really wanted that to be for my eyes only and I respect that. He’s a private guy and didn’t want it out there for everyone to see. He’s a passionate guy who just cares like crazy. It’s nothing but a joy to work with actors who just want to make it cool. There is no agenda. These guys will stand in the rain for hours to get a shot; they just want to do as good as they can. They know that I am not just shooting things because I have nothing better to do. I use pretty much every frame I shoot and they know that too. I make use of everything. (laughs)

With 300, every single shot was used in that movie. That was an extremely tough shoot, and trust me; I made full use of everything we did on that film.

Q: I’m surprised there is no special feature of Malin Ackerman ( Laurie/Silk Spectre II) getting into that latex outfit.

Z.S. Yeah, I don’t think that would have been able to be shown. She is hilarious and was a great sport about it. She literally had to jump into that thing to get into it. I commend her for it.

Q: You have a couple of movies you are working on simultaneously for release. First, the animated feature Guardians of Ga’hoole. How is that coming along?

Z.S Guardians is coming along nicely. It is full blown and fully game on – it’s crazy. Guardians is a PG family movie but more like Harry Potter than it is like Shrek.

Q: A huge challenge for you, I’m sure.

Z.S. Oh huge challenge but I am having a great time. It is mythic and I tend to go that route in my filmmaking. It’s funny because the studio , who have been super supportive of me making this movie see the potential of this film. It can be 3-D, really epic, and a great marketing opportunity. The books are very popular and it’s a good family movie. I just hope people aren’t expecting Shrek, because it’s not that. It’s an adventure film and its fun and it’s mythic and very cool. We’re doing something visually I think that is just going to be mind blowing. We have cut a few scenes already and I can assure you it’s going to make your brain go, what the F*&%!! It’s really going to be something different for everyone. They won’t know what to think of it.

Q: Your right in the midst of getting ready for Sucker Punch with an all girl cast! Wow – that is going to be awesome.

Z.S. Yes I did the pretty well all male cast for 300 so I thought it was time to give equal screen time to the gals. The girls are all training and its game on. We will be shooting it in Canada (Vancouver) and we will be there until January.

 

Warner Home Video has officially announced Watchmen for DVD and Blu-ray for July 21 as well as the release of 300 (The Complete Experience) on Blu-ray on the same day. The Watchmen director’s cut has been rated R by the MPAA and runs approximately 28 minutes longer than the theatrical cut.

• Watchmen (Single disc theatrical edition)
• Watchmen (2-Disc Special Edition Director’s Cut)
• Watchmen (Director’s Cut) Blu-ray
• 300 (The Complete Experience) Blu-ray

Another Blu-ray feature mentioned was referred to as “Warner Bros. Maximum Movie Mode,” Here are the special feature details:

1-Disc DVD: No extras, theatrical cut of the film in separate widescreen and full screen editions.

2-Disc DVD:

• Watchmen: Director’s Cut
• The Phenomenon: The Comic that Changed Comics
• Watchmen: Video Journals (over 30 min)
• Music Video: My Chemical Romance Desolation Row
• Digital Copy – Theatrical Version

Blu-ray:

• Watchmen: Director’s Cut
• Warner Bros. Maximum Movie Mode – allow split-screen viewing of “Watchmen” to focus on elements in director Zack Snyder’s on-camera commentary.
• Watchmen: Focus Points (over 30 minutes)
• BD Live – Teaming with Facebook for a BD-Live interactive feature with the Blu-ray version that will allow “community screenings” of the film to be linked with your Facebook community.
• The Phenomenon: The Comic that Changed Comics
• Real Super Heroes, Real Vigilantes
• Mechanics: Technologies of a Fantastic World
• Music Video: My Chemical Romance Desolation Row
• Digital Copy – Theatrical version

The Complete 300: A Comprehensive Immersion – This NEW interactive picture-in-picture experience provides 3 unique perspectives to explore while you watch the film:

• Creating a Legend – Frank Miller and Zack Snyder Interpret a Classic Tale – Holding true to Frank Miller’s love of history and the importance of bringing a pure adaptation to screen in this tale-based account.
• Bringing the Legend to Life – Building a World From a Comic – Blending the most talented and creative minds together to bring Frank Miller’s art to life in cinematic form.
• The History Behind the Myth – The Real Story of The Hot Gates – A rich and historical perspective on the Spartans and this legendary landmark.

Plus these additional special features:

• BD-Live: Media Centre; Live Community Screening; My WB Commentary
• Bluescreen Picture-In-Picture – Join Director Zack Snyder on a personal and fascinating commentary as he compares the Bluescreen composite to the feature
• Audio Commentary by Director Zack Snyder, Writer Kurt Johnstad and Director of Photography Larry Fong.
• The 300- Fact or Fiction? – Historians, authors and filmmakers reveal how much of the movie is based on fact. (RT: 24:12) {HD}
• Who Were The Spartans: The Warriors of 300 – The customs and ways of life of the Spartan used by the actors and filmmakers to build their characters. (RT: 6:00) (HD}
• Preparing for Battle: The Original Test Footage – See how Frank Miller’s images were used in a video montage that evolved into the fight scene test and ultimately convinced the studio to make the movie. (RT: 6:10) {HD}
• Frank Miller Tapes – We’ll show how the outspoken Miller continued to push his limits to realize his epic graphic novel, 300, in the world of theatrical film. (RT: 13:00) {HD}
• Making of 300 – A look at how the movie was made. (RT: 5:40)
• Making 300 in Images – Rapid fire stills from the first day of production to the last. (RT 3:00)
• Webisodes – Behind the scenes peeks on the set of 300. (RT: 20:00) Production Design; Wardrobe; Stunt Work; Lena Headey; Adapting The Graphic Novel; Gerard Butler; Rodrigo Santoro; Training The Actors; Culture of The Sparta City/State; A Glimpse from the Set – Making 300 the Movie; Scene Studies from 300; Fantastic Characters of 300.
• Additional Footage – Deleted Scenes with Introduction by Zack Snyder (RT: 5:31) {HD}
• 40-Page collectible book packaging includes a comprehensive walk-through of the new cutting-edge Blu-ray features, behind the scenes and production photos AND never-before-seen sketches from creator Frank Miller.

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