Chimerical found this 4-05 MovieMaker interview and
DD's list of "Things I Learned as a Moviemaker":
http://www.moviemaker.com/hop/vol5/02/directing.html
Appetite for Self Destruction
David Duchovny writes and directs House of D
by Michelle Devereaux
We first noticed David Duchovny's sardonic tone, quick wit and immense
talent back in 1993 with a then little-known sci-fi show called The
X Files. The role brought Duchovny to the forefront of critical acclaim,
sup****ted by a slew of acting roles in such films as Michael Tolkin's
The Rapture, Henry Jaglom's Venice/Venice, Richard Attenborough's
Chaplin, Bonnie Hunt's Return to Me and Steven Soderbergh's Full Frontal.
This month, Duchovny puts his extensive resume to work with House of D,
his debut film as a writer-director. The coming of age flick is set in
New York City during the 1970s, as Duchovny's character takes a look
back at his childhood. The cast includes Robin Williams, Erykah Badu
and Téa Leoni.
Duchovny recently chatted with MM about adding "moviemaker" to his
repertoire, and those who inspired him along the way.
Michelle Devereaux (MM): You're known for your bone-dry sense of humor.
Why the decision to write and direct a poignant, coming-of-age drama
like House of D as your debut feature?
David Duchovny (DD): An appetite for self-destruction.
MM: How long did it take you to put the entire project together
-- from the story's initial conception to final edit?
DD: It took about six months from writing to standing on the set
watching my wife eat a donut.
MM: How did having a name for yourself already help you in making
this film, if at all?
DD: My name helped, but not as much as Robin Williams' name.
MM: How im****tant was it for you to use real New York locations?
DD: The story was a New York story, not a "big city" story, and
therefore not a Toronto story. This caused some budget demands
as New York City is expensive, but the city was a character
and couldn't have a Canadian accent -- no false moves at all.
MM: Was it difficult to shoot a period piece in New York City?
DD: The trick was getting the right clothes, blocking modernity with a
handful of cars and, when necessary, keeping the camera at ankle height.
MM: You've worked with the likes of Soderbergh and Attenborough.
What techniques have you stolen from other moviemakers that you
were able to pass off as your own on the set?
DD: I steal unconsciously. I learned a certain looseness with
the actors from Bonnie Hunt. Technically, I'd say Rob Bowman and
Chris Carter have taught me more about filmmaking than anyone else.
MM: What about Zalman King? You must know how to light a *** scene
beautifully.
DD: Zalman actually taught me a lot about acting, about stillness and
confidence. He's a good man and a good friend and a talented dude.
MM: Not only did you direct yourself and your wife your first time
out, you also had eternal nutbar Robin Williams to contend with.
How did you control him?
DD: By answering this question, I am not agreeing with the
characterization "eternal nutbar." Robin loves to act.
He's got more power in his hands than all of us in our everything.
He's a force, a machine, and he loves to do it. Any director
would be lucky to have someone who loves to do it like Robin.
MM: Who have been your greatest influences, as an actor and director?
DD: Woody Allen. Coppola. Bertolucci. Soderbergh. As for directing,
I'm not so sure. Also, I'm beginning to get into Bob Hope as an actor.
MM: One of the best -- not to mention weirdest -- movies you've
ever done is Michael Tolkin's The Rapture. Any chance you might go
the metaphysical thriller route on a future directorial project,
or are you more comfortable with material like D? What about,
dare we say, sci-fi?
DD: I'm comfortable with anything I think might be good.
As for my own ideas: I like them about half the time and an idea
announces itself early on and you just have to service it -- and
you know what I mean by "service."
MM: What's up next for you -- directing or acting-wise?
DD: I just acted in Trust The Man, directed by Bart Freundlich.
I am about to act in The Secret, directed by Vincent Perez.
I'm also raising money to direct and act in a script I wrote
called Bucky F@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dent.
http://www.moviemaker.com/hop/vol5/02/directing2.html
Things I've Learned as a Moviemaker
by David Duchovny
If you want something fast, ask for it on an apple box.
You can get an apple box faster than anything else on a set,
maybe faster than anything anywhere in the world.
Encourage everybody to collaborate. You'll hear some terrible ****,
but you'll also get some ideas you'd never think of in a million years.
Good ones.
Nap at lunch.
Cast your ass off. It's all in the casting.
Don't hire a focus puller whose nickname is "Buzz".
If you're hot, do close-ups in your underwear.
Be polite. Be a good man.
Laugh.
Whisper to your actors.
Hire your wife.
Filmography for David Duchovny
Trust the Man (2005)
House of D (2004)
Connie and Carla (2004)
Full Frontal (2002)
Zoolander (2001)
Evolution (2001)
Return to Me (2000)
The X Files (1998)
Playing God (1997)
Kalifornia (1993)
Chaplin (1992)
Venice/Venice (1992)
Beethoven (1992)
Ruby (1992)
The Rapture (1991)
Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991)
Julia Has Two Lovers (1991)
Bad Influence (1990)
Denial (1990)
New Year's Day (1989)
Working Girl (1988)
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