five with frights:- Todd Farmer
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Mr. Frights was very lucky to talk with TODD FARMER, who is busy in production right now! So we're extremely grateful to be able to present this FIVE WITH FRIGHTS...
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MR. FRIGHTS: My Bloody Valentine 3D was (in my opinion) fan-freakin'-tastic! (Excellent job as Frank the Trucker by the way), When you were putting that together did you write any scenes specifically with 3D in mind?-
TODD FARMER: Actually the focus at first was on the story. The only 3D that I can remember us planning was Frank's turning back toward Irene so quickly that it launched his Johnson and knocked her off the bed...in 3D. Of course, we had to cut that due to MPAA's restrictive uses of the penis. -
MR. FRIGHTS: What's your take on working with Ghosthouse Pictures?
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TODD FARMER: It was GREAT! I had story meetings with
Sam Raimi. Hullo? That's dream come true stuff. I wrote an F13. I've been killed by Jason and the Miner. I wrote a Halloween. AND I've made a movie with Raimi. Seriously, sometimes it's a VERY good life.
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MR. FRIGHTS: What are your thoughts on the 3D "revolution"
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TODD FARMER: It makes me giggle that it's become something that needs quotations. Did we go this nuts over DVDs, Digital? HD, Bluray? Here's the thing, I love 3D. I love 3D for the gimmick (MBV3D) and I love it for the immersion (Avatar). As long as the focus is on story I'm happy. I think
MBV3D plays perfectly in 2D due to the story. But technology will always move forward, until the bombs drop at least. Until that happens, embrace. One day we'll be watching movies in the middle of our living rooms via hologram. It's just around the corner. :)
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MR. FRIGHTS: Did you have hesitation about changing the Jason franchise so drastically by putting him in space? Or were you really excited to make those changes?
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TODD FARMER: Excited. I loved
Alien and
Aliens. I thought that's what we were doing. Go back and look at the structure. I ripped off
Aliens. Never made that a secret.
Aliens without Aliens. Aliens with Jason. I have regrets that we didn't go that way tonally but no regrets making the movie. The franchise was dead.
FvsJ had killed it. But we got one last ride. Those who don't like it are welcome to caress my machete.
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MR. FRIGHTS: Have you done any horror writing outside of film? If not, would you consider it? Maybe a graphic novel or something?
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TODD FARMER: I've written comics which are sort of horror.
Alien Pig Farm 3000 is about aliens attacking a Kentucky moonshining town. Scifi yes but plenty of horror. Then there's
The Lycan, another horror comic, an 1800s werewolf story. I enjoy it because I love the lack of suits giving me stupid "development" notes. Of course I have to deal with
Thomas Jane's notes which is sort of like learning table manners from a guy who eats with his feet. But the true allure of comic books is working with artists. Seeing your words translated into art is simply dreamy. but more than that, I adore artists. Makes me hard.
Isn't Todd one of the coolest guys in horror? Well, don't stop here, click on our Grab Bag section below to continue the interview.
GRAB BAG QUESTIONS
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MR. FRIGHTS: Do you have any upcoming projects that are really getting those creative juices pumping?
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TODD FARMER: Well, Im sitting in Shreveport five days into
Drive Angry. Spent the week with
Amber Heard and
Bill Fichtner. They are both amazing.
Cage,
Burke and
Atkins arrive today so that's currently the deer in the headlights. There are half a dozen other writing gigs in the wings but all too early to detail.
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MR. FRIGHTS: If you were to remake any famous horror film, which film, and how would it be different from the original?
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TODD FARMER: Great question! Have your people talk to my people and as soon as the check clears, I'll answer. :)
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MR. FRIGHTS: What horrific scene are you most proud of having written?
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TODD FARMER: Don't really have a proudest/favorite.
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MR. FRIGHTS: Fast or Slow zombies?
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TODD FARMER: Both.
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MR. FRIGHTS: Have you ever played a scary practical joke on anyone, or had one played on you? Tell us about it.
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TODD FARMER: Yes. One time at dinner I told my date I had a present for her and slipped my underwear to her under the table.
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MR. FRIGHTS: What is the first horror film you ever saw? And what are your thoughts on how it stands up to today's films?
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TODD FARMER: First film that scared me was
Jaws. And yes, holds up well.
Exorcist was next. Scared the crap out of me. Still holds up.
Halloween was the first slasher I saw and all these years later, it was our inspiration on H3D.
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MR. FRIGHTS: Do you ever feel the urge to get behind the camera and direct something you've written?
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TODD FARMER: Nah. My partner is a director. We write. He directs. And I take my pants off.