Off Off Pod - Episode 033 - Producer Director Actor Brad Coolidge, Part 2

Filmmaker Brad Coolidge likes hockey

Here is part 2 of my interview with Brad Coolidge.

If you've ever thought you might want to direct a film, this is a great interview for you because my buddy Brad talks honestly about some of the challenges he faced as a first time director shooting a "creature feature."

Sometimes the elements don't cooperate, or your creature gets held up in customs and arrives late, or you don't have enough days on the schedule.   There are so many obstacles awaiting you when you make a film.

Brad and his wife, Melissa, along with their producing partner, Todd Labarowski, make beautiful indie movies as well.  We talked about these in detail in part 1 of the interview, but here are the links again to those great films: What Maisie Knew, Prince Avalanche, Joe,  The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him AND Her, Manglehorn, and The World Made Straight.

Enjoy the interview.  Topics covered:

• Back to our conversation in progress, El Chupacabra (1:25)
• Setting the movie in Austin, paring down the budget, casting in NY, LA and locally (5:06)
• Approaching go time, creature creation by Mario Torres, Jr. (7:22)
• First day -- driving scenes, Texas State University (9:50)
• Relying on experienced crew, location scouting, spending a lot of time on the master (12:29)
• Complication at the beginning of the first week (19:19)
• Weather does not cooperate, steady cam (22:22)
• Creature challenges, no time to rehearse (24:56)
• Reworking, editing what's in the can (33:00)
• Inspiring the troupes, "Once more unto the breach!" (34:56)
• A little about raising money (39:46)
• Working on a script with Brad, Drilling Company connection (44:16)
• Treating people well on a film set (46:37)