John Carpenter on Why He’d Rather Be a Rock Star: ‘Making Movies Is Horrifying’
”You’ve got all these people, and you have to pay them! They’re on the clock, you have to finish, and you’re always on deadline,“ Carpenter told TheWrap
TURIN, PIEDMONT - AUGUST 26: John Carpenter performs at Spazio Incet during the Todays festival on August 26, 2016 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Awakening/Getty Images for City of Turin)
Horror is having a moment. Movies like “It” and “Get Out” aren’t just making money; they’re smart exercises in studio filmmaking that are elevating the horror genre on the whole. They also arguably owe a debt to director John Carpenter, whose films, such as “Halloween,” “The Thing” and “Escape From New York,” helped set the standard for intelligent, low budget thrills.
But the horror master has taken a backseat to filmmaking in recent years, opting instead to pursue his other love for music. And now as he adjusts to a new life as something of a rock star, he’s not looking back.
“Making movies is horrifying. Horrifyingly stressful,” Carpenter told TheWrap in a phone interview. “You’ve got all these people, and you have to pay them! They’re on the clock, you have to finish, and you’re always on deadline. Movies are a complex form of art and storytelling. Music is purer. Out it comes.”
Carpenter has usually composed now-iconic music for his films, and the impact of his work, like the instantly recognizable piano of the “Halloween” score, can be felt as recently as the music from Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” (Which Carpenter says he has never heard.) But in 2015, Carpenter released “Lost Themes,” an album of chilly, atmospheric original music not written for any of his films (even if it sounds like they could have been).
He followed that up with “Lost Themes II” in 2016, touring in support of both albums. However, with his latest album, “Anthology: Movie Themes 1974-1998,” Carpenter and his band have re-recorded all his old movie scores. These familiar themes, including a cover of Ennio Morricone’s sparse music for “The Thing,” now have a fuller rock sound than when Carpenter was independently recording on synthesizers.
“I cannot tell you the difference in sound between the stuff I used in the old days and the modern synths, and they are incredible,” Carpenter said. “It really modernizes the songs, and at the same time, you can go back and revisit them. So it’s a win-win as far as I am concerned.”
Listening to Carpenter’s “Anthology” isn’t quite a greatest hits, but a culmination of everything he’s done in his career made new.
“Some I had to work on to bring them up to modern day standards, like anything else. Or like me. I haven’t aged well. You have to bring me up to date,” Carpenter said. “But horror movies, themes, music, everything evolves with the times and evolves with the culture. It will always be getting better and better I think.”
When Carpenter was first making movies, horror belonged to the exploitation genre. He explained how you could make a low budget movie and make a lot of money in the process. But even though the industry has changed since then, Carpenter said people are still watching horror for the same reasons.
“‘Get Out’ struck a nerve with people. And ‘It,’ people just want to see that clown! The original ‘It’ was kind of like a spider in a cave, but they changed it for the remake, but hey, that’s good. Everything’s good,” Carpenter said. “They’re meant to be enjoyable. Most people like them, and that’s all that counts.”
Carpenter has given his blessing to a new reboot of “Halloween” being developed by David Gordon Green and Danny McBride. He was mum on the details, but said the new film isn’t exactly a remake, but a movie that pretends as if the many “Halloween” sequels never happened.
As for whether he’ll get back to directing, Carpenter is having a lot more fun touring.
“I’m not a rock star (laughing),” Carpenter said. “I’m really enjoying myself. I’ll get back to directing or not. I don’t know. I don’t care! I’ve had a hell of a career. I don’t need to do anything else, but if something comes along, I’ll do it!”
What would he like to work on then, we asked?
“Watching NBA basketball, that’s what I love,” Carpenter said.
“Anthology: Movie Themes 1974-1998” is being issued by Sacred Bones Records on October 20. See his upcoming tour dates below:
10/29/17 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint at Hard Rock Casino 10/31/17 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium 11/2/17 – Anaheim, CA @ City National Grove 11/4/17 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield 11/5/17 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst 11/7/17 – Maplewood, MN @ Myth Live 11/9/17 – Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom 11/10/17 – Detroit, MI @ El Club 11/12/17 – Toronto, ON @ The Danforth Music Hall 11/13/17 – Montreal, QC @ Metropolis 11/15/17 – Boston, MA @ Royale 11/16/17 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5 11/18/17 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero 11/19/17 – Syracuse, NY @ The Palace Theatre
10 Must-See Horror Films of 2017, From 'Get Out' to 'Polaroid' (Photos)
Halloween is around the corner, so let’s talk horror movies! Here are some frightening films you need to see, and then a few to keep an eye out for as the year comes to a close.
"Get Out," written and directed by Jordan Peele --
This directorial debut from Peele has stayed at 99 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and made a pretty penny at the box office. I was so obsessed with this trailer that I remember showing it to random people just to see their reaction. When I finally got to see the film, I was blown away because it’s creepy as hell, funny and different. It’s a film that sparks a conversation but doesn’t jam a point down your throat.
Available on Amazon, YouTube, Google Play.
Universal
"Annabelle: Creation," written by Gary Dauberman, directed by David Sandberg --
Haunted dolls will forever be one of my favorite sub-genres. This sequel out-shined the first "Annabelle" with some clever jump scares and solid performances. It’s the fourth installment in the "Conjuring" Universe, and I’m looking forward to "Annabelle 3" and "Shazam!" which is next on the docket for Sandberg.
Still in theaters, and has earned $280.3 million and counting.
New Line
"Raw,"written and directed by Julia Ducournau --
This is the directorial debut of French filmmaker Julia Ducournau. "Raw" is a beautiful and enlightening take on cannibalism, and definitely not the film to see if you’re feeling queasy. It made a splash out of Cannes 2016 and got a limited release in early 2017 to rave reviews.
Available on YouTube, Amazon and Google Play.
"The Love Witch," written and directed by Anna Biller --
I saw the premiere of this at the Etheria Film Festival and was blown away by the commitment to the craft in the film. The film delivers a mesmerizing performance from Samantha Robinson as our Love Witch, swoon worthy costumes, production design and... MURDER! Anna Biller is a creator to watch.
Available on YouTube, Amazon and Vudu.
"It,"directed by Andy Muschietti and written by Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga and Gary Dauberman --
The biggest opening of the year was for a horror film! "It" is breaking all kinds of box office records. The film has grossed over $200 million two weeks after its release and is holding a steady pace. Andy Muschietti directs a nostalgic film with solid performances by the ensemble of Derry teens. The film runs long and infused more CG than it needed, but it’s one that has rewatch value and the sequel is already in motion. I saw it for the first time in a packed theater in a small town in Nevada riddled with teenagers, who shielded their eyes and huddled up with their friends every time Pennywise was on screen. The film started with a bigger budget than most horror films made in the studio system these days. Luckily it over performed, which is great news for horror films.
Still in theaters.
New Line
"The Ritual," written by Joe Barton and directed by David Bruckner --
Netflix acquired the film out of the TIFF Midnight Section for a whopping $4.75 million price tag, and we all can’t wait to see what all the fuss is about. Bruckner has directed segments in a few anthologies (V/H/S, The Signal, Southbound) etc., which makes seeing a whole feature directed by him more exciting.
Currently doing the festival circuit.
"Happy Death Day," written by Scott Lobdell and directed by Christopher B. Landon --
A horror version of "Groundhog Day" is a no brainer idea, and all of the teasers and trailers show this film being the fun, poppy, pre-Halloween ("Friday the 13th" to be exact) horror release we all want and need.
Release date: Oct. 13, 2017 (USA).
Universal
"Jigsaw," written by Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg, directed by Michael Spierig --
I still remember the first time I ever saw the trailer for "Saw." While I’m not the hugest fan of gore, I’m curious to play a game with "Jigsaw" once again. "Saw" is a franchise that a lot of my non-horror-loving friends dig, there’s something about it that lures you in. The kills will no doubt be insane, and this will most likely have a good draw due to its release being the Friday before Halloween.
Release date: Oct. 27, 2017.
"Polaroid," written and directed by Lars Klevberg --
This will mark one of the only recent original horror releases for Dimension and could spawn a franchise. The film hails from the producers of "The Ring" and "The Grudge," and the feature is based on the award-winning short of the same name by Lars Klevberg. "Saw" started as a short, as did "Lights Out," which is also getting a sequel, so we have our fingers crossed for "Polaroid."
Release date: Dec. 1, 2017
"Shape of Water,"written by Vanessa Taylor and Guillermo del Toro, directed by del Toro --
The film is a beautiful and horrific fairy tale from the mind that gave us "Pan's Labyrinth." Seemingly inspired by "Creature from the Black Lagoon," stories of monsters will never go out of style. Fox Searchlight is sure to make an awards push.
Release date: Dec. 8, 2017.
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Kailey Marsh, creator of BloodList.com, gives the scoop on movies to keep you up at night
Halloween is around the corner, so let’s talk horror movies! Here are some frightening films you need to see, and then a few to keep an eye out for as the year comes to a close.