Interview with David DeCoteau

David DeCoteau - March 2004

Oh My Gore : "Hello. Could you please introduce yourself to the Oh My Gore ! readers who might not know about you yet ?"

Go to www.rapidheart.com and you'll read everything you'd ever want to know about me.

Oh My Gore : "Before talking about your cinematographical career, could you tell us more about you? Why, when and how did you choose to make your career in cinema ?"

When I was a kid. I saw "WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY" and decided this IS the profession for me.

Oh My Gore : "Which are the movies or/and directors that influenced you ?"

John Waters, Irwin Allen, Roger Corman.

Oh My Gore : "Before talking about what's new, let's talk about your past. You shot many films in very different styles (Horror, Sci-Fi, Action, Comedy, Drama) staying close to the B Movie genre. Did you choose that or is that because you lack budget ?"

I am a slave to the marketplace just like any working director. I didn't choose low budget B movies, they chose me.

Oh My Gore : "Among all these movies, many are low budget. Which is the average budget for a movie ?"

Anywhere from 25,000 to 2 million. Mostly on the lower end.

Oh My Gore : "If tomorrow someone propose you to direct "SPIDERMAN 3" or "THE LORD OF
THE RINGS 4" with the appropriate budget, would you accept ?"

Duh, Yessss! I don't do low budget because I am a glutton for punishment. I do them because this is what is offered to me and I make a living in this business.

Oh My Gore : "You release your movies under many different nicknames (Richard Chasen, Eric Mancini, Jack Reed...) or even female nicknames (Ellen Cabot or Victoria Sloan). Why that ?"

Union reasons usually. I also work more than most directors and I don't want to give the perception that I work too much.

Oh My Gore : "Let's talk about your career. We can quote as some of your best known movies "CREEPOZOIDS", "SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA", the "PUPPET MASTERS" movies, the "BROTHERHOOD", "LEATHER JACKET LOVE STORY", "VOODOO ACADEMY", "FINAL STAB"....so more than 45 movies in 20 years ! Quite productive ! Is your goal to overgo Roger Corman's score (even though he was more of a producer)
?"

No way. I don't have the energy or desire to. But I do like working and they don't pay directors much these days. So I gotta take what I'm offered.

Oh My Gore : "You say out loud that you're an homosexual, and that can be seen in some of your movies. How did the gay community reacted to "LEATHER JACKET LOVE STORY" or "BROTHERHOOD" ?"

Very well. But I make movies for me to enjoy. I can't satisfy everyone. My films are really finding an audience now because they are unique and are a sub genre of the horror and gay movie market.

Oh My Gore : "Talking about "BROTHERHOOD", I heard that you're working on "SISTERHOOD", it's female version. Can you tell us more about that ?"

I just got back from the Caribbean where I shot a very sexy female version of the "BROTHERHOOD". It stars Barbara Crampton and a bunch of brand new girls. I am trying to do something a little different.

Oh My Gore : "What else are you planning for 2004 and years to come ?"

A little rest. Maybe 3 or 4 movies a year. I live in Canada now and love my new life. Almost semi retirement.

Oh My Gore : "You're both director and producer. What do you prefer ?"

Directing.

Oh My Gore : "Can you talk to us about Rapid Heart, you production company ? Why did you part from Full Moon ?"

I wanted to start a boutique movie company so I could make my own kind of movies, my way. It is a small enterprise run by me and my assistant KC. Its almost a hobby. I want to make the movie process fun again.

Oh My Gore : "You worked with well known Scream Queens as Linnea Quigley, Michelle Bauer or Brinke Stevens. what do you remember about that ?"

The best years. I love those girls. If I were straight I would have married Linnea if she'd have me. I was in love with her and we were very close. Maybe in another life I guess. We all had a blast. Every movie we made together was like a slumber party. I miss that.

Oh My Gore : "Among your whole career, what are you the proudest of (role, movie...)? and what are you the least proud of ?"

I'm proud that I can make a living making movies. This is what I wanted all my life. I feel blessed that I have been given this chance. No regrets. I'm not content. I am always learning. I still fell like a kid in a candy store.

Oh My Gore : "If you could remake one thing in your career, what would it be ?"

My bed.

Oh My Gore : "Which is the most striking event that happened to you during a shot ?"

Good question. The fact that magic happens. When something is not predicted or forcast. That makes it fun.

Oh My Gore : "As an American citizen, what do you think about the American cinema ?"

Love all kinds of movies. The USA has done me well.

Oh My Gore : "As Oh My Gore! is a French website, I'd like to know what you think about French cinema."

The French are the best at everything. Especially movies.

Oh My Gore : "Generally speaking, which are your favourite horror movies? The ones which scared you the most ?"

"HALLOWEEN". "DAWN OF THE DEAD".

Oh My Gore : "Which actor would you have liked or would you like to shoot with ?"

Christopher Lee.

Oh My Gore : "Which movie would you have liked or would you like to direct ?"

A " HALLOWEEN" sequel. I'd go back to the old school scare games.

Oh My Gore : "What do you think about Oh My Gore! ?"

Very cool.

Oh My Gore : "Thank you so much for this interview. Anything you would like to add ?"

Thanks you for asking me to be apart of this and when I am in Paris lets have a coffee on the Croissette.

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