Screamboat director collapses the privacy and generalities of the public domain horror

Winnie The Pooh. Bob. Steamboat Willie. These days, it seems that the character that can be recognized becomes a general field, someone immediately He turns them into a horror movie. Why this, and what is the shape behind the scenes?

For these answers, IO9 spoke with Stephen Lamourti. He is a co -writer and director ScreamingSteamboat Willie Slasher movie in theaters April 2. We also covered in the first half of our interview, It is a movie that may be a love message to Disney, but this does not come without some handrails. In order to avoid prosecution, such as films like Screaming Some simple but important guidelines must be adhered to, which makes a very interesting exercise in telling stories.

Since this is the horror movie the second field in Lamorte, it made a movie called Grinch called I mean one In 2022 – we talked to him about all of this and more. You can see the dividing line between Disney’s attorneys very angry. ” Screaming April 2. Check the interview below.

This interview was released for length and clarity.

GERMAIN LUSIER, IO9: After making a Grinch movie, I was familiar with public domain movies. When did you hear that? Steamboat Willie Was he coming, and how did that happen?

Stephen Lamourti: So after a kind of viral sensation that was I mean oneWe knew that we had to follow up. I don’t know what it would be, but we knew that we would do something. I was really suffering to find out what this project would be. My wife said, “Well, don’t worry about characters, IP or any of these things. What story did you always want to tell?” And I said, “Well, I always wanted to make either a oblique mystery or a mystery of killing or a kind of great adventure story that scares somewhat on the phrase of Statin Island.” So I said, “Let’s tie this concept and see if something is there.”

I am from New York City. I tried the ferry of the island of Statten thousands of times, and I went back and forth in all hours of the night, and moved to the college where I went to the cinema school. So I have done some research and said, “Well, which personalities come to the public field that may match this?” Then it became clear that Steamboat Willie He was arriving. Therefore, there is no way to allow him to enter the public domain. But let’s take this idea, we will sit on the shelf, let it decrease and see what is happening. After we approached more, it became more clear that the murderer could be the steam wilted. And doing my research on the history of the phrase, the phrase was XAND was Steam. It is like the perfect mix. I put it with the background of the world’s greatest city, New York City. Like what can be better?

IO9: Yes, exactly. This is amazing. So you have this idea, it comes together, but with something like IP Disney like Steamboat WillieIt is clear that you are not the only one who sees it and notice it. We know that there is at least another movie like this. At that point, does it become a race? Do you follow these other films and does it matter if you are first? I feel curious if this is when you look for financing and all this type of things.

LamouraiI do not know if it is a race in itself. I think it is a race if you are trying to get clicks, headlines, or just attract attention, for sure. I mean, our goal when we started making this movie is to make something fun and entertaining. Something really generous personality and doing justice. Because we do not want to do Steamboat WillieA film inspired by the design follows the design. We wanted to do something that was a creature feature where it was harmful, as it was young, so we knew that it would take time to do it and implement properly. Not only from the point of view that we wanted to wait until it was in the entire public domain before we started shooting, but also knowing that the effects take time, and the Gore Gags photograph the way we take time.

I mean, if you saw before Wonder The film will spend a whole week to kill just to obtain it properly. And knowing that it is important for us that we are not only executed, but implemented it at the level of achievement of justice at the IP, which will be a truly enjoyable theatrical experience, which means it will take some time. So it was not important for us that he came out first. What matters is that we did it correctly and that we are really proud of the movie that we made.

IO9: So what is the line? Is there anything that you cannot do legally? How close, and in any steps, are the lawyers participating in this process? Also, is there something you tried to do, but maybe you couldn’t do that?

Lamourai: Well, I mean, I do not want to enter anything we cannot do. Because some of them will surprise you. If we spend more money on the law, we may be able to do this in the future. So I will not go into that. However, there is certainly some guidelines that have been abandoned as much as “What is the difference between Steamboat Willie and Mickey Mouse?” “What will be in the public domain by the time when the film comes out in exchange for what went to the public sphere in 2024?” This is suitable. In fact, just looking at it and making sure that we follow the speech of the law. We do not violate the brand or try to create jamming in the market.

We do not want children to see the movie. We don’t want people to think this is Mickey Mouse. We do not want people to think this is officially punished by any large company. So many of them continue to focus excessively on what has been disinfected and then stay away from the rest. Anything else this kind of clouds is more: “Is it a lover? Did we change it a little? Is it a satirical simulation?” Here … a woman named Cindy in a blue dress, no one can have it, right?

IO9: (Laughs) correct.

Lamourai: It is a lot of things like that. In fact, it was easy to follow by simply contacting the idea that Disney as a concept is not present in the world of the film. So at this stage, it allows you to make a shrinkage because no one has ever heard about this character, this movie, or this reference. After that, if you are inside and you are watching something out of the context, the reference may not be logical. But in the context of this world, we are like, “Oh, yes, Disney does not exist.” So, everything is a fair game.

IO9: Oh, wonderful. Therefore, you have a legal view of this in every step just to make sure, but there were strong guidelines that were the basis.

Lamourai: This is correct. Yes. It was important, especially after that I mean one, Many people said I mean one It cannot be done. I was showing this movie for 10 years. And when it’s time to do this, this was the same thing that resembles industry specialists and many qualified individuals, “Don’t do it. Do not do that.” But I did not get anywhere in life by playing safely, right? Therefore, we said, “What does it take to find out exactly how it will do this and how can we do it correctly and do that?” We are ready to put this work. In the end, we forced us to stick to the source materials, which followed with our goal of honoring the character anyway. Consequently, the instructions did not end as restrictions as much as reminding of adhering to the text.

IO9: Gotcha. Now, this may be clear, but I still feel curious about your point of view. When such a personality comes to the public domain, why is instinct immediately to make a tilted horror movie? Is it only because it is 180 degrees of what we know? Tell me a little about the reason you believe that this is what we see a lot today.

Lamourai: Well, I think there are many reasons why independent producers are attracted to imagine these characters. You can say, from the point of view of work, there is always money that can be made in terror, right? And if you are an independent movie, you can make two young men in The Woods who are attacked by a snake monster, or you can do two young men in the forest that is attacked by something that people heard. This is to get to know the brand, right? Many people say they want original stories but when they know a personality, it creates a curiosity. It helps the independent movie to stand out because we do not have the marketing budget to teach you who is Mike Jones, adventurer. But if “Indiana Jones” is likely to hear someone about this person, and may help sell your movie.

But in my view, where did you come from, Steamboat Willie, Mickey Mouse, meaning characters like this, we have this nostalgia for it. We have this connection. This early love. But there is not much Willie Steamboat content towards an older audience. I am not watching cartoons anymore … I think there is really this thing that I love now, which is horror, frightening, exciting and surprising films, and perhaps sometimes a little horrific, and perhaps a little, where I can now take this new way to communicate with a personality I love and type I love, and I have put it together and now, “Oh, I am a steam fan again.” Nostalgia has woke up inside.

I do not think that there is any adult who see Mickey Mouse or Steamboat Willie in an entertainment garden they do not want to give. And I must tell you, the first time that David Howard Thornton has come out in the lawsuit – he got claws, has teeth, is covered with blood, and is similar to six feet with the hat and giant ears. It is like, “Well, what do you want me to do first?” I am like, “you’ll embrace me, you are Big Furry Gooofbal, just as I just want to click on you!” It is very nice. Teeth and claws, his eyes are black.

I mean, David is very nice. But when he walked through the door, the sun was shining behind him, you are like, “Oh my God, this is the rail monster with a six -feet length.” It is just thin and unique and has been so beautifully executed that the crew started lining up. I am like, “guys, I will start imposing fees on these pictures. We have to shoot the movie as we burn through time.” So I think the tendency towards terror, there is definitely a financial aspect of it. But I also believe that we love terror, love these characters, and hit nostalgia differently. Horror is an enjoyable way to re -call something I loved.

Reconnect with Steamboat WillieIf you dare it Screaming The theaters strike April 2. Learn more here.

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