美国国家公共电台 NPR Ti West & James Ransone: In A Valley Of Trivia

Ti West & James Ransone: In A Valley Of Trivia

play pause stop mute unmute max volume 00:0012:27repeat repeat off Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser 1 to a recent version or update your Flash plugin. JONATHAN COULTON: This is NPR's ASK ME ANOTHER. I'm Jonathan Coulton here with puzzle guru Art Chung. Now here's your host, Ophira Eisenberg.

(APPLAUSE)

OPHIRA EISENBERG, HOST: 

Thank you, Jonathan. Soon, we'll find out which of our contestants 2, Andrea or Colleen, will be today's big winner. But first, it's time to welcome our special guests. Their new film is called "In A Valley Of Violence." Please welcome director Ti West and actor James Ransone.

(APPLAUSE)

JAMES RANSONE: Thank you.

EISENBERG: Welcome to ASK ME ANOTHER.

TI WEST: Thanks for having us.

RANSONE: Thanks for having us.

EISENBERG: Pleasure. Now, actually, we're going to talk about your new project in a moment. But first, how did you two meet?

RANSONE: You want to do this?

EISENBERG: James?

WEST: No. I'll hear your story first.

RANSONE: (Laughter).

EISENBERG: All right. We're going to hear your version.

WEST: The truth will lie somewhere in between.

RANSONE: Yeah. So I got - it was many years ago, I think, in late - I don't know it was, like, 2008 or 2009. And I got a call being like, hey, there's a director that wants to have a general meeting with you. And he lived in New York. And he's like, well, he wants to meet at Cafe Mogador. And I was like, well, that's where I eat breakfast every day. So that sounds fine.

(LAUGHTER)

RANSONE: And then I met him. And then he explained to me how he was very unhappy with the movie he did. So he took his name off of it. I was like, all right, I want to work with this person.

EISENBERG: OK. So you saw him as a little bit of a rebel who had a lot of integrity in his work. And you thought...

RANSONE: It wasn't even the rebel. It was the integrity.

EISENBERG: It was the integrity.

RANSONE: Yeah, I just - I'll back an artist over the money any day of the week.

EISENBERG: Nice. Ti, does that coincide nicely?

WEST: That sounded great. I'm going to say that it was exactly how it went down.

(LAUGHTER)

RANSONE: Can you say something nice about me, please?

EISENBERG: (Laughter).

WEST: And he was great. And Mogador was really great, too.

EISENBERG: (Laughter).

WEST: Yeah. I mean, he was - I was a fan of his work. And we met. And then we kind of stayed in touch. We became friends, like he said. And now I wrote the role in "In A Valley Of Violence" specifically for him.

EISENBERG: Oh, nice.

WEST: And off we went to make the movie. So it worked out.

EISENBERG: Ti, as someone who has written and directed many horror movies like "The Innkeepers," "The House Of The Devil," can you still be scared by a horror movie?

WEST: Very rarely.

EISENBERG: (Laughter).

WEST: But no. I mean, every once a while, there's a movie that's pretty cool. But I've seen a lot of movies. And when you make movies, you start to - I think a lot about how they're making it.

So - but if a movie scares me, that means it's doing something that I can't quite figure - it's sort of like if you were, like, a magician. And the magic - another magician. You're like, ah, you just put it in the - but then if you do one, and you don't know how they did it, you're like, huh. And that's - you know?

(LAUGHTER)

WEST: So I'm always looking for that, like, huh. But it doesn't happen as often as I'd like.

EISENBERG: So your version of blood-curdling screaming is you going, huh.

(LAUGHTER)

WEST: That's correct. Yes.

EISENBERG: Yeah. OK, good. Now, I was watching a video where you talked about the movie that inspired you to get into filmmaking. One of them is "Raiders Of The Lost Ark..."

WEST: Yes, that's true.

EISENBERG: ...Which is my favorite movie of all time.

WEST: It's a great movie.

EISENBERG: Why did that inspire you?

WEST: I don't know. It's just - it was a movie that my parents had taped off on VHS off of, like, TBS with the commercials in it. And I had watched it a thousand times. And it was - I think it was the first movie that really made me - like, I didn't think about making movies when I was thinking about that movie.

But it just was the first movie that got me, like, super into - I was, like, movies are awesome 3. That started sort of, like, the snowball rolling, which led to being obsessed 4 with the video store. And I was telling someone earlier today we had a video store called Cinema Video in Wilmington, Del. And it was arranged by directors, which is, like, so pointless in Wilmington, Del.

EISENBERG: (Laughter) Yeah, right.

WEST: So - but, like, good effort. And I would go in there. And they had five-for-five Fridays, where you could get five movies for five bucks 5. And you keep them for five days. And so that's all I would do. And I just got very obsessed. And that's sort of how my - how I got into things. But "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" was the first - like, I was obsessed with Indiana Jones.

EISENBERG: Yeah. And then the subsequent Indiana Jones movies?

WEST: Yeah 'cause I - one time I was at school. And I mentioned Indiana Jones. And some other kid was like, yeah, like "Temple Of Doom 6?" I was like, what's that? And he was like, that's the other movie. And I was like, what other...

(LAUGHTER)

WEST: Because it was my favorite thing in the world. And I was, like, what do you mean there's another movie? And then I started to think, like, did my parents keep this for me? Or did they just not know? And I don't know which one would be worse.

EISENBERG: (Laughter).

WEST: Anyway, later that day, I saw it. It was great. Monkey brains - the whole thing. I still think it's a great movie.

EISENBERG: (Laughter).

WEST: My favorite of the series, actually.

RANSONE: My first two, I think, were "Back To The Future" and "Top Gun" as VHS, which explains my entire acting 7 career right now...

(LAUGHTER)

RANSONE: ...I think, in retrospect 8, when I think about my influences.

EISENBERG: Those were - that's what inspired you to get into acting?

RANSONE: I think so. I mean, it's, like, one of those things. It's, like, is that the - was that the psychic 9 impression that led me to do this? - you know, as I retroactively look back on the whole thing.

EISENBERG: Right. Well, I mean, most of our listeners know you from a lot of HBO shows, "The Wire," "Generation Kill," "Treme" - all David Simon creations.

RANSONE: Yes, yes.

EISENBERG: What's going on there with you two?

RANSONE: I guess nothing anymore?

(LAUGHTER)

RANSONE: He's making a new show.

EISENBERG: (Laughter).

RANSONE: I don't know. We have this - we have a very similar sense of humor, self-deprecating with a side of intellectual elitism 10.

(LAUGHTER)

RANSONE: Sounds about right.

EISENBERG: That - I feel like that describes HBO...

(LAUGHTER)

EISENBERG: ...In a lovely way. When you first started getting booked for projects - I don't know what - your first moment where you're like, yeah, I'm going to be doing this full-time 11 forever.

RANSONE: I had done "The Wire" and then some indie movies. And then I was playing in bands for a while. And then I had some personal problems - drugs - for a while.

(LAUGHTER)

RANSONE: And I remember I got cast in "Generation Kill." And I had to go to Africa. And I was going to live there for about a year. And, like, I was like, oh, this will be cool. And then I got to set. And they handed me a call sheet. And I was number two on it.

And I was like, someone made a mistake, right? That's what I thought. I was like, I don't - this is too much responsibility for me. And I - literally 12, it occurred to me in that moment that this is my job.

EISENBERG: Very good.

EISENBERG: And I guess you lived up to the responsibility.

RANSONE: Yeah (laughter), still trying.

EISENBERG: Still trying. Ti, now, you direct and edit many of your projects.

WEST: Yes.

EISENBERG: So when you are directing, are you looking at it from the point of view of editing later? Or are you just directing and going, I'll figure it out later?

WEST: More the former. To me, it's like - writing, directing, editing, for me...

EISENBERG: Yeah.

WEST: ...Is just like filmmaking. It's sort of the same thing. You kind of think of an idea, and then you write it down so that other people can understand your idea. And then you direct it because that was the goal. And then you kind of saw it - at least I saw it in my head beforehand. So - but also, I've made a lot of small movies. So it's a way to be economical and to be able to shoot. Like, I just need this, this and this, and they'll go together. But I'll shoot this just in case I'm wrong.

EISENBERG: Now, if you were given free rein 13, you know, whatever thousands of millions of kazillions (ph) dollars and you could hire it out, which one would you give up?

WEST: Oh, well, with that kind of money, I wouldn't have to.

EISENBERG: (Laughter).

WEST: But, you know, they're all...

EISENBERG: You would still work all three?

WEST: ...I mean, they're all really traumatic in their own right.

EISENBERG: (Laughter).

WEST: So it's like - the thing is, when you're writing, you're like, I hate writing. I wish I was directing. And then when you're directing, you're like, if only I was just back writing where there wasn't everybody screaming at me. And then when you're editing, you're thinking like, why did I think I wanted to do this? I wish I was back on - so it's just a constant grass is greener thing. So if I farmed it out to somebody else, I would just be like, why did I not do it myself?

EISENBERG: (Laughter).

WEST: So there's just no - there's too much self-hatred for me to ever get through this. Yeah, I just have to keep making movies.

RANSONE: Can you just - can you answer the question?

WEST: No.

EISENBERG: (Laughter).

RANSONE: Which one will you give up for the billions of dollars?

WEST: I won't do it. This is the problem with integrity.

RANSONE: Yeah.

EISENBERG: Yeah.

(LAUGHTER)

EISENBERG: It comes at a cost.

RANSONE: You've made a huge mistake.

WEST: That is true.

EISENBERG: Let's talk about your new project, "In A Valley Of Violence". Ti, "In A Valley Of Violence" is a departure for you genre-wise. But I can imagine that there are some crossover. But why did you want to write a Western?

WEST: Well, I had made a movie called "The Sacrament" that was a movie that was, like, really all - it was heavily based in realism. It was, like, a fake documentary trying to be real. It was using a real brand, a real tragedy. All the violence in that film - it was a horror movie, but it was trying to - it wasn't, like, escapism. It was really confrontational 14, really tragic 15. Essentially 16, it was a real bummer to watch...

RANSONE: (Laughter).

WEST: ...because it was like really brutal 17. And that was kind of the goal. And then when that was done, I didn't want to do anything having to do with realism. I wanted to do traditional cinematic. And that, to me, was a Western. So I had an idea for one. And I went and I met - I came to New York and I met Ethan Hawke. And I pitched him the idea for the movie, and he liked it. And I said, I'm going to go home and write the script. And I'll send it to you the day you wrap. And if you don't like it, we never have to talk about it again. But if you do like it, let's make this movie.

EISENBERG: Yeah.

WEST: And so I went home and frantically 18 wrote the script and I sent it to him. And then the day after he wrapped, he was like, I dig it. Let's do it.

EISENBERG: And what makes a Western a Western other than cowboys and setting?

WEST: I don't know. There's something kind of cool about these sort of traditional archetypes of cinema. And I think it's about individualism. I think it's about exploration and whatnot. All of these answers are going to get more pretentious 19 as they go on.

EISENBERG: That's OK (laughter).

RANSONE: Go on.

(LAUGHTER)

WEST: But yeah, I think it's different for every person. But I think - I really think individualism is a big part of it.

EISENBERG: If you lived in the Old West, what would your job be?

RANSONE: I would be the madam. That's what - the job I want.

(LAUGHTER)

EISENBERG: James figured it out immediately.

WEST: I thought he was going to go like, the sheriff or something. But I don't know. I don't know. I'd probably be some - I'd live out in a weird 20 cabin somewhere in the middle - I'd be a weird hermit 21 person probably...

EISENBERG: (Laughter) A recluse 22.

WEST: ...Just somewhere in the woods thinking deep thoughts.

EISENBERG: (Laughter) Right. A Western takes place in...

RANSONE: ...Oh, you're going for crazy prospector 23?

WEST: Yes, yeah.

(LAUGHTER)

WEST: That would be my role.

RANSONE: Have some of this coffee. And you're like, this is mud.

WEST: Exactly.

(LAUGHTER)

EISENBERG: Their new film is "In A Valley Of Violence." Let's have a big hand for Ti West and James Ransone.

(APPLAUSE, CHEERING)

EISENBERG: Are you guys ready for an ASK ME ANOTHER challenge?

RANSONE: Yes.

WEST: Yes, let's do it.

EISENBERG: OK (laughter). So in the spirit of the Western, you two will face off in an ASK ME ANOTHER showdown. So here are the rules - Jonathan Coulton and I will give you clues to an answer with the word west in it.

COULTON: So for example, if I gave you the clues graduation, Beyonce had the greatest video of all time, rapper...

RANSONE: Kanye.

WEST: Kanye.

COULTON: ...Kanye West. That's exactly right.

RANSONE: That's what I thought. I hit the button.

COULTON: You got it.

EISENBERG: Here we go. Dule Hill, 1999 through 2006, walking and talking, Aaron Sorkin.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

EISENBERG: Ti.

WEST: "The West Wing."

EISENBERG: "The West Wing" is correct, yes.

(APPLAUSE)

RANSONE: I'm not a big TV guy.

EISENBERG: (Laughter).

WEST: Just 'cause it wasn't a David Simon show.

RANSONE: Touche, my friend.

COULTON: Here's your next one - budget, open seating.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

COULTON: Ti.

WEST: Southwest Airlines.

COULTON: You are correct.

EISENBERG: Yeah.

(APPLAUSE)

EISENBERG: I see you've spent some time in the old Southwest.

WEST: Oh, so much time on the open-seating Southwest.

EISENBERG: (Laughter). All right, here's your next one - Thandie Newton, androids.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

RANSONE: Dude.

WEST: I'm sorry. I almost didn't do it 'cause it - but it's "Westworld."

EISENBERG: Ti West, the answer is "Westworld."

(APPLAUSE)

COULTON: Pillow, ice bucket, occupancy rate, maid service.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

COULTON: James.

RANSONE: Best Western.

COULTON: Best Western, that's correct.

(APPLAUSE)

RANSONE: Well, thanks for throwing me that softball.

WEST: Yeah.

RANSONE: No problem.

WEST: Yeah.

EISENBERG: All right, this one's a little harder. OK?

WEST: OK.

EISENBERG: Lowercase font, statement mirrors, ombre mercury vases, mid-century lighting 24.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

EISENBERG: James.

RANSONE: West Elm.

EISENBERG: Why you are correct.

(APPLAUSE)

EISENBERG: Do you enjoy that store?

RANSONE: Don't I look like a shabby-chic guy to you?

EISENBERG: (Laughter) You do.

COULTON: (Laughter). The end of "Back To The Future II," yellow and black, no bank account required, telegram.

(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)

COULTON: Ti.

WEST: Western Union.

COULTON: That's right.

RANSONE: You know, I was right on top of that one. I'm just letting you know.

EISENBERG: Yeah.

WEST: (Laughter).

EISENBERG: Guess what, this is your last clue. Anita, Romeo and Juliet, Stephen Sondheim, Sharks and Jets.

(SOUNBITE OF BELL)

EISENBERG: James.

RANSONE: "West Side Story."

EISENBERG: That is correct, yes.

(APPLAUSE)

EISENBERG: Puzzle guru Art Chung, how did our esteemed 25 guests do?

ART CHUNG: They both did amazing. Ti, you won the game. But congratulations, you both win ASK ME ANOTHER Rubik's Cubes.

WEST: All right.

(APPLAUSE)

EISENBERG: Let's have a big hand for Ti West and James Ransone.

(APPLAUSE)

WEST: Thank you.

RANSONE: Thank you.

COULTON: (Singing) Sometimes you're better off dead. There's a gun in your hand. It's pointing at your head. You think that you're mad, too unstable 26, kicking in chairs and knocking down tables in a restaurant in a West End. Call the police, there's a madman around, running down underground to a dive bar in a West End town. In a West End town, a dead-end world. East End boys and West End Girls. West End girls.

EISENBERG: Jonathan Coulton.

(APPLAUSE)