Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"For me, the magic of movies is you get to be an alien every once in a while. Oh totally. Well, it's a variety. If you had to be an alien every day for like 20 years, you'd probably get sick of it. But if you get to be an alien one day and then like some kind of slasher killer the next day and then like, you know, blown up in a war scene the other day, like that to me is like the best life you can ask for is just being in every kind of story." — Steve Kostanski
"I hate like winking at the camera type staff like like acting like your movies like in on the joke like I approach PG like very seriously and like with all the actors was clear that like you're not hamming it up on this like this isn't like scary movie like this humor only works if you believe the characters in the situation and so hammering that home was important and making sure everybody embraced that and embrace the fact that like it's a dead serious scenario where absurd things are happening it's the truth." — Steve Kostanski
"I want to make movies that please my sensibilities I'm trying to make my goals essentially make like a video store shelf of movies that I can then send back in time to Kid Steve." — Steve Kostanski
The episode features an engaging conversation with director Steve Kostanski, known for his work in horror and science fiction. Kostanski shares his journey from stop-motion animation to leading filmmaking projects, highlighting his passion for practical effects, creature design, and creating visually dynamic, often absurd, cinematic experiences. He discusses the collaborative nature of filmmaking, particularly his experience with the collective Astron-6, emphasizing how diverse perspectives enhance the creative output. The conversation delves into the genesis of his short film "Bio-Cop," its evolution into feature films like "Manborg" and "Psychogore," and the underlying themes of pain, absurdity, and unexpected humanity within his work.
Kostanski elaborates on the challenges and rewards of genre filmmaking, stressing the importance of sincerity and embracing the unique vision, even when it deviates from conventional expectations. He contrasts his approach with more mainstream studio productions, advocating for films that take bold creative risks and genuinely surprise the audience. The discussion touches upon the making of "The Void," its reception, and the dedication required to create truly frightening cinematic experiences. He also reflects on the power of collaborative storytelling and the desire to build a distinct filmography that feels authentic to his sensibilities.
The latter part of the conversation explores the film industry's reliance on citing influences and the benefit of embracing one's personal cinematic language. Kostanski expresses a preference for films that deliver immediate impact and unexpected turns, likening some narrative structures to the rapid-fire creativity seen in shows like "Rick and Morty." He emphasizes the importance of sincerity in filmmaking, believing that humor and genre elements are most effective when grounded in believable character performances and a serious commitment to the narrative's internal logic, even amidst extreme scenarios. The episode concludes with a look at future projects and Kostanski's ambition to surprise audiences with his continued work in the genre space.