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TSP Ep 124 Part 3: Interview of Writer and Director Steven Aripez
43 Plays5 months ago
In the final part of Tom and Steve's interview of writer director Steven Aripez, they discuss some of their favorite films and the filmmakers behind them; digital vs film; and juggling family life and filmmaking.
So come along with us as we learn a thing or two!
You can find Steven and all that he is doing here: https://www.instagram.com/aripezfilms/
And you can find his feature, The Director's Cut here: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019561/the-director-s-cut
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Transcript
Submitting Director's Cut to Film Festivals
00:00:00
Speaker
Well, Stephen, to kind of get it back on track and to get towards the end here. So you finish the director's cut, you get through all of that. ah So when you finish the film, you said you put it out to some film festivals. What was like the trajectory after you finished it? ah What route did you take? How did it end up at the destination it's at now on 2B? Like what was the goal? And then what is still the goal for it and for you? Yeah, yeah.
Dealing with Festival Rejections & Self-Distribution
00:00:30
Speaker
So yeah, I put it out to festivals, like the big ones and stuff. Also, like, I didn't necessarily have the final cut that I wanted when I put it out, because I was running close to the deadlines. I was like, fuck, I gotta just submit what I have. What do you mean by deadlines? Was it deadlines for film festivals or deadlines for yourself? Film festivals, yeah. Film festivals. Because they're coming up and I'm like, ugh, like, I need to, I'm also like trying to be like cheap and not do the late deadline. Oh, yeah. Yeah, I know what you mean.
00:00:58
Speaker
I submitted to like the big name festivals. and What were the big names that you submitted it to? like Sundance, South by Southwest. yeah um I think those were the biggest ones that I submitted to. it like see and Of course, I got nothing. i they they They rejected it and I was like, okay, fuck my life. and that's like yeah But I was like, you know no matter what, like i I'm going to get it out there. I'm going to get people to see it. you know that's you know I know a lot with those festivals. like i you know It could be very like politics. you know it's just like
00:01:31
Speaker
they they you want They want people to go to their festival that has names and stuff, but also I was like, maybe they just didn't like my movie, which is fine. you know so i was just I got into like two festivals and then mid-tier festivals, I would say. you know ah But it was still cool. I got to see it with audiences and stuff like that. you know and then ah But I was already set, like, ah I'm not gonna waste my money on film festivals. I'm gonna go through an aggregator, go through Film Hub, and they put it out for streamers to to pick up, you know? And luckily, 2B is one of the streamers that licensed the
Filmmaking Challenges: Platforms & Strategies
00:02:10
Speaker
director's cut. That was always the the plan, you know? Like, once I, okay, I'm like, okay, I'm not getting really picked up by the big festivals that I want, you know?
00:02:18
Speaker
Okay, then I'm now the goal is to make my money back and me get all most of the profit You know and I try to get and I had meetings with other distributors, you know that were like They're just gonna put it into the catalog with all their other movies and I give it the right attention marketing attention So I'm like, why would I pay them or give them my movie to them? Well, they're not even they give it the the right treatment. So I'm like, I'm going to just self distribute through film hub and and see what picks it up and to be picked it up and I'm like, okay, now I could really promote this thing because now it's in a platform that people know about, you know, um they got picked up by other things, you know, before, but like, they're not like, known to the public, you know, like people aren't gonna be like, what the fuck is re reveal a reveal? Yeah, mean by you know it's like, I'm grateful. I'm grateful that they even picked it up. But it's like,
00:03:10
Speaker
I tell that to somebody, they're gonna be like, what the fuck is that, you know? yeah So once 2B licensed it, licensed the movie, I was like, it was ah it was a big relief because now I can like tell
The Role of Tubi in Indie Filmmaking
00:03:20
Speaker
people, it's on it's on a streaming site that you are familiar with. So um yeah, and now it's just pretty much me promoting it now and and getting eyes on it and in in reaching out to people. so I'm trying to put the promotion without spending a lot of money on promotion, you know? So, word of mouth is basically my friend right now is what I need to, I need to be my friend. So that's, ah yeah, so FilmHub, it got pitched to all the streaming services and right now, Tubi's the biggest one that picked it up so far, so yeah. You know, and and I was thinking about it. I think Tubi's, honestly, in my opinion, the best streaming service.
00:03:59
Speaker
Cause you don't have to pay for it. I was hyped when I got it. I was like, yeah, like, like you don't have to pay for it. There's tons of amazing movies on Tubi, like legit, like just, yeah yeah yeah but you know, like huge films on Tubi. And then you can go down this Tubi rabbit hole and just find all these other films. Yeah. Like it it's, it's, in my opinion, it's the best streaming service. It covers the whole spectrum of filmmaking. You can watch the thing or you can watch just someone has never seen it. it It's just such an awesome source, you know? No, it is. It's it's great. And it's free. Yeah, you got to deal with like three maybe like a few ads, but other than that, it's not like
00:04:48
Speaker
It's it's only like three ads per movie or maybe four man. So it's like pretty good You get you don't get interrupted too much, you know, yeah, like in your movie It was kind of annoying to see the ads but then also at the same time. I Don't know man. I you know, I grew up in a different age where like TV existed Yeah, and you would have to watch commercials. Yeah, it was kind of cool to just like watch your film and then the ads kick in and And iss it just, it was nostalgic for me. and Well, the ads are a natural break. It's like, okay, the ads are here. I'm going to go pee. I'm getting a refill. I'm grabbing some chips or, you know, a bowl of spaghetti, you know, what whatever I'm grabbing. It's like, and then like, when you get back, it's like, all right, the movie's back. And then we just continue off with the movie and then the movie's not like.
00:05:41
Speaker
edited or any are you know like censored. know answered yeah So you just get to continue watching the movie and and then of course after you get to a certain point the ad breaks aren't as long and then yeah after a certain point I don't even think they're there. So then you just get to watch the movie and enjoy it. So I don't know man.
Directorial Influences & Filmmaking Aspirations
00:06:00
Speaker
and I really like Tubi. I really like Tubi. I'm gonna say I watch Tubi a lot and Steve and I are always joking where it's like every indie filmmaker has like the tough choice to be or not to be, you know? Tubi is great, man. It is fucking great. I think it's, it it you know, it's free, which just makes it great. Yeah, you got to deal with ads, but they have such a like huge catalog of films. Exactly, yeah.
00:06:29
Speaker
it makes up for the ads you know and in in and you know what even ne neo Netflix unless you're paying twenty bucks you gotta deal with ads you know anyways you know as I was gonna say everyone's like all the streaming service Hulu has an ad unless you pay like all you gotta pay for it yeah all the basic uh streaming platform like packages are like ad riddled now And Tubi is like, well, no, it's going to be free. And also like it's full of like these little hidden gems like you can watch a movie like on there like and they do. You know, it's so funny because I i think ah I was on it was on a filmmakers subreddit where they were like someone was like, yeah, you know, Tubi sucks because they rejected my film. And I was like, damn, Tubi rejected you. like Like god damn yeah, I'm like, oh they have a lot of fucking questionable movies on there Yeah, yeah, it was like and then he
Digital vs. Film Media Preferences
00:07:20
Speaker
was like and then he posted it and it was called like blood brothers or something like that and it was like Some like weird vampire movie and I tried watching it cuz I was like I want to see I need to know I need to know just how how bad it can light rejected and then I watched it and I was like I
00:07:38
Speaker
Oh, yeah, thank God. Like, oh, it's like it was like, boy, this is. Yeah, I mean, to be, I don't even know how. how i I'll send you guys the link to that movie. It will make you feel so good about yourself. But also, you know, like on Tubi, like I watched The Thing on Tubi and then yeah like for the first time I actually watched The Goonies from start to finish on Tubi. You know, and I was like, holy shit, man, like Tubi's got some good ass movies on there. Well, they got a lot of great older movies that you wouldn't see on like Netflix and stuff like films that you're like,
00:08:15
Speaker
oh damn they wouldn't have this exploitation film on netflix or yeah like exactly
Pursuing Filmmaking Dreams
00:08:20
Speaker
i you gotta read it or or buy it or something but tubey has like They have a lot of Jallos. I love Jallo films. Yes, exactly. They have those films on there and it's like, holy shit, like you can't find it anywhere, but you can actually find it on Tubi and and see these films. Tubi has a bunch of them, yeah. Give us some good... Maybe the only other one is like Arrow Video, you know? Yeah. Give us some good... Steven, that's one of those distributors that ain't nobody heard of. Arrow Video. I was gonna say, give it give us some good Jallos, Steven.
00:08:51
Speaker
Because i and I know a few. I can name a few too. but Yeah. One of my favorite Jallos, Don't Torture a Duckling. That's my favorite Jallos. Good movie. Yes. Tom loves you, man. I think you might be replacing me soon, Steven. I don't know, man. I feel like I'm getting replaced. um but ah My favorite jello is Tenebrough. Have you seen Tenebrough? I love it. Tenebrough is great. I've never heard of those. I love that movie. yeah love i love the I'm a big fan of ah The Psychic. I love Fulchi films. or He's great. yeah she's great The Psychic is one of my favorite. I like Mario Bava too a lot. mario obama Yeah, bloodn but ah Blood Black Lace. blooded bright la blood like lace so yeah
00:09:34
Speaker
Yeah, he's he's a he's a great filmmaker and... yeah Dressed to Kill, that's an American jello,
Balancing Film Careers and Personal Life
00:09:40
Speaker
but I love Dressed to Kill. Oh, I love all of... um Brian De palm ryan de Palma's jallos like American jellos, Dressed to Kill, Body body Double, so good. ah Oh god, Body Double's fucking good. Oh, what about blowout? Is that a Shiela? No, that's more like a big political noir thriller, you know? But that's Brian De Palma, right? Yeah, I only love half a blowout. Half a blowout is good and then other half a blowout, I'm like, it gets a little silly and then like,
00:10:12
Speaker
I know that people really like blowout, but like I'm only really in like in love with half of that movie and I remember I made some watch it because I was like, dude, there's like half to be so good and Tarantino, it's like when Tarantino's favorites, but like like Rolling Thunder is one of Tarantino's favorites and I fucking love Rolling Thunder. um Yeah. But like, you know, oh, got to see you got homework. We always know we were doing a lot of homework. We're going to get more podcasts. I'm curious. I mean, I love blowout. I
Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers
00:10:40
Speaker
think it's great. But i I mean that's interesting. You only like half of it Yeah, I feel like then the the soundtrack gets really like weird like um But I love like there's some concepts in that movie that are so great like the scream. Yeah, like the yeah Yeah, that it's like that's the scream he uses right a callback. Yeah, and it's like yeah, it's actually so like it I But yeah, we're going we're talking like the Palma right like ah the oh sisters is really good Yeah, yes, this is great um But yeah, and I know the ice is great. I've never seen it. It's on I know I need to watch it But you should watch it my brother's that's your homework my brother's ex-wife That was like one of her favorite movies and so he's just like don't watch it It sucks, but I think he just hates her or or listen or listen to ah
00:11:28
Speaker
yeah What's thats ah that band with the zeitgeist the guy, ah Billy Corrigan? Smashing Pumpkins. Oh, you're not a allowed to listen to them, huh? No, I'm not allowed to listen to Smashing Pumpkins and
Script Reading & Creative Critique
00:11:40
Speaker
I'm not allowed to watch Fan of the Paradise. so But I mean, that's kind of silly, so I'll probably watch it one day. Uh, but you know, it took me a long time to watch it. So but it I was once I watched it was like damn I I don't know why it took me so long. Why didn't you just sit down and watch it? Right pama movie, but it's so good It's because I think it's it's so crazy because ah people are like oh the pama he's so good because I remember like growing up It's like you always hear about the pama so great the pama the pama the pama He's like he's one of like the like greatest american filmmakers and I watch like femme fatale and i'm like this fucking guy like
00:12:11
Speaker
He sucks. Like, I fucking hate that movie. I legit hate Femme Fatale, like the Rebecca Romaine movie. now i i've seen I've seen most of his movies, Femme Fatale, still on my on my watch list. Yeah. ah But but i love I love Brian De Palma. He is, to me, one of the i am the best film creators. I've grown to love him. Visually. Yeah. I google go back and you start watching his old stuff and you're like, OK, I get it. Like, ah dressed dressed to kill, body double. What's the John the john Lithgow one with his twin? Blowout. Oh yeah, i'm Raising Kane. Raising Kane is really good. Oh, I've heard of that one. Never seen it, I've heard of it. It's really good. I still think that Brian De Palma's Mission Impossible is the best Mission Impossible. I still think that's the best one. Really? Yeah. Never heard of it. Mission... but Tom Cruise? Oh, he did that one? He did the first one. Oh, the one that no one ever understood what was going on. The one with Jean Renaud.
00:13:07
Speaker
Yeah, that's a good one. But you know where he's like, he flies the helicopter like in a tunnel? It's actually a spy movie. Yeah, it's a spy movie. It's not like some big action fest, you know what I mean? Yeah, no. Yeah, it's action, but it's spread out. It's not like the rest of them are... It's actually a thriller.
Connecting with the Director's Work
00:13:20
Speaker
Yeah, the rest of them are just non-stop, like, action movies. I'm like, that's not a spy's life, all right? It's not overly action-like. Yeah, exactly. I think De Palma, he's a... He became victim to his own success and but and and a comparison. Everyone said that he was like the next Hitchcock.
00:13:38
Speaker
And when he leaned into it, it was great. And then he was like, you know what? Fuck you guys. I'm not Hitchcock. I'm Brian De Palma. And now I'm going to make Carlito's Way. And I'm going to make Scarface. Carlito's Way is great. No, no, he made great. I love Carlito's Way. And then he made great movies, right? And then he was like, oh, I'm so good. I make fucking Carlito's Way. I make Scarface. I make Mission Impossible. And I make Femme Fatale. Then I'm going to make that. Oh. Yeah, his recent films haven't been the best, but you know. He's still got a good one in him, you know, I feel it. Yeah um and It's like it's around the corner for me. It's like uh, it's like William Friedkin. I'm a huge Friedkin fan. Oh, I love I love Billy Friedkin I love you i wish I'm so sad. He's dead. I really want did you want have you read his book or listened to his audiobook? Of his memoir and read his book, but I've seen I now listen
00:14:30
Speaker
but William freak if you're that if you're a film advocate There's two books other than rebel without a cot that you have to read making movies by Sidney Lumet and And the freaking and the freakin connect the freaking connection Which is I've heard of them. I've heard of those books. I have you they are absolute Musts for filmmakers if you want to be a filmmaker with your salt you got to read those books And there's a scene in the freaking connection where he talks about he's and he's like don't do this, but it works He talks about on the French connection, he could not get um the actor that played Popeye. Gene Hackman. Gene Hackman. He could not get Gene Hackman to get into the role because he was like, I want to play this guy. He's a piece of shit. He's a racist. I'm not a racist. I love black people, blah, blah, blah. It's like, yeah, but you know, your character doesn't like he's a cop in Boston. He's ah our wherever in Boston. He's like, he's a racist dude. And he's like, I can't do it. I can't do it. And he was like,
00:15:27
Speaker
Gene, do you love me? And Gene goes, uh, yeah. He's, Gene, do you trust me? Uh, yeah. And then he said, I, then I smacked him in the face as hard as I could. And after that, he did everything perfect. Wow, really? Yeah. There you go, Steven. Just smack your actor's bar. You know, William Freakin's a kind of a, he's interesting because I feel like He's one of like those directors that did a lot of shit that wouldn't fly today. but you got Oh Yeah, dude like fucking up Reagan's back and yeah yeah But but he he he never did it at least in my opinion with like Bad intentions. He was really trying to make the best movie. Just make the movie. Yeah. Yeah, it you know, but he you know, I
00:16:19
Speaker
ah the I think like even you hear the people that work for them, they most of them like him. you know they They don't like say he was like a bad guy or nothing. He was just trying the best movie. you know the The thing is, that i and this is what I appreciate about Freakin, and this is what something that I think Stephen and I have in common with him as well, is he wouldn't put his actress through anything he wouldn't be willing to put himself through. Yeah, I think that's something where it's like, look, I know this is going to be hard and I know it's going to be tough. But like if I was in your shoes, I'm going to do it because this is what the movie I want to make. Yeah, yeah. And like he would push himself. I mean, this is probably why he's dead. I mean, other than the fact that, you know, he'd like had heart disease and all kinds of shit. But it's like he would push himself to the limit on every film.
00:17:02
Speaker
And it's like, yeah and and you know, it's like I you know it's like the same with there's a Don Costa really has a book about filmmaking as well, which is like the life and death of an indie filmmaker, which I think is a is a good another good read because he's the guy that phantasm he did of a hotel stuff like that. Yeah, and he talks about how like he would sit like he would like to get the shot like the DP wouldn't get into the trunk while shotgun shells blanks are flying over the camera. And he was like, the only thing I cared about was getting that camera safe because that rental was really fucking expensive. He was like, we put pillows all around that camera, but I wasn't pillowed up at all. I was just sitting in the trunk and I was holding that thing for dear life, because if that camera got let go, or if that camera got shot, we were fucking dead. If I died, who cares? But the camera can't die. And it's like, you know, that's us, right? That's Steven strapped to a fucking 50 pound camera on a ladder, like holding on to dear life to get the shot, the overhead shot. Like that's, and I was just thinking like, man, that's beautiful. No, yeah, I agree with this. I love me something, too.
00:18:03
Speaker
You need those people who are willing to fucking, who are thinking about the movie, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah, you give it all to the film, right? And that shows, that shows when you're real, when you have people who are willing to give it that all, you know? Yeah, I definitely think my buddy, like you guys have each other, obviously. I think my buddy Jeremy, Alan Pappas, the cinematographer, and he was a producer too, like he's one of those guys that He's thinking about the movie and not thinking about he's thinking about the camera Yeah, can first everything else is basically, you know because without the camera we got no movie, you know Exactly. Yeah, and it's like meh and like the thing it's like I don't want to scratch his glass I don't want to fuck this up like yeah
00:18:43
Speaker
But we got to get the shot. I get a shot. I thought about that fucking shot. I agree. Yeah, I agree. But yeah, freaking I mean, I could talk about freaking forever. He's fucking a amazing. Yeah. Oh, sorcerer sorcerer. I mean, I don't know why he tortured himself to make that movie, but it was like it was worse because the movie is amazing. I fell asleep on it. Oh, but no. yeah you gotley i like this you gotta you got to pay if you if there are any If there are three freaking films you gotta watch, it's French Connection, The Exorcist, and Sorcerer. You watch those three, you kind of get the idea of the man, and then you can kind of delve into like Jade and Life ah to Live and Die in L.A.
00:19:20
Speaker
And you know, what's the one I love i love of William Freakin? That it's i Killer Joe is my fucking dude. I'm like, I'm so mad that I didn't get to write that movie. Like, I know there's like a weird chicken blowjob scene and it's like, yeah. of Kind of it's like it's kind of intense and it and it really kind of goes there and I love when films like take it I like it there. I love killer Joe dude. He should have retired right like he made one more movie after killer Joe and it was like It was like this court drama thing. Yeah yeah the Kane mutiny or the mutiny. Yeah. Yeah, bro You should have just he should have had killer Joe be his last movie. I've heard it's I haven't I haven't seen it but i heard it's not terrible there
00:20:04
Speaker
But just from the trailer, killer Johnny interviews last week. I was like, no. He was really old and sick in that movie making the mutiny one. They had DilTorah as the backup director in case he croaked in. yeah so um But I wish Killer Joe was his last movie that would have been a perfect last movie in my opinion. That's such a good movie. I love those like run to the ground. That's what I'm saying. like it's like ah you know It's like a director's cut kind of film where it's like you know it's just like these people live in their lives, and but they live like insane, crazy lives.
00:20:44
Speaker
Well, I just got to say, you know, Steven, I feel like you're trying to replace me and I don't like this. I don't like where this podcast is going. I feel like I'm getting replaced. I can never replace you. I can never replace you. All right. Bring it back. I can tell you guys have a good strong bond with this government. You always got to have your partner in crying. You want us to start talking about Akira and Ghost in the Shell, buddy? So then let me ask you, Steven. um The director's cut is finished, it's out there. Now, what's next for you? Are you still trying to get the director's cut out there and promoting that? Or are you working on new projects? What's what's next? ah You know, it's that I'm doing things simultaneously. So I'm going to be promoting, I'm going to be promoting the director's cut at least till October, you know? yeah Once October ends, I'll probably stop promoting it, but I'm going to be promoting it.
00:21:42
Speaker
Well, I just feel like after October, I think that's like that's the perfect time to kind of cut. it's It kind of deals with that type of, you know. Like Halloween and getting all that, yeah. That's like that's probably will be my last big push for it for this year. um But having said that, while I'm doing that, I'm also ah um finishing a proof of concept short film for a feature script. um um I'm already done editing it. I just need to do a few tweaks. but Tweaks on it, but it's a full-length script that I got some interest with some guy producer guy that I met Oh shit um at the film festival that I actually Am a co-founder on he showed up and that this guy named ah Nathan lip and we've been you know He wants to get directors cut not directors cut switch. It's called switchblade holiday. It's like it's a slasher film like straight-up slasher film
00:22:34
Speaker
um And ah so that's what I'm working on. And then I'm also working on a raunchy rom-com sex comedy. that' my If so nothing happens with Switch Play Holiday, then I'm going to go. um That's going to be the next one made for sure. The raunchy rom-com sex comedy, you know? ah In the vein of like something about Mary meets 40 Year Old Virgin. oh my way waters in quinn tarantino that's like the elevator pitch of that movie wow i wish you ah were at three hours cuz i was like i would love to dive into. I feel like the logistics of shooting a film like that and today's age is like way harder.
00:23:15
Speaker
Just because yeah like like it's like people are always talking about like inticy and intimacy coordinators and like, yeah you know, like people, see yeah, PC and like just getting people naked is harder um than it's ever been. Like you got to find the right kind of person, like getting just getting like any kind because we have some skin on camera. And I will say for us so it's it's a little bit awkward like just kind of like It's like yeah, it's important to the scene. It's important to the movie and sex sells and it's great but also it's like It's weird because you know, like yeah people are getting naked in front of you And no one wants to ever get naked in front of us I'll say this ah with that without that rom-com. There's no um
00:24:02
Speaker
there's There is nudity, but there's no like, there's only nudity with one of the characters and it's a specific plot point, but all the, there is like sex and stuff, but it's not it's not like frontal, nothing's frontal, but it is, the acts are happening, you know? So it would be done in a way where there's no like, ah the goal would be to get you horny, but without seeing nudity, you know? Yeah, and that's kind of the route that we went to. We were just kind of like, let's try to like, fake it as much as possible without being exploitive. Because then you're like, man, but you watch those exploitation movies, you watch movies from the 70s and 80s and you're like, I want some fucking tits and ass, baby. You know, like, what the fuck? You know, like, what happened to the 80s, man? Like, everyone just tits everywhere, you know? That's definitely what Tom wants. I just got done watching Joe Bob, the season finale for that. I don't know if you guys watch that at all in Shudder. Yeah, the
00:24:59
Speaker
drive The Last Drive-in. The Last Drive-in, yeah, yeah. I haven't watched the recent stuff, but I've seen a lot of episodes of it for sure. Yeah, and it was a graduation day, and it's just like, I love it. It's just like all the women are just so horny. And it's like, you know, like, it's like, films are like also like a... an excuse for fantasy, right? it's like let's let's like We don't have to be like so grounded. like Sometimes I always hate, like we'd have actors be like, well, that's not what would happen in real life. I'm like, bitch, it's a fucking movie.
00:25:32
Speaker
Of course it wouldn't happen been in real life. In real life, the movie wouldn't happen. In real life, you just call the police and you leave. like like you don't you like right You don't investigate. You don't stick around. like People don't try to put themselves in danger in real life. And if they do, they're fucking asking for it. like the you know I mean, that's the point of the movie, you're putting yourself, you know, you're doing things that ah you probably wouldn't do in reality, you know? Yeah. um But the whole goal is to try to make it work where it doesn't seem so out of the realm of reality, you know, try to make it fit in like some type of logical decision, you know? um At least I tried to, you know, I tried to make it feel like, okay, like there is some logic to it.
00:26:15
Speaker
Yeah, but yeah, but in reality, you don't really need to the movie fucking rips and it's entertaining. It doesn't fucking matter Yeah, I always remember there's this quote that crew Kubrick had and he's like cinema has to be 110% of reality because the screen is so much bigger than reality than life Yeah, and it's that might not that's not a direct quote. I kind of was rolling that off It's essentially that like you need to go 110 percent because yeah yeah Really, you're seeing a heightened version of reality and if you play it lower than that it just feels so small and that works for some like like that's probably like a works for like Jim Jarmusch or something like that like I'm sure
00:26:51
Speaker
Yeah, but like for most of us we kind of need to push it to that next level Because yeah, you're watching it on this fucking massive screen or ideally you're watching it on this big screen I mean, I'm sure people are watching our movies on their phones and shit like okay, I haven't I don't think I've ever watched a movie on my phone, but I Fuck those kids. I don't know. ah You know, i I'll say this. I watch movie. I mean, like the theater is my is the only thing that's the that's the goal, you know. Yeah. The movie theater is always the main goal.
00:27:24
Speaker
um and But I understand the the industry now that we're in, that like anybody's gonna watch it, you can't control what people are how people are gonna watch your movie. So I hope it i watch everything in every ah way, through phone, iPad, um TV, obviously movie theater, but I hope it looks good in either way, either format. me you know I think it's important to for it to kind of be all all the above. you know But yeah, nothing's better than the movie theater experience by far. that's the yeah thats That will always be the best. um And like I'm one of those people, like I love digital. I love digital. It's a great thing. it gives us you know It makes people who probably wouldn't have the ability or means to be able to get a film camera, like make movies. you know
00:28:17
Speaker
But my goal is to eventually just only make movies on film. That's one of my like mini goals, you know? I'm hoping to get to that point. thats If I get to that point, I know I made it, you know? Yeah, and we've had a ah DP on her. Her name is Kshusha Jennefeld. And she's done some DP work on, ah like, the A Wounded Fawn was like her big kind of like breakout ah cinematography role. I would recommend checking it out because the cinematography in that movie is freaking phenomenal. Yeah and she shot and they she shot that on film and she was telling us like in reality it's like not that much more expensive but the the reality, though the behavior on set everything is a little bit different when shooting on film.
00:29:04
Speaker
like yeah You have when take out of film yeah yeah but you're so much more like you had to be so much more disciplined. And and it's like ah with digital, it feels like it's like it's almost like a cop-out. You could just shoot all fucking day. You don't even have to stop the recording if you wanted. No, true, true. and you know and like Don't get me wrong, I love digital. i mean I'm very appreciative of digital. I i don't want digital to go away. but i grew up I grew up watching movies shot on film, and that's just like a dream of mine to just shoot movies on film. And and and I want to get to that goal. you know That's one of the goals I want. But like um I love digital. ah Digital's great. But and I know for me, I love film more. So yeah. Film just has that look, man. Yeah, it has. like you Film is not trying to look like digital. That's what I always tell people. like What's better than film is better. Oh, that's a great way to put it. Yeah.
00:30:00
Speaker
No one is ever trying to look like digital digital is trying to look like film that's what i was trying to do it but like film you know like that's a beautiful to put it yeah never actually had heard it phrase that way which is. The perfect way to describe it. Yeah, to me, that's but that's the that's the only way you can tell like what's better. Digital is always trying to look like film. it's not track And when it doesn't try to look like film, it look I don't like that overly like clean, clinical look. It's just too artificial. I'm like, that is not good. That like that looks like soulless to me. you know There's no texture to it. So i'm always like I like films that are shown on digital that
00:30:38
Speaker
At least attempt like that are trying to feel like film, you know, like drive drive is a beautiful I hate you know stephen ho love hate drive Tom loves drive. I've always like drive is the worst film ever Besides the narrative of Drive, visually, you can't argue that it looks great, you know, in my opinion. Yeah, it's a great looking picture. Whether you don't like the story or not, that's besides the point. But visually, it looks so much better than some of these movies that they're putting yeah so much money to. I'm like, how come Drive can make it look good? And you guys fucking, these movies put like $100 million and it looks so fucking...
00:31:21
Speaker
ah Photoshop, digital, you know like yeah too clean, you know too glossy. It's just like poorly CGI integrated with the digital. It's it's absurd. you know but but ah yeah like moonlight Moonlight looks great. That's a digital film that looks great. ah oh you know Moonlight, I never gave it that much credit, but you're absolutely right. Moonlight is beautiful. It's a beautiful looking film and I've never thought of the fact that that's that's a completely digital film. yeah Oh yeah. Digital, but it looks like like it could be... That's a beautiful film. that That's a good advocate for for for digital is Moonlight right there. Yeah. yeah ah my favorite by One of my favorite films shot on digital is Waves. I don't know if you guys have seen Waves. I haven't seen Waves. It's the same director.
00:32:11
Speaker
and same director as moonlight correctly correct that no no no it's the director of it comes at night yeah okay oh okay yeah so he did this movie called waves and that movie's shot on digital but it looks so they It looks so good to like close to film, in my opinion, but it's, it's like one of the best digital shot films ever, in my opinion. But you guys should check it out. It's a devastating movie. Yeah. It's not like when you're feeling great after. He did Krishna, right? Yeah, Krishna. Yeah, he did Krishna. Yeah. Okay. Well, for me, like a great digitally shot film is, uh, holdovers. No, the, um, fuck holdovers. Fuck you. Is the social network.
00:32:51
Speaker
ah Fuck them. Yeah, cuz that was shot on the red that that's the same camera we use for our film. Yeah. Oh, no yeah But dude, I love the way that that film love that movie looks good. I agree. I agree I that movie is one of those movies that doesn't that looks good not trying to look too much like film But still looks fucking great. Yeah, it's good in its own, right? Yeah, that's what it is. I will say that about ventures is good venture. He is just completely embraced Digital, digital yeah i mean I'm kind of sad about it, honestly. I wish he wasn't so gung-ho with Netflix. yeah he writes it He rides the big red dick, yeah Fincher does. It's kind of disappointing. I'll still watch his movie movies, but like i didn't get to see I wanted to see the killer in the theater, not in fucking Netflix. Is that the one with Michael Fassbender? Yeah. I watched killer in theaters. I just thought it was just okay.
00:33:46
Speaker
i wasn't It's not his, it's not, I wouldn't put it in his top like five movies at all, but I enjoyed it, but I feel like, man, I'd rather watch this than read it. It's like panic room level. Yeah, it's definitely in his bottom parts of his film, but I still enjoyed it, but yeah. Well, you can appreciate because you can see a master filmmaker at work. Yeah. You can see those elements of an expert. He's still better than like 80% of the other movies coming out. The killer feels like something he's done before. That's why I don't feel like it's so great. It feels like I've seen him do it in a better way or like in ah a movie that deals with that type of genre.
00:34:27
Speaker
Um, but it's still, I still enjoyed it, but yeah, I just wish he was not so like, I wish he would, I wish he was more of a champion of like keeping film ah alive and movie theaters alive and not being so Netflix. Uh, I know that contract's probably sweet though. So like oh yeah we won't argue if they want to offer it to any of us. words We're still open. We're open to all of that, you know, regardless of what we say. oh I jump on that Netflix bandwagon. Hey, look, I think what's well if you're trying to break in, you take whatever you can get. You know what I mean? Like you got you got to get in and then once you get in, then you can start changing with inside the system. You know, once you're in, you got to get. Yeah, I I never I respect anybody who's trying to get in and they got to do some things and maybe it's not like they're. their main goal you know like vision wise for their film career but you got to do what you got to do you know everyone has their own route you know but as long as you want to get in you do what you want to do then that's why I would never shit on that Jurassic World guy that's why I don't like to shit up I don't want to shit on a
00:35:32
Speaker
Who else did that? Like Adam Wingard and like that those like legendary Godzilla people, like. Yeah. Yeah. Like Michael Dougler. Yeah. Like I'm not going to. Like they made great indie films that kind of got them into now. Now they're all like super millionaires and I'm like, yeah, good for them. You know, and like maybe once they finally run out of like their contracts, they'll go back to making like good movies. um But, you know, no. you Yeah, I wish. That's what I'm saying. like That's the only thing. like I would be like, I'm only doing one fucking big movie like to do like a passion project. you know I wouldn't be wanting to go back to sequels or nothing like that. I'd be like, nah, dude, I need one. well le Even Lynch gave them one.
00:36:15
Speaker
Well, i even Lynch because he did straight story for Disney, right? Like even Lynch gave them a straight story. Fucking is it rips. It's super. No, it's super good. Don't be wrong. say I haven't even heard of it. It's part of that. and It's part of that 1999 year of like, how the fuck is this year? Like, does this year exist? You should watch it, Steven. You'll be like, David Lynch made this movie, but he still makes a David Lynch movie. It's weird. It's about a dude that is riding his tractor across America because he finds out his brother had a stroke. Oh, I think I've heard of that. He wants to make amends with him with their battery. It's fucking great. It's kind of like Best Buds, except no one drinks piss.
00:36:59
Speaker
yeah It is. And you guys are like 80 years old. I really want the best buds. Oh yeah, me too. It's over 10 minutes and I'm happy. um Yeah, yeah. and
00:37:13
Speaker
But Steven, I gotta tell you, man, ah we gotta bring you back on. We we like to do a New Year's episode where we bring on all of our past guests and just talk about how things have gone for them throughout the year and and just kind of but we're gonna bring you on for the film talk about that. So we would love to bring you on for that. um For the film festival, definitely would love to bring you on for that, especially like since you're doing the film festival, like what you look for in a film and how other filmmakers can...
00:37:49
Speaker
can kind of mark it towards that you know and get into that. um It's been a delight, man. like I feel like you're kind of replacing me quickly. you know There can only be one. This is some Highlander shit and I feel like I got my head cut off. But dude, it's been such a pleasure to talk to you, man. And and I've really enjoyed your films. like um I think Rob the Robber, was very much a script that we read, we do script reads on this podcast, we have one that we're gonna do, if you're willing, if you still have time. Yeah, I mean, I have time, I'm down to give you a shot. Yeah, yeah. It's a quietly quick. And it was just like, damn man, this guy is, like Tom said, you know, one of us, there's just a kindred understanding
00:38:42
Speaker
you know, coming from our backgrounds, like, what the fuck do we know? What the fuck can we do? But we're still gonna try and push out something that we love, you know? And and and again, going back to the director's cut, that's why I like that film so much because it was like, damn, man, this guy's really trying to do his thing. Whatever that is, regardless if you like it or not, yeah trying to do your thing. and And I appreciate it because damn, I'm not seeing this film when I go to Cinemark or anything, you know, like, yeah like you're really going out there and providing twists and turns and just
00:39:26
Speaker
redefining the paradigm. Cause I think that's what we're all doing, especially right now with technology and what it's pushing forward, you know, with AI and shit like that. Like, um, I know Tom and I want to do a podcast about, um, what late night with the devil, yeah where they used AI technology to do some like little inserts, but it got a bunch of shit. But, yeah you know, like utilizing those tech technology to just capture our vision. you know and And I think that's a beautiful thing. And and I look forward to seeing what we're gonna accomplish. you know That's the exciting and...
00:40:06
Speaker
the inspirational aspect of it is just like, fuck yeah, man. Some shit, some real good shits really be made out there. And you gotta just look for it. It's gonna be on Tubi, honestly. You know, it like, like Tubi's that platform for us, I think. You know, Tubi, YouTube, these free platforms that we can just put our stuff out there on and then hope there's an audience there for us. The problem is, is over saturation. There's just so many movies. um But there's so many, you know, diamonds in the rough that if people take the time to find them or if there's a resource, hopefully this podcast can be that resource.
00:40:51
Speaker
um to find them and and just see some like real cinema you know to see some real shit you know because because like uh with the movie uh best buds you know you guys are filming and i'm like man they these motherfuckers i know they just sectioned off a little area where they could film and in the background there's an actual restaurant going on yeah And you know, with some of the language going on, I'm like, damn, this restaurant was cool with you guys just shouting a lot of these words out and in delivering these lines. And and just seeing like people in the background walking away and they're like, don't don't look back, they're saying they're saying the N-word, don't look back, don't look, you know, those white guys in the background, don't look back, don't look back. But I fucking love that, man, because that that's the real heart of film.
00:41:41
Speaker
is just capturing the realness or trying to capture realness as best we can. No, definitely. I agree, man. and I appreciate the the kind words. you know you know It's always nice you know talking to people that you know are like-minded or kind of you know have experience, you know something similar. so i you know It's always fun talking to people who love film you know and love filmmaking. so it It like it like I said, like I'll be fucking motivated after we're done talking and it'll be good because I'll fucking probably write like 20 pages. Maybe just like five pages, but it'll be a really passionate five pages. you know That's fucking awesome. And you know, I gotta admit, man, like if you need some help, just let us know. Like we're not that far from you so we can actually help you. Yeah.
00:42:34
Speaker
I don't know. I don't know if we have any of the resources you need, but dude, like I'd be down. Like if you need some, some of the record audio, that's, that's kind of what I've learned to do because we don't know anyone who can do audio. So I i learned it myself. Um, nice yeah, man, I, I'd be down to, to assist and I know Tom would be too. If, if he can find the time, um, yeah Yeah, yeah, man. and like yeah Like literally ah after I showed him that film and then the how fast Tom got on it and got you to come on this podcast, it was like, okay. Yeah, to Thomas, this resonates a little bit to him to put to put in that effort with how busy he is with his work schedule and with his family life, you know, because like if we're not making films, we got to spend it with our family.
00:43:29
Speaker
Exactly. No, that's so true you know true. And that's such a hard thing to navigate, man, because it's hard to explain to to your family like, hey, I can't spend time with you during these important moments in life because I got to achieve this dream. And you hey, you know what? If I achieve it,
00:43:50
Speaker
Life's gonna be so much easier for us. Yeah, I know. Daddy might be happy. Yeah. Daddy might be happy and then mommy might be happy. Daddy's happy everyone's happy. And then everyone's happy, you know, and that's a hard fucking thing to do. And yeah and that's a hard thing to ask for because, you know, fuck, man. iuncing it its it's ah It's a real balancing act. that it's not easy, but you only do it because, you know, you care about the other thing you're going for, you know, you're passionate about the other thing, which is film. That's the only reason I put my, that's the only reason I miss certain things or maybe like don't focus, like miss moments, you know? Yeah, exactly, man. You're not gonna get back, it's because I believe in something, you know, and I'm like, you guys obviously believe in something, you believe that it's gonna pay off and then, you know,
00:44:45
Speaker
Um, and then you know, it's like I'm always gonna be Like I said, I i i am trying till I die basically, you know, it's just that that's I can't I can't imagine I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I fucking just said like, you know, fuck it, I'm gonna go find another career path and and and whatever it is, I just know in the back of my mind, I'll be i'll be hating myself, you know? yeah And yeah exactly and yeah what kind of, you know, I can't teach that to my kid, you know, like give up, you know, on your dreams, you know, I i just, yeah that makes no sense. At least ah least if I keep trying and that and I pass away, she knows that I did and never gave up, you know, or anything like that, so. Oh, you got a little girl?
00:45:30
Speaker
Yeah, I got two little girls, yeah, yeah. me I got a little girl, man. I got another one on the way. We don't know what it's gonna be, but. Oh man, congrats. But yeah, you know exactly like, ah, you know, like, just to to give it our shot. You know? And then, definitely and then let that resonate with them. Like, like, like you don't need, if you don't have the audience that's there to see your film, at least you can have, you can show your kids like, Hey, this is something I did. yeah And, you know, maybe that's not your passion or anything, but just to know that you got to give it, you got to give it that chance.
00:46:15
Speaker
Yeah. And I got i think that's important. Yeah. And I think that's important to show them, you know, more than anything, you know. So I will say, you know, I'm not easily offended. You probably got to say some pretty wild shit to offend me. But one thing that I am always offended by is someone that just has no passion. Yeah. And to me, there's no bigger sadness than someone that's just like, I'm just they're just floating through life because they were born. And it's like, to me, that's that's so sad. That's depressing. It's so sad because it's like, to me, i would I would quit my job tomorrow if I knew my family would be okay and just completely pursue filmmaking.
00:46:57
Speaker
I would just write yeah every day. I would try to finish the movies that are are in the queue. I mean, I got a fucking thousand scripts that we've done for the goddamn podcast, that um you know, that we could shoot or something. And it's like maybe like a quarter of them could really be. Yeah, that's probably. I mean, there was a chunk where there are people drinking throw up. and Let's talk about that one a little bit more. You know, don't don't hit on chunks. like You know what I'm saying? that's all No, no. But i I see what you're saying. It's such a foreign thing when I meet people that don't have like A passion for it or like something to do. I don't know. That's just a weird A weird. Yeah, I can't imagine myself in that perspective, you know Yeah, I couldn't imagine I can't imagine that life. Yeah Yeah, yeah Hey, but that's you know, it is what it is. People are like that. I guess you know, but all right, well david yeah yeah ahead If you're down to read the script we're gonna read the script but before we go to that um
00:47:55
Speaker
What's some ah words of wisdom you wanna leave our audience with?
00:48:02
Speaker
um Don't look at your phone, man. Come on. No, get on I was getting the script ready. iPad, iPad. um What were the wisdom I mean the only thing I could say is just like I kind of live I heard Robert Rodriguez say this when I was watching the special features of Grindhouse I'm and other people I'm sure have said this before but I heard it from Robert Rodriguez He even said that I don't know who said this but I heard this and this is like the model I live by and But you gotta fear forward. You gotta keep going forward, even though it's scary. um And that's what going for, to me, that's how I view filmmaking, going for that, because it's a very tough, brutal fucking thing to go after, you know like many other things. But ah you just gotta fear forward, because like i you know you don't know there there is like you don't know what's after this life. This might be your only chance to fucking be a filmmaker, you know?
00:49:03
Speaker
so That's just my mentality. I just fear forward even when that you know the shit is scary Yeah, I just gotta gotta go forward with it You know so I think that's that's the best advice I can give just fear forward and go for whatever the fuck you want to do um And and and go for it a ah hundred percent. You know don't don't have any regrets on I'm going for your ah goals or dreams whatever it is. You know I All right, man. Well, let's feel forward and let's check out Tom's script. And then since you're a director writer, you can critique the script. You can tell us, you know, does Tom have a chance in Hollywood?
00:49:43
Speaker
Oh i know yeah go be the Send me the script to my email, please So I can I can I can read it off the iPad He's he's drugs. I can do that take a second. I can I can do it, right? But yes, even I mean if you're down man, we would love to have you back on i um and so I'm already been, you know, we've been talking for three over three hours, why not? Yeah, I mean, we could literally talk to you more, but damn, man. Thank you for coming on. it It's just been such a delight. um Yeah, it's been just awesome. Awesome talking to you and just listening to you, man. No, I love talking to people that... No bullshit. Yeah, no bullshit. I love talking about film. um Yeah, no, this is great. I'm glad you guys reached out.
00:50:31
Speaker
Yeah, and thank you for responding back. Yeah, no, no, I'm glad I was able to be on here. All right, so Tom's sending it over. All right. So in the meantime, ah where can everyone find you? Where can they find your films? Where can they find the director's cut? Yeah, they could. Director's Cut is, I mean, there's on other, there it's on other streaming sites, but not well known ones. So you can find it on 2B. That's going to be your best ah option to watch it, watch it on 2B. If you want to watch anything else I've done, you can just ah go to my YouTube channel. It's just my first and last name, Steven Adipas. And ah yeah.
00:51:17
Speaker
And then, ah but watch the director's guide, because that's what I'm trying to trying to promote right now. so yeah um Yeah, so 2B, man. Just go on 2B. It's the one with the word the. there's like four other directors. yeah But it's the director's cut, not just director's cut. And it has a black and white poster. So so the poster's awesome. So who did the poster? Well, we're talking about that. The poster's really cool. Who did the poster? My my buddy Zach Allard. And I sent the sent the script over the email.
00:51:49
Speaker
Oh, nice. i I got it. Oh, thank God. Okay. So that'll be the best place to find the director's cut is through Tubi then. Tubi. And to watch it. Okay. And just support Tubi because Tubi is really like the main indie film supporter, really. like Definitely. Tubi is making or breaking a lot of our dreams. No, Tubi. Yeah, I'm glad Tubi exists. That's for sure. All right. Who wants, who wants to read the action? You're the director, Tom. Oh, fuck. yeah i think the writer should read
00:52:19
Speaker
And I'm gonna be doing a lot. You guys just sit back for like two pages. All right, how about this? Uh... I got it, I got it. Steven, would you be okay with reading just the ah action? I got it, I got it. Oh, nevermind. Yeah, I can read it if you need me to. No, you guys are gotta to play the Steve's. Okay. Wait, which one is Steve? You're the P and and you're the V. Okay. Okay. And then you're the German Steve. The P and the V, you got it. I'm just... I'm the... Steven with the pH?
00:52:50
Speaker
Yeah, you're the Southern accent, Steven with the pH, and then there's a Steve. A Southern accent? Yeah. Oh, shit. Can't you do Southern accent, y'all? You know, go down there, go by like, oh my God, I'm gonna go dig in. That's not a Southern accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That's the King of the Hill accent. That All right, this is called Spooky Entanglement, and then I wrote this. I hate saying written by myself. Written by Tom Kasper. There you go. Exterior. Tom's IT repair van. Day. The pathetic logo for Tom's IT repair is slowly peeling off the side of the white paneled van as it bumps and jumps down the road. Sorry, it's a dirt road towards an isolated farmhouse.
00:53:45
Speaker
Farmhouse that looks to be older than America itself stands in a field of overgrown bushes, shrubs, and other green things I don't know the name for. The van parks. Tom hesitantly steps out of the van surveying the ancient home. There is no way this place has internet already. ah shadowy quick A shadowy figure quickly moves across the window on the second story. Spooky. You know what? Fuck this. door The door swings open, smashing and clattering against the frame. Screams erupt from inside the house. Tom, as quickly as he is capable, gets into the van. It won't start. He better fucking turn over. in and and and and and and li and ah Smashing his hands on the steering wheel. Come on, baby, come on, baby, just turn on just this once. Tom's eyes flick up towards the open door. A man is standing at the door, waving his hands in a manner telling him to run.
00:54:40
Speaker
The car doesn't turn over. It never starts. Tom sits, watching the man, whose expression turns from frustration, turns frustrated, and he just waves him off and walks away. This is why we pay 554.99 a month for AAA! Pulling out his phone, no signal. The source has taught him to glance at the clipboard in the passenger seat. The work order reads, install a cellular extender to restore coverage in this dead zone. Dead zone? No fucking kidding. Well, maybe those screams were just joy for tubey time.
00:55:19
Speaker
tom exits a vehicle cut to interior spooky house minutes later tom sets inside the paintchi door clatter shut and paint chip smack his coveralls Hello? My truck won't start and I need this extender. I need to put up this extender. I can call a tow truck or something or an Uber or anything. No answer. Sir, I know your home. I saw you. Two men step around what appears to be the entrance to the kitchen, both holding a half empty bottle of whiskey. Well, shit. Your name isn't Steve, is it? No, sir. It's Tom.
00:55:59
Speaker
How? Damn! At least that erases one layer of confusion. i i Well, I don't understand. The two men, named Steven and Stephen, both look to be in their 30s. Tired, deep lines betray their body's appearance. You want a drink? Steven Shakenley. Shaken... Jesus Christ, I know how to write. Steven Shakenley. Holds out the dusty old bottle of Colonel E.H. Taylor, which if you've never had E.H. Taylor, I highly recommend it.
00:56:34
Speaker
Oh, nice. I never had it. Me either. That's some fancy drink. Oh, it's very fancy. I have to pass. I am on the clock after all. Both Steve's look at each other and giggle. Which clock is that? I mean to say I'm here on a job. I got my gear back in the van setting up your internet and sailor service. I was contracted out by another big cellular company to restore service in this area. Shit, look. Real shit. You might as well get comfortable, you won't be leaving. I'm Steven, and now I don't know why I wanna do a southern accent. You can do southern now you had a southern come on. ah I'm Steven, that over there, well, he's also Steven. It's a pleasure. Tom inches towards the door, his arm moving behind him, grabbing the knob.
00:57:28
Speaker
Go ahead. Wrong Steven. Nope.
00:57:33
Speaker
ah Go ahead. Try the door. You think we haven't tried it? I fucking warned you. Didn't you see me waving to you? Waving to go ah go away? but bum but but but But my van. There isn't anything for miles. I need help. It's hot outside. Shit. Howdy shit. Is this understatement of the year? The century for me, you may want to sit down, drink this. Steven stumbles over, shoving the whiskey bottle into Tom's gut. Tom shoves Steven aside, spinning 360 degrees and shoving against the door. Pulling, kicking, pushing, pounding the door. Chips just splatter off the bare wood remains. Tom freaked. Well, you know, not cool. I don't like this. I just want to leave, man. I want to leave right now. Oh, me too. It's been well.
00:58:23
Speaker
How long has it been, Steve? Uh, you've been here for 15 years now. Tom slumps to the ground. Fuck, that long? To be honest, I don't remember. Hey, kid. Tom- What year is it? Tom just whimpers and cries in a ball on the ground. Oh, you ain't gonna cry like that all the time. Please, Lord, tell me you won't be hollering like that every god darn day. This purgatory is gonna really turn into a real hell if this is the case. Tom stops Steven, grabs his arm and pulls up, pulls him up to his feet. Tom wipes away the sobs. Nothing you say makes sense. You must be drunk, that's it. You're just a bunch of drunk hillbillies.
00:59:14
Speaker
Hillbilly, I do take offense, sir. Tom rushes again, even though he is out of breath from crying. He dives through the window. There's actually a rather impressive feat. Yet he crashes through another window and collides hard with the floor. but Fuck, fuck, fuck. Steven pulls out a perfectly wrapped Hershey bar from his back pocket and hands it to Steven. I told you he would jump. Now I didn't think he would land with such grace. But as they say, winner winner chicken dinner. Steven rips the wrapping off the bar and shoves the entire thing in his mouth. You sir are a cooth animal. How dare you enjoy the little things in life. I hate it when it starts to melt and my fingers get all sticky. Steven licks the chocolate from his fingers and washes it down with some good old E.H. Taylor.
01:00:07
Speaker
I don't have even now getting this. Tom starts away from his crash, covering in cuts from the glass and the hard fall he winces as he sets up. I have so many questions.
01:00:23
Speaker
We all, I'm sorry. We have all the time in the world, literally. Fire away, cannonball. What is going on? maybe Maybe you should go to the basement. Already? I'm not going to the basement. Nothing good ever happens in the basement. The German in the basement? German? What German? A loud banging and shouting comes from the basement as the door is slammed open. oh And you guess oh are you who's doing the German accent Steve i't i don't know Is that my character? is that No, it's a different character. Oh, this is a different Steve. Yeah Oh a new guest this is unfortunate, but I have made a discovery What's that Steve oh I lost my place is everyone your name Steve
01:01:22
Speaker
Oh, technology betrayed us. Oh, is everyone here named Steve? This is the German one, right Steve? is This is you. is this Am I the German Steve here? Yeah. Your name is also some variation of the word Steve. This is quite the coincidence. ah No, my name is Tom. German Steve. Gross! My boss, I have discovered a wonderful scene. Steve pulls out a bottle of clear liquid. Well, where did you? Am am I just- If it just says Steve, it's the German Steve. I ain't that fucked up. There's a lot of Steve. Okay. Digging in the basement. Impossible.
01:02:07
Speaker
and Buried, it's all, but we only need to drink the bad stuff once. Then it will be rested like all of us at the basement at the restoration time. The Three Steves. Look at Tom. I am not drinking that. It might help. How is drinking a dusty, dirty, old nasty bottle of whatever the fuck that is going to help? Are you serious? You can't be! Because this is some bad dream! You wake up from bad dreams, I just need to wake up. High percentage! I took a little bit. Must have buried years before the entanglement. Entanglement? Like quantum physics type shit?
01:02:57
Speaker
German. This is me? Yeah. Oh, so you aren't as dumb as you look. That is good. Once you step foot in the house, you became well tricked. We can't leave. We don't age. Hell, we can't even die. We have all killed each other before. Countless times. Precisely. At 3.15 a.m. each morning, everything resets to how it was. Like Groundhog Day? What? What does Groundhog have to do with quantum physics? Like, do you mean we live the same day over and over?
01:03:44
Speaker
Nah, time passes, but we all, well, everything in the house resets. It's a shame you didn't bring a pizza with you. Haven't had it sliced in over 50 years. Tom sits silently on the floor. Enough exposition. Drink the bottle. We haven't had anything new in years. I don't know what that accident is. At least you can read this time. We haven't had anything new in years. Morning bottle will be your field, but whatever reason it will taste brand new, it really is spooky.
01:04:25
Speaker
Is that me again? Yeah, German, Steve. Drink up! Tom takes the bottle from Steve. Tom sniffs it. The strong ethanol smell launches his head back. Ah, Soga, you mean to tell me all three of you have been here in this house each day after day for decades? Precisely. And all this time you are telling me you haven't found a way out. Well, we have found a way out, kind of. With great effort. We can leave the house. Then I guess I don't quite understand why the hell you are still here. Which Steven is this? That's you. Southern Steven. Well, we still always get brought back.
01:05:11
Speaker
Doesn't matter how far we make it at 3 15 a.m. back to the house. And well, this is that. No, wait, who Stephen is this? If it's like, God damn, I knew this was going to be too hard. even Is this me? This is Stephen with the beat.
01:05:30
Speaker
I'm sorry. Steven with the N at the end. You're Steven and the one with the pH. Oh, okay. And I'm with the N at the end of Steven. Steven, you're a great director. Yeah. Does that fucking hurts? Imagine your body exploding and rebuilding itself. Oh, oh. But? No buts. I'm sure we have tried it, whatever you are thinking. Finish the bottle in the morning, we will ease you in. Tom drinks down the bottle, pukes, and passes out. Didn't that warm him? We tried. Tomorrow he can meet the rest. Footsteps can be heard from upstairs. Who was to tell her? She won't be pleased. ah What Steven is this? That's German. You. She won't be pleased. No. After that, I already said that line.
01:06:29
Speaker
God damn it. God damn this script. You ruined my joke. What what's Stephen am I the German Steve? Yeah, I know what Stephen is a German the last I'm the one that says she won't be pleased and you say the last line I'll tell Stephanie Made out and part one. All right, see you. You want to you want to make those with us? Yeah, this was fun I like this I Honestly would have to read it again sober to fully understand that but it was fun. I enjoyed the dialogue for sure So I had this dream. They're at Groundhog's Day loop is what I'm getting at here. It's not a loop. So the idea is, so the dream that I had was I was trapped in this house with a bunch of people. But no matter what, we couldn't leave. And there was like a quantum entanglement that was like holding us in. And there's like that, that quantum entanglement saying like the spooky action at a distance, like no matter how far away you are.
01:07:27
Speaker
Right. I totally got that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So time is progressing on the outside world, but they just keep resetting. Right. So once they become entangled, they're just stuck in that position so they can die. They can kill themselves that if they leave. They just they just sat back. in And that's their existence for essentially all of eternity and they just are slowly going insane and then there's all these people named Steve or Steven or Stephanie and so this weird coincidence that these people are just drawn to this house that have the same name and it was a joke that we always keep inviting people on the podcast named Steven. Oh, it's like an inside joke.
01:08:07
Speaker
That didn't make any sense now in hindsight, but it was also kind of funny because I was like, it's going to confuse the fuck out of them. Oh, it definitely did. Yeah. But that was it and now I've explained it and that's been the podcast. So, Stephen, I hope you had a good time on the show. Stephen, where can people find you or where can people find your films? Yeah, they can find me on Instagram at Oedipus Films and you could find me on TikTok at Steven Aripis, 24. You can find my movie, The Director's Cut, on Tubi. It has the words, the, before the director's cut. It has a black and white poster with a knife and a skull.
01:08:55
Speaker
um And yeah, you can find my youtube is just steven not eat this um And yeah, that's where you can find me. I'll be on there. I have a letterbox, too I think it's just my first and last name as well So if you guys have letterbox follow me and I'll follow you guys back, you know, let's follow each other All right, and that's when twin shadows podcasts are interview with steven arepas. So, uh, thank you everybody cut appreciate guys