Weekend Weirdness: We Catch Up With Best Worst Movie Director Michael Stephenson. New Trailer, New Showings, New Snacks
It’s a crazy, mixed up world and we are thankful for moviesthat offer proof. Slashfilm’sWeekend Weirdnessexamines such flicks, whether in the form of a premiere for a provocative indie, a mini review, or an interview straight outta Nilbog.
Since I last spoke with directorMichael Stephensonfor Slash, his documentaryBest Worst Moviehas continued to slime the world and gently ooze into the mainstream. Witnessing the steady expansion of buzz for the film—which sees Stephenson embrace his childhood role and cult status in the nonpareil B-movie of our generation,Troll 2,while seeking out his former cast mates—has been a lesson in DIY spirit and Drafthouse-lead modern geek networking.
The hard work of Stephenson, his wifeLindsay, and the doc’s main subject and muse,Troll2 co-starGeorge Hardy, paid off this month with a promising distribution deal. A new summer theatrical tour schedule has been announced, and a brand newBest WorstMovie trailer has been unveiled. Both are posted below. Weekend Weirdness decided it was a perfect, albeit busy, time to check in with Stephenson for an update. He was in the middle of pulling an all-night editing session on numerous, secret special features. Put on a goblin mask and a burlap sack. Stay away from the green icing. And read on.
Hunter Stephenson: Hey Michael. Since our last chat,Best Worst Moviepicked up distribution with Area23a. Tell us about the company and what makes it a good fit for the film. What’s the release and event strategy from here on?Michael Stephenson:I had followed the successful release strategy forAnvil! The Story of Anvilwhich was theatrically distributed byRichard Abramowitzand knew that I wanted to work with him. Then, last January, Richard andKirt Eftekhar, who foundedOcule Films, announced a new specialized film distribution company calledArea23a. They became my partners of choice for the theatrical release ofBest Worst Movie. Area23a has an “event-style” release strategy that’s smart and fun—it fell right in line with what I had always imagined for the film. Movies are best experienced within a communal environment and I had always imagined the release ofBest Worst Moviebeing centered both on community and celebration.
We chose to open in Austin first because there’s no better city or theater that celebrates movies like Austin andThe Alamo Drafthouse. We’re releasing the film slowly while concentrating specifically on creating a celebratory, memorable experience at each theater. Beginning in May, the film will screen in a respective theater for at least a week (Ed. note: See summer dates listed below) and in every city we’re planning something special. This includes cast-member appearances and Q&As,Troll 2themed parties, and…plenty of green food.And we’ve also created theNilbog Brigade, which is an extensive network of friends and fans dedicated to helping us promote the movie—and the power of bologna—in each city. If any /Film readers are interested, please contact us! The only prerequisite is heart and…hospitality.
After spending so many months converting filmgoers to the greenside, is there oneTroll 2fan who stands out? And please enlighten us on the green treats you and your wife have sampled on the road…Michael Stephenson:One fan?!? Sheesh that’s tough! How about two fans? Or, one fan and one couple?Sure.Michael Stephenson:The first fan would be Katie Durant. She’s the cute, Canadian girl in the latest trailer that gets the green slime poured over her face. Katie was one of the first fans to contact me almost four years ago. ThroughMySpace, she invited me to fly to Canada to attend a privateTroll 2party and share a bunk-bed with her. One year, she even organized a competitiveTroll 2event calledThe Trollympic Games—a series of physical, athletic challenges that pitted oneTroll 2fan against another. Sort ofgoblin mano y goblin mano.
And then the fan couple that comes to mind is Katie Graham and Andrew Matthews. In September of 2006, just weeks before I filmed the firstTroll 2screening in NYC, Katie and Andrew sent me this endearing mash-up trailer they created forTroll 2.I’ll never forget the first day I watched it. I loved it so much, I insisted theUpright Citizens Brigadeshow it at their screening. Everybody loved it. (Ed. note: Watch ithere.)
But that’s only part of Katie and Andrew’s story. It just so happened that Katie worked as a freelance director of photography, had the same type of camera as me, and lived in L.A. We are practically neighbors! It was a sign. So, Katie later joined our gang and became the principal cinematographer for the doc. I dragged her halfway across the world; we’ve slept on concrete floors and worked insanely hard together. And Andrew had a background in editing but had never edited a movie before. I didn’t care. After seeing their quick wit, I wanted them both to edit the film. We set up a little post-production office in Hollywood and practically locked ourselves in for six months. It was the best decision I made for the film.
As for green treats? That’s easy. In Seattle, at theGrand Illusion Cinema, they BBQ’d"Troll Fingers,“which were these special homemade sausages.
What do you make of the phrase “best worst movie” becoming part of the movie culture lexicon? Have there been any worthy challengers recently to the O.G. throne ofTroll 2?Michael Stephenson:We’ve already discussedThe Roompreviously. AndBirdemic?! Bah!Troll 2is the original gangsta of the “best worst movie"gang. I can only imagine the older, wiserClaudio Fragasso—the director ofTroll 2—lurking in the shadows in a well-worn wifebeater, calmly drinking a 40, as all of these young “best worst gangsters” step to the scene.Troll 2has been jumped on, has taken its beatings and battle wounds and after 20 years still has the will to live. Claudio Fragasso is a genuine “auteur,” best or worst…there’s no denying thatTroll 2’s the real deal. Naysayers better respect! Did I mention that Claudio is from Italy and linked to the Mafia?With so much exposure and continued word of mouth, have there been any developments on the sequel,Troll 2: Part 2? And is there any word on the rumoredTroll 2figures from Mondo Tees in Austin?Michael Stephenson:Claudio and [producer] Rossella have now confirmed that they have finished the script forTroll 2: Part 2. Oh boyeeee. And no news on theTroll 2toys just yet, but Mondo is always full of fun surprises. Ideally, I’d like to seeTroll 2toys inMcDonald’s Happy Mealsas anti-vegetarian propaganda used to persuade young meat eaters.Would you consider having a rap group create a tribute or tie-in song for the film? If so, who?Michael Stephenson:Word! Actually a rap song forTroll 2was created a few years ago byEcomog. [Ed. note: Watch ithere.] And word on the street is that althoughLil' Waynecannot sign autographs from behind bars, the rap star’s working on some new rhymes.Anybody have a contact to Lil' Wayne?We love you Weezy. Only 198 days and counting. By the way, if any of your readers haven’t seen the Lil' Wayne doc,The Carter, I highly recommend that.Yeah, I’m a supporter of that film, as you know. Have you yet witnessed a burlap goblin on a skateboard?Michael Stephenson:Never. But, you know,never say never.For previous installments of Weekend Weirdness,here.Summer Theatrical Opening Dates forBest Worst Movie: New York City on May 14th, Los Angeles on May 21st, Salt Lake City on May 28th, San Francisco on June 4th, Berkley on June 4th, Seattle on June 18th, Washington D.C. on July 2nd, St. Louis on July 2nd, Atlanta on July 23rd, and Minneapolis on July 23rdFor the official website ofBest Worst Movie, rub the Stonehenge Magic Stone, orhere. Michael Stephenson can be followed onTwitter.
