Ask questions to Blu-ray Producer and Filmmaker Charles de Lauzirika

[Mythos]

Well said Charles. Respects.

[jakeneff]

No questions here. I just want to say that your DVD/Blu-Ray special features are hands down among the best available. Watching the Body of Lies features right now. Thanks for all the thought and care you put into your work!

[Diesel]

Would just like to welcome you to the site Mr. Lauzirika.

Always nice to have new Insiders joining our ranks.

Hope you have a pleasant experience on the forums

[Monolithium]

Welcome Mr. de Lauzirika. Your work on the Quadrilogy, Blade Runner, Kingdom of Heaven DC and Black Hawk Down are some of my favorite DVDs. Thank you for your excellent work.

What are some of your favorite DVD/BD Special Editions that have been made by others?

[SquidPuppet]

So, where did Charles go?

[Jeff Kleist]

Charlie's on the set making extras for Transformers 3, so he's very busy at the moment

[Charles de Lauzirika]

Thanks again for the kind welcome. I truly appreciate it. Just fair warning, I rarely discuss upcoming titles until the studio in question announces said project, unless they give me permission to, of course. And I travel a lot. And work crazy hours. And try not to spend every waking moment on the internet. So there might be stretches of silence from me. As you just saw.

Originally Posted by abintra

Congratulations on, what I think, is your first upcoming feature. Anything you care to share about that process, and working with Ron Perlman, would probably make for an interesting read.

I've spent the last decade documenting the work of other filmmakers, but I'm not even sure where to begin discussing the process of making my own film. I learned a lot about myself while making "Crave" and I really can't wait to make the next one. We just had our first private screening of the film this weekend and the response was better than I expected, with great feedback coming from those in attendance. Currently running 130 minutes, it's a bit long, so now I'm trimming the fat away. But of course, if anyone has any specific questions, I'll do my best to answer. And yes, Ron Perlman was a blast to work with and a total pro. And a lot of fun off the set as well. But I also have to mention Edward Furlong, who was an absolute joy to work with and cheerfully put up with some truly miserable conditions. When you see the film, you'll understand why. His character doesn't exactly have the most pleasant time in our story, and Eddie really threw himself into what ended up being a physically grueling role in bitter cold Detroit weather. I imagine I'll have more to say about "Crave" down the road, once it's getting closer to the finish line.

Originally Posted by sharkshark

A few general questions (fearing that talking about specifics or future releases will get us little):

- what are some of your previous releases that you feel may have been overlooked during the DVD period, that you would like to see either re-purposed or revamped for Blu?

Pretty much all of the "big ones" got their proper due on DVD, but I could still see many of them get further enhanced for BD, as we're doing on a certain upcoming anthology of films you might have heard about. But in terms of the ones that got overlooked? I'd probably have to say "Matchstick Men." I shot tons of behind-the-scenes footage on that one that has yet to see the light of day. It was an interesting time too, because I was documenting both "Matchstick Men" and the unmade "Tripoli" simultaneously, so I would literally be shooting a meeting for the former and then follow Ridley down the hall (still recording, mind you) and continue shooting a meeting for the latter.

- can you point to any titles from your colleagues that you particularly respect, in a "man, I wish I'd have done that" sort of way?

At the risk of leaving out many projects and producers I respect, here are just a few that spring to mind at the moment...

I'm a big fan of Kim Aubry's work on the Coppola titles he's done. Every time I watch his work, I feel like I need to be working harder. Or at least better.

Speaking of Coppola, I thought Gary Leva's documentary on American Zoetrope that appeared on the "THX-1138" DVD was superb.

Although I wish he'd gotten a chance to explore post-production more, I look at my friend Robert Meyer Burnett's epic "Requiem for Krypton" with envy over the early and thorough access he was given to the production throughout the making of "Superman Returns."

I thought the extras on "Star Trek" (2009) were very-well put together and actually showed me things I hadn't seen before. It was the first time in quite a while that I was actually excited to watch the behind-the-scenes materials.

I'm really enjoying my good friend Jon Mefford's extras on "Kick-Ass." They're immersive and candid. Great stuff, and I can't wait to finish them. And I'm looking forward to checking out Cliff Stephenson's work on the new "Rambo" BD that Lionsgate was kind enough to send me.

I have to be honest: I don't watch a lot of supplemental features anymore. The last thing I want to do after working on this stuff all day (and sometimes all night) is sit down and watch more of it. But if I love the film, or if I've heard extraordinary buzz about a particular special feature, I'll normally check it out.

- what would you say is the state of BD "extras" production, compared to the same state for Standard Definition releases.

I fear that we've already seen the nadir in truly compelling additional materials (and the corresponding funding to create them), and we may see less effort from the prime title releases in the future. Curious what your thoughts are on this, if you are able to comment.

I've been grappling with these issues quite a bit over the last year or two, especially as I watch other independent content producers flame out and even entire companies disappear under the increasingly edgy creative environment we all seem to be working in. It's not entirely hopeless out there right now, but it has been a bit bleaker than usual. A lot of it depends on the filmmaker. Not only how enthusiastic they are about the extras but how much political clout they have with a particular studio. The bloom is certainly off the rose when it comes to bonus features, but there are still opportunities to do great work when the right alignment of studio and filmmaker occurs.

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

Welcome, Charles! I'm so glad you've decided to become a "regular". I'm a huge fan of yours from the LD days and a mad, mad Blade Runner nerd.

From one "Blade Runner" nerd to another, thanks for the welcome! But alas, I never had the opportunity to work on a single LD. That glorious bygone era was before my time as a supplement producer.

Originally Posted by PaulGo

Welcome, are you currently doing or planning to do any movies in 3D? Also how do you think 3D will evolve in movies and Blu-ray? Do you think eventually a majority of movies will be made in 3D and will the public adopt 3D for home Blu-ray viewing?

At present, I'm producing the supplements for three upcoming 3D films. I don't imagine I'll be involved with the 3D aspect of the films themselves. I would probably only get involved with that when converting catalogue titles. But whatever 3D special features that may or may not end up on those discs ultimately need to be worth the studio's money, my effort and your time. One thing that keeps getting lost in the current stereoscopic craze is that 3D is just a tool. Always has been and always will be. It doesn't need to be applied to everything the same way that 7.1 sound doesn't. It's there to help you tell your story if that's what you choose. But you don't have to choose it. Seems to me that some unfortunate creative decisions are being made out of financial desperation simply because of the increased revenue 3D seems to bring in thanks to inflated ticket sales. As for how successfully 3D will transition to home viewing, I honestly don't know. I've seen a few demos of 3D content and none of them have wowed me to the point of wanting to buy a 3D set-up myself. But I'm also not willing to just blindly jump on the "3D sucks" bandwagon and ignore the possibilities, which I intend to explore a bit over the next couple of years.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Charles de Lauzirika

But alas, I never had the opportunity to work on a single LD. That glorious bygone era was before my time as a supplement producer.

The memory, she do play a mean trick (and not for the first time)! I guess it's tough to remember life before your awesome contributions.

[abintra]

Originally Posted by Charles de Lauzirika

We just had our first private screening of the film this weekend and the response was better than I expected, with great feedback coming from those in attendance. Currently running 130 minutes, it's a bit long, so now I'm trimming the fat away.

If it is something you care to talk about, how do you find that process (of getting audience feedback)?

Have you found it to be a genuine help to get that kind of response and interaction from another point of view, difficult to entertain different opinions on what may work or not for something one must have had nurtured and envisioned for some time (whether it be via a test screening and/or from interested parties within the studio) or some place in between?

[Charles de Lauzirika]

I think audience feedback is essential but only when the filmmaker controls how that research is used and is not forced to make changes because the marketing department cooked the numbers to serve their agenda. Basically, if one or a few people have an issue with something, I consider it but don't give it as much weight as if a large percentage of the audience has a problem with something. Case in point, one person had a huge problem with one element of the film. No one else did. So I'll certainly consider why this element rubbed that person the wrong way, but I'm not planning on significantly changing that element just because one person didn't care for it.

To be honest, I loved hearing the feedback. It gave me a big morale boost and focused me on what needs to be improved. Fortunately, the criticisms are fairly easily remedied (and I actually agree with most of them,) so I'm looking forward to the next screening to see if the response improves.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Charles de Lauzirika

I think audience feedback is essential but only when the filmmaker controls how that research is used and is not forced to make changes because the marketing department cooked the numbers to serve their agenda.

I think the filmmakers need to be protected from the research agenda mandate, regardless of whether the numbers are 'cooked' or genuine. I can't begin to quantify the richness that would be missing from my life if the only movies to see release (in their existing states) were those to which a test audience took an immediate shine. Some of my favorite films are effective and meaningful in my life expressly because their cognitive rewards are only revealed upon long-term reflection.

[jakeneff]

Originally Posted by Charles de Lauzirika

But in terms of the ones that got overlooked? I'd probably have to say "Matchstick Men." I shot tons of behind-the-scenes footage on that one that has yet to see the light of day.

I would love to see this material on a Blu-ray release. Matchstick Men is a fantastic, highly underrated film with one of Nicolas Cage's best performances.

[sharkshark]

Hey, Charles, thanks for taking the time.

As you state that you only look to "extras" when they are recommended, if you've not delved into those on Zodiac (David Prior, no?) then, well, consider this a recommendation. It's the only "extra" I can think of that seemingly solves a serial murder case, or, at least, exposes during the making of discrepancies in testimony that weren't caught by the police or even during the writing phase of the film. It's pretty astonishing stuff.

I'm pleased you got to revisit the Aliens stuff, and here's hoping that sales for it will demonstrate that such an exhaustive collection of new material, complete with the FULL inclusion of the previous two sets, will be the way forward for major titles such as this. It seems it takes the likes of Ridley or some eager studio staff to push for releases like this, so it is very much appreciated.


Best of luck with the post phase of your flick!

[sharkshark]

ps. Fancy avatar you've got there, direct from the Nostromo. Show off...

[Doctorossi]

Well, this isn't a question, but...

Charles, I watched the uncut Alien3 doc last night and was thoroughly fascinated. I think you did an excellent job of suggesting and reflecting David Fincher's voice and circumstance, despite his non-participation. Thank you!

[Charles de Lauzirika]

I'm happy you were able to finally see the whole thing, and then some. Make sure you check out the Enhancement Pods as well. In addition to the full 182 min. runtime of "Wreckage and Rage," the Enhancement Pods add about 75 mins. of additional content.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Charles de Lauzirika

I'm happy you were able to finally see the whole thing, and then some. Make sure you check out the Enhancement Pods as well. In addition to the full 182 min. runtime of "Wreckage and Rage," the Enhancement Pods add about 75 mins. of additional content.

Thanks, Charles. I'm about halfway through them (the Pods for Alien3).

[Danielle Ni Dhighe]

Charles, were the Alien Anthology featurettes in a different aspect ratio on the Blu-rays than they were originally created in?

[Jerome]

in April, Dvduell.de revealed a list of featurettes plan to be included in the Blu-Ray Set.
http://www.dvduell.de/artikel/erste-...y-blu-ray-box/

I would like to know what happened to this specific feaurette. I can't find it on the discs. Rights issues with the actor ?

•Dailies: James Remar as Hicks [3:46 Min.]

[Charles de Lauzirika]

Originally Posted by Danielle Ni Dhighe

Charles, were the Alien Anthology featurettes in a different aspect ratio on the Blu-rays than they were originally created in?

They are. They were originally 4:3 but after complaints that there's no excuse for 4:3 added value material in this day and age, I rebuilt them all in 16:9 for this release. To be completely honest, I now kind of regret listening to those complaints, but what's done is done.

Jerome: Generally, when content doesn't end up on the disc it's often because of clearance or approval issues. As you well know.