Interview (Video): Peter Jackson talks to Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost

I can’t remember who tweeted this link, but HT to whoever you are because it’s pretty choice stuff: Peter Jackson conversing with Edgar Wright, Simon Peff, and Nick Frost about their movie The World’s End, written by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, directed by Wright.

Peter Jackson has his own YouTube channel which you can visit here.

UPDATE: HT to Michael Waters who as it turns out sent me the link. He also added these takeaways from watching the conversation above:

1. Good insights into Production side of business; 12 weeks nightshoot for movie set on one night equals more pain and bigger budget. Action scenes are x4 as long to shoot as dialogue driven scenes. Dinner table scenes are slow.
2. Actors ad libbing can ruin dialogue structure. Getting the last word in ruins transitions. Come in late, leave early for dialogue.
3. Co-Writing. Initial idea followed by weekend of brainstorming.
4. Start with big idea, then beat, then scene, then dialogue (shrinking).
5. Flipchart gets turned into different scenes/sequences. They used the natural structure of the story (12 pubs) to structure what would happen where. They even name the pub after what happens in the scene.
6. The location of your first date with your wife/husband can be worked into the story!
7. A cock is a rooster, Americans
8. You can recycle ideas from your first scripts which you hid for years, using them when you are a successful writer.
9. You can get a great idea anywhere (flying into Sydney) so carry a notebook.
10. Big budget equals compromises. Careful what you wish for!
11. Good characters make for a great film (Jackson 17,50). Jackson is more impressed by human qualities of the characters than whizz-bang effects and action.

Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, are the writers of the off-beat British comedy ‘cornetto trilogy’ that grossed $160M at the box office. Hot Fuzz is the highest selling DVD in Britain according to the producers. Don’t know who the interviewer is but he’s probably still looking for his shoes!

Thanks for that, Michael!

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