Discussion with Filmmaker John Carpenter

[@bjtucker5]

The Thing... Def vindicated after all these years. A masterpiece of storytelling, score, pacing and cinematography. Still chills me to the Bone.

[@dylanm2382]

I understand the movie is a classic but I just can't get myself to watch it. From the scene I've seen its just so disgusting to gross to watch it makes me want to honestly vomit so I honestly think I can never watch it.

[@thir13enthman]

​The Thing is definitely not for the squeamish however it's not just gore for the sake of gore. The reason why The Thing is a classic is because it's a master class in tension and paranoia. I can understand being put off by the gore but there's so much more to the film than the gore.

[@iankearns774]

@@dylanm2382 HTFU brother. I saw it 41 years ago as a 17 year old.

[@iankearns774]

@@thir13enthman I had more problems watching the Evil Dead and Salems Lot than that back then.Salems Lot always freaked me out, I should try and watch it now.

[@LoneWolfRehab]

I go back to that movie now and again, its fantastic.

[@MaxDamageTV]

Fascinating. What a legend.

[@balabanasireti]

@blake bishop Nah.

[@robertfullchim923]

"Westerns died... Westerns went away..." The sadness in John's voice was palpable.

[@Valkonnen]

I didn't feel the same when the Musical went away, but as for Westerns, they were wholly American films that we looked up to.

[@hauntedhose]

They’re back now

[@hashdealer8822]

@@hauntedhose Not really. Obviously there's still some great ones made across the decades up until now.

[@hellsdryad]

Imagine, years later. Someone will remake John’s “Thing” as a Western.

[@axistiltproductions]

@@hellsdryad Ya its called The Hateful 8

[@bodalix18]

I could listen to John Carpenter talk all day. For me, he's one of the most relatable personalities I can find in a director, not to mention he's a freakin genius!

[@scorpionstingprod.8276]

Just imagine how he still is relevant- ennio morricone got his final oscar for once upon a time in hollywood...half of the films music was originally composed for 'the thing'. Tarantino do talk about while promoting the film's novel now. Amazing!

[@bodalix18]

@@scorpionstingprod.8276 Yes! RIP Ennio Morricone.

[@digijock223]

Why is this man not more highly respected by the industry.

[@danseth5775]

Carpenter seems a lot more friendly than usual. I like how he asks the people questions after he answers them

[@BobPantsSpongeSquare97]

I like how john is still basically a young man at heart. The way he talks and his outlook on stuff is very relatable and amazing

[@nickfekula6617]

I like how john is still basically a young man at heart. The way he talks and his outlook on stuff is very relatable and amazing

[@apullcan]

I like how john is still basically a young man at heart. The way he talks and his outlook on stuff is very relatable and amazing

[@EpicHomeMoviez]

I like how john is still basically a young man at heart. The way he talks and his outlook on stuff is very relatable and amazing

[@rmjmoviereviews6876]

this guy is total badass!

[@ThatHorrorGuy99]

blake bishop how was he bitter? You sound stupid.

[@ThatHorrorGuy99]

blake bishop did you like your own comment? And I’m pretty sure he isn’t bitter he’s done just fine for himself.

[@ThatHorrorGuy99]

blake bishop where did you get this info? And quite frankly I can’t take anyone who likes their own comments seriously.

[@ThatHorrorGuy99]

blake bishop you’re an idiot. Keep liking your own comments you virgin 🤮😂

[@zfurr8629]

@blake bishop he never cared about getting big he didn't sell out he wanted to make what he wanted and he succeeded

[@PatJones82]

14:43 Why did you cut out the part where the Swedish girl asks John's thoughts on Rob Zombie's Halloween remake? I now wonder how much else is missing. I for one am interested in ANYTHING Mr. Carpenter has to say.

[@eduardoabreu1785]

I came back to this interview and was wondering the same. Where did that part on Rob Zombie's remake went??

[@adamharless2631]

He said he approved the remake and was curious to see it in pre production and then when the movie came out Rob Zombie lied and said Carpenter disapproved of everything and was difficult with him

[@dustind548]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4e8pGiPlKqkicU this is a link to that part

[@madcamdisease]

haha he calls zombie a piece of shit for lying about him. Dont mess with Carpenter

[@BeowuIfs]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4e8pGiPlKqkicU

[@pinkfreud62]

"The Thing" is one of my fave movies. I didn't see it at the movies, but I did see it in the 80's and we were all on the edge of our seats during that film. It really kept you guessing. Not sure why people have to be in the mood for certain genres at a certain time. I saw E.T. when it was at the theater, enjoyed it - got weepy - and still could be excited about a horror flick.

[@balabanasireti]

@blake bishop Nah.

[@jd89]

5:31 Student: "How did you deal with some of the pressures?" Carpenter: "Not well!" Mood

[@christopherbell4543]

Informative, insightful, approachable, honest, lucid and funny... now that's a sage. I love John Carpenter.

[@OfficialAndies]

John Carpenter is such a gentleman, really puts these students (?) at ease

[@jeeneeraykreenaldeen7979]

His music, alone, places him in a league of own. Big trouble in little China was the theme of my fake sick days in elementary school. The thing was a masterpiece that a discovered later in my teens. Halloween was assumed to be created by a genius throughout my lifetime. It wasn't until my twenties that I realize they were all from the same incredible human being.

[@Valkonnen]

He's spot on when he talks about the reason for so many re-makes an sequels is "Familiarity". I started to really see this in the 90s when the poster for "Terminator 2" was simply a black background with "T2" in the center. It really hit home when I was in NYC and at a bus station, all that there was , was a pirate skull with an eyepatch and the date at the bottom. It told you everything that you needed to know, without a single word.

[@southlondon86]

Sir was that skull the actual Terminator robot skull or a human skull?

[@oophorror2251]

@@southlondon86original commenter has a dumb take. Terminator wasn’t a Jaws or Star Wars size hit. And T2 is probably the best sequel ever made. It wasn’t a cash-in. It was just a great idea.

[@larryr.wagoner1252]

That was very enjoyable and entertaining. Thank you!

[@PCat2385]

I am so glad Carpenter explained how he could be friends and collaborate with someone 180 from his politics. A shame most filmmakers today aren’t like Carpenter and Russell

[@thealaskan1635]

John Carpenter's ELVIS is proof he's a genius of a director. I saw that with alot of my relatives with a wide range of ages. A couple of my cousins were like 5&6,and they were quiet and glued to the screen! It's a great docudrama for the whole family. I know he doesn't like praise, but I think it belongs in the official library of film.

[@windi1982]

The GREATEST horror-movie maker ever. So visionary, so great! ♥️

[@Johnny_Savage]

He's hilariously quick witted. Love him as a director and as a person.

[@龘纛爨灪麤彠]

I swear to god this guy is a big fucking genius man, almost every movie he made is a masterpiece, we should filmmakers like Carpenter appreciate more, because there arent much left on his level today anymore.

[@a.r.t93]

The Thing has one of the greatest Horror movie endings. Two men, unsure who the monster between the two of them is. Chefs kiss

[@hellsdryad]

John Carpenter. A man out of his time. Yet, exceptional anytime. I love how he embraces youth and rebellion no matter his age. I guess that’s a reflection of that conflict.

[@txmetalhead82xk]

Total class act and inspiration!

[@miguelvidal2335]

No better school than listening to the masters!

[@dova3282]

Love this guy

[@axistiltproductions]

John Carpenter when I was a kid I loved your movies especially the Thing. It inspired me then and still does. I was just watching the DVD last week and watched it several times in a row. I wish I had a dollar for every time I watched the Thing and the Fog and Halloween and Big Trouble in Little China and Christine. I think the Thing is my favorite movie of all time. Love you for your work and the thrill it gave me.

[@gowkie3940]

Mr. Carpenter is so bloody cool.

[@hornek]

I love how he asks stuff to the students. But I don't know, it just saddens me how everyone just talks about the same films every time, when this man has made so many other masterpieces.

[@thegamewin100]

Oh yea the fog they live prince of darkness

[@hornek]

@@thegamewin100 in the mouth of madness, christine, assault on precinct 13, someone's watching me (this one I understand, not that easy to find) the fact no one talks about they live is insane.

[@thegamewin100]

@@hornek oh for sure they live is so underrated all of his other films are even the “bad” ones none of them are objectively bad if you ask me are still either fun to watch or hilarious

[@hornek]

@@thegamewin100 I agree, Carpenter is just like Dario Argento, even his "bad" films are good.

[@lamentate07]

@@hornek Nah, Argento's bad films are really bad. Carp is far more consistent.

[@kungfew1396]

I wish someone would have asked him about The fog, truly Carpenter at top form along with They live and it's bizarre prophetic greatness.

[@basehead617]

For some reason that movie is thought of as kind of a letdown in his filmography, but I think it's fucking awesome... I see it in the theater often, it's shown at least once a year at The Castro in SF. I guess I partly love it because it's filmed in an area that I go to on the weekends often.

[@MPB059]

I met John Carpenter at Keystone Comic con in Philly 2019. He’s an amazing nice guy along with his wife Sandy and enjoyed talking to him for a few minutes about Kurt Russell and his movies. He no doubt one of my favorite filmmakers that I look up to!

[@K.Straughan]

Amazing interview!

[@LordFreeze7355]

It was so wholesome watching Carpenter talk to these kids who clearly look up to him and admire him. He seems very open to the questions on this occasion, which is not always the case. He's even asking them questions back and asking how they're doing, etc. You can definitely see a twinkle in his eye

[@ThomasLuca]

Yeah, Rob was incredibly gifted as a Special Effects Artist. And what a imagination that guy had, amazing. John's picture actually follows the book very closely. Who Goes There? By John W. Campbell

[@derekgooden2507]

I wonder why they cut out the part where he flames Rob Zombie at the end of the question by the female at 16:32.

[@brianskeggs9785]

I wondered the same thing

[@SupermanChampionOfTheOppressed]

Its because I uploaded the clip on facebook and then everybody started writing news articles and talking about it so the ny film academy got butthurt I guess.

[@Winduct]

the female lol

[@josephsdsu1]

The excised bit can be found on the video linked below. It starts at two minutes and fifteen: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4e8pGiPlKqkicU

[@johnanderson60]

Escape from NY was and is my all time favorite... Snake is the ultimate US American.

[@GreasyFilms-qc1xo]

A master filmmaker and a straight shooter. He's the best.

[@sodapopinsky87]

the coolest man on earth---

[@robsasmr7057]

great upload, thanks.

[@johnedwards4394]

He's a very intelligent guy. Extremely talented. His comments are always insightful and substantive.

[@TheKeyosha1diva]

LMAO "no one's ready to do creative shit at 7 in the morning, I haven't even had my coffee yet". He's a really funny and intelligent guy. ❤️

[@robmadrigal714]

Great filmmaker and director!!

[@conalcochran156]

Happy Birthday to John Carpenter!

[@eroloden5611]

He is a true great director, and a composer. His "The End" is still a huge, I mean very huge in Turkey. They'll play in the past in many 80's movies. And in tv shows, soccer stadiums, social media... Greetings from Belgium

[@a-maxcoin7549]

8:56 I hate monsters you don't really get to see, reason why I liked The Thing so much. I love the emphasis he puts on the story. Good stories have become very rare.

[@shockaswan9388]

This man is on my MT Rushmore of directors

[@Harry-fe9ec]

I gotta say. I saw this back in the day the night it came out and knew right away it was incredible. I had seen ET and was sick of everything with a happy ending back then. Was a huge Halloween fan as well and loved horror.

[@AndyArtistic18]

Love his candid nature. Awesome! 😎✌️

[@agathapoirot149]

Such a skull...Espiacilly from profile. I love him, his work, his ideas on life, his kindness, all so visionary. If only I knew all he knows.

[@Ur2ez4me81]

Super talented director & musician who really knows how to draw his audience into his films 🎥 one of the best…

[@Redmenace96]

John Carpenter is a bad motherf.... shut your mouth! He is putting down a straight line to these kids. Amazing honesty. Great interview and thank you for posting!

[@MegaJetJaguar]

Thank You for all of the great flicks, Mr. Carpenter!

[@davidlavalleejr]

Excellent Q & A. This is brilliant

[@gterrymed]

THE THING IS MASTERPIECE! we saw it opening weekend and it BLEW OUR MINDS!!! LOL. only about 20 people were in the theater; Eric Twin on Lancaster Ave back home in Ardmore 😅 the bar was raised, the bar was Exploded, the EFX were such that we were never going back--a new precedent was set." ❤

[@serigraph73]

great interview. Would love to be able to bend his ear about so many things.

[@nickfekula6617]

One of my absolute favorite directors

[@norbertkiss7497]

14:40 The question about Rob Zombie and the answer, why was it cut out?

[@leejtam0914]

I always love him because he's alwaya brutaly honest

[@mrjanoycresva]

John rules. He's the fucking man.

[@balladofthebroken7569]

He’s always had a cool presence about him

[@Skoora]

Really bummed how obviously it hurt him that the Thing wasn’t an initial success. I saw it in the theater when I was 12 and just loved it. Even at that age, I felt the themes of men isolated and trying to deal with the nihilistic aspect of they’re not gonna make it, but they can try and stop it. Big trouble in little China was the same. I’d actually gone to see Ferris Bueller as I was a teenager on my own in the city and honestly didn’t think it was that great. Right after, I saw Big Trouble and it totally saved the day. It was fun, exuberant, great lines. I will say I enjoyed Escape From New York but didn’t love it. Again, in the theater. I always felt there needed to be better and more scenes of establishing why Snake was a badass and a legend. They told us but didn’t show us. Ghosts of Mars seemed to be his go at a western but the whole Ice Cube casting and character just didn’t work for me. Henstridge as great to look at as she was, was a little stiff too. I’ve liked her in other stuff. The very end is really cheesy, but not in a great exploitation way…lol Vampires was pretty good until the last act. The last showdown was really underwhelming. The cast was really good though. Love it when Woods is allowed to chew scenery. Prince of Darkness I find really re-watchable. In general I really like Carpenter’s sensibilities, especially with his somewhat minimalist but atmospheric scores. I like how you’ve seen over the years so many movies have used the font that he used so much, for their movies. Even in the titles themselves, not just the credits. Unfortunately you watch most of them and that’s all they have in common with what John could do…lol

[@ThomasLuca]

Exactly, I'm always saying that it has always been a business first then an art and craft. And it still is to this day.

[@katehodges1296]

He’s number one of many favourite films. sound and visual. What a man. So insightful and smart. Legend, what a legacy.

[@slylataupe1697]

He is a genius. I cannot recall how many times i watched The Thing, a movie i would put in my top 3 favorite movie together with 2001 a space odyssey and the good the bad the ugly. But if i had the chance to ask him one question it would be : Man, do you consider yourself as poor ? If not, why do you do such a focus on money ? He complains or refer to money in every interview i saw, it is funny for a director who i think never did a movie where the subject was the money :)

[@akfreed6949]

Most of his movies were tight budget , even Escape From LA . To me it's a digital low budget equivalent to analog Escape From New York . He unfairly took alotta crap for the digital effects which were still new , and for what he paid for them it was OK to me .

[@TrixiLovesYou]

Excellent questions.

[@toddgrogg8005]

It's amazing that mr.carpenter, knew how mr.eastwood, did his casting. Question did John carpenter, meet Clinton Eastwood???.

[@spanishinquisition5508]

Amazing Director... The Thing, Halloween amazing..

[@tomsmith7192]

29:00 Could he be talking about Jon Peters?

[@FirstLast-qb9iq]

that was my first thought

[@vince1515]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@brianskeggs9785]

I bet you anything he is

[@jwnj9716]

The only thing missing is a giant spider.

[@jamesmcavoy379]

My thought too.

[@ThomasLuca]

In-Camera is what's best, its how we work, do as much as you can do on set in production before Post. David Fincher was mentored under the tutorage of Stanley, I've heard. Stanley Kubrick in case nobody knew.

[@dianaprince6743]

Please bring him back!

[@jordanhaas6906]

I love this man! No disrespect....this was a great interview with David Lo Pan! HAHA!

[@blakemeads9225]

Indeed!

[@dimifisher]

Total genius! ❤️

[@TheTrashStash]

18:10 lloyd kaufman reference?

[@sadderthanyou7793]

John Carpenter is one of the best non-comedian comedians.

[@1165mac]

Yes, his commentary with Kurt Russell on The Thing Blu-ray is very funny and brilliant.

[@akfreed6949]

It's funny you mentioned that . The big joke of Big Trouble In Little China was a SWITCH joke . The main character , Jack Burton , got credit for his costars work . Through most of the movie he's just there and got praise from everyone even though his sidekick did most of the work

[@chrichtonsworld1]

@@akfreed6949 You are mistaken, Jack Burton is the sidekick and basically taken on a ride. But Hollywood, even today, have real trouble casting Asian leads because they think they won't appeal to the general audience. Even superstars like Jackie Chan are always cast with an American co-star. The guy is an absolute genius and master in his craft, and gets limited in his freedom to do what he wants. The same goes for Chow Yun- Fat, John Woo and Tsui Hark. They fled Hollywood because of that. I believe Michelle Yeoh, is the first actress to kind of break the mould. We will have to see whether this truly leads to more and better.

[@michaelmyers6523]

Legend,

[@mywars08]

Why was Carpenter's opinion of Rob Zombie's remake of Halloween cut out?

[@donmorton4597]

Carpenter is too cool.

[@LudicrousScotty101]

Carpenter the legend , n HallowScream rules

[@RedlegsBluelegs]

6:50 Carpenter clearly talking about Chevy Chase

[@itsamechrispratt380]

OH YEAH, that guy gave him a hard time on Memoirs of an invisible man lmao

[@BooneLuleyo]

It’s definitely about Chevy Chase. He hates that guy.

[@corrado]

My old film school 😎

[@notmytruthTHEtruth]

I'll always wonder what a Western directed by Carpenter or Scorsese would be like. 10 of John Carpenter's films are in my favorite movies of all time. Stunning career when you think about it.

[@chrichtonsworld1]

What do you mean? Haven't you seen Assault on Precinct 13, Ghosts of Mars or Vampires? They are basically Westerns. I mean, Assault on Precinct 13 essentially is his version of Rio Bravo.

[@CrashPK77]

Interviewer clearly not prepared for Carpenter to drop the F-bomb. Good for you, John. Keep 'em on their toes.

[@jarmelo2006]

I loved Ennio Morricones We Are One, Orca (1977)

[@Yushaodo]

❤

[@ghostdog2041]

24:08 Holy shit! Dave Matthews snuck into a John Carpenter Q and A!

[@ZOZO-wf7br]

Can we have the year of this interview, please ?

[@davebooshty299]

I think with the Swedish lady there was a Rob Zombie question put to him that was cut out?

[@Turkatron9595]

I love his acting in Body Bags. He's a character

[@phantomfire8228]

13:00

[@dwecktek]

I would love to hear Kurt russel and John Carpenter discuss politics you can tell they got into it at least once based on that response

[@akfreed6949]

Their commentaries are the best . I wish they did many more movies together JUST for the commentaries . I was hoping for an Escape From LA commentary .

[@nellieworkman3935]

Listening to him talking about the long hours sorta makes me feel vindicated. I worked in film for like 10 years and waking up and working for twelve hours a day, too tired to function, and I'm going back to school to teach because I can't keep up with it. I quit after a cinematographer friend of mine described driving home, closing his eyes, and waking up in his drive way. Not sure if he fell asleep at the wheel or not.

[@phantomfire8228]

14:41

[@karanvirkooner1993]

I really wish to meet John Carpenter even if I send a letter I want to explain why I’m enthusiastic about meeting one of my idols

[@akfreed6949]

You can reach him through his assistant . I politely asked him if THE THING videogame could be made into a sequel of HIS film . He has an address you can write to .

[@karanvirkooner1993]

@@akfreed6949 I hope I can reach him

[@phantomfire8228]

8:00

[@ttrons2]

Thank you John Carpenter.

[@iankearns774]

I remember seeing the Thing back in 82 as a 17 year old, I skipped high school and watched it by myself at the pictures. I thought it was a great movie and never understood why it got panned.

[@southlondon86]

Sir what were the reactions from the cinema audience? Were they repulsed ?

[@iankearns774]

@@southlondon86 There were bits in in that shocked a lot of people. The special effects were amazing for the time. Especially whern the head sprouted legs and tried to escape.

[@phantomfire8228]

24:14

[@swishersnaaake8208]

The screenwriter fought Kim Cattrall, and Kim Cattrall won

[@Wulfiebaby]

Sometimes the rule of not showing the monster holds true (Jeepers Creepers tanked for me once the gargoyle spread his wings and took flight). Sometimes it makes sense to slow your roll then shock the audience with it (Jaws, Alien, CHUD, a million others). The Thing does exactly what it needed to do--the fact that the monster could masquerade as any donkus, we needed to know that what lay inside was insanely terrifying.

[@Wulfiebaby]

And I don't think Carpenter didn't make Westerns. I think he distilled the essence of the Western and injected it into many other aesthetics.

[@gengiskhan6359]

A real master..

[@phantomfire8228]

12:12

[@mrj509]

Nobody ask him about, they live