Atom Blog

Atom was fortunate enough to interview the prolific actor/writer/director about his movie. (FYI: There are some invaluable words of wisdom on directing talent, all you actors and filmmakers out there.)

A:  Could you please describe your short film, “Cowboy”?  How did you come up with the premise?

MM: “Cowboy” is, quite simply, a dirty joke. This joke – is one part – of a “big dirty joke” movie I am making.

A: Your film has a slight Midnight Cowboy feel (although certainly much lighter in tone). Were you interested in the Jon Voight character at all?

MM: There was a moment when one of the actors suggested that the film be called, “It’s Midnight, Cowboy.” Yes, there is a bit of Joe Buck in this dirty cowboy joke. Only this cowboy is even more naïve than the one Voight played.

A: How is it writing and directing as opposed to acting?

MM: When you act, you are always a writer and director. If you wait for a director to tell you what to do, you lose. Directors generally spend a lot of time finding actors that are smart and understand the role they are playing. Then they conduct, asking the actors for – “A little more, or a little less. Smaller – bigger. Softer – louder. Now throw it away.”

There is a great tradition of actors that are writers/directors, from Mel Gibson to Woody Allen to Charlie Chaplin to Charles Laughton.

A: How do you find directing other actors? How is the experience of directing your own performance?

MM: Actors that have been working for a long time understand the process that actors go through. So they know how to stay out of an actor’s way, give them room and also understanding how to rein them in. Directing yourself is a bit trickier. So you want to have someone on the set that you trust to say, “It’s good. Let’s move on.”

A: Has working with such directors as Kubrick, Demme, and Parker informed your own filmmaking?

MM: Absolutely.

A: Is there a part of the filmmaking process which you are most concerned with or enjoy the most?

MM: I like the first three stages: writing, directing and editing. The fourth step, distribution, is the most frustrating aspect for all filmmakers, especially today. This is why I am working with Atom with “Cowboy.” This is me experimenting with a new form of distribution.

A: What are your plans for the future? In regard to the films you direct.

MM: I’m on my way to Cannes to raise money for a film about four high school boys that make a rock band in 1964. I want to make it Southern California, but it may be more interesting to make it in Jamaica.