DIRECTOR INTERVIEW: JAKE WEST
Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 3:05PM | Leila De Lara 
Leila de Lara: So...Doghouse, a script by comic by comic writer/illustrator Dan Schaffer, that's pretty awesome! How did that come about?
Jake West: I was fortunate enough to be introduced to graphic novel & comic book creator Dan Schaffer through a mutual friend as he was a fan of my earlier film Evil Aliens. I, in turn, was a huge admirer of Dan’s fantastic Dogwitch comic book series. We became friends and discussed the possibility of doing a film project together and thus Doghouse was born barking and screaming.
We spent a good time developing the script ideas and really enjoyed the process. Dan is a terrific writer and produced one of the most entertaining and enjoyable screenplays I’ve read. He has an authentic and intelligent understanding of a genre that is actually very tricky to write in and few get right. So as far as I was concerned it was a creative marriage made in a heavenly-hell and I felt we had the pedigree to create a genuinely entertaining horror comedy project.
LdL: Your films are usually spotted screening at the Cannes Film Festival, is this what happened this year?
JW: Not this time. We got Sony on board as distributor before we even shot a frame, they loved the script so didn't go that route this time. Normally you take the finished film to Cannes to pick up a distribution deal.
LdL: Working with a £2 million budget must have been amazing, although do you reckon it comes with more restrictions that take the fun out of filming?
JW: Well it is the biggest budget I’ve had to work with to date, so that was great - even though that's still a low budget film in Hollywood terms. The benefit of this is it allowed me access to a better pool of talent both in front and behind the camera. Notably Director of Photography Ali Asad, Special Make Up FX genius Karl Derrick and Production Designer Matt Button. That combined with the tricks of understanding how to spread my resources to the max via the trial of fire learnt on my previous, much lower budget films has resulted in my most polished film to date.
No I didn't feel it had any real restrictions - I still would've liked more [time]. Consider this, a film like Doghouse is shot in 30 days whereas a Hollywood budget film is shot in 80 to 300 plus days. That's what more money really buys: time. [As well as] Big name talent, massive prints and advertising budget! But you have to accept and work at the level you're at. The rest is fantasy.
LdL: So Doghouse stars the like of Stephen Graham and Danny Dyer, did you get to do your own casting?
JW: I worked closely with Casting Director Jane Frisby who's excellent. We saw so many talented actors. It was the first time I had a long time to see and consider people (over a period of a couple of months). It was great.
LdL: Are there any unsung actors your hoping the film may help get recognised for their talent?
JW: Yes, definitely Lee Ingleby who plays Matt, Keith-Lee Castle who plays Patrick and Emil Marwar who plays Graham. All deserve to get loads more work as they're all terrific actors.
LdL: What's your best budget cutting tip? Handmade steadicams? Corn syrup?
JW: Making films from an early age with your mates on a camcorder at weekends. You'll learn the real tricks then. As a general point it's really always the script - keep the logistics simple (i.e it's a lot cheaper to shoot in a garden than in a fully operational alien infested Space Station).
LdL: I've heard your a pretty epic horror fan? Do you draw on any influences for your work? I noticed the nod to Evil Dead in the beginning of Doghouse...
JW: I'm definitely influenced by Sergio Leone in Doghouse and shot a few scenes as if it were a Western - plus the music score tips Stetson Sergio & Ennio's way. As a filmamaker, I've been influence by Raimi, Jackson and Coscarelli too, but as I make more films I'm continually trying to evolve my own style. Hey, maybe that's why I like Leone - could my style be branded as "Western"?.... Ha HA!
LdL: ...and then of course there's the Watchman lighter in Evil Aliens. Are you a comic book fan too?
JW: Yes, I love comic books especially Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman and Dan Schaffer stuff! It's funny, the reason [why] I had to to make the lighter in Evil Aliens a Watchman lighter is so people would remember it as it's used throughout the film. Also, in Doghouse, I have a hero lighter with paw prints that gets more and more destroyed. It appears I'm a lighter fan!
LdL: So would you give Zack Synder's take on the Watchman graphic novel a thumbs up?
JW: It was okay, but you just can't beat the graphic novel. Reading that is a far more immersive experience. You can truly rely on Alan Moore for the superior experience.
Pop Quiz:
Pop Quiz - do we have them in England? Do we? Okay, okay I'll play...
Would most like to work with:
Angelina Jolie and Bruce Campbell
If I could hang out with anyone present/deceased it would be:
Lilith - evil second wife of Adam.
The all time greatest movie is:
Different depending on my mood - it might be Blade Runner today and a Matter of Life & Death tomorrow and Evil Dead the next day etc.
My favorite music is:
Rock N'Roll
In my opinion, the most inspiring quote is:
"Do what thou wilt."
LdL: Doghouse is an original take on zombie lore, and zombie lore is getting pretty popular at moment, why do you think that is?
JW: Because people relate to zombies, they make great metaphors.
LdL: Okay, so you can cross out "Zombies" on your "To Do" list...What's next?
JW: Clean my Flat. It's truly a horror unlike anyone has ever seen.
LdL: If you could give any sound advise to the filmmaker in all of us, what would it be?
JW: Buy a cheap camcorder now. Start young and learn to write your own scripts and be able to shoot edit and edit your own stuff. Learn self reliance, [you] don't need other people to have to do things for you.
LdL: Finally (I just cannot resist), what is your Z-plan?
JW: Hmmmm I'll probably be out filming, then I won't need to hire an expensive make-up crew!
You can learn more about Jake, his films, and his latest endeavours at www.jakewest.com
Doghouse, Jake West, Leila De Lara, The Wurzels, Watchmen, director, horror, interview, zombie film 
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