Which were the scenes most difficult to turn for VAMPIRES ?

The scenes of dialogues because it is there that the sensitivity of the characters appears. In the same way it is necessary to manage the relationship between the actors.

But the scene for which it was necessary to bury alive the actors interpreting the Vampires Masters was also very difficult and delicate to turn. We were very afraid which they choke before being able to come out of the ground as the scenario envisaged it.

Many thinks that Vampire called upon many codes belonging to the Western.

In fact they are especially the landscapes of New Mexico in which we turned who points out the style of the western. It there not better place to turn some. The place remained Gothic with authentic pueblos where it was probable there that a Cross crowned as seeks it the Master Valek vampire could be hidden during centuries without one intending some to speak.

But does Jack Crow do itself to think of Lone its Cowboy ?

It is true that there is something in him of William Holden in the Wild Horde.

Why to have chosen Sheryl Lee for the role of the male prostitute bitten by Valek and with which L ' associated with Craw falls in love ?

It is it which contacted me and I made him pass a hearing. I had never seen anything of what it had already done. It is a formidable actress. It is only after having decided to take it for the role that I saw these preceding films.

How did it pass the casting for the attribution of the role of Jack Crow, the killer of vampires ? Was it intended upon the departure in James Wood ? Was Kurt Russel had a presentiment of for the role ?

Not the role was written for nobody in particular. James Wood has lute script and it is at this time that I saw it inside. It adapted the character and asséné his hardness to him.

Did you have to remove scenes of VAMPIRE ?

Yes, I had to practise some cuts in VAMPIRE so that certain scenes are not too long or although the film is seen classifying X-Rating. First of all a scene of conversation between Baldwin and Sheryl Lee : it does not remember to be bitten. They speak about their relation, of his transformation. Cétait the first day of turning and I found that a little mielleux (" cheesy " in the text). The scene was too slow.

There A was also another cut scene : Jack Crow (James Wood) beating once more and in a really violent way the new priest.

Is the Cross which seek Valeck and Crow in Vampire a reflexion on the major nature of the evil ?

Amused answer of John Carpenter : The cross is before a whole means simple to build the key sequence which concludes film. It is purely logical : It is necessary that one arrives at the end at a ritual ; the cross is a visual reference mark ; the witness knows then when it sees the cross that the ritual arrives. Moreover, it is thanks to this cross that one can kill the Master. The scenaristic loop is thus looped. It is thus very convenient.

Ironic Carpenter to add : And yes it is a reflexion on the major nature of the Evil...

What happenhappen does original music of VAMPIRES ?

The parts Blues and Rock' nRoll were composed for orchestra. As regards the dramatic scenes I improvised pieces. Once the assembled film I am made a video copy. With my synthetizer I compose a melody then by looking at film. It is pure inspiration.

For THE THING you had called upon Ennio Morricone...

Indeed. I had met it in Rome during the post-production of film. What it had fact was fantastic but I wanted something of simpler. It then removed " superfluity ", and it did not remain any more whereas three notes ! It is with these three notes that it composed the topic of opening and closing which one knows.

Have the feeling that after all these years spent to Hollywood you belong to a real current or although you are rather a outcast, difficult to arrange in a kind ?

I am indeed a kind of " Outlaw ". I really does not belong to the Hollywood Establishment. Despite everything I work there and votes even with the Oscars (smiling but sincere) And I can say to you that the votes are very subversive...

Precisely, regret you never not being really recognized by the profession while not having never received of Award.

Not it is not really the lack of recognition which obstructs me but rather the problems which oppose to me with the authorities of the cinema. I have a little a " youthful reaction " with regard to the authoritative figures. Moment or cordially requires of me to modify, cut etc a scene, the end of a film or that still know I I am then ready to make concessions. But of the moment when one says to me what I must make, it is there which begin the problems !

Did you allow the actors to improvise at the time of the scenes of dialogues of VAMPIRES?

As regards James Wood I granted to him white card for a scene of its choice after it gave me whole satisfaction at the time of a preceding catch. A kind of deal. Thus, the dialogue with the conversation at the very least animated between Crow Jack and the priest in the truck are a total improvisation of James Wood.

It appears strange that 15 years after Escape from NY the studio granted to you such a freedom for its continuation Escape from L.A. which is a film enough irrévérant.

The best means of making a irrévérant film is to have the actor (taking again his role) as a Co-scenario writer. Indeed, they were not afraid to say to me not to me. But they were afraid to say not to Kurt who first of all took again his role of Snake without which nothing could be done and which more became enough influence in Hollywood since TOMBSTONE.

Which are your projects of realization?

Amused answer of Carpenter: I do not have any idea of it.

Escape from L.A. contained a significant criticism of the United States. Think what that constitutes a recurring topic in the whole of your work?

It is true that if the circumstances lend themselves to a certain criticism as it was the case in Escape from N.Y. and Escape from L.A. I do not obstruct myself to do it. But is not to in no case an obligation. The history comes always initially.

Halloween 7 is currently in turning. Kevin Williamson of which you seem to appreciate work, signs the scenario and Jamie Lee Curtis agreed to pile up again. Then why it carried out you not?

All this is true. It is Steve Miner who carries out film. You want a reason? Eh I did not want quite simply. It is true that I had asked them much money to do it. It did not accept. How much?

(amused) Much.

How happens one day standard on one from your turnings?

Very early the morning the scene is repeated. One locates then all the " bugs ", all that does not function. One then studies the relations between the characters, one chooses the objectives and one installs the reference marks of positions of the actors. Then the actors go to the make-up. A new repetition then takes place but with the camera. And finally one turns!

What do you think of the many Internet pages which are dedicated to you to you and with your films?

Eh well, I surfe not on the Web But my son who has 13 years shows me the sites being devoted me. But one passes immediately after to the sites porns (laughter).

Producing Sandy KING of VAMPIRE and wife of John Carpenter speaks:

In this connection, within one month an official site on John Carpenter will appear. There will be a different field for each film.

John Carpenter, whom do you think of the new video support, the very constant DVD in the United States?

I have a Laserdisc edition of film of Howard Hawks " Red River " and I lately could see this film on DVD and the details of the images were époustouflants. Remain some problems of compression with the appearance on the image of unpleasant digital elements in particular in the black zones of this one. But I think that they will find a means of regulating all this.

When the special edition of THE THING in laserdisc come out will?

I do not have any idea of it. All that I know, it is which that made a long time that I worked above and that on my side I finished what I had to do.

Last question, would you have projects which really hold you with heart and which for lack of means you do not have until now which been able to realize?

Yes two films.

Which?

I to you will not say it but it may be that I carry them out finally (accessory). Therefore No how.

Matter receuillis by: Ch.San and Ben Translation: Ch.San