It’s rare to meet people in Los Angeles who are as cool and laid back as they’re gifted. But in this respect, Jon Knautz is an anomaly in both talent and personality. The Canadian film director has made a name for himself directing such cult favorites Temple And Jack Brooks: Giant Murderer and he sat down with SOCIAL to discuss his latest release, love goddesse premiered at Fright Fest in August. Plus, we cover Led Zeppelin, his inspiration from Fatal Attraction and what it was like working with him That Freddy Krueger.
Jon, can you tell us where you are from?
I was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada.
Extraordinary. Did your childhood influence the kinds of films you made?
Of course. I essentially grew up watching crime dramas and horror movies. I watched plenty of Scorsese movies, PT Anderson movies, Sam Raimi movies, Peter Jackson movies, etc…
How did you start directing?
I used to play it when I was little with my friends, and compelled my parents to watch it. One day my father filmed it with our home video camera. He let me play around with the camera and after I recorded everything, I was hooked.
When did you know you were going to make a career out of this?
It became very time-consuming in my early teens; there really is no other option but to make a career out of it. That’s all I want to do.
COMPLEX magazine named you among the best new directors, what about What is your directing style that makes your film so unique?
Film is a subjective art form, so it is hard to say. I all the time try to bring my own voice to my work and just hope people enjoy it. Obviously the more people who enjoy it the better, but you never really understand how your film will be received.
What is the premise of the film Dewi Cinta?
Short version – It’s a few woman going crazy. As easy as it sounds, that was the initial idea – To focus on individuals who are on the verge of insanity and then watch them fall over. I want something to occur to him that everybody can relate to and that’s heartbreak. At some point we have all experienced it. Heartbreak can mess up even the strongest individual. So what happens if you have lost a few screws?… That’s what the Goddess of Love is all about.
What inspired you to create the Goddess of Love?
I was watching Fatal Attraction and I believed, “What would this movie be like if you experienced the story through the eyes of Glenn Close?”
Where do you normally get inspiration? How do you know when you have a decent movie idea?
It’s normally a small, subtle thing — It might be a decision someone made, or a decision I made…I believed about the possible consequences, and then started imagining what would occur. Sometimes it is a character trait that I see in someone and that I start to develop the character in my head. I often have a little little bit of these storylines in my head and then I’ll drop that character into one and see where it goes. I also consider the “energy” of a film. Some movies are fast, some slow… they’re like rides. So I’m all the time thinking about what sort of ride I want to give the audience.
How long does it normally take to complete a feature film?
Usually at least a year, often more. That’s why it is vital to aim at a project you are passionate about, because you will be doing it for a while.
Which of your projects do you like the most?
They all have their moments. My first film Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer will all the time be a fantastic memory, maybe because it was my first feature. Goddess of Love is a really extraordinary experience. It’s great to have a small, intimate team. We can be very creative and no politics should interfere.
Why did you choose Fright Fest for the premiere of Dewi Cinta?
They chose us. I’ve never played Fright Fest, so it is really fun.
As a director, who inspired you during your film career?
Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, Billy Wilder, John Huston, PT Anderson, Akira Kurosawa, Robert Zemeckis… the list goes on
What was the biggest challenge in creating the Goddess of Love (or any other film)?
Having a large group of individuals focused on your vision can be difficult, but it can even be overwhelming. You have a lot to explain; it is all about communication. Sometimes communicating is harder than you think. The more discussions you have with your team, the better.
What’s your favourite movie?
It’s all the time a difficult question, too many to choose one. I assume The Godfather has all the time been kind of the God of all movies to me, but that’s fully fair One from my favourite movie.
Who is your biggest influence?
I’m influenced by every kind of things, but most of the time it comes from listening to Led Zeppelin. Their music really appeals to me. They motivate many ideas for me. My father was also very influential; it was he who introduced me to filmmaking, more on the technical side. My mother is the one who introduced me to big cinema, like The Godfather.
Can you give me a hint for your dream cast?
Unfortunately he is gone for a while but back in the fantasy world I would love to work with Humphrey Bogart.
Where is your take on movies vs. digital debate?
I will all the time love movies, it is what I grew up with. There is something magical about it that can never get replaced. But I’m all for Digital, I believe it could look terrific. Ultimately filmmaking is all about telling a good story, so I do not really get hung up on what camera to use.
Do you see a difference in your production or direction with studio vs private financing financing?
I have yet to experience a studio financed film, so far private financed. But I hope to get to the studio level at some point, it is kind of a dream. Maybe I’ll hate it and return to indie films, who knows? But I’m sure I want to pay the check.
What are you searching for in casting for a new project?
Natural talent. But actors even have to fit the role physically. Sometimes it is very frustrating to find someone who is so talented but they simply do not fit the role physically. You really must find someone who embodies both.
What’s the perfect thing about your role as a director?
Just seeing the ideas in your head come to life. I actually enjoy working with a fantastic team. This is a collaborative process. I never really saw myself as the boss, I just saw myself playing a significant role in the process.
What do you think the biggest surprise about the filming process will be a outsider?
How long it takes to go from idea to release. This is crazy.
What’s the most difficult thing about completing a project?
Getting money on the spot is all the time a good challenge… Finding the right team is also tough. You must find the right groups that will stick together throughout the process. It can be tricky, but if you do it right, it really shows in the final product.
What advice can you give people who want to get into this business?
Don’t. Haha, I’m kidding. The best advice I have is to learn all the positions. As I said before, it is all about communication and you will be capable to do this far better if you understand everybody’s position.
What do you feel is missing in entertainment today?
I do not believe anything is missing, but I do feel that there are plenty of bad films out there, perhaps because of the way digital filmmaking is now so accessible. The market seems very saturated. I believe filmmaking should all the time be done right and not just rush to make money. But sadly plenty of people do this, because at the end of the day it is a business. Personally I do not care what movie you make so long as it is done well.
How have things changed since you got into this business?
Everything, and that I mean everything, appears to be based on something that already had a following: toys, comics, old TV shows, prequels, sequels… I wish there was more original stuff. When Boogie Nights came out it was so fresh and thrilling. I find it hard to get thrilled about Iron Man 12.
How does illegal downloading affect your business?
I’m not really sure. Obviously that’s a bad thing, but I do not know the number of individuals who do it and the number of individuals who do not. This is an unfortunate impact of the internet. But the internet also makes it possible to put your movies out there for the entire world to see.
What’s the perfect thing that ever happened to you while filming?
For me my best memory is directing Robert “Freddy Krueger” Englund. Freddy was a big part of my childhood, so getting the chance to work with the guy I used to dress for Halloween was pretty real.
What do you love about directing?
I believe directors have plenty of ideas in their heads, and films allow us to let go of those ideas and put them into reality. It’s like the ultimate challenge, to try and get it right, the way it’s in your head.
It’s an exhilarating experience.
What areas or genres would you like to explore in the future?
Crime Drama is my go-to now. I’ve been holding back too long.
What did you do next after the premiere of The Goddess of Love? Can you share some details
about your next project for 2015-2016?
I’m shooting a proof of concept for a feature film I’m writing with my partner Alexis Kendra. I’m really thrilled about this one. It’s been a fantastic trip. The characters are very likable. It’s a little bit of a new direction for me and I’m really excited to put it on screen. I’ve never been more thrilled about a project in my life.
