Taika Waititi, director, shares with us how shooting the file Thor was a challenge, yet the most thrilling and coolest film.

Why did you do this film, what was your experience?

Taking the job was easy because my chance of making a super hero movie was not coming around often. So, if the universe gives you an opportunity like that, you should take it. I also saw it as an opportunity to learn and make bigger films. I can easily go back to my small films because I already have scripts that I keep working on. It was a challenge for me — working for huge budget films and casting amazing actors. That was the thing that drew me towards it. Whenever  I am about to do a project, I feel nervous like it might be the end of my career. I know then that it is surely a good move.

What was your vision for the film considering the previous two, which have a different flavour?

Originally, my vision was to just make Thor the coolest character and the most entertaining one. Chris had already told this to everyone that he didn’t want to do the same thing again and again, he wanted to change the character and make him funnier, and have an adventure. So my vision was to make it more colourful. It has got to be like the comic books that I grew up reading — fun and vibrant.

It’s one of the funniest Marvel films. How did it turn out to be on the sets?

Yes, since it began. One of my favorite things was the banter, especially the exchange between Thor and Banner. I knew that they brought me in for my tone as well as my sense of humour. So when we were writing, there were a lot of visual gags. They wanted us to get in there and they knew that I add a little bit to all my movies any way.

We use the script as a template, do a version of that or pick out the lines that are vital for exposition and then  add a bit to make it better.

What is the single-most important thing that you want the audience to learn from this film?

I want to make them feel a sense of joy. It should make them a bit more energised because this film has got a lot of life in it. Even though it’s a superhero movie with elements like a giant wolf, zombie army and the incredible Hulk, they represent celebration of life and energy in this time. It makes way for people to go and escape to a cinema, have an experience where they can laugh and see what their kids can laugh about. For me, this is the perfect reason.

How was it working in Brisbane?

It wasn’t that exciting because there were a lot of people behind the shots. It was really hard to move around the streets. But afterwards you see the sheer joy of people on seeing Chris and Tom and the actors on the streets of Brisbane. There would be screaming and barricades. But it’s what we are trying to do with the movie, get the audience to be excited about something. I think they are going to be excited about this film.

Who impressed you the most on the sets?

Well, Chris was the biggest surprise. I already knew he was funny in his other films but when it came to the middle of the shoot he was bringing in the most incredible ideas and he was being a very smart guy. He was funny and constantly trying to make the scene better. The ‘get-help joke,’ where he tries to throw Loki, was actually his idea. He came up with that, he was a revelation.

How do you balance between acting in your own movies versus directing?

As a storyteller, for me, it’s all about the story. The fact that I get all the best lines in the movie is just a coincidence (smiles). Also, all the best roles were taken. I am used to working with myself as an actor, part of the reason why I became a director is because as an actor, all the roles I was offered were really boring and there is nothing really cool. But while writing Thor, I thought about writing a role for myself. I have never been a vampire so I’ll keep doing that because I have the power now.

Name three of your favourite films that have inspired you over the years?

Alice doesn’t live here anymore, Martin Scorsese films, Badlands and Jaws.

Any particular projects would you like to work on?

I would do films that challenge me. Part of the reason I did Thor was because it challenged me. I hadn’t done anything like that before. Now I would like to do a silent film, black and white film or a romantic comedy, but something different.

(The film airs for the first time on Indian television on October 28 on Star Movies and Star Movies Select HD at 1 pm and 9 pm respectively.)

Writer and Courtesy: The Pioneer

Taika Waititi, director, shares with us how shooting the file Thor was a challenge, yet the most thrilling and coolest film.

Why did you do this film, what was your experience?

Taking the job was easy because my chance of making a super hero movie was not coming around often. So, if the universe gives you an opportunity like that, you should take it. I also saw it as an opportunity to learn and make bigger films. I can easily go back to my small films because I already have scripts that I keep working on. It was a challenge for me — working for huge budget films and casting amazing actors. That was the thing that drew me towards it. Whenever  I am about to do a project, I feel nervous like it might be the end of my career. I know then that it is surely a good move.

What was your vision for the film considering the previous two, which have a different flavour?

Originally, my vision was to just make Thor the coolest character and the most entertaining one. Chris had already told this to everyone that he didn’t want to do the same thing again and again, he wanted to change the character and make him funnier, and have an adventure. So my vision was to make it more colourful. It has got to be like the comic books that I grew up reading — fun and vibrant.

It’s one of the funniest Marvel films. How did it turn out to be on the sets?

Yes, since it began. One of my favorite things was the banter, especially the exchange between Thor and Banner. I knew that they brought me in for my tone as well as my sense of humour. So when we were writing, there were a lot of visual gags. They wanted us to get in there and they knew that I add a little bit to all my movies any way.

We use the script as a template, do a version of that or pick out the lines that are vital for exposition and then  add a bit to make it better.

What is the single-most important thing that you want the audience to learn from this film?

I want to make them feel a sense of joy. It should make them a bit more energised because this film has got a lot of life in it. Even though it’s a superhero movie with elements like a giant wolf, zombie army and the incredible Hulk, they represent celebration of life and energy in this time. It makes way for people to go and escape to a cinema, have an experience where they can laugh and see what their kids can laugh about. For me, this is the perfect reason.

How was it working in Brisbane?

It wasn’t that exciting because there were a lot of people behind the shots. It was really hard to move around the streets. But afterwards you see the sheer joy of people on seeing Chris and Tom and the actors on the streets of Brisbane. There would be screaming and barricades. But it’s what we are trying to do with the movie, get the audience to be excited about something. I think they are going to be excited about this film.

Who impressed you the most on the sets?

Well, Chris was the biggest surprise. I already knew he was funny in his other films but when it came to the middle of the shoot he was bringing in the most incredible ideas and he was being a very smart guy. He was funny and constantly trying to make the scene better. The ‘get-help joke,’ where he tries to throw Loki, was actually his idea. He came up with that, he was a revelation.

How do you balance between acting in your own movies versus directing?

As a storyteller, for me, it’s all about the story. The fact that I get all the best lines in the movie is just a coincidence (smiles). Also, all the best roles were taken. I am used to working with myself as an actor, part of the reason why I became a director is because as an actor, all the roles I was offered were really boring and there is nothing really cool. But while writing Thor, I thought about writing a role for myself. I have never been a vampire so I’ll keep doing that because I have the power now.

Name three of your favourite films that have inspired you over the years?

Alice doesn’t live here anymore, Martin Scorsese films, Badlands and Jaws.

Any particular projects would you like to work on?

I would do films that challenge me. Part of the reason I did Thor was because it challenged me. I hadn’t done anything like that before. Now I would like to do a silent film, black and white film or a romantic comedy, but something different.

(The film airs for the first time on Indian television on October 28 on Star Movies and Star Movies Select HD at 1 pm and 9 pm respectively.)

Writer and Courtesy: The Pioneer