Your new movie All
American Bikini Car Wash - in a few words, what is it about?
It’s
about Jack (a bit of a slacker), and his friends opening a bikini car
wash. Jack's professor offers him a chance to save his grade by running
the local car wash business he owns. But Jack gets in over his head when
his friends talk him into turning the business into a bikini car wash! To
ask quite bluntly, why a bikini car wash - and to what extent were you
actually influenced by late night "bikini"-whatever softcore
flicks from yesteryear? I
wanted something with a fun atmosphere. Something irreverent, not too
serious, but fun, witty and sexy. The car wash was born from that. It’s
really more of a throwback to some of the great teen comedies of the 80s
& 90s, more than a nod to softcore stuff. The actors also really
elevated the script – the casting was perfect, and they all really
brought a lot of depth to their characters. (Other) sources of inspiration
when writing All
American Bikini Car Wash? I
was inspired by stuff like Risky Business, American Pie, Can’t Hardly
Wait, The Last American Virgin. How did the project
take off the ground in the first place? I
had written a script called Laid. Nimrod Zalmanowitz had discovered it and we were
trying to get that off the ground, but it didn’t work out at that time.
But we enjoyed working on that, so we decided to try something else, and
All
American Bikini Car Wash was born!
What can you
tell us about All
American Bikini Car Wash's director Nimrod Zalmanowitz [Nimrod
Zalmanowitz interview - click here], and what
was your collaboration like? He
was pretty hands-on – it was a fun collaboration. Since he knew the
locations pretty well, it helped shape the scenes and sequences ahead of
time so it could be written to suit the locations (which from a production
standpoint, helps cut down on time, etc). And he always pushed for strong
characters, for both the male and female roles, which I think helped make
the script stronger. Were you at all involved in
the actual shoot of the movie? No.
I had done a few last minute script additions (nothing structural, just
fun stuff we added) so I worked on that a bit before the shoot. But if we
do a sequel, I’ll be sure to be there on the first day! Anything you can tell us
about audience and critical reception of your movie yet? From
those who have seen it, I’ve honestly heard positive reviews.
Considering the subject, I think some people were expecting more of a
softcore movie, but are pleasantly surprised to watch a movie with an
actual story with characters that are real, and that matter.
Patrick, doing some research (sans bikini) |
Any
future projects you'd like to share? I
have a few scripts out that are being considered. The Accidents and
Mid
Life are two that have been getting quite a few requests. Also, my horror
comedy, Headshot, is being developed by Jittery Monkeys. Furthermore,
I’m working with Nimrod on another project, a sci-fi adventure. What got you into
screenwriting in the first place, and did you receive any formal training
on the subject? I
had gone to Temple University with Journalism on my mind, but after taking
a screenwriting class, I fell in love and didn’t look back. I graduated
with a Film & Media Arts degree. What can you tell us about your filmwork
prior to All
American Bikini Car Wash? After
graduating from Temple University, I dove right in. I produced and
directed some shorts (including The Family Dog (which won some awards at
some festivals) and The Disintegration Of A Boy Band) and three features
(Stain, Better Days, and West River Drive). How would you describe
yourself as a writer, and do tell us what the typical writing process is
like with you?
|
|
|
Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned) |
The links below will take you just there!!!
|
|
|
|
A lot of the stuff I’ve
been writing recently is filled with family dysfunction, which I was
born into, so there’s no surprise there. But I lean toward comedy. The
first time I tried horror I ended up adding some comedic stuff to it, so
it ended up as a horror/comedy hybrid.
My process is pretty
simple. If I find an idea I’m inspired by I’ll outline it and make
sure it’s fleshed out before getting too deep. But I find if I’m
driving with the music on, and whole scenes & dialogue pop into my
head out of nowhere – then I know I’m onto something good.
Writers, filmmakers, whoever else who
inspire you? Big
fan of the Coen Brothers, Peter Weir, Steven Spielberg, Richard Linklater,
Shane Black, Wes Anderson. Your favourite movies? Gallipoli,
Manhattan, The Shawshank Redemption, Jaws, Royal Tennenbaums, Raising
Arizona, Saving Private Ryan, The Breakfast Club, Children Of Men, Dead
Poets Society, Pulp Fiction, Before Sunrise, Field Of Dreams, Glory.
...
and of course, films you really deplore? Mac
& Me. Your/your
movie's website, Facebook, whatever else? Follow
us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram! Anything else
you are dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? Give
All
American Bikini Car Wash a shot! Not only did we pack it full of cool
cars and pretty people, but we have a fun story that a lot of folks can
actually be related to – so have a blast! Thanks
for the interview!
|