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SS ART INTERVIEW WITH LENNIE OVERGAARD
"Rip Cage co-art designer of its title sequence, Stefanovitch Setchell, interviews Lennie Overgaard for his site."

I was very fortunate to have an E-nterview with Lennie -writer/exec. producer/vfx supervisor - hopefully next time it will be face-to-face....

1. Is Rip Cage the first movie that you have worked? If not what are the others?
I have actually been working on films for several years and can with no doubt thank horror masters Lions Gate Films for having given me my big "breakthrough" by giving me something to do on the sci-fi sequel 'Cube 2: Hypercube'. However, I have been working with animation and film production for years before that. During my "creative period", if you will, I actually ended up having produced some interesting short films. 'Crib', 'The Metal Cage', '10 Miles High'. I have been connected to Lions Gate ever since I delivered my stuff for 'Hypercube' and am for the moment developing some art stuff for their kick-ass flick 'Cube Zero'. When that's done I will finish a horror screenplay, a ghost story, for Hypercube/Cube Zero editor Mark Sanders, which is genuinely frightening as it looks right now. Furthermore, I have an additional two horror screenplays coming up, so I've got plenty of work to do.

2. Can you tell me more about Rip Cage than has already been said?
That's an interesting question. What have you heard about the film and what haven't you heard? :o) Well, I suppose it isn't new that our primary production has been delayed for quite some time now, which is an awful shame, but I think it will all help since we have more time to develop the film. The film has been almost dead publicity-wise, but that doesn't mean nothing is happening at the moment. Not at all. The film does require a lot of post production work and we're lucky to be able to do some of that now.

3. Is Rip Cage your first Screen Play?
Rip Cage is my first feature length screenplay, but definitely not my first piece of writing. Writing has always come very naturally to me, especially the dark stuff. I find it a lot easier to write that kind of things. All writers have a favorite genre. I don't mind being considered as being a horror writer as I still feel I have a lot left to give this genre.

4. How different is the Filmed version of the Screen Play from the first Draft?
Let me tell you. The first draft of Rip Cage is a lot different than what will be shot and released. The first story was more sci-fi ish than you'd imagine. I didn't like it that much, but some other guys did and we were actually close to shooting it for real. That was a terrifying time. I showed the script to somebody else and with a bit of rewriting it ended up being what it is now and the horror plays a bigger role this time. I love it. No more sci fi concepts, but there's some clever dialogue and I can thank my two year long research of various religions for that.

5. Have you had to change much of the Screen Play because it didn't translate to Film well or because it looks better in Film than it does on the page?
I changed a LOT in this story. I really wanted it to be a decent feature script debut. I kept one scene from the original story as well as the name of the main character - everything else has been changed. You can write a scene that looks so good on paper, but is awful on camera and vice versa. Filmmaking is a creative process and you can't plan and write everything in advance. New stuff is always being written on set. There are always changes happening during shootings and you will just have to adapt to them. As a writer you will have to make sacrifices.

6. Is the Rip Cage story driven or character driven or is it just another slasher flick with good SFX?
Rip Cage is most definitely a story driven film with plenty of twists and weird stuff. There will be some nasty death scenes and plenty of gore for you horror fans out there though.

7. How important are the characters?
The characters are the most important aspect of this film. If the characters don't work this movie will fall flat. I tried to avoid stereotypes at all costs, because it's too easy and pretty boring to say the least. However, I wrote characters that we can all relate to. I felt it was necessary to have characters that resemble our daily lives. The concept of Rip Cage is essentially that what happens to these people can happen to everyone.

8. Will character development slow down the pace of the film?
You need character development in every film. Of course unless you're trying to sell a film because of its cool effects only. I like special effects, and there's pretty much something going on at all times in Rip Cage, but I wouldn't consider myself being a writer if I tried to avoid writing proper characters.

9. Which other Film resembles Rip Cage or is it unique?
I'm a huge fan of the Cube franchise so I'd be lying if I said it didn't inspire me at all. What makes it similar to the Cube franchise is the fact that these people haven't volunteered to be trapped in the place they are in. Apart from that I feel Rip Cage is as unique as it possibly can be. I just hope it isn't too unique so people won't take the time to see it.

10. If it is unique what makes it so?
It is unique in a lot of ways. The production is pretty unique itself. With a huge amount of green screen shots and a new kind of color correction I guarantee you will see some visually very interesting stuff on the big screen. Also, I hope most people will think the following is a cool idea. But we actually try to shoot the film on a lot of various cameras. So far there's 35mm, 16mm, 8mm, Mini DV and more. The biggest part of Rip Cage is 35mm though. When you see a film you see it through somebody else's eyes. And with all the layers, ideas and concepts in the story itself we felt it would be cool to make in indie film that tries to combine all of these filmmaking tools.

11. Will there be a Rip Cage 2?
I honestly don't know, but no matter how well Rip Cage does I don't think I'll be working on a sequel. I tried to finish the story with an open ending so there's definitely a chance that there'll be a sequel. I never intended this to be part of a series though as I enjoy working on new, original ideas as often as possible.

12. Would it make a good Computer game?
Wauw, a computer game. That would be so much fun. If anybody out there would be interested in making a computer game based on the film I'm open to approaches :o)

13. Visually is it like nothing that I have seen before?
This is basically the best movie a filmmaker can be working on. With no restraints and the goal that this movie should be as weird and strange as possible it gives you a LOT of possibilites to do some crazy stuff. That's all I can say. Expect some very crazy stuff :o)

14. Where does Australia fit in with the plot?
Do I really have to answer that question? :o) First and above all, it's part of the interpretation of the film. Secondly, Sydney is a beautiful city and it was great to be seeing stuff from Sydney in Rip Cage. I also felt sorry for Jacque Vickers, who was part of the original Rip Cage shoot, which unfortuantely never happened. I really wanted to have her in the movie. She's so sweet and down to earth plus she's a talented Aussie actress.

15. Are the Actors and Actresses all unknowns?
I feel more comfortable working with nearly unknown actors. If a film has a well known actor in it the viewer already has an idea about his/her character. I never wanted Hollywood actors in the film, I felt it was better to have really good actors. Don't get me wrong. I have always been wanting to work with Julianne Moore, Jeff Goldblum and Jennifer Lopez. That would be a dream come true. However, the ones we have so far in the film did some great stuff and I am more than pleased with their performances. Two thumbs up to Vincenzo Natali, Jacque Vickers and Roxy China for their great work. Actually, I put myself in front of the camera for a small part of the opening title sequence. It was lots of fun. :o)

16. What do you plan to do after you have finished Rip Cage?
After Rip Cage... I can't even imagine what'll happen at that time. Hopefully, lots of people will go see the film and I will get more contacts in the film industry. I love to meet new filmmaking colleagues.

17. What is your favourite Film?
I have lots. I consider myself being the biggest Cube fan ever so that's obviously three of my favorite films. Just recently I saw this incredible film called SAW and it kicked ass to say the least. I love it!!! James Wan or Leigh Whannell, if you ever read this call me ;oP I have to work with you on Saw 2!!!

18. Who do you admire in the Film industry, alive or dead?
I admire a lot of people. Filmmakers are truly some of the most creative persons on this planet. I hate picking out a few ones as I always forget someone. Norm Orenstein: I have been a fan of his music for years!!! Mark Sanders: awesome editor and a good friend of mine. Brent Hanley: Loved his script for Frailty. David Goyer: That guy is a GOD!!!

19. If you were not working in Films what would you be doing instead?
I can't imagine a day without working with films. That would be horrible. I'd probably become a pro film reviewer. I love watching all the latest films to see what new tricks and twists my fellow filmmakers have come up with.

20. Would you be happy to ask more questions in the future?
Most definitely. I love talking about films, so feel free to arrange another interview. It's been a pleasure :o)

Thank you Lennie, I look forward to questioning you soon......