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Quint interviews Dex (aka Giovanni Ribisi) about SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW!!!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with the first of 5 one on one interviews I did with the cast and crew of SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, which is exactly one month away from owning all you guys. I did these interviews at Comic-Con this year and thanks to some special people I was the ONLY print media allowed one-on-ones with these guys. All the other interviews you'll see will be in essence the same exact interview repeated since they all come from the same roundtable. The powers that be decided to give you guys, the AICN readers, a unique Q&A, so much thanks to Paramount and especially Lisa Stone, geek goddess and puppet-master to the stars!
Anyway, first up in the SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW interviews is Giovanni Ribisi, who plays DEX in the film, a character I predict will be a favorite especially among the geeks. Without any further ado, let's get on with it, shall we?
QUINT: I think you're going to win over all the geek's hearts with your role in SKY CAPTAIN!
GIOVANNI RIBISI: Oh, good! (laughs) "All the geeks." (laughs)
QUINT: What'd you think about the role when you first read the script?
GIOVANNI RIBISI: For me, it was not necessarily about the role as much as it was about the people I was working with and about being involved in a film that has this sort of alternative aspiration economically. It was also sort of a new process of making movies that I think really has a strong future in the industry because of the economics. I think that for directors and studios to embrace that is, I think, sort of inevitable.
It was also just the idea of, like, being involved in a movie that's basically blue screen. It's just a bare stage, in a sense, that's my take on it. Some people hate doing blue screen, but for me it was like an empty playground. As long as you have your anchor points of, like, "OK, what's that?" to have something to look at, then you're fine.
QUINT: I know there wasn't much for you to play with or react off of, but I'm curious as to what your favorite sequences were to shoot.
GIOVANNI RIBISI: That's the thing... There was this sort of homogeny there. Everything is blue! But for me, I think it was probably the stuff with Jude and Gwenyth in the office where there was a sort of human interaction there. Where it's more about relationships.
QUINT: Did you do any research at all for your role? Did you go look at the old Flash Gordon serials or anything?
GIOVANNI RIBISI: For me, no, because I came in to the film... It was basically, like, "Hey, can you do this? 3 days in England acting..." So, there wasn't a whole lot of time to do that, but I sort of already have an arsenal of... um... I don't want to sound pretentious, or whatever, but at least attempting to be cinephilic and all of the old noir films and the films in the days of yore... that have such a fervor and an insipient passion of making something that's really about style and another world.
I was just watching, for instance, ALL ABOUT EVE, not that that necessarily has... I don't think its content has anything to do with this, but it was just... The dialogue is just consummate... Every aspect. The wardrobe, the acting, the cinematography is mind-blowing. For this film, I think because everything... The little that I do know about Computer Graphic Imaging, the potential, you sort of have a bare slate up until you're sitting there on the computer. As far as the look and the style of it. The performances need to be there and they're established, obviously... In the beginning with the animatics, you know, and then in the production process. But you can go back and say, "Let's make this sunset pink instead of yellow..."
QUINT: Have you gotten to see the final product yet?
GIOVANNI RIBISI: No, I haven't seen anything of the film, actually.
QUINT: They screened it the other night...
GIOVANNI RIBISI: Yeah, that's what I heard.
QUINT: The audience went nuts for it.
GIOVANNI RIBISI: Oh, good! That's exciting!
QUINT: Do you think the mainstream audiences are going to buy into the fantasy?
GIOVANNI RIBISI: Honestly, it's hard for me to evaluate that because there's so little... I mean, on a film where you go to a location and you shoot there's all the atmosphere and all the people there involved, like LORD OF THE RINGS or whatever. I'm sure a lot of that was CGI as well, but the whole thing wasn't done on a blue soundstage or whatever.
As an actor, for me, when I do films it's always really hard for me to objective because you're so involved in things and you're looking at it from the inside out. But with this, I think it's one of the first times I can actually go see a film as an audience member and be surprised and awed by things.
QUINT: So, what's coming up next for you?
GIOVANNI RIBISI: I was just on this... it wasn't a sojourn... But I was in Africa for 5 months doing a movie called FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX and right on the heels of that I went and did this other thing in Alaska with Robin Williams and Holly Hunter and this great cast.
There you have it, squirts. Pretty short, but a fun read nonetheless. I got more where this came from... Look for an interview a day until I run through them all! 'Til then, this is Quint bidding you all a fond farewell and adieu!
-Quint
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Interesting how things can evolve from these three days into something BIG and IMPORTANT. I mean Sky Captain is EVERYWHERE ... and so far it seems OK. So bring this fucker on.
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Aug 18, 2004 6:14:42 AM CDT
fuck these lame interviews, where is the gossip and news this we
by spacesheik
whats going on here? are harry's contacts slacking? EXORCIST is opening in a few days and not ONE fucking review yet here? What about the other flicks? What's the latest with the Bond casting news? What's the future of STAR TREK films at Paramount? What really happened to INDY 4? I could continue ad nauseam...
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That
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This site built itself on the heresy that BATMAN AND ROBIN and films of that nature delivered, but it seems to have lost its focus. Now there is a lot of overhyped stuff being pushed (SKY CAPTAIN, HELLBOY, etc). And now its full of links to Trailers, fan faires etc. There is barely any "insider" stuff any more, you know the stuff that this site excelled in and made us all proud -- remember when we shot down that piece of shit JJ Abrams SUPERMAN script and Wb paid attention? That is one of the highs. Or the early XMen stuff we used to see here, or the early PHANTOM MENACE crap (before we saw it and realized it sucked nuts). But yes I agree now its mostly about harry and his friends and the shit they promote and push like SPY KIDS -3D etc. Sad, at least in the old days youd get stuff like Moriartys beautifully written review of something like CONAN THE KING to make up for the lacklustre main news.
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I love that film, "my little ratbags!" Why remake great films? Why not, as somebody suggested on this site, remake bad films?--or, at least, films with good stories that were badly executed. Don't tell me--Tom Hanks will play the Jimmy Stewart character. Ugh.
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theyve already shot the film, dennis quaid is playing the stewart role. some others in the film like tyrese, hugh laurie...
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Yep, that's what I think. sk
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I wouldn't call... well, it isn't written like, uh... you know, trying to read someone as they ramble and have... Essentially when there's nothing to talk about... I just wouldn't call it a fun read.
If you have ever noticed, most professional interviews don't transcribe WORD FOR WORD because it makes the interviewee sound like a complete, bumbling moron. -
Aug 18, 2004 10:15:28 AM CDT
Is that a "security guard to the stars" behind ole Ribisi?
by lance rock
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I like this GR guy but I am not sure what I just read....I like working with bluescreen....I liked the scenes with the other actors best as there was interaction....I'm in another film too....
What kind of an interview was that?
I like the picture of the huge man mountain though, there just incase a crack team of ninja dinosaurs scale the building and attack everyone on the virandha. -
They really ought to give that security guard a bigger truncheon though - he's not going to see anyone off with that little stick!
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Seriously, the San Diego Comic Con was July 22-25. And while I'm here, after reading the talkback...it appears that AICN has become the boy who cried "wolf!" So many films get outrageous praise and attention that when a really good one comes along, as I believe SKY CAPTAIN to be, people don't trust it. Once bitten twice shy.
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...is it just me or are these most cliched names in science fiction movies and television today? I can think of several examples right off the bat: Starship Troopers 2, Alien vs. Predators, Jurassic Park, Underworld, Dracula 2000, Deep Space Nine, and now this movie. Blade Trinity also has a character named Dex. I cringe now everytime I hear one of these names... if you're a screenwriter please have enough sense to know these are cheesy, cliched names...
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But I'll probably still see the film
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"I drink water, yeah. Carry some with me everywhere. Yeah, I guess you could call me a health nut. *HUUUUUUFF* AGHAAAAAAAAAA HEH HEH HEH HAAAAAAAAA HEH HAAAAGH.... ugggh... goddamn, are those my lungs hanging out of my nose? I guess I need to drink more water."
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I am so in agreement with you Jimmy. Any name vaguely Dex-ish is terribly tired in Sci-fi, and has been for awhile (Remember Luke's backseat tow-cable gunner "Dak" from Empire Got Back). And another talkbacker mentioned that you should not transcribe interviews word for word. Again, agreed. At least take out the "ums" and "ers" and pauses. But it is refreshing to hear an actor wax philosophic about how they really enjoy doing scenes where characters get to interact and it's about relationships and stuff. Never heard anything like that from an actor before. Flight of the Phoenix remake should be good though, I hope they don't change the German character who was a model airplane designer but everyone else thought he was a "real" airplane designer - now THAT was a plot twist before twists were cool!
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"You may remember me from such classics as 'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow' and 'Robot Frat Party'". That last one I made up, but it sounds like a Troy Mclure classic.
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Aug 18, 2004 3:09:53 PM CDT
What, you couldn't find more pictures of this goofball giving an
by rolling_stone
Smoking is bad for you.
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you don
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but scientology is worse. fuck g.r.
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and then we just need to cast other actors to play Mr. Kotter, Epstein, Vinnie, and the rest of the gang!
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Damn, that was one of my fave X-Files.
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Harry has always not liked Giovanni Ribisi.
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And in inflation-adjusted dollars they've probably stolen a lot less money. Granted they're making up ground fast, but still.
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Ribisi, Jack Black, soundtrack by Filter... man, that X-Files ep was the closest thing we'll get to a live-action Beavis and Butthead movie.
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most religions are pretty crazy. there are some, though, that are genuinely cool all the way through. scientology's blatant numbskullery lurks just centimeters below the glossy celebrity surface. it's a profit-driven cult cooked up by a pulp sci-fi novelist with delusions of grandeur. christianity's wrongs are well documented. scientology is just getting started.
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Aug 19, 2004 3:41:43 AM CDT
He's smoking 'cause he JUST HAD SEX!!! -- Duh!!! (Whatever it
by jdanielp
Thanks Moriarity!!! You are the absolute best (I hear). (...heh,heh)
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...Quint was there, too? Wow, ... whatever it takes to get the interview. You guys are fantastic!!!
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Aug 19, 2004 3:52:47 AM CDT
yOu kn0W ... thiS mOVie loOks sO gOod that I bet he waS smOkin'
by jdanielp
Wow, this movie looks so retro-cool. I'm just sorry that not everyone "digs it" like I do. I'll be seeing it as soon as I get the opportunity. I ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS ANY LONGER!!! RELEASE IT NOW!!!
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OHMYGODITSMYLIVER!!!!!MAMAMAMAMAMA(morphine,morphine,morphine)one of the best dying scenes period.
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Aug 19, 2004 10:47:47 AM CDT
Interesting how he talks about "economical" filmmaking...guess h
by minderbinder
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Funny stuff UserID
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...That he doesn't know dick about the budget. Most actors don't seem to give a flying fuck about the budget and how hard it is from the production end to keep that shit under control - they only care about having their big ass trailers, their on-set assistants, expensive-assed first class airfare, and their exclusive trips to the set, lest they have to ride with someone else and have to talk to one of the mud people.
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I've never really liked actor interviews as most of them don't have alot vested in the production. Take Ribisi for instance. He was there for a whopping three days of shooting. Whereas there might be screenwriters, directors, or producers who were trying to get the project up for years. Those are the interviews I like to read - not an interview from a hired gun.
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To expand my point, most actors are involved with the project for a week to say 20 weeks. Where a director/producer/screenwriter was there during the job of getting the project setup, then a couple of months of pre-production, followed by six months or more of editing (then there's marketing, followed by premiere). The actors are in and out, I'd rather hear about all of the trials and tribulations rather than hear about the movie from someone who can really only relate to the film from the point of view of a character they dropped in to play. This isn't bashing AICN. Kudos to getting the review, it's just that those involved in all phases of the production would probably have much more interesting tidbits to share.
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Yes, totally agreed. Not that actors don't occasionally have something interesting to say, but the producers, screenwriters, directors... hell, even the gaffers and caterers probably have much more fascinating insights that would a guy who memorized a few lines of script and played make-believe infront of a bluescreen for three days. Let's be very honest - there are a handful of actors who are truly, exceptionally talented, who have been touched with genius. The vast majority, however - at least as far as Hollywood goes - have some other personality or physical trait (or combination thereof) that helps them land their parts. I'd rather hear from the people who really make the films. Actors are more or less interchangeable. Producers, screenwriters, and directors are not. For example, take the Aliens Vs. Predator movie as it stands now - script, Paul WS Anderjerk and all - and insert whichever actors you desire, you're still left with probably the same movie. On the other hand, imagine we reincarnate HP Lovecraft to write the script and get John Cassavetes to direct. Cast whoever you want for that one, I'll go see it three times in one night.
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...nice post. Now, from what I've heard (the only film I was ever "on set" for for the entire production, I drove myself to the set every day, so I had no interaction with the drivers)... that the teamsters ALWAYS have the best gossip after driving everyone around during the entire production. How about an anonymous group interview with the drivers for a certain production?
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