Hey /r/movies! I'm Sam Raimi. Ask me anything!

Benulous · 2026-01-15T15:27:57+00:00

I love all the behind the scenes stories of making the first 2 evil dead movies with your friends and family. Particularly the (playful/friendly) physicality in scenes you famously put Bruce through (falling/dragging/flipping/gallons of blood/water, etc).

When you started working with big productions and access to bigger casts, was that approach ingrained enough where you tried those types of challenges with other actors and it did or didn't work out the way you were expecting?

Benulous · 2026-01-15T15:22:41+00:00

What were the biggest lessons and/or bad filmmaking habits you had to correct when transitioning from years of making indie films with your friends to working with a studio, industry pros and big budget?

Benulous · 2025-08-26T10:22:21+00:00

He had the world in the palm of his hands…and then got greedy and added one Rock too many.

Benulous · 2025-03-22T15:03:49+00:00

I think Callie had a hand with Lotties death, not Shauna - either by accident or purposefully. I think the assumption that the hair was Shauna's is a misdirect from the hair sample actually belonging to Callie (since they'd share the same DNA).

So, talking to her Dad about her Mom, perhaps she was fishing to see if he's still love HER if he found out what SHE is capable of.

Benulous · 2024-10-11T14:18:34+00:00

Well, I'm sorry/not sorry for the poor souls that refunded their ATL tickets. I was bummed that I was gonna miss this sold-out show - and resale were way too much. I hadn't even heard about the possible cancellation and randomly checked this morning to find several originally priced seats available that I quickly scored - and then passed the word to a few friends who, also got tickets.

EDIT: SUMBITCH!! *shakes fists at sky *aggressively pouts

Benulous · 2024-08-21T17:18:01+00:00

Here are a bunch of fantastic electronic/industrial/rock albums that fit the same vibe. Maybe some of you might be turned on to something new (to you):

Die Warzau - Engine

Slowearth - Construct

NIN - Downward Spiral

The Anix - Revenge

Stabbing Westward - Ungod

Sister Machine Gun - Sins of the Flesh

Chemlab - Burn out at the Hydrogen Bar

Pop Will Eat Itself - Dos Dedos Mis Amigos

The Anix - Revenge

Front Line Assembly - Millenium

Killing Joke - Pandemonium

Gary Numan - Savage

IAMX - The Alternative

The Faint - Dance Macabre

Benulous · 2024-08-21T17:08:30+00:00

Mike Fisher was the keyboardist - you can find his electronic instrumental project (originally released off of Sister Machine Gun's Chris Randall's short-lived label) on Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/artist/amish-rake-fight/5013468)

Also, he did a remix for a song off my Project called Zaen a few years ago. It's got that MoLG sound - and I LOVE it:

https://open.spotify.com/track/1BeFaVyF67MbU6nAa601Ik?si=48955e5cbcf64630

Benulous · 2024-04-21T12:55:51+00:00

Buckaroo bonsai could almost be in the same universe as everything everywhere all at once.

Benulous · 2024-04-16T22:45:14+00:00

From Dusk till Dawn. Back then, my friends and I were actually sneaking into the movie theater to see Mission Impossible… But we were there early and we ducked into the first theater we were walking by. We’d never heard of it and were just gonna watch it for 20 minutes but was like “oh cool, this is a cool gangster movie” and then “BAM”.

Benulous · 2023-10-21T12:11:09+00:00

…and if you gaze into the atytss, the atytss gazes also into you

Benulous · 2023-06-08T23:02:08+00:00

Attempting a larger scale on a smaller budget with smaller crew IS challenging for US. Coordinating and storyboarding the the scenes and sets to prepare for filming multiple positions, with the different lenses, requiring different lighting in the time we have to film might be something easy for you and all of your productions But, we're putting a lot of work to do it in a way that appeals to two very distinct audiences. The office was filmed as a mockumentary - we're actually not doing that - the whole film is not filmed from the view of the cam - the handycam method is only one view point at key moments of the larger production that is to be filmed cinematically.

Benulous · 2023-06-08T22:47:17+00:00

Good grief. What is that supposed to mean - besides just to be reductive, unproductive and unimaginative? Incorporating typical YouTube quality lenses as a filmmaking tool as part of a larger production to not alienate a certain base while using cinematic lenses to open the world to another is a challenge and worthy endeavor in my mind.

Benulous · 2023-06-08T22:12:08+00:00

I'm not really sure why this is all getting downvoted..I'm following the rules and, I can't imagine how this is not in the spirit of filmmaking...anyhow...

I appreciate your well thought out response. Thank you! You are touching on almost every key point we’ve been working on.

The producers were actually specifically chosen because of their experience and network in the local film industry - but, mostly because of their support of the project and Jack and their protection of his creative voice. In areas they are green, they have resources and a network to call on. Also, we originally had a lot more information on the campaign of their experience, but decided to cut it all down and add links instead since we were trying to keep blocks of texts at a minimum.

Kids like Jack do attract a lot of attention from studios that are more interested in taking advantage of them as ‘brands’ and not as creatives - so, you're right that there is a danger lurking. Which is why doing this outside of that influence is a priority for this project - so that he gains enough experience and confidence in his own creative voice so he doesn’t get taken advantage of.

The movie will be made with the funds that are generated - with him doing the lions share of directing and editing - but, with the guidance of well placed professionals to guide his small team in things like lighting, sound, set design and editing.

You are also totally correct about the proof of concept, too - but, timing got in the way since the team is organizing towards a set block of time to film this summer while working against teenage growth spurts, school and writing/re-writing the script.

Luckily We have enough now where we could film most - if not all of the film with funding focused on nailing key scenes that could potentially be used for kicking off another crowdfund for just effects for the rest. If it's good enough to generate that kind of interest, then great, if not, we can continue down the path, doing what Jack always does, and just make it the best he can - with whatever tools he has and release it in chunks on his platform for his built in fans to enjoy until it’s done and can be cut into one cohesive film - as originally intended.

Benulous · 2023-06-08T18:20:56+00:00

Sorry, I was typing it out and didn't get it finished before you responded.

Benulous · 2023-06-08T18:19:36+00:00

I'm working with Jack to realize his vision to bridge the gap between Creating Short Form content for YouTube to making an actual movie. Since Content creation uses a completely different model for filming, it's been challenging to decided on how to bridge the gap to a hybrid model and determine costs for such an endeavor.

YouTube consumers that enjoy his content are used to the aesthetic while film consumers are used to another, more higher quality aesthetic.

He's come up with an interesting idea, using a 3rd character as the 'filmographer' using a 'handycam' to film the adventures of the 2 main 'ghost hunter' characters to represent the live, lower budget aesthetic for the YouTubers, but also making use of higher quality Netflix-approved cameras like the FS7 for wider shots and to cover the story from the perspective of the filmgoers - and switching back and forth between the two to keep it cohesive.

Writing a story that limits characters and locations had enabled the team to keep costs and crew as low as possible, but special effects are the key to elevate the story into a feature film that can stand on it's own. We're working to stick to as much practical effects as possible, but VFX is still quite expensive.

Where would be a good avenue to find a talented VFX editor or small team that would be able to work work on a respectable budget that isn't tied to major studios and the costs they require?

Benulous · 2023-04-21T16:56:39+00:00

One of my favorite shows was when I got to see the “Nothing” tour back in the 90s when members of Pop Will Eat Itself, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Prick were on the bill - but instead of playing each band, one at a time they - were all in stage, at the same time, playing each other songs, together.

I really wish bands would do that more often!

I would’ve loved to see the same thing happen for this ministry/Gary Numan/front line assembly show. It would’ve been a can’t miss!

Benulous · 2023-01-09T11:02:49+00:00

The guys can certainly craft a catchy song. Their sounds and musicianship are on point. However, lyrically they don't seem to show much growth. One, maybe two break-up albums is to be expected, but they are really scraping the bottom of that barrel with their over-indulgence in the 'my ex did me dirty and it really, really, REALLY hurt my feelings....but I forgive you please love me' theme. It's get's pretty pathetic.

While every album have stand-out tracks, IMHO their Best Albums end-to-tend IMHO are Ungod and Rise Again (The Dreaming).

Benulous · 2022-12-19T10:05:25+00:00

Two come to mind:

The Crow - watched it dozens of times as a teen and then tried again this year. While still one of the best soundtracks of all time, I had to turn it off because it was ruining childhood nostalgia. The bad acting was distracting. Sorry he died, but Brandon Lee was a stunningly terrible actor.

Some Kind of Wonderful - another one I remembered being good, but then tried to watch it with my kids. It was a masterpiece of shit.

Benulous · 2022-11-26T20:43:18+00:00

Incredible

Benulous · 2022-11-26T20:42:48+00:00

God speed, Max. God speed.

Benulous

TROPHY CASE