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Writer/Director of Conception -- Josh Stolberg here

posted 12 years ago by stolberg
24 replies | jump to latest

Hey gang. I'm Josh Stolberg. The writer and director of this indie film (CONCEPTION), being released by Tribeca Film this Friday on VOD, iTunes, Amazon Instant, etc.

Several years ago, I made another little indie and spent some time on the IMDb boards answering questions about the film, the writing process, how we got it made and other questions folks had about making movies. It was a great time and while I haven't done it for a few years (my last few movies, like Piranha 3D, didn't really NEED a personal touch), I had a great time chatting with people who were interested. And I actually made a few friends on here.

So here we go again...

I'll open it up to pretty much anything you want to discuss; from the nitty-gritty of creating this specific film, to casting, to low-budget film-making, to questions about other films and projects, to general Hollywood questions. I will most likely repost the answers on my personal blog (www.joshstolberg.com), where you can also read a more detailed description of what I've been up to in Hollywood for the past ten years.

As long as things stay civil and we're all having a good time, I'll probably hang out for a couple of months while my little film makes the VOD circuit. After that, feel free to contact me at the website to further our discussions.

Best,
Josh

[–] FrancisHWelker 12 years ago

Hi Josh

I saw your offer on Twitter and had to sign up with IMDB because I wanted to ask you some questions. If this is really you thats very cool that you would do this.

I guess my first question, being a fan of Piranha and Sorority Row, is how you decided to write this movie, which looks pretty different from the horror stuff.

Thank you,
Francis

[–] stolberg 12 years ago

Hey Francis!

You'll enjoy IMDb. It's a great community.

As far as your question goes, while I LOVE horror... and I do, Halloween was one of my favorite movies growing up... I have other interests as well. I love Pizza, too, but I think I'd get sick of it if that's all I ate.

Conception came about for a few reasons...

First is that I wanted to direct a film. It had been a while and I was itching to work with actors again. But because of the low budget of the movie, I had to keep it small. No Sorority houses burning to the ground or Lake Havasu boat parties.

Second is that I wanted to step out of the box I'm usually writing in. When I'm doing a studio film, I'm obligated to write something that can sell to a mass audience. I think about things like, "What's the poster" and "What's the tagline?" If I was going to do something smaller, I didn't want to burden myself with that kind of stuff.

When I started thinking about cast, I knew I wanted to work with some amazing actors (and there are SO MANY of them in this movie), so I also knew I had to make it interesting to them. So I had to write roles that they would get excited about. And I also realized that I couldn't take them out of day jobs for very long (this is why I decided to do an ensemble cast, so that they would only have to commit a day to me).

I also love relationship stories. And having been married forever, I had a lot of stuff to explore that wouldn't really fit into a story about killer fish.

These are just a few of the reasons I wound up making Conception.

Don't worry. I'll be back to the horror stuff soon enough. As a matter of fact, the new film I just wrapped is a horror thriller (called Crawlspace). It's another indie but I approached it in an entirely different way than I did with Conception.

While you're a fan of Sorority Row and Piranha 3D, I hope you'll give Conception a try. You won't see many as many dismembered sexual organs, but there's a lot more heart and truth to this story. At least I hope.

Thanks for writing, Francis.

Josh
@joshstolberg

[–] unholyghost2003 12 years ago

Hi Josh!

Just watched Conception on VUDU. I really enjoyed it. I noticed that in the final Parent/Child pictures Bree (Leila Leigh) and Will (Gregory Smith) are pictured without Joel (Steve Howey) and Tiffany (Julie Bowen). Were you intentionally suggesting that they are single parents? Or was such an implication a happy accident of actor availability? Kudos for including a single dad if it was intentional and I wont tell if it was an accident but you still want to take credit for a subtle comment on father's rights.

Thanks!

[–] stolberg 12 years ago

HAHA!

NOTE: SPOILERS BELOW, IN CASE YOU CARE...

That's very funny that you noticed that. As far as the Gregory/Julie scene, we actually shot a "family pictures" with both Greg and Julie for the end credits. But when we started discussing it with the producers (Leila and Steph), and testing it in screenings, we all realized that it might be unrealistic to think that both the blind date and the MILF affair would end in happy marriages. So we purposely chose to use a single shot of Greg to at least put it in people's heads that perhaps that relationship didn't work out. The idea that we showed the Dad instead of the Mom was more because we did the Mom cut with Leila (Bree) in the earlier scene.

As far as the Bree shot (Leila), the way that I wrote the script was that the school doors would open up and all the children would run into the arms of ALL THE PARENTS. But you can imagine the logistical nightmare of trying to get 18 big actors to show up for a 30 minute shot. It was impossible. We were able to convince a few of them to show, but then the problem came up of "What are we saying that only THESE 6 or 7 parents showed up at the school... is that saying something about the others?" Because Leila was one of the producers (AND my wife), it was easy to have her there. And the idea that the audience might think that they aren't together anymore (with Steve Howey), didn't bother me.

As a side note, the stills were an idea we had halfway through the shoot to help us place the kids with the individual parents (because we realized we wouldn't be able to see them with each parent). And MOST of the stills are actually photoshopped to make it look like they are together. The little girl on the swing, the boy standing between Pamela and Moon, my son Asher sitting between Jen Jostyn and Alan Tudyk, and I think one or two others were photoshopped. We shot the kids in front of a black screen (we couldn't even afford a green screen :-)), and then digitally put them in later.

Anyway, thanks for the kind words about the movie. I really appreciate the support.

Best,
Josh

[–] FrancisHWelker 12 years ago

Hi Josh. Thank you for answering my last question.

My next questions is: "How in the world did you get all of these actors to work for 100 dollars?" Even if I was loving something I was doing, I don't think I'd take a 1000% (or more) pay cut to go to work.

Thank you for answering.

Francis

[–] apaulson 12 years ago

Josh,

When you set out to make Conception did you think you were making a film that would surpass Citizen Kane or did you know it? Also, have you double-checked the measurements of your mantle to make sure that all of the Oscars will fit? Finally, does your wife get jealous of the onslaught of advances from models, actresses, and Tiger Woods left-overs that have come your way in the wake of your success?

Love,

Andrew

[–] stolberg 12 years ago

Very funny, Andrew!

(This is one of the guys that I became friends with from the Kids in America boards. I apologize.)

Josh

P.S. Any model/actress who would sleep with with writer needs to learn how the business works. They always find the producer or the agent.

[–] apaulson 12 years ago

Josh,

I'm pretty sure actresses are into directors. At least according to my encounters with celebrity gossip rags, but I digress.

Serious question:

How did you go about casting? I know some of the actors you knew from prior films, but were all of the actors from pre-existing relationships? Did you hold auditions? Was there a character that significantly changed because the actor cast brought something different to the role? Anybody you wanted to get but couldn't work out because of scheduling? Anybody surprise you? etc?

Andrew

[–] stolberg 12 years ago

Hey there everybody. Trying to finish up my cut on Crawlspace. I'll get back to apaulson and Francis with answers in the coming days.
Thanks for writing!
Josh

[–] stolberg 12 years ago

Hey. Sorry I disappeared for a bit. Been cutting my new film and have been a little bit tied up.

Okay, since both Francis and Andrew had roughly the same question, I will answer here:

As I mentioned, the casting of this film was the most important part. And the problem was that we had NO MONEY to pay anyone. So I had to approach it a little differently than your typical feature (where they just back up the money truck until the actor says yes).

There were a zillion reasons why NOT to do this film. No money. No dressing room. No costume person. No bells and whistles. A long day of shooting. A lot to memorize in a very short amount of time. A TINY movie that, in a best case scenario, will not suck.

So I had to focus on the positives. It's a family affair. It's not a "typical" Hollywood film, which means the actors get to play something a little different. Instead of shooting 1/3 of a page a day, the actors get to play an entire arc for their character in one day. It's one day, one measly day which means they don't have to sacrifice other paying gigs to do it.

But I knew that the most important thing would be to get a couple of actors attached early that could lure some of the others. Luckily, working in Hollywood for such a long time, I've made a lot of friends who just happen to be amazing actors. Two of the first people that signed on were Jonathan Silverman and his wife Jennifer Finnigan. I've known Jonny for years and he has always been amazing about helping out friends (he's also one of the leads in my new film, Crawlspace). I had written parts to my wife Leila and her best friend Jennifer Jostyn, who are both great actresses. Jen J was one of the leads in Brothers McMullen way back in the day (a great film if you haven't seen it). She starred in that with Connie Britton (and that's how I know Connie). Greg Smith and Julie Bowen were both leads in a little film I directed a few years ago and they both agreed to come aboard. So I had a great start. And then it was time to bring in casting directors -- Katie Piel and Liz Shoai. They were instrumental in helping come up with interesting names and reaching out to agents (who by the way, don't want their clients starring in tiny movies like this because it can only hurt... and they see 10 bucks, literally, for the deal).

We had auditions. Read a bunch of people for roles while we also making offers for roles we had not yet cast. Sarah Hyland is dating Matt Prokop and they kind of came as an amazing package. They were Katie and Liz's idea and their relationships helped lock them in. It probably didn't hurt that we had Julie Bowen already confirmed. Alan Tudyk and Steve Howey were both offers as well (an offer is when you call up the agent and say, "We want Alan Tudyk for the part of XXX and it's shoots on XXX date and we can pay them XXXX". It also helped that one of them was repped at my agency and both used a manager that I have a relationship with (we've play cards together).

I'm going to post this so I don't lose it but will continue on the next post...

CONTINUED...

[–] stolberg 12 years ago

Moon Bloodgood was also repped by my agency (UTA) which was REALLY amazing about helping me get to some of these actors. Pamela Adlon happens to also be a friend of my wife and I. Her daughter went to pre-school with my son Asher (they were best friends for like two years). America was a contact of Katie. I knew Leah Pipes from Sorority Row and had hung out with her for two months on the set in Pittsburgh. Jason Mantzoukas was dating a friend and that how I found him. I went to college with Tim Griffin (and was his college roommate for a while). Aaron Ashmore is the only actor that we met through the audition process that I don't think had any history with anyone involved.

So, as you can see, things can get rather incestuous. Lots of friends and friends of friends. But that's how you have to make a movie on this budget.

Andrew, regarding your question, characters didn't really change much based on the casting. There was a little bit of improving here and there, but we stayed pretty close to the script because if we hadn't, it would have been impossible to stay on schedule.

And regarding your other question, YES, we had cast a couple of other people in other roles, but they just didn't work out for one reason or another. I won't say which roles they were cast in, but we were really far down the line in casting an amazing Asian-American actor, Rick Yune, but he had to drop out for personal reasons. And we were also set to cast Eric Balfour, and he was set to go until like three days before we shot and he had to drop out because the day we were shooting wound up having a conflict with reshoots for Skyline. And there were other actors that we went out to and DIDN'T get. A few that were friends even. And a few others that would have helped to make the film more racially diverse (more on that in a future blog post).

But having gone to battle with this cast, I have to say that I'm REALLY happy that we wound up with who we did. I can't imagine, now, any of the roles being played by anyone else.

So...

Long answer to a simple question but I thought you'd want to know the full story.

Josh
@joshstolberg
www.joshstolberg.com

[–] stolberg 12 years ago

Hey there. Josh (the director of Conception) here.

You can read the short write-up about the contest on my website: www.joshstolberg.com
Just click on BLOG and you'll find information about how to enter (it's free).

I'll be giving away more than 25 items, including signed memorabilia from the movie, autographs from some of the stars, a few props from the movie, and a couple of Piranha 3D and Sorority Row signed posters and DVDs.

Thanks for supporting our little indie film!!!

Josh

[–] stolberg 12 years ago

I just posted photographs of the first batch of items (all from actress Leah Pipes). There will be MANY more in the coming weeks but this is the first bunch. You can either go through my website (www.joshstolberg.com) or go directly to the photographs at:
http://joshstolberg.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
Josh

[–] Mike_LaFontaine 12 years ago

Will there be a DVD release? Or will it be VOD only?

Wha' happened?

[–] stolberg 12 years ago

Yes, there will be a DVD release down the line. But there isn't a date yet. And there is extra bonus material that we've put together for when that happens. But right now, the film is only for rental.

Thanks for writing, Mike!

Josh

[–] anonymous-noname 12 years ago

Hey Josh,

I've met a couple of directors who dont like to talk about such things, but I was wondering if you to give us an actual figure on the budget.

Also - not related to this film - can you give me any advice on getting started up as a film writer/director. I ask cause I'm currently in film school, and would love some guidance for the future.

Thanks very much,
Brian

[–] stolberg 12 years ago

Hey Brian.

Unfortunately, while I can't say exactly what the budget of the film was... it was SMALL. Less than the craft service costs on most films. I should draw you to an interview I did with MovieBuzzeers.com though (http://moviebuzzers.com/2012/03/05/interview-conception-writerdirector-josh-stolberg-making-movie-miniscule-budget/) where I talk a bit about the budget. I had figured out, based on Quantum of Solace's budget, that the total cost of our film was LESS than 3 seconds of that James Bond movie.

As for the advice... well... the one thing I'll say that this is one of the most exciting times to be an up-and-coming writer/director. It is SO cheap to make movies now, and very easy to get them out there. If you create something that clicks, you can grab the attention of the agents and managers that can help you get those paid gigs in the future.

I loved films school (I went to USC), but I have to say that actually making the movies and learning by error is one of the best ways to get better.

My advice would be to just create content, you're going to get better with each thing you do.

Thanks Brian.
Josh

[–] Nicholas-Wicht 12 years ago

Hi Josh.

This is going to sound crazy but I am an actor and have been looking for work while going to Columbia College Chicago. Is there anyway I could send you a reel or show you some of my work. I don't want to be stepping the line but I feel that if you want to go anywhere in life you have to be straightforward and be strong. If not that is no problem. Hopefully one day we can work together in the future.

Nicholas Wicht

[–] stolberg 12 years ago

Hi Nicholas. Thanks for the note. I'm always happy to look at reels. If you have an online reel, please feel free to forward to the email on my website (www.joshstolberg.com). I can't read scripts or field film ideas or treatments for legal reasons, but I'm always open to seeing new talent. I just wrapped my last feature, a film called Crawlspace, that will be released later this year, and I'm not sure when the next one will gear up, but feel free to send a link.

Best of luck,
Josh

[–] Nicholas-Wicht 12 years ago

Thank you so much. I am just getting the reel finished. I have a few films i am still working on but I will have it soon.

[–] Hancockenstein 12 years ago

haven't seen any of your movies yet but

I had figured out, based on Quantum of Solace's budget, that the total cost of our film was LESS than 3 seconds of that James Bond movie.

that is so ridiculous and funny that it's true. i had no idea how much movies have come to cost now.

[–] stolberg 12 years ago

Yup, pretty crazy figure. But totally true. The big studio movies are so expensive, it kind of blows your mind. I love 'em. I see 'em all. But they they don't come cheap.

[–] GMEllis625 11 years ago

I think it is great you did this. If I had the chance to make a film I would probably visit the IMDb page three times a day!

I am curious why filmmakers (and their staff) don't keep up with IMDb more religiously. There are several errors, and missing cast members (based on the end credits) on this page. Don't agents have people checking these pages for their clients? Or studio people making sure all the data is correct?

The movie was very enjoyable, and I liked the connection from the opening scene through to end credits. I almost would have preferred fewer stories to give us more time to get to know the characters better, but I couldn't begin to tell you which ones to leave out.

[–] stolberg 11 years ago

Hi there GMEllis625,

Sorry, I hadn't been checking up on these boards lately as I've been in post on my new films.

Yes, I love coming to check things out on IMDb and see what people are saying. I think one of the reasons that more filmmakers don't "check it religiously" is that it can be both frustrating and exhausting. You are dealing with a very limited sampling of people who are interested in your film. Typically, people are coming because they have strong feelings one way or another. They love it (and want to find out more) or hate it (and want to destroy it on the boards). It can be frustrating but I like to sop in every once in a while and see what's happening.

As for the errors on the site, unfortunately, IMBd makes it very difficult to get changes done and the truth is that I just don't have time to deal with it. I figure if someone wants to go through the loops to fix stuff, god bless them. Half the time, it's people who SAY they were involved but really aren't. Sometimes studio people WILL fix stuff, but as you must know from reading my posts here, this was NOT a studio film. We made the movie for very little money. I'm the one still holding the contracts and paperwork in my back closet that I can't throw away. There's nobody tending the film now but me and I've got other films I'm trying to finish up now.

Thank for for the kind words about the film. And thanks for your appreciation of the way we started and ended the movie. As for your suggestion of thinning out the cast to get to know some of the characters better, I have definitely heard that critique many times and I can't say that I disagree. For me, at the time, it was more of a necessity to get the film made with amazing actors. See, I could ask big named actors to donate their time to me for a day, but it gets very messy and difficult to ask them for weeks, especially when you are paying them close to nothing. I decided that I would ask all the actors for one day, and I figured that the most I could shoot in one day was about 10 pages or so (most films shoot about 3). So starting out, I knew I had 9 couples for a day at about 10 pages would give me a finished film if I added a book-end to them with the teacher character. If a script had to be 200 pages instead of 100 pages, I may have wound up with 18 couples instead. I was also excited to work with a bunch of different actors. I had just come off of some writing projects that had been very frustrating and I really wanted to have some fun working with great actors.

Anyway, thanks for words and the question. Be well.

Cheers.
Josh