Adam Marcus interview: Tell your story, not someone else’s

The Wrap

1428 Elm: Do you have any advice for aspiring filmmakers on how to get their voices heard?

Adam Marcus: We are in a time right now where you can shoot a beautiful movie on your iPhone. There is a 4K camera on your iPhone. You can actually cut that movie on your device. So, with very little expenditure we have the tools that used to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Anybody can have access to tools to tell stories. The problem is you have to have something to say. Everyone is making movies about movies. That’s a mistake. It’s like a snake eating itself. If you want to make a horror movie, talk about something that scares YOU.

Something you’re actually afraid of. Don’t tell a Jason story or a Freddy story, tell a YOU story. If you are a young filmmaker, you should be doing plays in high school. Get involved in theater. You don’t even have to be a good actor.

If you want to direct, you have to know how actors speak. Take an acting class. Also, have a fun story. Something people are going to want to watch.

Like I tell my students, if you can’t think of one other thing that you would rather do with your life than make movies, then I’m sorry you’re cursed. You are going to do this for the rest of your life.

Thanks to Adam Marcus for spending time with us at 1428 Elm. If you are a fan of his work, make sure you pick up Secret Santa when it drops on VOD in October!

What is your favorite scene from Jason Goes to Hell? Let us know in the comments. We want to hear from you!