Hi Jeff, can you give us a brief low down behind the TVCs you’ll be directing with the Virgin Mobile Australia? What drew your attention to this partnership?
Yeah sure. Virgin Mobile approached me to direct these commercial spots for a new campaign they’re launching called ‘Making Mobile Better’. It’s all about how they’re going to be taking all the shitty things about mobile phones and making them awesome. I am totally ‘that guy’ who is always on his phone, ignoring people I’m with, and I thought ‘hey, it’s pretty cool a telco wants to change this,’ so I got on board. When I heard Jane was on board too, I got even more excited. I think she’s amazing and I’ve always wanted to work with her. She didn’t disappoint! Hopefully people like what we did and get behind the campaign.
Was directing the TVCs very different from directing Jackass?
It was very different. First off, I didn’t leave the shoot with any injuries. Working on a commercial is different as you have limited time and everything has to be shot quickly – movies go for months. And Jane Lynch is as total professional, which is something that I am not used to working with.
We know you’re a creative all-rounder from being an editor, producer to screenwriter. How did you make the transition from this into directing and co-creating the crazy concept of Jackass?
I was working on a ridiculous skateboarding magazine called ‘Big Brother,’ and we started making outrageous videos, that were really the birth of Jackass. After our second video was released, I partnered up with Johnny Knoxville and Spike Jonze, and the rest is history.
How is it like working with Johnny Knoxville and the rest of the Jackass crew? Is there ever a limit to how crazy your stunts and pranks can get?
There is absolutely no limit to how crazy our stunts can get. I have been trying to kill Johnny and the crew for years, without much success.
Is the creative process collaborative with you (both in regards to the Virgin Mobile TVCs and Jackass)?
With the Virgin Mobile TVCs, the process was really collaborative. We had a script and storyboards and all that, but Jane put her own spin on things and we got to have some fun with it. With Jackass, it is also absolutely collaborative. Often times, one of us will come up with one idea, and the rest of us will pile on top of that and flip it upside down before we ever shoot.
Can we expect more Jackass in the future or are you currently working on something brand spanking new?
I am currently working on a scripted feature about Motley Crue, called “The Dirt.” We have learned a long time ago to never say Jackass is done, but there are no definite plans for a new one yet.
All deets courtesy of Pedestrian Jobs.
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