[V.O. Les interviews du Radis] Ryan Cloutier, producer and writer « Zombie Cats from Mars ».

Hi folks ! Today, we have an interview with a fantastic artist,  Ryan Cloutier, writer and producer of Zombie Cats from Mars. This is the original version page so that you can admire the perfection of my English writing. If you prefer the french translation, go there.

© Ryan Cloutier

Thanks for your time. I know american producers are always really busy, drinking Champagne and smocking cigars in their limos surrounded by many sexy chicks. You’re Ryan Cloutier, producer and writer of « Zombie Cats for Mars », a movie having all the elements to become a masterpiece in its genre, so thanks again for accepting the interview.

My pleasure. I’ll have you know American producers only drink the real Champagne from France. None of that California Sparking Wine stuff.

« Zombie Cats from Mars » : Everyone will agree cats are zombie, but why from Mars ?

I thought of the title first, as sort of a play on campy B-movies. In fact, I didn’t plan on making this movie, but the title Zombie Cats from Mars was too good to not make the movie. Why from Mars? Why not! The addition of « from Mars » added a layer of cheesiness to « Zombie Cats ». It sort of created the framework that we used to write the script. The idea of cats zooming to earth on little UFOs made me smile.

This is a MWB3 problem movie… What do the mysterious « mwb » letters mean ?

They are actually the initials of my film partner Montetré, who was also the Director of Zombie Cats from Mars. Mwb3 Problems is our production company. Don’t tell anyone, but his real name is Monty Wayne Benton the Third. MWB3.

© Ryan Cloutier

How long did it take to make the movie (shooting, editing)… ?

It took about four months. We spent a month writing the script, about six weeks filming, and then another couple of months editing. Our intention was to make a movie as quickly and cheaply as possible. We sort of just dove right into it.

I was informed the whole budget of the movie was less than $3000, it that true ?

We did raise $2600 from Kickstarter, but the movie actually cost about $8000 to make.

What were the main expenses and how did you deal to make this fantastic movie with a so small budget ?

The biggest expanse was paying everyone involved in the movie, so most of our budget went towards paying the cast and crew, in addition to location fees, meals, props, marketing, and DVD and BluRay printing.

Do you expect to make money with this film, or has it a more altruistic goal : warning us about the cats project ?

Believe it or not, this film hasn’t made me a millionaire yet. The main reason we made this film was to have fun and to work with some new people. We’ve added a lot of new faces to our talent pool, and are working with them on other projects. The other reason we made this film was to help out the nonprofit Furry Friends of Washington. They are a wonderful no-kill cat rehoming and rehabilitation facility that takes in unwanted and abandoned cats. They helped a great deal, supplying the feline talent as well as handlers on set to make sure all of the cat actors’ needs were met. We donated a good percentage of movie screening revenue to Furry Friends. I didn’t expect to make a lot, but we’ve been selling DVDs and downloads through our website and Amazon.com, and that makes me happy.

© Ryan Cloutier

When people act in a movie with an ice-cream truck, as « Zombie Cats from Mars », can they eat ice creams for free ?

I wish! Scoop PDX is the company that supplied the ice cream truck. The owner, Sean Sitton, had just purchased the company which included the truck. He had just gotten it running again, so it wasn’t yet outfitted with real ice cream. We ended up buying ice cream from the corner market and putting it in the truck. I imagine someone must have eaten all the ice cream though, because I didn’t get to eat any of it.

If we consider we still have time before cats rule the world, do you have a new filming project ?

The cats have ordered me to make another Zombie Cats movie, so I’ve written Zombie Cats from Mars 2, which is actually a prequel. This one takes place in that past, and is centered around the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, while taking on a Leave it to Beaver vibe. This film is actually going to be much scarier, and use many more zombies. There’s lots of blood, lots of horror, and of course, lots of cats. We will begin fundraising soon and if everything goes as planned, will be released by Halloween.

© Ryan Cloutier

Would you give me the facebook of Cheyenne [Leigh Shaw], she’s totally my kind of girl ?

I’ll give her your facebook! She’s actually one of the stars of my upcoming youtube web series, so there’s a chance to see more of her very soon. Check out our website mwb3.com to learn more!

 Thanks a lot !

My pleasure! It’s always fun to hear from overseas, so I look forward to talking more about Zombie Cats from Mars 2!