Reflecting on ‘Hellraiser: Inferno’, your first directorial work, it seems to have gained newfound appreciation over time. What’s your take on its resurgence in popularity?
It’s quite unexpected that after two decades, the film has started catching attention.
With the benefit of hindsight, what filmmaking advice would you offer to your younger self who was just starting out?
To focus equally on your lead’s performance as much as the rest because the film can never be better than its lead’s performance. Despite a low budget, ‘Hellraiser: Inferno’ had potential that wasn’t fully tapped, and more emphasis on the lead performance and suspense elements could have enhanced it.
Has your approach to casting changed as a result of your experience with ‘Hellraiser: Inferno’?
It has indeed. Since then, I’ve prioritized casting, working with talented actors like Jennifer Carpenter in ‘[The Exorcism of] Emily Rose.’ The emphasis on performances has become a cornerstone of my filmmaking process.
Speaking of ‘Emily Rose’, which was a substantial financial success, can you shed light on the film industry’s profit-sharing practices?
Despite a movie’s earnings, filmmakers may see little benefit without gross profit participation. ‘Emily Rose’ made significant profits but, as a net profit participant, I didn’t see a proportionate return. The complexities of studio accounting can result in scenarios where only rarities like first-dollar gross participants can anticipate notable income from a film’s gains.
FAQ Section:
What was Scott Derrickson’s directorial debut?
Scott Derrickson’s directorial debut was ‘Hellraiser: Inferno’.
What advice does Scott Derrickson have for young filmmakers?
His advice for young filmmakers is to never underestimate the importance of the lead performance in their films.
Did the success of ‘The Exorcism of Emily Rose’ financially benefit Derrickson significantly?
No, due to the way net profits were defined by the studio, Derrickson did not receive a substantial financial benefit from the film’s success despite its impressive box office numbers.
What is the difference between net profit participation and gross profit participation?
Net profit participation relies on creative accounting definitions by studios and often results in minimal payout to filmmakers, whereas gross profit participation begins after a movie reaches its cash break and can lead to a more significant share in the profits.
Does Scott Derrickson attribute importance to performances in genre films?
Yes, Derrickson considers performances as the most important aspect, even when making genre films, as they fundamentally determine the film’s quality ceiling.
Conclusion:
In this exclusive interview, Scott Derrickson provided a rare glimpse into his entire career trajectory, sharing insights from his initial steps with ‘Hellraiser: Inferno’ to the wisdom he’d impart to his novice self. Highlighting the paramount importance of a lead actor’s performance and acknowledging the financial intricacies of the filmmaking industry, Derrickson’s journey exemplifies both the creative and economic challenges directors face. His dedication to casting and performance quality has become a defining feature of his work, shaping the calibre of his films, regardless of the genre. The interview reveals the significant discrepancies between box office success and the actual benefits reaped by filmmakers, underscoring the complexity of the business side of cinema.