Michael Samstag
Michael Samstag may be best known for his work directing and producing special features for the first three Harry Potter DVDs and the Van Helsing DVD. His work on Van Helsing was featured in American Cinematographer magazine and his award winning documentary WAR & TRUTH was featured in The American Prospect. Michael is one of the founders of Knoxville Films, which was created in order to promote the arts in East Tennessee.
The Harmony Republic Interview
1. What prompted you to make the documentary War & Truth? War & Truth was actually the brainchild of screenwriter Debbie Etchison. She reached out to me with the idea for doing a documentary about the embedded reporters early on during the run up to the Iraq War. Early on, we were really interested in the disparity between what the actual journalists were seeing over there and what made it back to US papers and broadcasts. I was really brought in for my production experience since she was already so connected to the story itself. Never in a million years would I have ever guessed that I'd become so involved in wartime journalism but war really is about the ultimate story and it's hard to shake once you start talking to the journalists first hand.
We produced the entire documentary on our own dime and had high hopes when we scored a distributor while at Sundance (not in competition, just there to network and watch films). Unfortunately, we took a little too long to edit the final cut and as a result the marketability of war movies had dropped considerably. It's still out there on DVD (available at Netflix and Amazon) but it never got a theatrical run outside of a few film festivals. Regardless, it's a project I'm still very proud of and it was a great experience.
2. How did that experience change your perspective on truth in media? That's not a simple question to answer and one that is has been discussed a lot in recent years but from my perspective we found that the traditional media was doing a pretty decent job reporting on what was happening in Iraq. Reporters for smaller newspapers, blogs, and news magazines generally were able to file their stories and their editors did a good job of making sure those stories were published. The glaring exception was the 24-hour news networks, they all seemed to have their own agendas and were less interested in analysis then they were in selling advertising.
As far as the run up to the war, everybody was asleep on the job. If the media had been asking the right questions, maybe the war could have been prevented. Now we'll never know for sure. That's just my opinion of course.
3. You directed and produced special features for three Harry Potter DVDs. How did that opportunity come about?
I worked at iPIX for a couple of years and helped develop the production side of the 360-degree technology we used to shoot the tours. My last day at iPIX was at Warner Bros. pitching the technology for the Potter DVDs, when they gave it the green light I had my first new client and never looked back. The tours were produced in partnership with New Wave Entertainment, iPIX, and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. After the Potter movies we also worked on Van Helsing and those sets were even more incredible than Potter. Those were the days!
4. What was it like being part of such a high profile film franchise like Harry Potter?
Like waking up at the Playboy Mansion every day. The people who worked behind the scenes on those movies are some of the most incredible artists in the business. I was in constant fear that the BS Police would drag me off the set. I was way out of my league and enjoyed every second of it!
5. You help promote local filmmaking with your collaborative initiative, Knoxville Films. How has that made an impact on filmmakers in East Tennessee?
I wish I knew. Knoxville Films has changed a lot over the years. What we still do well is collaborating to make great movies. Last year we produced "Dancing in Miracles", a short doc about the Circle Modern Dance group and "Roger Dodger" a redneck musical. I like to think it gives people an opportunity to network. Some days it's just a blog. I'm not sure we know what we want to be when we grow up or even if we want to ever grow up!
6. What's next for Samstag Productions?
I'm very excited about my collaboration with Rock Hurst and Curt Willis, we're calling Pack Dog Productions. We've got an agent in LA who's working hard to sell our first episodic television show about dog rescue and general aviation pilots, we just finished an incredible music video for Jaystorm that will premier April 16 at Sapphire in Knoxville, and we're working with country artist, Darryl Worley on a project that will take me to Iraq next month. Not to mention, two screenplays, and a handful of documentaries that are all exciting. Should be a great year.
7. What advice can you give people that are considering pursuing a career as a filmmaker?
Live with your parents. Don't quit your day job. Don't wait for someone to pay you to be a filmmaker--go out and make the films you want to make. If you don't love rejection and have tough skin, you may want to consider another field. And of course, visit knoxvillefilms.com every day!