Actor turned – well turning – director Jason Connery is the latest to helm a flick that focuses on the infamous Area 51. Aptly titled, “51”. The sci-fi horror piece has hit the Syfy channel and is available through On-Demand services at the moment. Some are embracing it for what it is, while the rest are giving it the usual low-budget, made for television labeling. Funny thing is, that is what director Jason Connery was apparently going for in some respects.
Numerous films have touched upon Area 51. So I was curious if Connery is trying to evolve this storyline or just have the same mindless fun that audiences have already been exposed to…
“Well a combination of the two! Everyone that I have spoken to about the film has their own ideas of what goes on at Area 51, which means there are numerous different stories to tell. Our film starts with the US Airforce holding all the cards and inviting some renowned journalists to see that…. “There are no Aliens in Area 51″ All hell breaks out from that time on!”
He’s literally only has a handful of directing credits and they’ve all been in the horror & sci-fi arena. In contrast, his acting career is extensive with a variety of projects and genres. Is it natural for an actor to want to get behind the camera…
“I have always loved telling stories, an actor tells the story from one perspective, which is great and very rewarding, but I realized that I really yearned to tell the whole story, from start to finish. I started to write and direct shorts, and then graduated to a low budget feature Pandemic. I am not sure if that transition would feel natural to all actors, but it really did for me!”
At this point, I felt like asking the question I should have just left alone. If you haven’t connected the dots, Jason’s father is Sean Connery (yes, that one). So even though he’s been getting this for years, did having a famous father help or hurt your career in any way? Did he ever get insecure or feel pressured to live up to a certain standard within the industry, since some people may expect a certain cache based on his blood-line?
“That is a tough question as far is it helping or hurting. I do not know what goes on in peoples heads. I would say I have experienced both, when I meet people I have no expectations where as I feel that if someone knows who my Father is when I meet them, they might have an expectation of who I might be or how I might behave. So often people say you are nothing like I thought you would be! Not sure if that is good or bad (laughing)! When I first started I felt a lot more pressure, but now I feel it is not really my job to live up to anyone but myself, and people can make up their own minds.”
Since he was cool with that, I backed off the family history and wondered what films have impressed him recently as a filmmaker, from a mechanical point-of-view…
“It’s funny, there are so many elements that go into making a film, I had worked as an actor for 28 years but there are many things on the technical side that I had no idea about. When I watch a film now, if I am not enjoying the story, I look at all the different things: sound, music, editing, lighting, camera movement, color correction, and yes still the acting! But that has opened my eyes to many different aspects. Technically I loved Inception but I wasn’t moved by it. Story wise I loved The Kings Speech. I thought Black Swan was relentless in a really good way. 127 hours just drove you as a viewer into the mind of the man. They all wowed me for different reasons.”
Knowing that, what are his expectations when you sign on to do a film the caliber of
51? Aside from making a solid product, is he thinking in the back of his mind that he needs to enhance his portfolio so he can to jump to the proverbial next level…
“I love what I do and I am very passionate about it, I would be lying if i said I didn’t want to go to the “next level” but its more about time than anything else. Money buys time, and although I think it is very healthy to have less time and less money and still come up with a really solid well told story, you definitely have to play to the strengths of the budgets. The lower the budget the less time, less cast, less locations, so you tell a story that is not reliant on those things. The biggest mistake is to try and tell a big story on a low budget, for all the audience will see is what isn’t there. I knew the parameters of Area 51 and was as excited to direct it as I would be if it were a much bigger film. And in my view we played to its strengths and its a real rollercoaster ride because of that.”
Chances are the talent never does a background check of who is interviewing them. So I took a moment to tell Connery a little bit about what I dig as a fan of sci-fi/horror – and a professional film critic. We started yapping about the musical score and how it is a pertinent element. It can really set the tone for the audience. In my opinion, a lot of people half-ass it in these “lower-budget” films. I believe you need to choose not to have a score or thoroughly develop it as a main priority. His thoughts…
“I could not agree with you more! Sound and Music are so, so important. They punctuate the film, when I see movies where the music is just droning on in the background or blasting out to try and get some kind of emotion, it drives me crazy! Especially in the horror/sci-fi genre. So many times the story has not been told properly, so huge sound and “Horror” music is shoved in to compensate for bad story telling. I always get a composer and create original music for the film no matter what the budget!”
Real simple, what was his favorite moment during the production of 51…
“Making a film feels like a lifetime of emotions crammed into 3 weeks of pre pro, 3 weeks of shooting, and three months of post. There are really dark times and so many favorite moments for many different reasons I can honestly say there is not one. But having my son visit the set and to see his face, watching all that goes on, has got to be right up there!”
My final question actually represents something I studied in college…Marketing (finally putting my parents‘ money to good use). Call me crazy, but would it not be a great marketing plan to have the son of the original 007 portray the next James Bond? Has he ever been approached by the studio or thought about pursuing this venture…
“Haha! A number of years ago, there was a newspaper article where it was said I was approached by Sony I think, because they had the rites. I answered by saying I had not heard anything, and the newspaper then wrote I had started the rumor, to get myself publicity! I have learned “Never say Never” excuse the pun, but I am happy doing my thing. I would love to direct one though!”
Interview by Joe Belcastro
