Exclusive Interview, Sal Ciavarello of The Wicked!

Script ideas, or rather I should say good script ideas often come to me in two ways. For me the important screenplays often evolve from a really cool concept that I've fallen in love with or from something that I want to say in a film. With "The Wicked" it has both.

 I hate breaking stuff down into basics especially when there's some much more going on in the script but to put it plainly this film is about a very simple question...who are "The Wicked"?

If I do my job correctly the audience will be debating this once the film is over. Is your choice the descendants of the Knights Templar who vow their lives and souls to God? Or will it be the Satanic cult members? Is it the obvious choice? Or not? There's no right or wrong answer either in the end. It's all a matter of perspective. From my view I see no good at all and there you have the title.

We recently had an interview with Vincent Guastini and he is really a good guy and a wiz with FX. We know that Vincent Guastini will do the SFX for "The Wicked". What kind of special effects can we expect, and why did you chose him?

I really don't want to spoil things for future audiences. All I can say is that it's gonna be a nice red mess and quite a few might lose their heads over Vincent's involvment. Vincent is a great guy and he is very talented. I was honored when he agreed to do this project. I think we had a lot of similar appreciations for the great horror films of the past with those old school effects.

How far along is "The Wicked"?

We are now very close to production. Although some photography has begun. Major production will not begin until June.

From reading your little bio on your site I gather you like using digital cameras. Is that something that you do because you like the look or is it just the cost?

First let me say this, I love film and would love to return to it one day. Sadly, the day will have to wait until I'm backed with the millions of dollars you need to make a descent feature film. But to be honest with you even then I'm not sure I would want to shoot in film. George Lucas, James Cameron, Robert Rodriguez, as well as many other small time filmmakers are helping to pave the way for digital cinema to become more acceptable.

There are some HD cameras out there that give out spectacular images that come so close to that 35mm look. Look at "Sin City" I bet you the average Joe wouldn't know the difference if that was shot on film or digital. These are great times we are living in if you are an independent filmmaker. It's also a bad time to be seen as a legitimate filmmaker because now everyone with a digital camera thinks they are the next Speliberg and the market is saturated with a lot of crap.

When did you realise that film making was something you were genuinely interested in doing?

When I purchased my first film camera, a 16mm bolex camera. I just fell in love.

I read that you get a lot of influence from music. What groups are you most influenced by?

King Diamond is always up there. What I can tell you is that during the writing of "The Wicked" I listened to a lot of different stuff. Bands like Dimmu Borgir, Brain Dance, Iron Maiden, Necrophagia, film scores and even some Trance. Music effects you emotionally so it brings out certain scenes out of you more easily.

Something else I was interested in was your Satanic and religious themes that you use in your films. What is the fascination?

Hail Satan. Okay seriously, it's pretty simple...I'm obsessed with the Devil. I love the myth, the images, and the folk lore of my beloved Satan. I'm not a very religious person at all, yet when it comes to making a horror film the passion for this subject matter emerges.

Human beings are naturally curious, so how can you not be fascinated by what this "Satan" is, where this all started and the questions go on and on. I'm really more intrigued by the history of devil worshippers and if you go back in history you'll find that this "Satanist" term is not as ancient as you might think.

Who are the true Devil worshippers? It's certainly not the members from Anton La Vey's church...unless the rumors are true and they did in fact make human sacrifices to "Satan".

Are their any projects coming up in the future that you can tell us about?  Can you give us some details?

There's always a next project but the only ones worth mentioning are the ones that are being financed. So right now my focus is purely on "The Wicked".

Have you cast any actors for "The Wicked" yet? And if so, whom can we expect to see in the movie?

Well, I can tell you that Naomi Watts is not in it. No stars just great actors that you might have heard of.

A lot of anticipated horror movies come out this year, like "Land of the Dead", "Saw 2" or "The Devil Rejects". Which movie are you looking forward to see this year?

Anyone who knows me will know that I will say "Land of the Dead!" No question. "Dawn of the Dead" changed my life as a horror filmmaker. And I've been lucky enough to be one of the very few who has seen behind the scenes footage.

Roy Frumkes shot the "Dream of the Dead" documentary and all I can say is "wow!" KNB did a fantastic job with those animatronic zombies. so life like! Think of a world without a George Romero film...now that is true Horror!

To the Universal executives I would like to say please be kind to mr. Romero there aren't too many masters of the genre left. Give him the freedom he needs, no one knows the art of zombies better than this man. I can't wait to see it.

What is your own favorite horror film and director, and most importantly why. We like to know what films and film-makers inspire people like yourself.

George Romero as I mentioned before and Dario Argento. These are the great filmmakers of the horror genre that have inspired me through the years. I also love Sergio Leone's films, Fellini's films, Roman Polanski, Coppola and Martin Scorsese's films.

John Cassavetes' "Woman Under the Influence" was a brilliant portrayal of this insane world that felt so real and it had such unbelievable performances. Actors inspire me. Daniel Day Lewis is master of his craft. Brilliance inspires me and all those I just mentioned are brilliant at their craft.

Do you have any projects in your drawer for what you would want do after "The Wicked"?

A Mafia film set in the mountains of ancient Sicily. I'm not talking about a Goodfellas type of film but a story about the origins of the mafia in Sicily in a Sergio Leone type of setting. I would love to see that project take off. A two hour shoot out. Blood and guts galore.

What is the one question you have always wanted to be asked and the answer? (we ask everyone this)

It would be great if someone asked me: how does it feel living at the playboy mansion? And my answer would be: yummy.

Most importantly are you a reader of MoviesOnline?

It's a necessary stop while surfing on the net.

Once again thanks alot to speaking to your fanbase and answering these questions. Do you want to plug any websites, upcoming projects or give any  shout outs?

Shout out to all my boys in the Bronx. Just kidding. Actually if you can plug my site: http://www.profoundimages.com  that would be awesome! Thanks!