VFXTalk Meets The Man behind MTV at the Movies!
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Alistair Connelly is the Senior Director and Producer of MTV Movies. Just back from filming the making of Mission Impossible 3 he takes some time out to answer a few questions for VFXTalk concerning his experiences with VFX and SFX in films. Alistair was originally a pure media student who has gone on to be behind the scenes of some of our all time favourite films. MTV at the Movies is currently airing, “the Making of X-Men 3: The Last Stand,” and Alistair himself is presently in L.A filming, “the making of Nacho Libre,” with Jack Black.
Most directors are lucky enough to work on a handful of films, maybe even 15 or 20, but Alistair in his time has been behind the scenes of over 200 films. If there is anything about films, directors and stories that he doesn’t know, then well… it isn’t worth knowing.
Let’s hear what he had to say…..
So Alistair, tell us, how did you get in to all of this?
Alistair: Well I did a degree in Media and History at De Montford University. Then after that I bummed around in a few jobs. I managed to land an intern job at MTV in news then moved to archives and Rockumentary. In 1997 I got a job in MTV Movies. Back then it was the Big Picture, a once a week movie review show. That then moved in to a series of one off specials now known as MTV Making the Movie.
What do you find yourself doing most now?
Alistair: I usually hop from shoots to film festivals and back.
What is your opinion of VFX in films?
Alistair:Mixed really… If it’s done properly, then it makes the film. It becomes seamless and believable. If it’s done badly, on the other hand, it becomes the only thing you see… it takes over. I also however understand that to develop new techniques that there has to be experimentation.
You are enveloped in film…What is the most impressive visual effects scene in a movie in your opinion?
Alistair:Of late, I suppose the Chesapeak Bridge scene in Mission Impossible 3, it was necessary and it added to the story…that really worked well.
How about before that?
Alistair: I did The Making of The Matrix, so I got to see the film before it became main stream and it really took me back…oh and I suppose X-Men when the first one came out that was pretty cool.
How about new releases such as Superman or X-Men 3?
Alistair: Oh the X-Men definitely. I was never really a Superman fan. We have just finished work on X-Men 3 and it doesn’t disappoint. There is nothing to be fearful of there.
You are on movie sets all the time and get to see everything behind the scenes…any secrets you can give us?
Alistair: Well even with us, they make us turn off the cameras, they close curtains for secrets and unfortunately we are sworn to never tell.
How much have you seen the film industry change due to the injection of VFX over the years?
Alistair: Massively in terms of quality. In the pre 80’s everyone was sceptical because the effects…well…they were laughable, but now if you do it right you can re-tell history, you can bring novels like Lord of the Rings to life faultlessly. It becomes believable and you can get lost in it. Over the years the change has been phenomenal.
What percentage of films do you feel would not have been possible to make without VFX?
Alistair: If you look at every blockbuster for last 5 years none of them would have been possible without VFX. The stories wouldn’t have been credible, they wouldn’t have looked believable without them and therefore….well… they didn’t go without them. So I would say all of them would not have been possible.
In your opinion what new release should our community be looking out for?
Alistair: Ahh let me see, okay there is a film that will be coming out called, “A Scanner Darkly.” It’s a Richard Linklater film. It’s set in the future, it’s made with a new technology that fuses real life with animation…..you can tell it’s Robert Downey Jr, but it’s not. It’s really impressive…plus Linklater is a good film maker who can take a film and make it work. That’s my tip.
Any other great movies to watch out for?
Alistair: “The Science of Sleep,” Michel Gondry, that’s excellent work as well! He is the guy who did, “Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind.” I think that’s another that your guys are going to like.
Okay Alistair, I know what a busy man you are, so finally, do you have any words of advice for our community?
Alistair: If you guys want to work in VFX for films, there really is no better time for you. Keep creative, be a step ahead and you will get on in the industry.
Thank you for speaking with us and good luck with everything.
Alistair: No problem, it’s been my pleasure. Good luck to all of you.
What a great guy, what a great job he has and what a great place. Let us know your thoughts on the interview. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
by Kelly Campbell, VFXTalk.com
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Print Email VFX meets the man behind MTV “Making The Movies"
Alistair Connelly is the Senior Director and Producer of MTV Movies. Just back from filming the making of Mission Impossible 3 he takes some time out to answer a few questions for VFXTalk concerning his experiences with VFX and SFX in films. Alistair was originally a pure media student who has gone on to be behind the scenes of some of our all time favourite films. MTV at the Movies is currently airing, “the Making of X-Men 3: The Last Stand,” and Alistair himself is presently in L.A filming, “the making of Nacho Libre,” with Jack Black.Most directors are lucky enough to work on a handful of films, maybe even 15 or 20, but Alistair in his time has been behind the scenes of over 200 films. If there is anything about films, directors and stories that he doesn’t know, then well… it isn’t worth knowing.
Let’s hear what he had to say…..
So Alistair, tell us, how did you get in to all of this?
Alistair: Well I did a degree in Media and History at De Montford University. Then after that I bummed around in a few jobs. I managed to land an intern job at MTV in news then moved to archives and Rockumentary. In 1997 I got a job in MTV Movies. Back then it was the Big Picture, a once a week movie review show. That then moved in to a series of one off specials now known as MTV Making the Movie.
What do you find yourself doing most now?
Alistair: I usually hop from shoots to film festivals and back.
What is your opinion of VFX in films?
Alistair:Mixed really… If it’s done properly, then it makes the film. It becomes seamless and believable. If it’s done badly, on the other hand, it becomes the only thing you see… it takes over. I also however understand that to develop new techniques that there has to be experimentation.
You are enveloped in film…What is the most impressive visual effects scene in a movie in your opinion?
Alistair:Of late, I suppose the Chesapeak Bridge scene in Mission Impossible 3, it was necessary and it added to the story…that really worked well.
How about before that?
Alistair: I did The Making of The Matrix, so I got to see the film before it became main stream and it really took me back…oh and I suppose X-Men when the first one came out that was pretty cool.
How about new releases such as Superman or X-Men 3?
Alistair: Oh the X-Men definitely. I was never really a Superman fan. We have just finished work on X-Men 3 and it doesn’t disappoint. There is nothing to be fearful of there.
You are on movie sets all the time and get to see everything behind the scenes…any secrets you can give us?
Alistair: Well even with us, they make us turn off the cameras, they close curtains for secrets and unfortunately we are sworn to never tell.
How much have you seen the film industry change due to the injection of VFX over the years?
Alistair: Massively in terms of quality. In the pre 80’s everyone was sceptical because the effects…well…they were laughable, but now if you do it right you can re-tell history, you can bring novels like Lord of the Rings to life faultlessly. It becomes believable and you can get lost in it. Over the years the change has been phenomenal.
What percentage of films do you feel would not have been possible to make without VFX?
Alistair: If you look at every blockbuster for last 5 years none of them would have been possible without VFX. The stories wouldn’t have been credible, they wouldn’t have looked believable without them and therefore….well… they didn’t go without them. So I would say all of them would not have been possible.
In your opinion what new release should our community be looking out for?
Alistair: Ahh let me see, okay there is a film that will be coming out called, “A Scanner Darkly.” It’s a Richard Linklater film. It’s set in the future, it’s made with a new technology that fuses real life with animation…..you can tell it’s Robert Downey Jr, but it’s not. It’s really impressive…plus Linklater is a good film maker who can take a film and make it work. That’s my tip.
Any other great movies to watch out for?
Alistair: “The Science of Sleep,” Michel Gondry, that’s excellent work as well! He is the guy who did, “Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind.” I think that’s another that your guys are going to like.
Okay Alistair, I know what a busy man you are, so finally, do you have any words of advice for our community?
Alistair: If you guys want to work in VFX for films, there really is no better time for you. Keep creative, be a step ahead and you will get on in the industry.
Thank you for speaking with us and good luck with everything.
Alistair: No problem, it’s been my pleasure. Good luck to all of you.
What a great guy, what a great job he has and what a great place. Let us know your thoughts on the interview. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
by Kelly Campbell, VFXTalk.com
View Comments (0)