From An Empire to the Moon: A Severed Cinema Interview with Charles Band
In the world of movies, especially horror and fantasy, there is an elite group of names – people who seemed to have been around since the beginning of time. Well at least from the origins of the video tape explosion, then to now. Names like Lloyd Kaufman, Roger Corman (who of course dates back much further), and Charles Band. Charles Band is a one-man factory, the man behind Empire Pictures and of course Full Moon Pictures.
To put this into perspective, Charles has been involved in more than three-hundred films, as either producer, director, writer, or all of the above. Titles with his name attached include the Puppet Master series, Re-Animator, From Beyond, Trancers, Gingerdead Man, and so many more well-known shelf filler names. Can I stress how important this guy is to our beloved genre?
Interviewing Charles Band prior to his upcoming memoir Confessions of a Puppetmaster: A Hollywood Memoir of Ghouls, Guts, and Gonzo Filmmaking coming out soon, was a fantastic experience. Charles is a first-class individual, hardworking, friendly and, though he knows who he is and what he has achieved, he has no ego, he is just a fan. That is the biggest factor, Charles Band is a fan, just like we are. He loves making movies. He makes movies for his fans.
Greetings and I must say a big thanks for taking the time out of your schedule for this interview. I’m not going to go too in-depth because I think the upcoming memoirs will do the talking later this year. I suppose the first question has to be – Why now?
Well, it’s interesting because I guess this is my life story, but really…it’s just the part of the story! The story continues every minute of every day and I don’t think I’ve ever been busier than I am now. But it seemed as good a time as any to chronicle my life SO FAR.
You’ve existed in the movie world for so long, since the early 1970s, I think. What was your genesis in films? What attracted you? Was it a huge part of your childhood?
Absolutely, film was always my life. Film, music, and comic books. All that stuff. But I was literally born into this world. I was always on my dad’s sets. My dad – producer and director Albert Band – worked with John Huston, was friends with Marilyn Monroe. I was on the set of Ben-Hur. That was our life. And when my dad moved the family to Italy, I came of age at perhaps the greatest time in European film history. My dad made tons of westerns and gladiator films. I even played Steve Reeves’ son in one of them! It was a crazy, beautiful time and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life very early on.
You had no choice it seems; your life was carved out already. Oh, the childhood you must have had. How deep will the memoir be? Is it going to be more of an overview of your rise in the realm of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy? Or will it be a warts ‘n’ all vast tome of blood, sweat, and tears?
Both! I tell it like it was, like it is. There’s plenty of dirt if that’s what you’re looking for, but I hope at the end of the day it’s a bit of an inspiring tale about doing things your way in the arts no matter the cost.
And that’s it, you’ve done things your way, and never changed your goals. Because of that, amongst other things, you’re seen as one of the Godfather’s of the video tape age. Can you tell us a few things about the early days?
Oh man, like the internet today it was the wild west. Truly. I was indeed a pioneer of that world. First with my company Meda Home Entertainment (later, when I sold that, they changed it to Media but I called it Meda as that was the name of my first love and first wife!) and then, with Wizard Video. I was the first guy to release stuff like Halloween and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre on video as well as European stuff by guys like Jess Franco and Jean Rollin. Then of course, I had Empire Pictures in the ‘80s and did deals with companies like Vestron and then, through Full Moon, I had a huge deal with Paramount to make a series of direct to video genre films. We made these in Italy, Romania. They were hugely successful until the business model started to change, and the video stores died out. But yes, I was there at ground zero.
That’s really caught me off guard ‘cause I had no idea you were the first to distribute Franco and Rollin, I love their works – well some of Franco’s, not all (laughs). However, one of the huge success stories of your company – aside from producing such classics as Stuart Gordon’s early works – must be the Puppet Master series. Why do you think they took off so well?
Well, I’ve always loved dolls and toys. And I even made a movie with Stuart called Dolls. Puppet Master grew out of that, I think. As to why the film and the sequels became as popular and iconic as they are, I think fans love the individual personalities of the puppets. They can be scary, evil, and even heroic. But they’re always cool. And part of the success of the franchise is tied to the huge merchandising we’ve done with the characters. Horror fans are collectors. It’s in their blood.
Has the franchise finally ended? Or is there still life in their little bodies?
It will never end! We recently released the stand-alone Blade movie, which was the 12th Puppet Master movie and we’re prepping another standalone spin-off movie, Doktor Death. And back to the merchandising, we keep releasing hugely popular scale replicas and NECA toys just released a really cool line of Puppet Master action figures. It just keeps going!
Any plans to revive Subspecies or Trancers?
Totally! We had Subspecies V ready to go in 2020, to shoot in Eastern Europe. And then the damned pandemic happened and that was that. But we will be remounting it soon. And as far as Trancers goes, something cool is in the works… but I can’t talk about that yet!
What’s your fondest creation? Either your own or something you’ve been a part of in any way, film wise?
That’s impossible for me to say because every fan has their favourite and a film being popular affects me in positive ways so, like my children, I love them all. And on that note, my children ARE my fondest creation.
As far as films go, I’m hugely proud of those early Empire Pictures films like Ghoulies, Troll and Re-Animator. I’m proud of Tourist Trap which is another fan favourite. I’m proud of the Puppet Master series. I love making the Evil Bong films, they’re so much fun to do.
You’ve stayed with horror, fantasy, and science fiction for so long. Have you ever been tempted to stray away and try other genres long term?
I love all kinds of cinema, but this is the film business. You go with what the fanbase wants and we have a very specific and loyal fanbase. That said, the beauty of making horror and science fiction is that you CAN make every kind of genre and cloak them in the trappings of fantasy. So, although yes, I make horror movies, I also secretly make family dramas, comedies, tragedies, existential character studies… it’s all there!
Are you still a fan of horror, fantasy, and science fiction in general?
Absolutely! Always have been, always will be!
I understand that like myself you prefer practical effects far more than CGI.
I do prefer practical, every time. But CGI is a gift to low budget films. If used right, you can make things you’d never dream possible AND you can do it once the film WRAPS! Nothing makes a horror movie go over budget and schedule than a practical effect that doesn’t work!
At one point it seemed the video shelves were creaking under so many Empire releases; I think you gave Cannon a major competitive run for volume of releases (laughs) but then it all seemed to vanish, and Full Moon emerged over time. What happened?
Empire had its day; it ran its course. It was a HUGE operation. I ran it from the Dino DeLaurentiis studios in Rome. And because the movies were so expensive, I started to lose money on them. I sold the company off and moved on. And Full Moon was born.
Has Full Moon become a huge success story?
It’s had its ups and downs, like every business that lasts. But the fact that we are still going strong today, making movies, running two channels, expanding our operation to Canada, to Cleveland … yes, it’s a success story. And we’re more popular now than ever, multi-generational. The grandkids of the films I made back in the day are now fans!
I see many DVD releases in and around, you seemed to have filled a gap even against such a multitude of companies dropping tens of thousands of cult kinds of films. Fullmoon Features seems to be attracting loads of new fans. You’ve survived the loss of movie rental chains. Why do you think that is?
Well, I will say this. John Carpenter, who’s a friend, has often said of me, in effect, that after the nuclear war, there will be only cockroaches and Charles Band left (laughs).
This is my life, literally. I love what I do and its world I made, the world I know. I’ll never give up. And I don’t focus on the past. I don’t dwell on failures. I just look to tomorrow. To what’s next. And there’s ALWAYS something awesome coming next!
You are perhaps one of the greatest inspirations walking for all the up-and-coming people in the industry, in fact to anyone in any walk of life and career. Your views should become poster quotes instead of the standard cats hanging off wires and such (laughs). There’s probably been many ups and downs though, but which would you say has been better for yourself personally – the video age or the digital age?
Both have value. But certainly, in the video age, with Blockbuster stocking shelves with our titles, 10-deep on shelves, we were making great dough. Now, with digital, the value of a movie is greatly diminished. Whereas we made $100 per VHS unit wholesale back then, we make what, pennies per title now? But see, I own much of my library. I control it. So, I choose what I do with it. It has value. And with the channel, we’ve been licensing classic and super rare cult films from around the world. We are pushing hard to do what we’ve always done: fill a void in the marketplace and give the fans what they want. It’s just that now, we have to work in volume to see any profit.
I truly respect the fact you’ve always stayed in a world of scares, fun, and fantasy without feeling the need to go to the graphic side of horror. If someone wants that kind of thing, they can find it elsewhere. Charles Band is old-school entertainment. I just needed to say that, and I guess it’s a world you enjoy being in?
I love monsters, fantasy, sensuality, and imagination. I hate slasher movies. I hate that stuff they used to call “torture porn.” I’d rather see a naked woman enjoying herself than see her in agony. And I’ve always tried to keep the sorts of movies we make FUN. The world is a bummer. Who wants to be bummed out when they go to the movies?
Are you presently regularly on the sets of films being shot under your umbrella?
I’m on them ALL. In fact, I’m directing a new one in Cleveland this month. But yes, as a producer I’m on every set.
Do you overlook the casting and advertising? I mean, some of the cast members and the posters are so fantastic.
I oversee and approve of every detail, from script to distribution. The optics are that we’re a huge operation, but we’re a small team here. Very mom and pop. And I oversee all of it.
So, when you take the writers pen and the director’s seat, how does it begin? Does a wild idea pop into your head and you think, “Yeah, why not?”
Yeah, it starts with an idea. And it grows organically from there. One thing I’ve learned is that the crazier an idea is the more successful a movie it will be!
Are there any films you wish you could erase and re-do from scratch? Or does each one mean a great deal in the building of the kingdom?
Oh man… that’s a long list. But again, why mourn the past. Tomorrow’s the thing!
The first ever film I saw in the cinema was The Day Time Ended. My uncle took me to see Star Wars, I was about six or seven and the line was too big, so we watched that little gem. Since then, blockbusters didn’t really mean as much to myself as they did my friends, I hunted lesser-known flicks on TV or in the video shops. I recall one weekend, on UK Cable TV, maybe 1985, the movie channel was free, me and my family watched Metalstorm. That really tipped me into wild and trippy films. Then along came the mid to late ‘80s explosion, I didn’t have a chance (laughs). My point is, without you and your company, I may have turned out a very different person. Thank you for giving a young child a wonderfully active imagination.
Thank YOU for caring about the stuff I’ve made! That literally means the world to me.
Did the pandemic affect your company badly?
Yes. It changed everything. But we made lemonade from some very bitter lemons. We launched a line of quarantine-made “coronasploitation” movies like Corona Zombies and the Barbie & Kendra films, movies shot and cut completely in lockdown. And they were SUPER popular and creative and I’m proud of them. We exploited our captive audience and did very well with our channel. So, we survived and we thrived, despite some heavy losses, both professionally and personally.
If you had to choose three films not of your hands that thrill you the most and perhaps have inspired you, which would they be?
Easy! King Kong (1933), 7th Voyage of Sinbad, and Frankenstein (1931).
Music is a great soother or adrenalin rush and a part of just about every human. Which genres of music give you the boost you need to feel when required?
I’m huge into rock n roll. Always have been. Especially Pink Floyd, my all-time favourite band. But I love all kinds of music. Recently, I’ve really been into Lana Del Rey.
Nice. In fact, one of my sons got me into listening to Lana a couple of years back. One thing I must ask because I’ve always been curious (and rather jealous) – Castello di Giove, what made you purchase a castle and how many films were shot within its grounds?
I found it as I was looking at an exhibit of antiques for sale at the castle itself, then found out the castle was going to be auctioned off and in a moment of madness I bid on it and through some good luck (covered in my book) I was able to buy it. I shot five films there.
Do you still own the castle?
Sadly, I had to sell the castle years ago BUT there are developments in Italy that are happening, and I’ll announce them soon!
What comes next? I doubt early retirement (laughs). Will you carry on until the very end giving your army of fans what they need?
There won’t be an end! (laughs manically). I think that even when it’s over, I’ll still be like a head in a jar telling people how to make these crazy movies.
It has been such a huge pleasure speaking with you, truly has been. Before we end this, one last thing to conclude – if you could summarize yourself and your legacy in three or maybe five words…
A man who made movies. Good enough?
I’ll keep everyone up-to-date about Charles Band’s memoirs book because, personally, and more so after talking with him, I believe he is one of the most significant names in this twisted and fun movie world, and his book will be required reading by all and their families.
Confessions of a Puppetmaster: A Hollywood Memoir of Ghouls, Guts, and Gonzo Filmmaking by Charles Band and Adam Felber hits store shelves November 16th, 2021.