"I was a kid once, for about 10 years": Role Models director David Wain talks to City Paper

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"I was a kid once, for about 10 years": Role Models director David Wain talks to City Paper

POSTED: Thursday, November 6, 2008, 6:46 PM

Filed Under: Interview | Movies

Role Models director David Wain (center)
with stars Paul Rudd (left) and Seann
William Scott (right)

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

David Wain, formerly of MTV's stellar sketch comedy show The State and director of Wet Hot American Summer and The Ten, sat down with City Paper's Campbell States to discuss his most recent movie, Role Models. In the film, Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott plays shillers of a Red Bull-like energy drink who end up mentoring two kids (Bobb'e J. Thompson and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, aka Superbad's McLovin). Check out Drew Lazor's review of the film here. Role Models opens in area theaters tomorrow.

City Paper: Why all the movies about kids?

David Wain: I was a kid once, for about 10 years. I had that experience myself. To answer that question seriously, I feel too young to talk about any other period with any objectivity.

CP: Did you talk to Big Brothers/Big Sisters for the movie?

DW: Enough that we couldn't call [Role Models' fictional Sturdy Wings foundation] the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. I did some research on them and some other mentor programs. My dad was a mentor.

CP: What about Red Bull?

DW: No, we didn't do any research for that. I figure the world of energy drinks is about the same anywhere.

CP: You have an interesting mix of younger and older actors in large ensemble casts. How do you cast your movies?

DW: I try to find the best and funniest people in the world to do this. And also who's right for the character. It's a bonus to work with people I've known for the years.

CP: This film is a lot tighter than Wet Hot American Summer. What has changed for you since then?

DW: It's a different kind of movie, designed to be a more straightforward mainstream comedy. But anything I do is a reflection of my mindset at the time. If I made Wet Hot American Summer now, it would be different. I can't say how.

CP: What's your favorite part of Role Models?

DW: I like the ending when they do the live action role-play and dress up like Kiss.

Wain as Starchild Paul Stanley

davidwain.com

CP: Have you ever participated in one of those medieval tournaments [Mintz-Plasse's character is a dedicated LARPer]?

DW: I've gone to them. I can't say I've fully participated in them.

CP: Where'd you find out about them?

DW: On the Internet.

CP: Are you a Kiss fan? Did they influence you as a performer?

DW: I've been a Kiss fan all my life. They do somewhat relate to, like I said in the movie, four Jewish guys who decided they needed a better way to get girls so they created this whole thing. I loved them as a kid. I enjoy hearing about their attitude about things. They're brazenly misogynist. Life's not a dress rehearsal.

CP: What were you like as a kid?

DW: I was pretty awkward and weird, but nice. Definitely the class clown, to some degree.

James

Posted 2008-11-11 16:26:25

Love David Wain's sense of humor!! http://www.mydamnchannel.com/Wainy_Days/Season_3/26ShellyII_883.aspx

Posted by Campbell States @ 6:46 PM Permalink | Post a comment

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