Song River
The Room was a 2003
American-romantic, drama film written, directed, produced by,
and starring Tommy Wiseau. The film follows a melodramatic love
triangle, pretty typical, except this version quickly developed a
cult following. Whether Tommy Wiseau intended for this to be what
transpired or not, it has been embraced as the “Citizen Kane of bad
movies.” However, those who are fans of The Room defend its honor
and have a deep appreciation for its production.
Currently, RiffTrax has created
their own special parody of The Room and James Franco along with his
brother, David Franco and Seth Rogen have taken the 2013 book, The
Disaster Artist, written by Greg Sestero, who was a fellow actor in
the original movie, and will be releasing their film version of the
book soon.
Meanwhile, Tommy Wiseau tours the world doing Q&A sessions and viewings of the movie. Along with several other projects, Tommy stays true to himself as an artist and entrepreneur.
Song River: Hey, Tommy. How are you
doing?
Tommy Wiseau: I am doing pretty good,
how about you? And I apologize as it has been crazy busy, but I
wanted to take a few minutes and talk with you.
SR: Thank you Tommy, and I am doing
great. I know it has been a little crazy for you, but we just
couldn't let a chat with you slip by!
I was looking into your background, you
have been interviewed numerous times, and probably asked just about
every question there is to ask. But I kept thinking to myself: there
has to be two Tommy's. The one that is kept in the private arena, and
the one that is given to the rest of the world.
TW: Are you referring to my character
as Johnny?
SR: No. More of who is the actor Tommy
to the public, and then who is Tommy with his friends and in his
intimate relationships.
TW: Ah, yes. We all have it as actors.
You know. There is the private life and then there is the public
life. So, to a certain degree, the answer is yes.
SR: Is that hard to keep separate at
times?
TW: No, I mean, I am not a different
person on the stage, I am still me, but acting in a role. Acting on
stage is of course very different from private life. How I relate
privately, of course, is who I really am. I think people don't give
me enough credit though. [laughed]
SR: Why is it that Tommy? Here we are
thirteen years later, The Room, it has one of the largest cult
followings known.
TW: We could go into it, but I don't
want to talk about negative. This is your time.

TW: Long story-short: I was going to
school and I had taken a piece of paper and written down this
situation to put in a book, but I always wanted to be an actor. I didn’t want to do it the Hollywood way, I wanted to be comfortable. Otherwise, I didn’t want to do it. I have always been so passionate about the arts. I learned a lot of skills doing this process, you know, even the business, etc... And then I decided to write the script, but then instead of a book, just do it as a play. That was during the time when I had discovered the acting lab of Jean Shelton in San Francisco. Through her, she opened me up to acting. So through all this process, again long-story-short, I decided to make my script and make my movie. That’s the story.
situation to put in a book, but I always wanted to be an actor. I didn’t want to do it the Hollywood way, I wanted to be comfortable. Otherwise, I didn’t want to do it. I have always been so passionate about the arts. I learned a lot of skills doing this process, you know, even the business, etc... And then I decided to write the script, but then instead of a book, just do it as a play. That was during the time when I had discovered the acting lab of Jean Shelton in San Francisco. Through her, she opened me up to acting. So through all this process, again long-story-short, I decided to make my script and make my movie. That’s the story.
SR: Growing up, did you always want to
be an actor Tommy?
TW: No, actually I always wanted to be
a rock star. An actor was secondary.
SR: Really? You wanted to be a rock
star? What kind of music did you want to make?
TW: I like Bon Jovi's as an example of
a style, but I like the hard rock. I also like the mellow. Really
what I like is universal. Actually, when I was in France I had bought
a guitar and learned to play a couple of tunes. [laughed]
SR: So you actually can play then?
TW: I can play a little. I am not a
pro. I had taken some piano classes too. I love piano actually.
[paused]
You know what we decide as an
individual is so important because we are only here on this earth for
such a short time. I wanted to create something. My first play I
wanted to do in my class was 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and when I
first started acting way back when, I played the Indian, again
long-story-short [laughed]. So, you see all these influences. Some
started good and some stuck around.
SR: What is the deal with RiffTrax and
your movie, The Room?. How did all of that come about, and how did
you feel about it?
TW: The only way I would do it is if
they would buy the license to do this, and they did. In this whole
process, I discovered that their entire team is filled with very
respectable people.
The way I see it is there are two ways:
those creating parody and having fun with it and the people working
with it having fun, and then those who are just in the process of
hating. I totally believe in the American freedom of speech, but I
don't support people stealing your stuff and that has happened to us
many, many times and that is just disrespectful.
SR: I am glad you've given it your
blessing.
TW: I am too, as I said they are very
respectful people.
SR: I know when I was reading some of
the comments from fans of The Room regarding whether people should go
and see the RiffTrax version first or watch the actual movie first,
fans of the original film said, no go see The Room first then
the RiffTrax version. It seems like the fans of your movie really
have a respect for you and the film.
TW: I know I have noticed a natural
respect for The Room over the last two or three years, I think
because I am very open about it and we have special events once a
month and have a Q&A session. The way I look at it is this: if I
had not done this film, we wouldn't have it to talk about. [laughed]
SR: What is it about Americans and
their love for cult type films? They seem almost to be a part of the
fabric of who we are.
TW: I would agree practically, but you
might be surprised as to what you are going to hear. I never planned
The Room to be a cult film, but people put it as such. It is
good, but it is also bad. At the same time, good and bad. But I
always encourage people that they can laugh, they can cry, you know
it's up to them, just don't hurt each other.
It is nice when we do the Q&A
sessions and people can be involved with the movie, yell/scream
whatever along to it. It's great, it's healthy. You know when
you're a kid you can go around yelling and screaming and no one
thinks you're nuts, but as we get older and become adults you can't
go around doing that or they think you’re nuts. So, it is a good
outlet I think. You know to yell and scream. Just make sure you have
respect for others.
SR: I understand now that James Franco
and Seth Rogen are connected to The Room, through a book
called “The Disaster Artist,” which was written by one of your
co-stars of The Room, Greg Sestro. Now, again I want to know
how you feel about all of this too?
TW: [laughed] Well, that is a similar
situation as they approached me about rights, and, by the way, I am
in it, believe it or not, a little part. And now I am actually free
to talk about it, as we have finished filming. Of course it was in
the agreement with Franco that I not talk about it until it was done.
It seems to me that Franco did a very good job, respectful again. As
well as his brother, David Franco. I think James did an excellent
job.
SR: As you've become somewhat of what
one would call an icon, back in 2003 did you ever think, WOW this is
all could happen?
TW: I never thought about it. I
remember the billboard we had up their in Hollywood for The Room,
which was only supposed to be up a year or less, but ended up being
for five years. I do believe in destiny, but all of this...
absolutely not. But here it is, the American story. A guy comes over
from Europe with a dream. I wanted to make a movie and then move on
to the next project. Did it happen that way? No, but you know maybe
it was for the better. At first, no one liked it, but then now
everybody likes it.
SR: Have you considered writing your
own autobiography? So many people really want to know where you were
really born, if you were a double agent?
TW: Actually you know, I want to be
very straightforward, I put a lot of hard work into The Room,
but here I am now with this character I had created. So, yes maybe.
SR: Have you ever considered writing a
part two of what happened to the rest of the characters from The
Room?
TW: We will see what will happen. Right
now I am focusing on what Franco is doing, but that is a really good
idea.
SR: How do you deal with rejection?
TW: We all have to deal with rejection,
you know? Whether you are an actor, teacher, lawyer it is a part of
life. Yes, actors may have to deal with it more as they go in and
read for parts, but it is a part of learning to deal. When people
say, “I cannot get a job.” I say to them, “Well that is when
you have to go in and use your right and left the side of your brain
and create your own job.”
Then people have had this assumption of
where did this money come from I have? Well, it came from hard work.
I am also a designer, I design
underwear. I didn't know if you knew that.
SR: Are you mentally ready to become
this Pop Icon, as Franco takes “The Disaster Artist,” and creates
this film. You could very easily become a comic con name.
TW: I am totally open to the whole
concept! It would be lots of fun.
SR: You've worked on other projects a
video called, “Homeless in America” and then you've been working
on the American foreclosure situation. What is your take on American
politics?
TW: I am still working on the
foreclosing film. I am not into politics honestly, but I feel society
has been changing the last ten years. We are not a communist country,
we are a capitalist country and we have great values which are
preached overseas. People seem to think we are just Yankees here in
America, but on the contrary, we are very giving people. How much
money do we send out all over the world and we get a kick in the
pants? We have so many homeless right here, yet the money keeps
going elsewhere. We have over 20,000 homeless just in the Los Angeles
area, and I think there is something very wrong. All this crap we've
been doing doesn't work. I think many mistakes have been made. You
have to do the footwork to see and understand what is really
happening. It isn’t going to be seen sitting up there in the
'house.' I used to work for the healthcare dept in San Francisco, I
saw it. When I did the “Homeless in America” I wanted to see what
was really going on. We can't have this assumption that every
homeless person is just there because of drugs or whatever. It's the
same story everywhere, and we need to recognize it and help. I see
churches and organizations reaching out to help others and it is
good.
SR: Is there a movie or screenplay for
theatre you have always wanted to be in?
TW: A Streetcar Named Desire I
did in school, but I'd love to do it on Broadway. Actually, I'd love
to put The Room on stage.
LINKS:
Tommy Wiseau: Movie Trailer, Tour Information for The Room
LINKS:
Tommy Wiseau: Movie Trailer, Tour Information for The Room
Clip of RiffTrax The Room
Comments