"BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE FOUNDING FATHERS AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT."

David Michael Latt: Director

Q: Tell us a little about your background, where are you from and when did you decide that you wanted to become a filmmaker? A: I’m from a little town called Los Angeles, in a small unknown state called California. I have six other brothers and sisters. With that many siblings I had to fight for attention. I was the kid that put on the neighborhood plays, carnivals, car washes, and events. By seven my parents gave me a Super 8 camera and I was hooked. I knew I wanted to direct when I was 12 and found out people got paid to do this. Q: What has been your favorite project to date and why? A: JANE WHITE IS SICK & TWISTED is a very personal film for me so it’s closer to my heart. My wife and I maxed out the credit cards and really put a lot into it. It received many festival awards, and it put us on the map. That being said I believe I grew as a filmmaker on H.G.WELLS’ WAR OF THE WORLDS. It just said what I wanted to say, and I grew very attached to Tommy Howell. Everything clicked on that show. Q: Tell us about your latest directorial project "H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds". A: WAR is a very mature film for me. It deals with family and relationships. It’s a heavy film – there’s a lot of drama in it (despite the aliens). I’m very proud of the work, and really, it has a lot to do with the complexities that Wells’ wrote about in his story. It’s so much more than just monsters (though that’s cool too). Q: From your experience, what do you think is the most important thing for a Director to bring to a set? A: Calm. Q: Often times you both Write and Direct a movie. What inspires you to make a particular film? A: Earlier in my career it was because I needed a creative fix. Now I can (almost) pick and choose. A good script with a story that I believe in --- regardless of the genre --- is always what inspires me to direct.   Q: I see that you also Direct and Edit your own pictures. Do you find it difficult to cut scenes out, or shorten them? A: No. I like a well-paced movie. I have no love for boring, uninspired road blocks. Q: Any future projects in the works? Can you give us the scoop? A: In theory I will be directing three films in 2006. A period pirate film, a mobster flick, and a character sketch of a serial killer. All sound like fun. Now, that’s in theory. We’ll see how things progress as I’m producing about two films every month in the meantime.

C. Thomas Howell plays George Herbert in War of the Worlds. Jake Busey plays Lt. Samuelson in War of the Worlds.

Q: What is the biggest problem with Hollywood today? A: Traffic (OK, I’m being cheeky…but I really don’t deal with the ‘players’. I have no time for pretentious pricks). Q: Do you have any advice to aspiring filmmakers? A: It took me 20 years to make a living (and even that’s up for interpretation). Filmmaking is a 24/7 job. Don’t expect anything else. Try not to have a family before you jump into it (I now have 2 kids); Write (that will be your best foot in the door). Meet everyone (go to parties); Intern for free for a year; Meet everyone; Go to a school to meet people (AFI is a great learning ground); Write. Q: Here's where we give you a word or phrase and you give us the first thoughts that pop into your mind. Hollywood: Been there. Done That. Toxic Shock TV: Will be there. Favorite Genre: All. Biggest Regrets: What’s that? Is that a French word? I don’t know French. Biggest Prick: Me. The funniest thing that has ever happened to you on a set: (not on set): I received a legal letter from Dreamworks that had us stop production/distribution of WAR OF THE WORLDS. It was a very scary letter. The letter was written on April 1. Turns out it was written by our production team (and a lawyer), and my partners were in on it. They had me going for about an hour. It was awesome. Your biggest "break-thru" moment: Having kids. You can only watch three movies for the rest of your life, which three: I won’t answer that in fear that it might come true (with my schedule and family life I’ve only gone to the theater three times this year!). You can only listen to three ALBUMS for the rest of your life, which three: Probably some Gay-ass Broadway tunes (I’m a closet singer).