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Interview: Director Tarsem Singh Talks 'Immortals' & Creative Control

by Alex Billington
November 10, 2011

Oh boy, this a good one. I've been excited for Immortals since the first teaser trailer hit, primarily because of how visually stunning it looks, which is why one of the people I really wanted to talk with was director Tarsem Singh, the man behind it all. Born in India, he's known as the visionary filmmaker behind the The Cell and The Fall previously, as well as Mirror Mirror coming up, and lots of commercials work. He's a very funny, outgoing, fascinating guy to speak with in-person and this interview certainly shows that, as we cover ground from test screenings, to using CGI, to why Snow White next, to shooting on location and much more.

Watch the full interview with Immortals director Tarsem Singh below, recorded on my Flip cam:

This was one of my favorite interviews! I hadn't seen much of Tarsem in person before his appearances at WonderCon and Comic-Con earlier this year, but watching him amuse the crowd twice, giving some of the funniest/wildest answers I've heard, I knew I needed to speak with him. I wish I had been able to get more than 10 minutes, as I could've asked him plenty more. I really wanted to talk about casting and working with Henry Cavill and all the actors, but we didn't have time to get to that, but I think it turned out quite good anyway. Immortals (trailer here), starring Henry Cavill as Theseus, Luke Evans as Zeus (our interview with him), Mickey Rourke and Freida Pinto arrives in theaters starting November 11th in glorious 3D.

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Reader Feedback - 14 Comments

"With all respect to you work" ...and your site as a whole! I read it every day and it is one of the "few" film sites that have a decent journalistic approach. You got one of the most "buzzed" directors in this town taking his time to give you an interview session...and the video content you deliver is just so poor. Pop up a little light, watch you color temperature, camera goes from dwarf to human height and "don't cut of the most important things... his head :). Video journalist 1x1.

Saenker on Nov 10, 2011

good interview.........saenker - what the he11 are you talking about?

Anonymous on Nov 10, 2011

well, for dummies, which by your name justifies me calling you that = he's basically saying that the "camera guy" is "doing a bad job"

Sixamsedna on Nov 11, 2011

it's an INTERVIEW you idiot - camarawork doesn't matter. i was interested by what the guy has to say - NOT what the lighting or color temp is like. why can't you boobs just be happy with all of the free content alex is providing without complaining.

Anonymous on Nov 11, 2011

Alex, great questions mate. Lovely interview. He's clearly a man who's very passionate about what he does.

Carlost on Nov 10, 2011

@beevis The "interview" content is great ! I was strictly referring to the quality of the video. Sorry, if this was not clear. I don't mean to be picky, but I feel this should have a certain acceptable standard as well on a site like this.

Saenker on Nov 10, 2011

it's ok - i really think we should all be happy with the amount of free contentalex provides. i certainly would notice what you are talking about when it comes to a movie trailer - but not an interview. from my perspective, (with interviews) it's about what questions are asked and the responses given - not how they look during the interview.

Anonymous on Nov 11, 2011

@Saenker - Thanks for your concern and criticism, but it's just not that easy. I do my best to focus on everything, but as @beevis:disqus and many others have said, it's a challenge to also ask good questions and stay on the toes of the interviewer, and try and worry about the camera angle. All my interviews are shot on a Flip cam. The Flip doesn't have color temperature or brightness or any settings, literally all it has is on/off, recording or not recording, and zoom. I use a small tripod as well, but they quickly toss you into a hotel room, you have 30 seconds to introduce yourself, sit down and get composed, and then get into the 10 minutes of interview time you have (which is constantly ticking down). I do the best I can and I try to create presentable videos, but I certainly realize they're not perfect, though I don't mind as long as I capture the subject. Again, I appreciate the feedback, and honestly, I always think about this when I go into every interview, but I also have to work with the setting I'm in. I hope you enjoyed the interview anyway!

Alex Billington on Nov 11, 2011

I know what you are talking about ;)... I used to be a video journalist and was in the same situations- questioning the chief of the fire department while a huge fire is burning in the background and the agency wants to sell your material before you shot it. I just think not far from now your (possibly real time) stream or content from set or hotel room will become a essential news tool especially in a behind the scenes, tweet world. As you know, it was a friendly thought from my side best

Saenker on Nov 11, 2011

Thank you for interviewing one of my favorite directors, man!! Who does he mention a the end Haneke and someone else right? I didn't get that directors name..

Davide Coppola on Nov 11, 2011

Yes, Haneke and Krzysztof Kieslowski.

Roy Kino on Nov 11, 2011

Thanks Roy!

Davide Coppola on Nov 11, 2011

Nice one Alex, Once again good interview, like Davide I rate Tarsem, he has a different idea of how things should look and a good vision. I think I'd be geeking out a bit if I met someone like him, you do pretty well in these situations, onwards and upwards mister.

Crapola on Nov 11, 2011

Saw the movie, loved it. No matter how much I built it up in my head, he met or exceeded all my expectations. Great visuals, fantastic use of colour and loved the bad guys. A director who gets what audiences want.

patrick on Dec 22, 2011

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