Greg Sestero. The beginning of his story isn’t atypical of many other aspiring actors trying to make it within Hollywood. But then, relatively early, his story differs. He meets a man – Tommy Wiseau. He’s considerably older and weirder. Tommy, like Greg, also has big acting dreams.
Off the back of his financial success, Tommy writes, directs and stars in what could be considered an egotistical film, The Room (2003). But in reality it is so much more. Tommy leverages his best friend Greg to co-star as his onscreen best friend, Mark, and cinema history is made. Initially the film was marketed as being like ‘getting stabbed in the head’. That small film is now regularly screened around the world fifteen years later.
Greg’s acting career fizzled with his association to ‘the Citizen Kane of bad films’. So Greg did what anyone in his shoes would, and wrote a story documenting the strange experience of making the movie and describing the curious nature of his relationship with the enigmatic Tommy. The highly successful book was read by James Franco who decided to turn it into the equally successful film of the same name – The Disaster Artist. Riding off the back of that success Greg Sestero has flipped the tables. creating his own original film, Best F(r)iends, and putting Tommy in it.
I sit down with Greg at Melbourne’s Cinema Nova, which incidentally still holds monthly screenings of The Room.
B: I know you’ve come back to Melbourne a few times.
G: It’s my third time here.
Have you got a big following here?
Yeah, with this project that’s happened, it’s been kind of a fun celebration. I get to show something new each time which is cool.
I found the film really difficult to shoe horn. It’s a bit tongue in cheek; a bit earnest; a dark comedic thriller. There’s elements of old and new Hollywood. Does that ring true?
Yes, I think that’s a great description.
Any other genres you see there?
No. That’s kind of what we were going for. A little modern noir, a little Sunset Boulevard, a little bit of Nightcrawler, a little David Lynch in there.
There’s the true story disclaimer at the beginning. Can you elaborate on that?
It was inspired by a road trip that Tommy and I took up the California coast in which Tommy thought I was plotting to kill him. And so I rolled with that, and got into that mindset and wrote the script in about four days.
At that time or now?
Couple years ago. Road trip was quite a while ago, wrote the script a couple years ago. Once I got the motivation behind it, it came together pretty quickly.
And when you said you rolled with it, was that just humoring yourself or…
I didn’t quite understand why he thought that and when he explained it I found it really interesting.
Was this post The Room?
It was right after we made it.
I can see why he’d be in a little bit of a weird mindset. How far into production were you when you saw it as a two-parter?
We pretty much finished shooting. We tested it and realised that it was better with the two. The two films are so different that you need a break. You need to digest.
They’re different aren’t they?!
Very different, yes.
There’s so much in the first I can’t imagine how the second could be even more different
It’s really wacky, yeah, takes place in the desert so it’s something very different.
Were there any other two-parter features that you drew inspiration from? They’re kind of rare.
Not really. It was supposed to be one film and it…
Happened organically?
Yeah. I thought it would be better movie going.
I heard that it was filmed in a real morgue. Was that creepy or offsetting?
Very creepy, eye-opening in a lot of ways. We had these dead bodies coming in and interrupting the shoot.
Did that change the production at all? Did you modify it or were you inspired by that setting?
I think it was a very interesting place to shoot, tied in a lot to the story. Kind of became our home base. We’ve definitely seen enough of a morgue; we don’t need to come back. It was very moving and cool. We learned a lot about what happens with autopsies and ghosts and all that.
Tommy’s got this really strange watch-ability about him. Danny DeVito like.
(Laughs)
He’s really fun to see on screen. Not that he’s been in much so far.
Did you write the role for him, or write the part and see him as a natural fit?
I wrote it for Daniel Day Lewis and then… (laughter). No I wrote it for him in every way. His cadence and thoughts, and it was a lot of fun. He’s a fascinating person to write for. It was amazing when he stepped in and brought it to life.
I don’t’ see him as a bad actor –
No I think he’s terrific in this. I think he’s entertaining; I think he’s funny. It’s the type of role that only he could do.
In your book (The Disaster Artist) you kind of talk a lot about being polar opposites of each other. Do you have any shared commonality besides the James Dean thing?
(Laughter) I think just wanting to think different. Wanting to make films. Wanting to be an actor. It’s kind of a life passion. And with someone who believes in themselves and following their dream it’s a powerful base to connect on.
His story is a big one and you kind of got sucked into his creative vortex with The Room. Obviously that might have hampered the career. Now you’ve got this outlet again telling stories and acting, do you have any words of advice for young creatives looking to get their voice out?
Yes. Going out there and making something. That’s what I’ve learned through this. Nobody wanted Tommy. He did his own film and it’s still screening fifteen years later. With Best F(r)iends it was just about going out and making these movies – no studios. They might’ve been like “We don’t want it. We don’t believe in it.” We just went out and naturally wanted to create a film. So I think if you have a dream or a goal, whether you want to write an album, or do stand-up, or be an actor, get a team together, make something. Whether it’s a short film or a video, you can make it in a day and you can learn a lot about yourself. How you can get better and what you have to offer and keep pursuing your craft. If you sit back and procrastinate for too long that’s the worst thing you can do. Just get out there and try to make something.
I totally agree. A lot of people just talk about doing things. It’s hard to take that next step. Tommy kind of does that doesn’t he?
He did, he paved the way. You know obviously if there wasn’t The Room there wouldn’t be Best F(r)iends, The Disaster Artist. He took a chance and showed that even if you’re not the most gifted actor, athlete or whatever, you still might find success just in a different way.
Tommy, I imagine before The Room he was a bit of a pariah and avoided in certain social contexts. But you obviously were sucked towards his charisma. Are you drawn to outsiders or outsider ideas?
Yes that’s what I love about Volume Two. It features another great character that will surprise people.
With a new actor?
Yes. But I think people who think a little differently, or with a unique charisma that see life in a different way. I think you can learn from that, so I’m definitely drawn towards the more quirky offbeat types.
Your film achieved one of my personal favorite things, which was a phenomenal ending, if not the best part of the movie. Which I think is really rare. It’s also impossible to predict, obviously. Also rare. When you were creating it did you start from there and work backwards or did it organically come?
It kind of started with their encounter (Tommy and Greg’s characters) and then worked its way from there.
Another favorite part of mine was the montage. Sometimes they can be lazy tropes, but I thought yours was original, mirroring the dark tones and not just advancing plot. Do you have a favorite part?
You know what, I think the clown scene was one of my favourites. And the cliff scene as well.
What drives you more creatively now? Writing or acting?
I think writing. Creating a world is something you can do anywhere. It’s just a little more fulfilling, you get to know a lot of different characters than just one.
Handing over the reins of something you’ve created – is that exciting or a bit –
It is exciting. With the right team it’s exciting. Collaboration is such a big part. I really value collaboration and enjoyed making the movie. It’s important to delegate.
Was Tommy part of the collaborative process?
We talked a lot about the part. Definitely.
You are classically handsome, you’ve done a bit of modelling. Is it harder for you and the McConaughey’s to be taken seriously in the acting world?
I guess it’s all about what you have to offer. The writing is important. I think you can write a part for yourself that suits your talent. Writing can help you work your way out of any roadblocks.
There are plenty of TV actors who become known for one character. Are you keen to separate yourself from Mark? Do you still get joy from street encounters?
No I think you’ve got to embrace that. That’s what they liked, so then it’s about evolving from there and hopefully creating characters that people can see past that and enjoy whatever else you have to offer.
With a jazz cigarette there are plenty of movies that are so bad they can become good. But The Room can be enjoyed sober; it’s unique to the others there. Am I overanalysing that?
No. I think it’s more interesting. It’s made by one person who sees life in a different way and has the money to make it their way. It speaks in a different way than a lot of those other films.
I think the difference might be the sincerity. There are a lot of bad movies that are made cynically or just laziness –
Yes, or just bad effects. The Room is trying to say something and you feel that.
Did Robyn Paris ask you to appear in her mockumentary series? (The Room Actors: Where Are They Now?)
I think I was out of town when she was making it. But the actors are great; they’re very supportive. I think they all have a great attitude about what the experience is.
Beyond the release of part 2, anything else on the cards? What’s next?
I’m developing a horror film.
Interesting. Do you have any favorite horrors?
My most recent favourite was either Get Out or The Babadook. I did like Hereditary a lot. The Strangers was another really good one .
Lastly, 5 dollars in my wallet. Who should I back for the world cup win?
Hmm.. Normally. I’m such a sports buff. I’m going to go with (prolonged consideration) Spain.
I’m glad you took that seriously. Alright mate, thanks for that. Congratulations on the film.
Best F(r)iends screens at Cinema Nova from 5th July and you can read our review here.
