Charles Band is the king of independent movies. He runs Full Moon Pictures and in the past decade Full Moon has grown into an empire. His most famous films are those in the “Puppet Master franchise” Before he had Full Moon Features, his earlier company Empire Pictures made films like “Ghoulies” and “Re-Animator”.
Click here to purchase DVD’s from the Puppet Master series
MovieMovies had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Charles Band and ask him about his amazing career and how he is just getting started.
Mike Gencarelli: How did you end up starting Full Moon Pictures?
Charles Band: Well, Full Moon followed a company I had for many years called, Empire, which was making films in the 80’s. Empire Pictures made films like “Re-Animator”, “From Beyond”, “Troll” and “Ghoulies”. We had a good run, but what we were all about shifted and changed a bit. We were involved with theatrical distribution; we were making pictures in Italy. I had partners who wanted to see other types of movies getting made, so they were just my own kind of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror films. There was films being produced that were outside of the genre that I love, it became too many cooks in the kitchen. I wanted to regroup and do something that was entirely mine and reflected the type of movies I enjoyed making and watching. I made a movie called “Puppet Master”, we started shooting in ’89, it was going to be out in 1990. We thought if this thing works, I would start my own company and sold out my share of Empire. I did a distribution deal with Paramount at the time and created the name Full Moon and released “Puppet Master” which was our first release which was extremely successful. It sort of rolled into all these crazy Full Moon movies.
Mike Gencarelli: Is it true you’ve worked on about 300 films?
Charles Band: Yep, I made movies even in the mid to late 70’s, hard to believe, 80’s had Empire and then from 1990 on involved with Full Moon. So, I have been involved with 300 films, though it kind of feels impossible because I feel like I am just getting started.
Mike Gencarelli: Do you find it hard always working on a low budget?
Charles Band: It’s very hard. There are a lot of challenges to make a creditable bit of entertainment for a very low, practically micro budget. The irony is that in the 80’s and early/mid 90’s, our budgets were 3-5 times what they are now. Today the budgets have shrunk, which makes it more challenging to try and do a good job and make entertaining, different, credible, science fiction and horror films. It’s always difficult but it is what I do and I feel a lot of the films work because they are well written and well acted and a little magic going. It is tough when you do not even have enough money to do the bare bones things we want to do. Many times the review would say, “Oh that picture was terrific but it could have used more effects or action at the end”. That is always a function of I wish we have a little more money. It is weird because it is such an uneven playing field. The analogy is different today because of the digital word, but not too long ago where people would only be able to find their horror film fix on the weekend would be renting a movie at Blockbuster or Hollywood, but those Dinosaurs are on their way out. Those horror films would all be on a shelf, there would be $20, $30, $80, $100 million dollar movies, “Terminator”, “Terminator 2”, “Aliens”, and right next to it would be “Dollman”. It always amused me to have a price tag on each movie, “Aliens” $70 million, “Terminator” 90 million, “Dollman” $400,000 dollars. So this is what we do and there are a lot of people today making low/micro budgeted horror films. Luckily we have fans that have been following us and these films for over 30 years.
MG: How did you come up with the idea for the touring Full Moon Horror Roadshow? What does the show entail? Any plans to return to NYC?
CB: The idea was again born out of the strange world we are in where there is no real way without spending money to let people know what you are doing anymore. There are a few horror magazines; you could run an ad in Fangoria. There is some internet places you could hang your hat. Unlike the old days, you would be making a movie and you would be on the B-side of a double bill and have some theatrical exposure. You could get into 1,000 videos if you had a credible film and promote you movie in a certain way. Today you can’t do it, the only option if you want to release a movie nationally, is a national theatrical release, which costs tens of millions of dollars. I thought, well since there is no real way to reach out to the fans in a traditional way, why don’t I get on the road and do what a rock and roll band does. I’ve made a lot of movies and people followed a lot of these films and when I get a start I try to be entertaining. I have been doing this now for a five years and I have hit about a hundred cities. I’ve found that it’s a great way to connect with the fans. It is a combination of the genre that blends itself well to be crazy and silly and the fact that I have made so many films over so many years. I figured I would just put on a show, kind of a strange variety show. I would get some celebrities, do some fun stuff, over the years I had a guillotine, we chopped heads off. I’ve told stories about all the movies I’ve made, I can tell stories for days. It’s worked really well, usually between 300-500 people show up for every city. The show seems to go over well and it’s gives off a good vibe. I feel like I am up there playing music. Besides doing a convention, you really don’t know the people that are watching your movies. While doing this roadshow, it really opened my eyes and got a lot of ideas because it. Plus I am able to connect to tens of thousands of people who’ve enjoyed these movies over the years.
MG: Can you tell us when “Killjoy 3” & “Puppet Master: Axis of Evil” will be released?
CB: Puppet Master: Axis of Evil comes out in July. We have this really cool pre-sale on our site http://www.fullmoondirect.com that would be available prior to the official release of July 27, where you can find it at Blockbuster and Video on Demand etc. Only on our site we have an item on our site that they can pre-buy a replica of the “Puppet Master” trunk. Inside the trunk will be “Puppet Master: Axis of Evil” on DVD or Blu-Ray and the original “Puppet Master” also re-mastered on DVD or Blu-Ray. Also included will be our first trading card set, cool stickers, mini poster, and certificate of authenticity. We have a limited run of 1800 units, all numbered and signed. Around August or September we will have “Killjoy 3”, which will be a lot of fun.
MG: Also I’ve heard some rumors about “The Gingerdead Man 3”, can you confirm?
CB: Next after “Killjoy” and “Puppet Master” will be “The Gingerdead Man 3: Saturday Night Cleaver” and we are shooting it in 3D and it will be our Halloween release. We have had so much fun with those movies that we have to bring that nasty cookie back for a third one. He will be back and let loose in a roller rink. It will be the first picture we’ve shot in years in 3D.
MG: Movie studios today are taking the 3D route, but you’ve been working with 3D for some time now right?
CB: I am a 3D pioneer. Most people know I made a film many years ago which I made for Universal called “Metalstorm”. It was a 3D picture that came out the same time as “Jaws 3D”. “Metalstorm” did really well and got me rolling. Before that I did a movie called “Parasite”, which was made for Embassy at the time. “Parasite” starred the first timer Demi Moore and it was shot in 3D. I was doing 3D before it became super popular because I love the format and now the technology is finally caught up. It will be a lot to make these future films in 3D.
MG: What is your favorite film, that you have worked on or made?
CB: I don’t have favorites. I have ones that I like a lot. I love the first “Trancers” film. I did a weird movie called “Head of the Family”, I like that a lot. “Blood Dolls”, I like a lot. Of course I am proud of the first “Puppet Master”. I am proud of the “Subspecies” series. I feel like I just got started and I have a lot more to come.
MG: Your primary role on most of your films has been Producer; do you prefer it over directing?
CB: I wish I could direct every movie. There is not enough time to do it. I have a business to run and if I get jealous of anything, it’s when a project I would love to direct but I cannot afford the time. I’ve been in the story development of all the films and certainly marketing. The fact that I directed 40 or 50, I am grateful for that.
MG: The music in your films has always been a major contributing factor and very memorable, what is it like working with your brother Richard?
CB: It’s great. With the normal brother relationship, there are always moments where you want to beat each other up, not literally. When brothers argue it’s different than just dealing with friends. Otherwise than the usual stuff, Richard is super creative and talented. He has done some great scores for my films and others. He was up for an Emmy two years ago for an episode of “Masters of Horror”. He is a very talented guy and is very excited that he is doing the score for “Puppet Master: Axis of Evil”. Music is super important, I have always tried to use Richard as much as I can afford or he had the time to do. I had Danny Elfman do some music for me. With limited means I try and do the best I can to put a great score in a movie because it really makes a huge difference.
MG: Your earlier company, Wizard Video, part of Empire Pictures, developed two Atari 2600 games, “Halloween” & “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”. Can you tell me a bit about that development?
CB: I did, I developed them and marketed them and I was about 20 years ahead of my time so that was a bummer that they never sold. We sold a few copies but that venture wasn’t worth it. I thought, “Boy this awesome”, licensed the rights but by today’s standards it’s like Pac-Man, it is as silly as they get. It was a long time ago.
MG: What is it like working with puppets always? How you do feel about CGI? And have you ever been tempted to replace the puppets?
CB: Nope, I am not a big CGI fan. CGI used carefully for the right reasons can be amazing. It is a great tool but unless you have an unlimited amount of money. I think CGI work has been impressive but these are $100 million dollar movies. For the most part if animals, creatures, dolls, critters, puppets are done as CGI, it comes off as cartoony, I am just not a big fan that is why I still use as much raw puppetry as I can. I will do anything I can to put the effect in the scene with the actor.
MG: With remake craze on the rise, how do you feel about it? Any plans for big budget remake plans for “Puppet Master”?
CB: I have been approached so much in the last five years, I just keep saying no. One day it may make sense when we can really have our hands in it to remake a couple of the films. I have had a lot of offers and I know it’s hard to turn down an offer but most of these remakes are pretty bad. If the right elements come together, it may make sense one day. There is no lack of offers, really going back to 2002. We have a lot of people knocking at our door, looking to remake or license the rights for the more well-known franchises we have. 
Click here to purchase DVD’s from the Puppet Master series
