He gripped on ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and produced ‘Lost in Translation’

Posted 5/21/15

Ross Katz by Hugh Gilmore Ross Katz, director of the newly released comedy “Adult Beginners,” was my student when he was in high school. Where other kids saw a book’s ideas as potential test …

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He gripped on ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and produced ‘Lost in Translation’

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Ross Katz Ross Katz

by Hugh Gilmore

Ross Katz, director of the newly released comedy “Adult Beginners,” was my student when he was in high school. Where other kids saw a book’s ideas as potential test questions, he saw celestial explosions that might guide his life. He was one of the most enthusiastic learners I ever had the pleasure to teach. Now that he’s a movie-maker, though, I wondered if he still retained his love for books and ideas. I emailed him and asked.

Shortly after Ross graduated from Haverford High School in Havertown, he moved to Hollywood and lucked into being a grip for Quentin Tarentino’s “Reservoir Dogs.” After several more pay-your-dues jobs, he became a co-producer of HBOs “The Laramie Project.” (2000). Esteem soon followed. He went on to receive Academy Award nominations for co-producing “In the Bedroom” (2001) and “Lost in Translation” (2003). After that he lived in Paris for a year, producing “Marie Antoinette.” (2006).

Like everyone with artistic dreams, Ross wanted to direct. He got his first chance (including screenplay co-credit) with an HBO drama starring Kevin Bacon, called “Taking Chance” (2009). Directing “Adult Beginners” marks his entry to commercially released, movie theater film. Next year, the film he’s currently “cutting,” “The Choice,” based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, will be released.

That’s all wonderful, of course, but I wanted to know if he’s still that person who seemed enthralled by new ideas. Did he still have that “dreamer” quality? Was his life still about questing?

Here’s part of the conversation we had:

Were you much of a reader when you were young?

You know, it’s kind of crazy. Reading is an enormous part of my life because, among other things, it’s how I find my projects. But I’ve always struggled at reading. It’s hard for me. I’m a slow reader and often have to re-read what I’ve read – it’s something I’ve had to deal with since I was a kid. If I’m not absolutely enthralled by what I’m reading, it goes slowly for me.

What was the most memorable book of your youth?

I would have to say a book that you gave me, “The King of the Confessors,” really has stayed with me. (HG: A true story of the breakneck competition among the powerful art museums of the world to authenticate and acquire a unique tenth-century ivory cross.) It was like real life “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” I researched possibly making a movie of it years ago, but found that Thomas Hoving did not want to license the rights.

What book do you most wish someone you know well, or love, would read?

“Giovanni’s Room” – an all-time favorite of mine.

Are you a re-reader of books you've enjoyed?

I don’t re-read a lot, but when I do it’s usually Jane Austen.

Living in New York, do you have room for a personal library? Are there any books that have to come with you, no matter where you live?

Laugh. Out. Loud. Are you crazy? Who can afford a room with a personal library??? Sadly, I don’t. All my books are digital these days, but for a few personal copies of things with sentimental meaning to me.

Any favorite authors, ones whose new book you must get and read right away?

My favorite authors are dead. James Baldwin would be at the top of the list.

Do you collect books in any genre, or author?

I don’t collect. I’m a digital guy. I actually – blasphemous I know – prefer reading on my iPad.

Is reading part of every day for you?

Yes. I mainly read for work – to find new movies. Lately, I’ve been reading screenplays. Lots and lots of screenplays. The only way I will ever get a movie off the ground is by going into intense reading periods.

Is any of your reading pleasure reading? Or do you tend to choose things to read because they might make a good movie?

I guess it’s a bit sad, but I generally choose things to read that might make a good movie. Just not enough hours in the day for “pleasure reading.” I’m always visualizing what I read, trying to figure out what will translate as cinema.

Many of your films deal with important social issues. Is that a necessity for you to become involved in a project?

I love making socially relevant films. But, equally, I must admit that I like making entertainments that aren’t necessarily social-change movies. I like a balance. I never want to repeat myself, so I’m always looking to jump genres.

I primarily read to find stories I want to tell. The films I’ve made have come from books or short stories, and have been original ideas. Mostly, though, my personal work has been based on either some real event or a book.

What’s the process like?

The first part of the process for me is to find something that speaks to me. If I lived in a world where money was no object and financing a movie was easy, I’d be trying to make “Giovanni’s Room” into a movie. That book changed me. It spoke to me on so many levels. But, that’s a tough one to get made in our world today.

So, I tend to read tons of screenplays, but I also devour books, short stories, and articles. I also see lots of documentaries.

And, I’m a genre-jumper. For instance, I’m right now making “The Choice.” It’s a love story based on a Nicholas Sparks novel. The core of the book, and its beautiful, flawed, messy characters, was something I related to. At the same time, I’m developing a sophisticated horror movie because I love that genre too.

And Ross’s final quote to his ex-teacher:

As you can see, I’m still driven to tell stories. I’m on an endless search to find the ones that express who I am, or convey something about humanity that I – and an audience – can connect to.

A terrific Interview with Ross on the topic “The Movies that Changed My Life” can be found online at http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/the-movies-that-changed-my-life-adult-beginners-director-ross-katz-20150501

Hugh Gilmore is the author, most recently, of the Kindle Top-100-rated memoir, “My Three Suicides: A Success Story.” Available also in paperback.

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