Ad-supported streamer Tubi quickly became a favorite among fans of obscure films and creators alike. But with so many choices, how do you find that deeply buried gem? Today we’ll be talking to James L Edwards and his newest movie, Trivial!
The film centers around 5 people forced to play a deranged game show with a bloodthirsty host. Get the answers right, move on to the next level. Get the answers wrong, and pay!
Background
Ada: When did you first get involved with making films?
James: When I was 12 years old, I had seen an article in my local paper looking for zombies for a horror film being made in Akron called The Dead Next Door that was produced by Sam Raimi and directed by J.R. Bookwalter for his company Suburban Tempe. At the time, I wanted to be a special effects artist, so I reached out to them. Though I didn’t have the talent to do effects, they liked my spirit and hired me on as a production assistant and a few small extra zombie and victim roles.
From there, I officially started acting in Bookwalter’s second film, Robot Ninja. After that, I was featured in all of the Suburban Tempe films aside from Kingdom of the Vampire, and the only reason I wasn’t in that one was that I was out of town during production, which is a shame because that would have been my first lead role.
Ada: When and why did you move into writing?
James: I started screenwriting about 10 years later on both Pete Jacelone’s Psycho Sisters and Bookwalter’s Polymorph, though that wasn’t my first script. Before that, I had written a Tarantino-esque romantic crime drama called Fugitives: A Love Story that was never produced.
Trivial
Ada: Trivial is the third feature film you’ve written and directed, following Her Name Was Christa (also on Tubi) and Brimstone Incorporated. Is there anything you learned from your previous films that helped you out with Trivial?
James: My biggest thing about directing and the thing that has kept me successful throughout my career is to always surround yourself with people far more talented than yourself. If you do that, you can’t go wrong. That and knowing how to build a schedule is one of the most important tools of preproduction.
Ada: You played roles in several of your films. Do you prefer directing a scene when you are in it?
James: I honestly only started directing films because I wanted the chance to play certain roles that I wasn’t being offered, and I wanted my screenplays to be produced the way I pictured them. I’ve never had a burning desire to direct. That being said, I love directing when I’m in the scene.
James’ Ever-Changing Hair
Ada: I noticed that you wore a bald cap in Her Name is Christa and a wig in Trivial. Did you feel these hairstyles fit the characters better, or do you just like wearing hair pieces?
James: Actually, that wasn’t a bald cap for Christa. I not only gained 40 lbs for the role and grew that horrible pedophile moustache, but I also shaved my head for the role. The bad thing about that is that due to having to recast the female lead halfway into production. Basically, we had a 3-month talent search where we auditioned 73 actresses for the role of Christa. The very last one was Shianne Daye, who was just absolutely phenomenal and perfect for the role. Then, Shianne and I spent another 3 months in rehearsals. Between the original shoot, the six-month delay, and the completed shoot, I basically had to render myself unfuckable for almost a year and a half. Luckily, I’m so in love with the finished movie, it was worth it.
Inspiration
Ada: What inspired Trivial?
James: That’s actually a rough story. I typically use moments of my own life, particularly the difficult ones, to pull from when I am writing screenplays. For example, the screenplay for Christa came about because I was getting older and worried that I was going to spend my life alone after being twice divorced. The dialogue from Brimstone Incorporated’s “First Date” segment was note-for-note a true first date that I had been on. For Trivial, on the other hand, that was a painful process.
Basically, the screenplay for Trivial was therapy for me after I divorced my second wife for infidelity. It was a time in my life that I was emotionally devastated and, not to toot my own horn, but I’m really good at turning my heartbreak into a hopefully riveting story. I try to be very transparent in my work, even going as far as discussing this process in the audio commentary of the film. Bottom line, the film got those emotions out of my system, for I consider it a win.
Tubi
Ada: Is your work hosted on other streaming platforms? If so, how does your experience with Tubi compare to the others?
James: Currently, my films are streaming on Amazon, Tubi, Fawesome, YouTube, and a few other smaller streaming networks. It honestly changes throughout the year. It’s definitely different than when I started in the 80’s, as physical media was where you made the majority of your profits. Now, Blu-ray and DVD sales are a very small portion. Tubi has taken good care of me, though.
Ada: How do you feel about still doing physical media releases as an independent director?
James: I’m a huge physical media collector, so no matter what, I will always release Blu-ray and DVD. It breaks my heart that the formats are dying, but sadly, the writing is on the wall. There’s always the chance that they will come back like VHS and vinyl did, fingers crossed.
The Future
Ada: What projects do you have coming up?
James: Currently, I’m prepping the release of our new horror comedy called Satan’s Peak. The film is about a disgraced police officer who is convinced his neighbors are Satan worshipers and goes on a rampage to stop them. It was my first work-for-hire directing gig, and it was an extremely interesting experience. It was a collaboration between myself and Monstud director Rick Popko, originally from his script that I did a rewrite on. All of my regulars, as well as some new faces, are present, and everyone is just so incredible in it. I can’t wait to unleash it to the world. The film should be available by this summer on Tubi.
We’d like to thank James L Edwards for taking the time out to speak with us today. Check out Trivial and Her Name Was Christa now streaming for free on Tubi!
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Mild-Spoilers
Writer’s note: the question below contains mild spoilers for the ending of Trivial.
Ada: Trivial has a character who is a part of the LGBT community. What has the response to this kind of representation been?
James: It’s wild because the film was in no way promoted as an LGBT film, but its surprise ending definitely resonates with members of that community. I was so honored that people have reached out, thanking me for having characters that represented them, but not portrayed as a stereotype. That was the highest compliment.
