Interview: Makers of Bad CGI Sharks (The Movie)
Two estranged brothers are brought back together when a script they're writing comes to life and sends a poorly rendered digital shark to hunt them down in this meta take on the sharksploitation genre. The Daily Jaws caught with the film’s director, Majama.
The Daily Jaws (TDJ): Why did you start it?
Majama (M): Well, that evening on TV there were only reruns, so we decided to make a movie. No, we’re kidding!! There were also original TV shows. But in all seriousness... We genuinely love the sharksploitation genre but at the same time we’re frustrated that these movies usually have uninteresting characters and in-between monster attacks that are extremely boring. So we tried to write a story that could be entertaining and charming while you’re waiting for the sharks.
TDJ: Who is the team?
M: The team is comprised of brothers Matthew and Jason Ellsworth, made in New Jersey, and Matteo Molinari, made in Italy (and therefore defective by default). They’ve been friends for over 12 years, and their friendship has spilled all over the script and the movie (we hope).
The group has had the invaluable help of Sheila Marie, our fearless producer, who delved into our brains and tried to make some sense of it, while bringing us an endless stream of (well — about 10) talent for our movie, as well as ideas for locations and cupcakes on the set.
And then there were the Godsends Emilio Pozzolini and Alessandro Arcidiacono (try to say their names three times fast), who work as ThisGasThing, an incredible duo who deal with sound, video, editing, music, and of course SHARKS as well as everything we would have horrible mangled during production. If the movie sounds good and looks good and has a pulse, it’s thank to them.
TDJ: What are the goals?
M: We love this world, and we’d love to be part of it in any way, shape or form — possibly, outside the studio system. We think we have a brand and we’d love to keep it as untarnished as possible, aside from the horrible stains we’ll inflict ourselves. Plus, we’d like to earn enough money to be able to confidently walk into any restaurant of our choice and say, “Supersize it!”
TDJ: Why should people follow you?
M: Tough question, as it is formulated.
Is it, “WHY should people follow you?” — in which case the answer would be, “Because we’re unbelievably adorable and cute as buttons.”
But if the question is, “WHERE should people follow you? — the answer would be of course at www.badcgisharks.com, but also on Twitter as @badCGIsharks_ (notice the underscore), on Instagram as @badCGIsharksmovie, and on Facebook on our MaJaMa Page.
HOWEVER, if the question is, “WHEN should people follow you?” — the answer would be, “Never at night. We’re easily scared.”
On set making the best bad shark movie ever made
TDJ: Who is BAD CGI sharks aimed at?
M: We’ve been blessed to have a lot of attention from people who love shark movies and they seem to have enjoyed it. But at our core, we love comedy and making people laugh. We hope that anyone who likes to chuckle at a goofy movie will appreciate ours. It’s called “Bad CGI Sharks,” for cryin’ out loud!
TDJ: Are you jaws fans?
M: In the immortal words of William Shakespeare, the Bard of Stratford-Upon-Avon, “Duh!!”
A bad CGI shark creeps up on an unsuspecting victim
TDJ: What is your favorite CGI shark?
M: In our movie? All of them! And we treat them very well. They have their own trailers, own makeup chairs, and they LOVE caterers. Catering. We mean, catering. Heh, heh… Why would they love caterers? (Poor Linda.) If we had to choose just one, we’re a little split as a trio. Jason’s favorite is Moe (The Red one aka Shark Stooge #1) because of the reverse fin, Matthew’s favorite is Bruiser (The purple one aka Shark Stooge #2) because he’s chubby and looks fun to squish and Matteo’s favorite is Idiot (The teal one aka Shark Stooge #3) because of the bond they formed on set.
However, we love the original, bad SUPERIMPOSED shark of them all, which is the shark in “Jaws 3D” when, in the end, it rams… Er, swims… Er, glides toward the glass of the lab and shatters it. Somehow. Yes, that’s amazing! (but really, sorry again, Linda.)
BAD CGI SHARKS is available to buy on Amazon and stream now