I alway enjoy talking to directors, as there’s no better way to explore the science of moviemaking than to bend the end of the men and women behind the cameras. In the case of a movie like PARANORMAN, there’s even more to explore, as the logistics of a film like this are significantly more complex than anything in the live action realm. Sam Fell and Chris Butler co-direct, from a script written by Butler. This is Butler’s first time in the director chair, though Fell has helmed projects like THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX and FLUSHED AWAY. The concept behind PARANORMAN is an interesting one, delivering a family friendly movie that plays off the sensibilities of classic and modern horror films. It’s produced by Laika, who previously brought us CORALINE. I had a chance to talk to Sam and Chris during their Dallas press tour, after just missing them at San Diego Comic-Con – a decision (as I explain in the video) I made to hopefully help their time there go just a tad smoother. Check out the video below and the movie now playing in theaters, and tell us your thoughts in the comments.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
