Stephen Woolley talks to The Hollywood Reporter [ 30/01/2007 ]

Producer talks of 'Father,' 'Friends'
By Stuart Kemp - The Hollywood Reporter
Jan 30, 2007

LONDON -- Producer-director Stephen Woolley is explaining why he wants to
make a ghost story as his second outing in the director's chair while buying
underwear at Heathrow airport.

The busy producer is having to snag some smalls after a rushed packing job
between a trip to India and a flight to begin the casting process on the
upcoming comedy "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People" left him sans
undies.

With mission accomplished, Woolley turns his attention to what to direct
next. "I know the things I like and I would love to take on a supernatural
film -- something in that realm but not a horror," Woolley says. "I love
horror as a genre but I want to do a more spine-tingling film, a ghost story
or something."

The indie producer, who works with wife and partner Elizabeth Karlsen under
the production banner Number 9 Films, is very busy and will have to wait
before picking up a camera again.

Woolley is currently producing "Alienate," directed by Robert B. Weide
("Curb Your Enthusiasm") and adapted from Toby Young's novel. Woolley
describes Weide as a genius at directing comedy and says "he understands the
embarrassment of situations so well" that it made the process of choosing
him much easier.

Woolley has just finished Anand Tucker's "And When Did You Last See Your
Father?" a tearjerker starring Jim Broadbent and Colin Firth adapted from
poet Blake Morrison's best-selling memoir about his relationship with his
dad.

Both titles are generating buzz ahead of next month's European Film Market
in Berlin for financing and sales house Intandem Films.

The genesis of both projects predate Woolley's directorial debut, "Stoned,"
about the death of founding Rolling Stones member Brian Jones. He says his
reasons for not pushing to direct either is mainly because he found the
perfect helmers. "When we chose Bob (Weide) for 'Alienate,' we just knew he
would do a great job on it. I wouldn't put myself up to direct something
like that. Comedy is a fine art," he says. Likewise "Father," which Woolley
says Tucker was made to direct.

"But there is no question in my mind. I really enjoyed (directing) and want
to continue," Woolley insists. "I love working with Liz and have done so for
a long time now. We enjoy really good relationships with key partners such
as Intandem, (U.K. broadcaster Channel 4's movie unit) Film4 and the Irish
Film Board and we also have an ongoing relationship with Killer Films in New
York."

So, what's up next for Woolley? Number 9 and Killer are collaborating to
develop the Julian Schnabel project "The Lonely Doll," being adapted by
Caroline Thompson.

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