If you want to make a feature film you will need a producer. The search begins and if you’re script is exceptional you might find a producer to consider it. That is step 1 of 100. From there, the producer will have to believe in the script enough to convince financers/studios that this story deserves to be told and can sell tickets. In the movie industry, a good producer can move mountains, they can generate the buzz and they can deliver something amazing to the world. If you have considered venturing into producing then you will want to hear what Corey Large has to say about his own career as a very successful producer, director and actor.
Corey Large is from Victoria, BC and he’s taken the film industry by storm. His tenacity is off the charts along with his passion for making films. With over 50 producer credits, 30 acting credits, and 8 writing credits to his name, Corey successfully covers all aspects of the film business. He’s financed a number of feature films with A-list directors, A-list actors, and producers. He has raised millions of dollars for blockbusters that have screened at prestigious film festivals and theatres worldwide.
His latest film, In Like Flynn is based on Errol Flynn’s original autobiography ‘Beam Ends’, which was inspired by the writers’ travels through Australia. Errol Flynn’s grandson Luke Flynn is also a producer and writer on the feature film. Before Errol Flynn became one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood, he was braving cannibals and crocodiles while searching the jungles of Papua New Guinea for gold with his ragtag crew. He was an adventurer, opium smuggler, gambler, street fighter, womanizer, and gold prospector. In Like Flynn is a mythical and satirical coming-of-age story about four men on a journey to find hope, adventure and fortune.
Corey is currently in Vancouver producing and acting in the film Broil. The thriller/horror follows a troubled chef who must outwit a monstrous family to save his barista from a fate worse than death. Corey also had a role in the Oscar-nominated Lone Survivor starring Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch and Eric Bana. He was very generous with his time in giving us the goods on producing, acting and directing in today’s movie market.
“You’ve been acting and directing for many years. What was the desire that led you to producing?”
“When I was in my early 20’s I did some acting in commercials. I liked the idea of coming up with my own ideas rather than doing someone else’s. It’s really as simple as that. I enjoy the entire vision of a project and being involved in the entire process.”
“What is it about a story that makes you want to produce it?”
“There’s really a wide gamut of reasons. The first 5 or 6 movies I did, I wrote and sold to Weinstein, Mel Gibson Company, Sony, Icon. That was in my 20’s and from there, if I read a script that I think will make a great movie, I’ll find the money to make it. When I read Kid Cannabis I wanted to make it in Victoria, BC where I’m from. I’m always happy to bring stuff up there. I love being up there especially when my Canucks are in the playoffs.”
“How difficult was it to adapt the Errol Flynn book into a screenplay?”
“It was difficult but the first movie I ever wrote and did up there (Vancouver) I was around 25/26 and met Errol Flynn’s grandson and he was in the movie with me. We became good friends and he told how he had his grandfathers’ book. We wrote the script six months later along with multiple rewrites. Getting the money to make it became harder than writing it. By the time everything fell into place it was 14 years later. The movie was based on a book that Errol wrote entitled, Beam Ends which was about a six month journey that Errol undertook.”
“How long did pre-production take before you were able to start shooting?”
“We were in Australia for 6 weeks before we started and then we shot for 8 weeks. Before all that though, we were in LA for another 8 weeks, so probably about 14 weeks of pre-production in total before shooting.”
“In comparison to some of the other films you’ve made, how much of an undertaking was it getting this film made?”
“It was a lot more because we had to travel all the way to Australia, there was a bigger budget. Although it was a huge undertaking it was also a lot of fun.”
“Were you also in control of casting the film?”
“Yes I was. We had to use an all-Australian cast to qualify for the tax credits.”
“You play the role of Rex in the film. What is the connection between him and Errol?”
“He was a friend of his that he met in Australia that he’d go on adventures with before he became a big movie star.”
“Do you already have distribution for the film?”
“We do, the company is called Blue Fox Entertainment. It’s going to be in theatres on January 25th and probably in Vancouver a couple weeks later.”
“What type of budget did you have to work with on this film?”
“It was about 14 million US.”
“Is this the biggest budget film you’ve produced?”
“In terms of writing and producing on my own it is but I’ve been involved in quite a few bigger budget films where other parties are involved. Most of the films I make are with me alone, so this is definitely the biggest one so far.”
“Was there immediate interest once you started approaching financers for the film?”
“Not really. Initially there was but that was in the mid 2000’s. People had a lot more money but when I was getting closer to starting production things had changed in America and it became very difficult. Slowly it kept plotting along and eventually it all worked out.”
“What is the most difficult part about getting a film like this off the ground and giving it legs?”
“It’s always getting people on the same page with the same vision and a great team. I suppose the boring answer is ‘finding the money’.”
“How did you go about getting veteran director Russell Mulcahy (Highlander I and II, Resident Evil, Extinction) on board?”
“I was looking at Australians and he happened to be one of the people I came across. He’s done some cool movies. Like any movie you make, you contact the agent and go through the process of submitting offers and going to meetings.”
“What time of the year did you shoot the film?”
“We shot in April and May of 2017 on the Gold Coast.”
“How has the audience response been to the movie?”
“The funny thing is, in Australia you have some people that get it and others don’t. Nowadays people expect super dramatic or serious. This has everything and it was done like that on purpose. The people that get that, the reviews have been phenomenal and through the roof. The critics and others have been raving about it and then the ones who don’t have basically been saying, ‘why haven’t you made a movie about the rest of his life?’ The audience reviews have been 95% positive, so people that watch it have loved it. Even the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes have been positive. All around it’s been much more positive than negative.”
“How long do you anticipate its theatrical run?”
“I really don’t know because nowadays its not so much about the theatrical, its about getting it out to iTunes and streaming. If it starts doing really well they’ll leave it longer but if its just doing okay, usually it’ll be streaming three months later on iTunes and Netflix, which is where the majority of people watch it. I would imagine a minimum of three weeks.”
“Did you have to practice an Australian accent for the role of Rex?”
“No I did not. In the book he’s an American. I actually changed his character to Canadian.”
“Are you currently working on any films in the US?”
“Not currently but I am working toward making a Bruce Willis movie that I’m trying to bring to Vancouver in May.”
“Are you able to mention the name of the film you’ll be making with Bruce Willis?”
“Right now the titles called ‘Cabinet of Fear’. It’s a thriller/horror.”
“In terms of moving forward in filmmaking, what continues to excite you?”
“It’s fun to make movies. I’ll keep making more movies and keep looking for great stuff. Shooting in different locations becomes a fun experience. I did a film in New York City and now Australia. You feel like you get to live in these places and then you get to leave. You get the positive vibe of experiencing the locations. I’d like to keep doing that as well as continue to create my own projects.”
“As a producer, do you continuously get bombarded by people that want you to read their scripts?”
“Yes (laughter).”
“Do you have anyone that fields those scripts to separate the good from the bad?”
“Yeah, sometimes my wife reads them (laughter). The film I’m making now (Broil) isn’t really my type of movie. I’m not really into vampires and the horror/thriller type stuff but she said it was quite good and we knew the director. He’s good and it’s been a fun experience and I think it will turn out quite well. Sometimes you have to widen your range.”
“Is Broil also based on a book and when did you start shooting it?”
“I’m not sure if it’s an original script or based on a book. This is our last week of shooting. It’s been 3 weeks; a little short cause it’s a low budget but it’s been great. Probably one of the best groups of people we’ve ever worked with. It makes me excited to come back to Vancouver to do more. I did one called The Ninth Passenger there about a year and a half ago backed by Lionsgate that I wrote, directed and acted in. We’ve done a few up there but this crew has been the best by far and its kind of ironic because it’s the lowest budget I’ve ever done a movie for. I’ve been involved in over 65 movies and this is the best group of people I’ve ever worked with.”
“What kind of advice would you offer to other young producers in the early stages of their own career?”
“It’s tough giving advice on it because I’d say I’m very unique in the sense that I know what works for me but I don’t know if it would work for others. Just stick with it if you really believe in what you have. Keep moving forward and stay realistic with the market. With dramas, it is so much harder to sell overseas, if not impossible. People get confused when they see dramas winning Oscars but they also have huge stars behind them. What works for me is ‘never giving up’.”
“Would you say it’s more difficult to get something produced in Canada or the US?”
“I’m not sure which would be tougher. I think wherever you have your people makes it easier. I’d probably have to say LA because of the size but places like Vancouver also have really great people. Because of the sheer numbers though, I’d have to say the US.”
“Is there a movie that stands out in your mind that you’re most proud of producing?”
“Definitely In Like Flynn because of the will and time that it took. Also the films I made in my early 20’s because I was so young and so many people said I couldn’t do it. I’m pretty happy with them all but Flynn is definitely the one I’m most proud of though because of the size and the scope as well as the experience.”
Speaking with Corey Large was an eye opener for me. He is humble, he is energetic and most of all, inspiring. As successful as he’s become, he’s never forgotten his roots and continues to give back to his community. An amazing ambassador for what this industry stands for.
Thank you Corey Large!