Ever since Ryan Reynolds burst onto the screen as Marvel Comics’s anti-hero Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, fans have been clamoring to see their favorite “Merc with a Mouth” shine in a solo feature. The wait is over, as Deadpool has now hit the big screen in an adaptation filled with high-octane action sequences and a dark sense of humor.
The film’s Director Tim Miller is well-known for creating stylish animations and visual effects. From cinematic trailers for the Star Wars and Batman video game franchises to the provocative opening sequence in David Fincher’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Miller has demonstrated a deft touch balancing story and visuals. Given his talent and experience, not to mention Deadpool’s box office success, it’s hard to believe that the film is his feature-length directorial debut.
Tell us about how you got started in movie-making.
Miller: I originally wanted to be an animated filmmaker. Live-action filmmaking happened much later in my career. I created Blur Studio so that I could work on computer generated art of all kinds, from animation to effects. I also figured if I had my own studio and the means to actually create films, I would have a better chance of directing them.
What attracted you to the Deadpool project?
Miller: I’m not sure I chose it as much as it chose me. I love both storytelling and art, and comics have always represented a perfect balance between the two. I have an entire wall at Blur Studio covered with my comic book collection so when 21st Century Fox offered me the chance to direct Deadpool I was thrilled.
How does Deadpool compare to other superhero movies?
Miller: Deadpool is very much the anti-hero. People expecting to see a clean-cut guy fighting for justice and the American way are in for a big shock when they see bad guys getting skewered like shish-kabobs. People love Deadpool because he is so different. He’s dark but also really funny. I tried to capture him as faithfully as possible on film.
How did you get introduced to the idea of editing with Adobe Premiere Pro CC?
Miller: When I got the gig for Deadpool, I talked to a lot of people in the industry. I’m not ashamed to admit that I don’t know everything so I went out and I asked questions. One of the people I asked was David Fincher. Coincidentally, he’d just finished using Premiere Pro CC to cut Gone Girl and told me what a good experience he had. The idea that Premiere Pro CC was built from scratch with filmmakers who are very picky and discerning made me think that it was going to be a product that would have some legs.
How did Premiere Pro CC help you as a first-time director?
I was really grateful that my editor, Julian, was literally a day behind me with everything I shot. If I missed something I could go back and get it. More than that, to have the editor right behind me and see at night a cut of what I shot the day before was really a huge confidence builder. When I walked back into the studio at the end of the 50-day shoot we had a cut of the movie already. Part of that was Adobe and part of it was the skill of the editorial staff.
Was there anything about Premiere Pro CC that worked particularly well for Deadpool?
Miller: Even if he’s not your typical superhero, Deadpool still has a ton of action and special effects. One of the biggest things for us when we heard about what the new Premiere Pro could do was its interoperability with After Effects.
What we need in an editing package is really an uninterrupted flow between the idea and the output. You have to be able to do basics really well. You have to be able to put together footage, do cuts only, and do quick dissolves in a really organized and efficient way. And you want it to be solid, you can’t have it crashing all the time. With Adobe, it’s pretty clean and fast to get from, “This is what I want,” to, “There it is.”
What do you think of the film?
Miller: Deadpool is one of my favorite comic book characters, so I did my best to bring him to the screen as faithfully as possible and I’m happy with the result. Fans have been incredibly supportive and I’m glad so many people are enjoying the movie.
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