Tina Kakadelis
Move over Art the Clown and Pennywise, there’s a new murdering clown in town by the name of Frendo. After its raucous premiere at SXSW, Clown in a Cornfield makes its way to the big screen, but the journey goes back even further than that. Adam Cesare published the first novel in the Clown in a Cornfield series back in 2015 and now the world of Kettle Springs, Missouri has been brought to life by director Eli Craig, one of the minds behind cult classic Tucker & Dale vs. Evil.
With Clown in a Cornfield now showing in theaters around the country, Adam Cesare and Eli Craig sat down with Film Obsessive News Editor Tina Kakadelis to discuss the leap from page to screen, the communal experience of theatre going, and why you should always listen to your dad when he tries to teach you something. This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
Film Obsessive: Adam, I want to start with you. What was the most exciting part about seeing the book on screen?
Adam Cesare: I mean, what wasn’t exciting! I was able to go to the set for one of the days they were shooting. I was on set for the parade day. I’ve been writing about this town and these characters for almost ten years now, because publishing takes a long time.
Just to see these incredible actors that Eli got for his film and to see them in character walking the streets of Kettle Springs, Missouri, was a really surreal, really cool experience. It’s one thing to see all the movie magic behind the scenes, but then to see it as a film with a score, with the incredible editing, and with a bunch of violence, is awesome. It’s just so cool.
Eli Craig: Yeah, the score really helps. We need the score for the book. It just opens and then the score is playing.
Adam: Like one of those greeting cards you can’t turn off (laughs).
The horror movie experience is such a communal experience, but the book reading experience is solo. Were certain things highlighted in the movie experience that couldn’t be in the book?
Eli: The communal part of it is so much fun. For the people who enjoyed the book, they now get to experience the story with the crowd of people, something they really enjoy. I’ve never adapted a book before, but now I’m like, this is the greatest thing ever because we’re bringing in a crowd of people who are such fans already, and then you get to show them maybe something a little bit new or new enough that it’s exciting, but also, enough based on the book that they’re happy.
I guess that’s the challenge of any adaptation, but I find that the fans of the book are really stoked on the movie. That, to me, is everything.
Adam: Yeah, I mean, I’m stoked for the movie!
Eli: That is everything!
Adam: We’ve been lucky enough to see this with the crowd and with a lot of different crowds. Chicago is not the same as New Orleans is not the same as Austin. It plays differently each time, but it plays really well. If there’s one thing we can take away from this interview, it’s see it in a theater.
I’m Mr. Fuddy Duddy. I go to the 11:30 a.m. show when there’s no one there, but go at night. Go at night and see it with a crowd of people, because it really does play like a rock concert. I can say that without ego. It’s Eli’s film. It’s so freaking good to see with the crowd.
Eli: I saw it last night with Canadians, and it was really a different experience because they’re so polite. They would do a lot of clapping. Instead of laughing, they just clap.
My last question…is the real moral of this movie that more people should learn how to drive a stick shift?
Adam: Absolutely. I just want people to get into driving younger and preferably be driving with their father on go-karts. Also, just listen to your parents a little bit when they’re ready to teach you something, you know? Sit down and listen because you could be chased by killer clowns and that’s your getaway moment. If you didn’t listen to your dad, you know, shame on you (laughs).
