'Resident Evil: Afterlife' Set Visit: Producer Don Carmody

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'Resident Evil: Afterlife' Set Visit: Producer Don Carmody

Wed., May. 5, 2010 2:05 PM PDT , by Alyse Wax

Producer Don Carmody is no stranger to feature adaptations of video games, with Silent Hill under his belt, a sequel on the way, and credits on all the Resident Evil films. Yes, Carmody is back for Resident Evil: Afterlife, the fourth in the popular zombie-action franchise. On the last day of shooting up in a blustery Toronto, Carmody gave us the lowdown on the decision to go 3D, the influence on the video game, and a tasty tease of the Silent Hill sequel. Read our full interview with Carmody after the jump.

Do you worry that you will have outstayed your welcome with another Resident Evil film?

The fact that it's the fourth in a series, when a lot of series tend to run out of steam, is always a risk, but we think that a terrific script and the added element of 3D will really please the fans. Paul loves the 3D - he wants to do his next movie in 3D. I think it is one of the best scripts in the series so far.

How did the Canadian dollar perform for you?

It has not been helpful; however, there is a new Ontario tax credit that has definitely helped. We did part of the first film here, and all of the second here. The only reason we didn't shoot the third film here is because the story took us to the desert outside Las Vegas. Try as I might, I couldn't find desert up here. We love shooting up here.

Why did you guys go 3D for this one?

Paul was intrigued by 3D. I actually made a 3D movie, Space Hunter, back in 1983 -- the last time 3D was hot. I must admit, I am astonished at how much better the technology is now. We had two huge Panaflex Goldens shooting side-by-side into mirrors, and the way they projected it was over-under, kind of a Technascope thing. So the image quality was nowhere near where we are. We are using Sony F35s that have incredible definition; and it is projecting in HD digital. It's amazing quality. Plus filmmakers have learned not to poke the audience in the eye. You can sit back and enjoy. That's not to say we don't have some things coming at us, but it's not constant. It just enhances the experience -- it really puts you into the action. When Alice is running down a corridor firing machine guns, the shells are whizzing past your ears. It's quite amazing.

Is the film series still being influenced by the video games, or has it gone off in its own direction?

We have always been cognizant of that -- we can't make the movies just for gamers. Of course, we always run the risk of incurring the wrath of the gamers -- who are very vocal. I did Silent Hill and we are planning a Silent Hill 2 -- we were getting hate mail for that one. I think with Resident Evil, after the first installment, fans realized the story was moving forward in a cinematic way. When you play the game, you are using your imagination -- you kind of sense what things will look like. The games have progressed, and are more cinematic now. In fact, the games are taking a bit from us as well. They are using our sets and characters, we are using some of their storylines... things like that. We're probably a little closer to the game now than we were with the first film.

Can you give us anything on Silent Hill 2?

Just that we are hoping to start it in late spring in Toronto.

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