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Today we interview the director, writer and actor Ethan Dettenmaier who is just about to bring us a film
that everyone is dying to see called Sin-Jin Smyth.
Hi Ethan thanks for taking the time to do a interview with us, First question is, can you tell us a little
bit about yourself?
Ahhhh- There isn't anything about me that would impress anybody! I took the only job I could get inside the
industry as a studio messenger...and from there I made it my business to get established. I wrote a script
(KNIGHT FEVER, a super 70's cop story about a special police force made out of SWAT, Vice, the Bomb Squad
who have to stop a platoon of renegade GI's smuggling opium into the States in the bodies of dead GI's from
Vietnam) I took this script to a story editor who I delivered mail to...and asked her if she would take a look at it
because, I'm dyslexic, and didn't want to embarrass myself, which is something I always manage to do
(laughs). So she read the script and that afternoon said 'I've got someone you should meet' it turned out to be
an agent at ICM and that got me on the move. The script went out across town and served as a work sample
which got me other work as a script doctor...(In addition to optioning his own work, Ethan has written scripts
for Steven Seagal and the Producers of The Blade films)
Your new film Sin-Jin Smyth, what is it roughly about?
SIN-JIN SMYTH www.sin-jinsmyth.com Is set against the apocalypse. It follows two federal marshals, one a
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Staff Seargent back from a tour of duty in the Middle East (Who is also a suspected war criminal) and another who is an instructor at the Federal
School of Interrogation as they carry out the midnight prisoner transfer, over Halloween weekend, of a man who turns out to be the Devil! (And
there are rumors of SIN-JIN SMYTH 2 in the works, set during a nuclear winter with The United States in a moder-day civil war!)
Damn man that sounds like a awesome film, but what genre does Sin-Jin Smyth fall into?
It doesn't fit into an specific box. It is a horror script with a heavy military/action element in it. Along with conspiracy, politics, religion and....some
philosophy. Human nature in a cage basically! I just watched a new version of the rough cut yesterday with some of the cast and someone remarked
that it (the beginning of SIN-JIN SMYTH) has the look of a 'dark' sci-fi film.... they referenced Escape From New York (Charles Cyphers stars in both
Escape From New York and SIN-JIN SMYTH!) But the audience can put it in whatever category they see fit!
When did you get the idea to make a movie like this?
About two years ago. I had earned some respect with a horror script titled TATTERDAMAILAN which sold after I worked through the first draft and that
was incredibly fortunate. That opened the door for a series of studio/production meetings about what was to come next but when I told them, (The
studio) SIN-JIN SMYTH they said: 'No way...great script But we're not touching' that movie.!!!' (One executive even quoted publicy to say it was one of
the best scripts he had ever read but didn't want to stake his job on the gamble of wether or not audiences would accept some of the films more 'sinister'
story points.) They didn't like the political message. They said it was too violent, and that they didn't want to make a film where the cast was all bad
guys... they wanted some good guys thrown in there...They made casting suggestions and story suggestions, like 'work in a love story' and 'throw in an
exorcism'...and based on the film's perspective on the Devil, an exorcism which has already been done several hundred times wouldn't fit. And I wasn't
interested in following a common blueprint! A love story wouldn't work either, neither would good guys for that matter...So we had to strike out on our
own and make this film with some Independence...where we could base a story on the edge of the apocalypse, install a high powered action element and
work in the proper political tone without having to fit with the generic marketing framework of a major studio...
Now to fire up an independent production, you need to start with a business plan that tells members of the private sector how they will get their money
back...that means you need to assemble a budget, schedule, story boards for those members of the financial community who may lack imagination and
you need to source out all the deals, distribution, Lit (Literature) Merchandising everything and install it into a business plan that an independent investor
finds favorable...Then you need to run down and hire a cast, with the Union and work out the scheduling and hiring. From there, you need to find the
best technically proficient people possible to build your crew out of...Find, secure and insure all your locations and mobilize with a quality art department
that can build your sets...and then strike them (the sets) when you move to the next location...all departments, art, FX, make-up, costume, camera, the
directors unit, everything needs an effective operational plan to follow in conjunction with the script in order to shoot something effective...It can get
pretty adventurous!
How long did it take to write the script for it?
About three weeks...
Where did you come up with the name Sin-Jin Smyth?
The FBI uses the term 'Smith' for an unidentified prisoner... So I just gave him a first name with some edge based on some old English texts I read.
A lot of the cast are very well known Hollywood celebrities, such as a musician (Jonathan Davis), a adult entertainer (Jenna Jameson) & sports
entertainers from the WWE (Roddy Piper, Jacqueline Moore). Did you choose this cast to get more attention for your film?
No, we built our cast out of who was right for the part. We needed tough/smart personalities who could work within the framework of the script, putting
the story first, before self-absorbed script suggestions that made them/their character look good for an audience. We needed a special psychology for this
environment...the film takes place moments after a tornado warning so we had storm conditions for these people to work in... and the entire film takes
place at night so it was all night shoots...making it even more fun. Then there was a serious stunt and action element that can make things hazardous...
so here we needed a cast that specialized in mental toughness and could stand up to working in those elements...
What made you think Jonathan Davis was the man for the job to play Sin-Jin Smyth, since this will be his first ever main role in a film?
I wanted someone with a rock star presence. He made the list and upon a lunch meeting, all rock starts are subject to a meeting to make sure they
won't trash the place once production starts and he was level headed, smart, he had been through alot which gave him some character...he had good
listening skills, which is something every director looks for and...he came to the meeting with his representative from THE FIRM who saw the potential in
the project and wanted to get this movie made...and in this day and age to have a talent rep (representative) push a film forward, not because the dollars
attached but, based on what he/she perceives the film can do for his/hers client over the course of their career is a beautiful thing...
Will any other members of Korn appear in Sin-Jin Smyth, even if it’s only for a few seconds?
Ahhh (Smiles) no comment at this point.
(Laughs) i am going to take that as a yes, it would be awesome to see them all on big screen in the same movie, even if it means Jonathan
has to slaughter them all. Next question is, usually on set we hear from time to time that weird and strange things happen while shooting a
film that’s about the Devil. Did anything happen when you were shooting this film?
Yes. We were shooting on the set of the 'haunted' cemetery gates and BAM! There was an explosion of smoke and suddenly Satan stepped out of it...He
asked 'Who's in charge here?' SO the crew pointed to me, I tried to hide, but one of the make-up girls ratted me out and said: 'He's over here Satan!' So I
stepped out from behind the equipment and he, The Devil, walked over with a contract in hand and told me 'If you want this movie to succeed, you have
to sign this contract!' So I said 'Hold up Beelzebub! I can't sign that until my agent looks it over and that won't be until the start of business tomorrow'
so you'll just have to wait.' Then he got frustrated, mumbled something to himself and stormed out of the place...Real weird! But other than that, no,
nothing really happened that would be classified as out of the ordinary.
I was going to say what the hell were you guys token on that day. Was there any other films that inspired you to make Sin-Jin Smyth, if so
what are they?
I'm inspired by alot of things Archer, great films, like to work of Ford, Curtz, great literature like Robert Louis Stevenson, Washington Irving or the work of
Rod Serling. Art, good politics which you almost never see any more Music...It all gets worked through.
Have you have any filming problems or set backs in shooting this film?
Just about everything you can imagine happened! But the professionals on the crew pulled us through it and if we're fortunate enough to have a
successful film, credit is do much more to them, the cast and crew than to me.
It’s good to see Sin-Jin Smyth is a fresh new film and not another fucking remake, so what are your own thoughts on the way cinema is
nowadays?
I think it's pretty boring for the most part. When I was a kid in the 1970's going to the movies was an event. It could be Apocalypse Now one week, Alien
the next, Young Frankenstein the week after that...now I don't go the theatre at all... I don't like alot of the films and I think most NOT ALL But most of
the talent lacks charisma, so it's tough for me to stay interested. I did however see a good film out of Germany last year though that was nominated for
an Academy Award DOWNFALL. Have you seen it? I was impressed by it.
Will there be a sequel to Sin-Jin Smyth?
There is a lot of pressure to do a sequel and we have an outline for it that takes place during a nuclear winter with United States in a modern-day Civil
War but right now it's about 'this' film...and getting this right for the people who are interested in seeing it.
Can you give us a little inside scoop about Sin-Jin Smyth and what type of character he will be?
An inside scoop would definitely blow the experience of seeing it...But I will tell you that he is NOT what you expect.
I had a feeling you were going to say that, oh well i had to ask. Are they're any other actors you wish you could’ve cast in your film?
No, on this film, the casting process worked well...
Can you tell us one of the locations that the film was shot on?
A location. Well the prison we used was the same set for the original Assault on Precinct 13.
In your film you have sports entertainers, Roddy Piper & the sexy WWE Diva Jacqueline Moore, are you a big fan of the WWE?
Not exactly but, I am a big fan of genuine people and that is one thing our cast had in common...they were all real good people to share a set with...They
were determined, patient and inventive. It was always about making the best movie possible, not the paycheck...
Who is you favourite all time wrestler?
I'll have to take the fifth amendment on that...(A good part of the cast of this film and Ethan's next are wrestlers)
Will Sin-Jin Smyth have a bit of slapstick-like humor throughout the movie, kinda like what we have seen in 2001 Maniacs and Slither?
No. There is humor but not slapstick humor because the situation in the film is built out of what is perceived to be a real set of circumstances so when
we worked through the script we decided that the humor should come from an every day response that an audience can identify with versus a slapstick
'time for everyone to laugh' effort...
Can you compare Sin-Jin Smyth to any other films, or will it be one of a kind?
I'm not comfortable with that...It's the best possible film I could make at the time and if we're fortunate enough to build an audience, they make any
comparisons they see it.
Make-up and Monsters did an awesome job creating Jeepers Creepers. What type of make-up effects will we see in your film, will they be
as good or even better?
They did some impressive work on this film, unfortunately we can't talk about any of it (Laughs) it's all confidential...But as far as 'good or better' is
concerned I would say it is very different and inventive...They are a first-class organization.
Did you get anyone else to help out with the effects in Sin-Jin Smyth?
Yes. Ruth Haney (Poseidon) Did some impressive blood and scar work...
Have you screened Sin-Jin Smyth in front of an audience yet, if so, what were their reactions and comments about the film?
Yes. We screened it at Warner Bros.(there are rumors of a standing ovation as reported by moviesonline which already posted a vary favorable review of
the film's rough cut see Click Here)The crowd got pretty loud but that doesn't mean anything until we get it in front of a 'real' audience...that's who I
respect. That's who I work for, the people who buy a ticket!
What rating did you guys shoot for, and please don't say it’s going to be a PG-13?
SIN-JIN SMYTH is a hard R.
Will it be uncut, or were you forced to edit some scenes out of the film, if so, will we see an unrated version sometime down the track when
it’s released on DVD?
I have been asked to remove some scenes but we refused to do it.
Can you tell us a joke?
Q: What do you call 100 bad film execs at the bottom of the ocean?
A: A good start!
Is they're any other side projects your about to work on?
Yes. KNIGHTFEVER, a 1970's cop piece with a back story in Vietnam where renegade GI's smuggle opium in the bodies/body bags of dead GI's back to the
United States and the special police force, made out of Vice, SWAT, The Bomb Squad who have to stop it. There is also a film about the French Foreign
Legion I'm suppose to execute early next year along with a film about the German Afrika Korps in their last days of World War Two... Also more horror
about a grave robbing racket working on the edge of the New Orleans Bayou. And then some other works were getting set to launch, including a film
about CIA Ad-visors in the Middle East, and a film about Samurai ghosts who terrorize the countryside during a Japanese Civil War! (Ethan's Warner Bros.
based production outfit SNAPKICK PROD. INC is also set to expand into publishing)
As a filmmaker, are there any other filmmakers you admire and look up to?
Several and if they're dead, I look up to their work. But I respect the work of John Ford. M Curtiz, James Whale, Roy William Neill, Wells, Kurosawa, of
course...Also Walt Disney for his continued work towards innovation. Peckenpah, Scott, Coppola, Pollack, Walter Hill, early Carpenter...I also respect the
written work of Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, and Kidnapped) and Washington Irving (Sleepy Hollow), Rod Serling among others...
What films of theirs did you enjoy the most?
Kurosawa's SANJURO is still one of the best films ever made. THE WILD BUNCH by Peckenpah. THE SEARCHERS by FORD. THE SCARLET CLAW by Neill.
THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR by Pollack. THE THING by Carpenter. ALIEN by Scott. TOUCH OF EVIL by Wells, CAPTAIN BLOOD, CASABLANCA by Curtiz.
SOUTHERN COMFORT by Hill, Apocalypse Now and The Godfather by Coppola...Frankenstein by Whale
What type of beer do you like to drink, when you want to relax after a days shooting?
Tecate. SAPORO...anything really!
Have you ever tasted the beer over here in Australia?
Only what's available over here in the USA. We have Fosters...does that count?
Yeah Fosters is Australian beer but i personally class that as gin's piss mate, you need to get a few VB's in ya. Don't worry man when you
cruise over to Australia we will sink a few beers. But is there anything you would like to say about your film to those who are reading this
interview before you cruise off?
I wish I could put the effort, the last year of working around the clock in an attempt to impress an audience into words, I just hope the job we did is
respected because we did do our absolute best with what was available on behalf of those who buy the ticket... We, The producers and I, refused to take
any pay for ourselves feeling that it would help to limit our resources and, in-turn, limit what we wanted to give to the audience. So I would like to say
thank you to those who have shown some interest, because it means more than you know to simple blue collar man like myself. Thank you DVD
Resurrections, for taking the time to talk to me!
Anytime man this has been a blast man. We at DVD Resurrections, wish you all the best with Sin-Jin Smyth, and we're really looking forward to
watching it as soon as it hits the Theaters and of course DVD. To know more about Ethan's new film Sin-Jin Smyth just cruise over to the official
website www.sin-jinsmyth.com and check out the awesome teaser trailer and pic's.
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