Interview: Francis Stokes - God Lives in You…Tube

By: Lee H | in: Movies |

I’m not much of a “YouTuber.” I don’t spend hours of my day looking at wacky videos of sneezing Pandas and skateboarding dogs. So I speak on little to no authority when I say that “God, Inc.” ( a web series built around the question “What if Heaven were an office building?”) is the funniest thing on YouTube. I will tell you this: It’s the funniest thing I’VE seen on YouTube. Why would I say that? Well, in one episode the new girl Sara (who works in the Product Development department) ask the gentleman sitting across from her named Austin what department he works in.

Austin: Miracles.
Sara: You mean like seeing Jesus’ face on a tortilla?
Austin (deadpan): No, that’s the Publicity.

God Inc. - Episode 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2f4heaG288

By the second episode I was officially a fan. Evidently I’m not the only one. Since it’s debuted in December of 2006 it’s gained quite a following. Me, being a fan of all things intelligent and comedic decided to track down Francis Stokes the writer and director of “God, Inc.” and ask him a few questions. What I found out was that in addition to the series he also wrote and directed “Harold Buttleman, Daredevil Stuntman” a comedy starring John Hawkes about a tuxedo salesman who thinks he’s the next Evel Knievel only… well, he isn’t.
He also keeps his eye on environmental issues with his website sludgie.com. With all that to keep up with it’s a wonder he even had time to chat with me but I tracked down Mr. Stokes of the glorious San Fernando Valley and decided to share my findings with the dear Plugg readers. Enjoy.

Francis Stokes

Lee: So, are you originally from California?

Francis: No, I grew up outside of Chicago. I studied film at NYU and moved out here about twelve years ago.

L: What made you first get involved with environmental issues?

F: It seems like I’ve had an awareness about these things since I was a little kid. When I was eight I went to the zoo and there was a collection box for the wombat - “Save the Wombat”. Which, as far as I know, is not even an endangered animal. But anyway, I got all revved up and went around my neighborhood with a shoebox collecting money from my neighbors to save the wombat.

L: Who are some of your creative influences?

F: Filmwise, the Coen brothers are my biggest influence. Also a lot of classic film directors: Howard Hawks, Billy Wilder, Preston Sturges, Bunuel, Hitchcock - I’m obsessed with TCM. It’s on practically all the time in my house. In terms of “God, Inc”, some big influences are Vonnegut and Douglas Adams. I love that kind of really offbeat social satire.

L: Speaking of which, where did the idea for “God, Inc.” come from?

F: My brother-in-law and I came up with it over a few beers when I was home visiting. He said, “This has got to be your next movie!” But I was too worn out from my last movie, and I decided to do it as a web series and throw it up on You Tube instead. Kind of: well, we’ll see if anyone watches this… If only we knew!

God Inc. - Episode 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySqceK4SUi0

L: It seems a lot of people are interested in the actors on “God, Inc.” Will there ever be a “behind the scenes” extra?

F: Perhaps - I’d like to edit something together when I have the time. We were working on such a shoestring budget; we didn’t really have any extra crew members to film behind-the-scenes. In fact, I basically was the only crew member. But there’s some footage from between takes where I let the camera roll, so we’ll see if I can do something with it.

L: Religion is a pretty touchy subject. Where you ever scared that “God, Inc.” would offend more than it would entertain?

F: Believe it or not, it really didn’t occur to me. I felt like our story was so outlandish, so far removed from people’s religious views, and I wanted the show to be neutral when it comes to that (hence, the Publicity Department where each religion is handled by a different salesman). Overall, the reaction from people of faith has been surprisingly positive - I even had a minister ask for the DVD so he could use it as a teaching aid in a spirituality class.

L: How is the TV pitching going?

F: We just sold the show to the Sci-Fi Channel to be developed as a sitcom - the deal closed a few days ago. We’re very excited.

L: So I guess we shouldn’t be expecting any more web episodes of the show which in this case is a good thing. You were supposed to be premiering a web series called “ERF!” What’s the premise of that show going to be?

F: I’m not quite ready to talk about it yet - I want to get a little closer to when it’s actually going to air. I’ve filmed a trailer, which I will upload in a few weeks.

Trailer: Harold Buttleman, Daredevil Stuntman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfjv48IzB_c

L: The new Andy Samberg film Hot Rod is about a stunt man who (rightfully
so) isn’t taken seriously which sounds an awful like you film “Harold Buttleman, Daredevil Stuntman.” Do you think that the success or failure of Hot Rod could help or hinder the success of your film?

F: I have no idea. When I first heard about that movie, I felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me. It’s sort of the artist’s worst nightmare. But I just want people to see my film, so I decided to use my You Tube profile and fast-track releasing it. I’m going to post the whole movie as one clip on You Tube in the coming weeks, and it’s also going to be available on DVD through Amazon Unbox (a great new service for self distribution - I encourage any independent filmmakers to check it out at www.CustomFlix.com).

Visit francisstokes.com to see episodes of “God, Inc.” and to see clips from “Harold Buttleman, Daredevil Stuntman”

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Posted on July 24, 2007