Renowned horror director John Carpenter appeared as a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he discussed his career and upcoming projects. Known for scoring his own films, Carpenter shared insights into his role as a composer. When asked about the job of a composer, Carpenter humorously referred to himself as a “carpet composer,” explaining that he lays down the emotional and atmospheric foundation for a movie after consulting with the director. He emphasized the importance of understanding the director’s vision and providing the necessary elements to enhance the plot and characters.
Carpenter, whose new album titled Anthology 2 was just released, collaborated with his son Cody Carpenter and godson Daniel Davies on the album. The trio revisited some of Carpenter’s iconic scores from movies like Halloween, Escape From New York, Big Trouble in Little China, They Live, and Assault on Precinct 13.
In terms of directing, Carpenter admitted that composing brings him more joy at this point in his career. He jokingly compared the pressures of directing a movie to having “150 people on your back every day,” along with the financial and creative pressures that come with the job. He lightheartedly mentioned being the person “with the film cans at the end of the hallway,” ready to face criticism if the movie doesn’t meet expectations.
Interestingly, Carpenter also shared details about his latest directorial project, Suburban Screams, which is being remotely directed from his living room in Hollywood Hills to a production team in Prague. Carpenter expressed enthusiasm for this remote directing approach, as it allows him to avoid the stress and pressures associated with being on set. When asked if he would have preferred to direct his classic movie The Thing remotely, he replied with a resounding “hell yes.”
The conversation then shifted to the production of The Thing, where Carpenter revealed that they filmed in challenging locations such as the Mend Hall Glacier and Stuart, British Columbia. He mentioned the harsh conditions the team faced, living in isolated spots and enduring freezing temperatures. Colbert playfully referred to the cast and crew as a “sausage fest,” highlighting the male-dominated environment. Carpenter, however, refused to disclose any details about how they managed to have fun in those extreme circumstances, citing questionable activities that he still keeps secret after all these years.
As the interview concluded, Carpenter thanked Colbert and shared his excitement about viewers experiencing his latest project, Suburban Screams, which is now available on Peacock. With Carpenter remotely directing from his living room in Hollywood, audiences can expect a chilling and suspenseful horror series.
John Carpenter‘s exceptional career in both composing and directing has solidified his status as a master of horror. His ability to create atmospheric soundtracks and captivate audiences with his unique storytelling has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment.
