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Tom Savini Interview Excerpt | The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs

Tom Savini recounts the wild tales of low-budget filmmaking, from blowing up heads to guerrilla tactics in New York, revealing the creativity and audacity behind iconic horror movie scenes.

Editors Note:ย  Readers are advised that the opinions of guest writers on this website may occasionally diverge from the infallible wisdom of Joe Bob Briggs, and in such cases, Joe Bob cannot be held responsible for any resulting confusion, enlightenment, quantum entanglement, or existential crises.ย  Enjoy.

In a riveting clip from “The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs,” legendary special effects maestro Tom Savini shares a wild tale from his storied career, packed with enough intrigue to make any horror fan’s heart race. With his knack for painting vivid pictures with words, Savini recounts an eyebrow-raising story about blowing his own head off on camera, the use of a car filled with shrimp dip (yes, you read that right), and the ingenuity required to work around stringent New York laws.

Savini, known for his groundbreaking work in the realm of horror special effects, dives into the nitty-gritty of creating unforgettable cinematic moments under the constraints of low-budget filmmaking. His recounting of using an off-duty cop’s car for a shot, only to have it abandoned in the river, is both hilarious and indicative of the guerrilla filmmaking tactics that defined the era.

The discussion takes a turn towards the spontaneous creation of the “Disco Boy” character and the improvisational spirit that brought some of the most iconic scenes in horror to life. Savini’s narrative is a testament to the creativity, resourcefulness, and sometimes sheer audacity required to make movie magic happen.

To cap it off, Joe Bob and Savini touch on the broader aspects of Savini’s career, from his stints as a stunt coordinator and actor to his direct contributions to the Creepshow series on Shudder. The interview not only highlights Savini’s technical prowess but also his charismatic presence both in front of and behind the camera.

For fans of “The Last Drive-In” and horror aficionados alike, this interview serves as a fascinating glimpse into the world of one of the genre’s most influential figures. Savini’s stories, peppered with that unmistakable Texas wisdom courtesy of Joe Bob, are a reminder of the passion, creativity, and sense of adventure that fuels the horror community.

So, if y’all got a hankerin’ for some behind-the-scenes tales from the trenches of horror filmmaking, this clip’s a must-watch. Just goes to show, whether it’s dealing with decapitated heads or navigating the wilds of New York’s filmmaking laws, there’s never a dull moment in the life of a horror legend.

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