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It’s difficult to describe Tommy Wiseau’s The Room to a novice. To categorize the movie as merely bad is to do it a disservice. It is transcendentally inept, a movie so amateurish it should be required viewing for anyone brave enough to endure. At first you merely think it is funny, like a dumb youtube video, and then the horror sets in. You realize The Room lasts for 99 minutes. Desperation is both inevitable and necessary. While watching it, you’re in awe of how a director could so drastically misunderstand human behavior, and how others could think such a movie would be a good idea. By the end, you’re thankful for the experience, and perhaps a stronger person for how you persevered.

Needless to say, such a cathartic movie has gained a cult following. Since its 2003 release, die hard fans of The Room piled into midnight screenings. There are even communal rituals that make the viewing experience marginally less taxing (the Onion AV Club provides a helpful Viewer’s Guide to The Room). Not a moment too soon, The Room makes its way to E Street, with midnight screenings on November 27 & 28, as well as Dec 4 & 5.

When I was offered a chance to interview writer/director/star Tommy Wiseau, I jumped at the opportunity. He’s on the short list of directors who helmed a true-blue cult classic. Certainly someone capable of writing The Room is a bit idiosyncratic. Wiseau is cagey about his personal life, and scheduling the interview was a bizarre process. He requested a list of questions in advance, and the corresponding e-mails contained his trademark sentence structure.  Due to technical difficulties, I cannot transcribe the phone interview (it was illuminating, to say the least, and certainly made me rethink my conception of Wiseau). I can, however, provide his written responses to my list of questions. With some formatting for clarity’s sake, here is a complete reproduction. I recommend you read Wiseau’s answers aloud.

Alen Ziberman /Interview “The Room” Tommy Wiseau November 11, 09

BYT:  How would you describe The Room to those unfamiliar with your work?

TW: RELATIONSHIPS! You can laugh, you can cry,   you can express yourself but please don’t hurt each other.

BYT: The movie has two midnight screenings in Washington [ed. note: Now there are four]. What do you think is the ideal setting to watch The Room?

TW: On the big screen in theater that’s is the best way to see “The Room” and have a fun with it. You have to see it at least 4 times.

BYT: Have you ever been to Washington, DC? What are your thoughts on the city?

TW: No, I never been in Washington, DC, but some day I will. Because “The Room” connects, I may attend maybe a screening of “The Room” for Q & A. I think everyone should see Washington, DC the same way everyone should  see “The Room.”

BYT: Will you attend the Washington screenings of The Room? If so, what can your fans expect?

TW: The answer above!

BYT: What about San Francisco inspires you?

TW: No, I inspire myself everyday of my existence on this planet earth.

BYT: How does The Room’s plot resemble your personal life, if at all?

TW: No, but we all can relate to “The Room.” We have many Lisas, many Marks, many Dennys, many Johnnys, and many other characters from “The Room” in the world. “The Room” connects people.

BYT: Your movie has quite the cult following. How do you feel about the audience participation aspect of The Room?

TW: I love it!

BYT: Are you aware of the subculture of mockery that surrounds The Room? Can you comment on it further?

TW: I don’t see that way.

BYT: When an artist releases their work to the world, what ownership should they have over it?  Should you have a say over how audiences interpret The Room?

TW: You can laugh, you can cry, you can express yourself, but please don’t hurt each other.

BYT: You have done many interpretations of The Room (book/play/movie). Why did you choose to use different vehicles? Which do you feel most accurately depicts your vision?

TW: As your readers probably know that a book is a book, play is a play, and a movie is a movie. The reason I changed in my thinking is that I always like to make a movie, plus at the time I had a vision how I like to do it. Before starting working on the movie, I did intensive research about people, life,  etc. My plan is still publish my book “The Room” and my plan is do the musical play base on “The Room”  on  Broadway in NYC.

BYT: Do you feel you’ve been trapped in by The Room’s success? Do you feel comfortable being defined by it?

TW: First what is a SUCCESS? “Simplicity is the virtue of success.” –Tommy Wiseau

I think everyone like to have a success in life, so your question in sense is leading to put down, why you do this? You should know negative create negative, what is behind the words? In today society everyone would like to have a success and understanding, etc. My plan was to make a film for people to enjoy it.

BYT: What upcoming projects do you have planned?

TW: Currently I’m working on “The Neighbors” sitcom, and a vampire movie, and other projects. (Broadway show base on “The Room” and to publish “The Room” book)

BYT: What filmmakers inspire you?

TW: No one influence me but I have a great respect for the work of Elizabeth Taylor, Orson Wellles, Tennessee Williams, James Dean, Marlon Brando, and others. They are dealing with human behavior and relationships, as I am, for better tomorrow.

BYT: While growing up, did you ever watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show?

TW: Your question leads to a private matter.

BYT: Did you attend a midnight screenings that featured audience participation?

TW: If you refer to “The Room” the answer is “Yes.”

BYT: What was your opinion of the experience?

TW: I already answer: YOU CAN LAUGH, YOU CAN CRY………………

BYT: What, in your humble opinion, is your lost masterpiece?

TW: No comments!

BYT: What are your thoughts on gun control?

TW: No comments!

BYT: What advice can you give to up-and-coming filmmakers?

TW: First you have to have 20% then 40%, 60%, 80% and finally 100% of your project. I’m calling it “Wiseau’s EXECUTION 101. Anyone can apply this formula for any project or any work, including looking for employment. In my opinion many filmmakers have good ideas but the execution of them it’s very complex and they expect too much. I’m not here to judge anyone but you have to do much research as well as you should be detail oriented person about particular subject, issue or situation.

BYT: Can you tell Denny I said “Hi.”?

TW: SURE I WILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If a lot of people love each other the world would be a better place to live.

You won’t want to miss The Room’s midnight screenings. See you there!

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