by John Wildman
AFI FEST Daily News

SPECIAL, co-written and co-directed by Hal Haberman and Jeremy Passmore, breathes new life into the superhero genre.

The film follows an ordinary man (Michael Rapaport) who develops super powers. Or does he? At first a darkly funny look into the mind of a hapless comic book geek, SPECIAL ultimately forces a sober reflection of self-doubt.

SPECIAL screens November 8, 10:00 PM, and November 9, 2:00 PM, at AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi.

1. Who wore the directing pants on the set?

Hal Haberman: We both directed together the whole time. But it was kind of a moot point. We did so much pre-production together, that by the time we got on set, we could basically read each other's minds. Jeremy would have known what I was going to say, even if I wasn't there to say it.

Jeremy Passmore: Someone was wearing pants?

2. SPECIAL did not have a huge budget. Describe an instance where you made a creative choice that wound up being one of your favorites.

Hal: Having no money meant we had no time on set. I think moving so fast gave everyone the freedom to never second-guess themselves. It makes the film feel alive and authentic in a way that money and time might have ruined.

Jeremy: To be honest, most of these decisions were made at the script level before we even went into pre-production. We knew from the get-go that we were not going to have very much money so we designed the basic elements, such as what kinds of powers Les would have, to be as affordable to shoot as possible. That said, the sequence where he walks around Westwood in his costume was completely improvised (due to budgetary/location problems) and the result is much better than what we had originally boarded because it feels more naturalistic and in tune with the rest of the movie.

3. What was the biggest surprise about directing Michael Rapaport?

Hal: He was always one of my favorite actors, so for me, the biggest surprise was that I got to work with him at all. I was also amazed how hard he worked, and how much care and thought he put into everything he did. I could go on forever. The guy is amazing.

Jeremy: For me it would have to be his attitude. Obviously we knew going in that he could knock it out of the park performance-wise, but I never expected him to be so enthusiastic and energetic throughout the whole process. So much so that it was contagious and really helped to motivate the entire crew.

4. What is the best thing about having your film at AFI FEST?

Hal: I like it when audiences go to see our movie.

Jeremy: It's not only our LA premiere, but rumor has it that we'll also be screening on film (as opposed to digital) for the first time.

5. Who or what inspired you to want to make films?

Hal: I started writing when I was 12, because I watched that movie PUMP UP THE VOLUME. Samantha Mathis sneaks into Christian Slater's room and takes off her shirt, because she's a fan of his poetry. If it wasn't for that movie, I might have a real job right now.

Jeremy: For me, it was watching STAR WARS and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (which I saw 12 times in the theater).

6. What should a director do that they never think of until it is almost too late?

Hal: Making movies is pretty all-consuming. I always forget to eat and sleep. Watering the plants too. When I'm working, I can't even remember to keep a ficus alive.

Jeremy: Sleep.

7. If you had a choice would you make movies or fight crime?

Hal: I would make a pretty substandard superhero. At most, I could complain criminals into submission.

Jeremy: Fight crime, obviously.

8. What was the last film that made you cry? Laugh out loud?

Hal: I'm an easy audience. The other night, I rented that movie TAKE THE LEAD, where Antonio Banderas teaches a rag-tag group of inner city kids how to ballroom dance. It had my crying like a baby.

Jeremy: Cry: CHILDREN OF MEN. Laugh out Loud: FIDO.

9. Pharmaceutical of choice?

Hal: I don't even drink coffee.

Jeremy: Klonopin.

10. Popcorn or candy?

Hal: If it's junk food, I'll eat it.

Jeremy: Milk Duds or Raisinets.