Interview with Nightmares and Dreamscapes Producer Bill Haber
(2006-07-05)A Conversation with Executive Producer of Stephen King's "Nightmares and Dreamscapes" Bill Haber.
Q: What is the concept behind NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES?
A: NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES is a group of widely different and unexpected experiences from the most prolific and clever mind in American writing, Stephen King. There are eight entirely different individual movies. Each has different writers, directors and casts, the only common thread being Stephen King’s genius. Each story must stand alone and be engrossing and engaging by themselves. Each must be as successful, clever and unique as the others.
Q: How did you select the eight stories to adapt, and do you think they are representative of Stephen King’s vast body of work?
A: We selected these short stories from Stephen King’s anthologies, one of which was titled Nightmares & Dreamscapes. We picked eight that we thought we could adapt most successfully. We had to pick the ones that were available because some had already been adapted into motion pictures. The stories we selected are not horror stories. We are creating a group of never-before-seen adventures out of the mind of Stephen King. Some of the stories are more worldly, and some are like Stand by Me, which is straight dramatic Stephen King brilliance. We have been successful in the eight movies in ranging the full scope of Stephen King’s short story work.
Q: How did you select the directors and casts?
A: We found the best actors for each part, which is why we have a great deal of movie stars attached to the project. We also found the best directors available using previous relationships from the producers and TNT.
Q: How do you define drama, and where is the drama in NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES?
A: Drama is the ability to access the inner workings of other people’s lives and experiences. Drama is the decision to delve into the psychology of each viewer’s past. Stephen King, more than any other writer, has always been able to touch us, scare us, move us and make us weep and laugh more than anyone else.
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