Kevin Maher is an Emmy-nominated writer-producer whose work has been seen on Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Vh1 and HBO. He’s made over 40 short films, which have been shown everywhere from MoMA to Troma, with screenings outside of Sundance and Cannes. Critics have compared Kevin to Ernie Kovacs and Jonathan Winters, but his highest praise came from Tiger Bear, who called him “funny!” I wanted to chat with him because he's been around the block and is one of the lucky bunch who have gone from independent film making to dependent film making with a paycheck. He also produces themed nights at the Sci-Fi Screening Room on a monthly basis which are geek-tastic for all the right reasons. This week's edition (June 4th) will be Batman Night. They share bootleg footage, rare clips, and even fan films. Check the Kevin's blog for more details on where to go and what more to expect.

He's also a really nice guy that was cool enough to let me bug him about what he does/has done. Check it out.

What got you interested in film?

I can’t pick an exact moment of interest. But I do remember being a kid and going to a soccer game. Just before the game, I was telling my friend about seeing this new movie Christine. Then we had to play soccer, and I thought “I’d much rather talk about that movie.”

How did you try to wet your feet with film making initially?

In college, I was doing sketch comedy. Some ideas seemed better as videos than stage pieces. I knew nothing about filmmaking, so these were very lo-fi projects. That helped, in a way – gave the shorts a raw, “garage band” quality that really reflects the mood of a 19 – 20 year old. I can’t get away with that now. I’m 33 and fat.

Explain what you are doing nowadays.

My main projects are a weekly web-show for American Movie Classics, called THE SCI FI DEPARTMENT. And I recently started producing episodes of a CNN show. I’ve gone from being an independent filmmaker to a co-dependent filmmaker.

What about non-paid work?

The fun stuff? I host the SCI FI SCREENING ROOM at the theater under St. Mark’s each month. We show vintage videos -- and some not-so-rare stuff. Last month Raven Snook and I screened a weird 1980 musical called The Apple. Sure, you could rent it, but it’s much more fun to watch with an audience. We had sing-a-longs and drinking games, trivia, prizes, and someone got a futuristic glam-rock makeover. It’s an evening out.

And you also showed KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM OF THE PARK. How’d that go?

I co-hosted with a comic named Rob Gorden. We’re both used to playing comedy shows, but the audience was INTO the movie on a non-ironic level. They didn’t want to laugh at our Haikus about KISS. But after the movie, people shook my hand and said “Thank you for doing this.” I loved that! As long as people are having a good time, I’m happy.

What do you enjoy most about Science-Fiction?

I love how dated and absurd some old movies are. I went to a midnight showing of Tron and the audience was clearly digging the movie, but we were also laughing at the film’s misunderstanding of how a computer works. I also love it when an early 70’s movie depicts a vision of the future, but it’s all the fashion, hairstyles and architecture of the then-present. And also, filmmakers can say more politically, with fantasy than with drama. (Maybe not so much in Tron.)

Seeing as how Science-Fiction might require struggling filmmakers to stretch their wallet to the limits, what are your thoughts about independent film making in that genre?

Sci Fi is a tough genre because people associate it with Spaceships, Cyborgs, Dinosaurs, Time-Travel and chicks in futuristic binkins.

Now, most indie producers don’t have the resources to create a convincing two-headed alien warlord. So they’ll have to find creative solutions. If your heart is in it, the audience will be rooting for you and they’ll like the fact that you’re using puppets and green-screen and flying saucers on fishing line. But they might hate it, too.

How can television help independent film?

That’s all changing, right? Isn’t TeeVee going to be replaced by some new fiber-optic medium?

Again, that’s why I do the Sci Fi Screening Room. Watching a video on your computer is a cold and empty experience. Or watching comedy at your cubicle. Or watching anything on your phone.

A lot of today’s technology allows you to stay in your home. You don’t have to go outside to get movies, books or food. We become isolated from each other. It’s much more fun to get together and be a part of something bigger than yourself. We shouldn’t be limited to communal viewings of the stuff that comes out each summer. Come to my show this week and enjoy BATMAN clips from the 40’s, 60’s, 70’s and 90’s. And have some cheap beer and Batman cereal.

I didn’t really answer your question. Sorry. Media is a big eco-system, so TV and internet and film are always helping and hurting each other. I think a lot of TV people don’t “get” the internet or why something can work on the web but not on TV.

Maybe the best way TV can help Film is by being so awful that it turns people away from TV and those viewers will look to independent film.

Are there any myths about independent film making that you believe do not exist and need to be clarified?

Uhm…. I guess each individual needs to clarify the REAL goal of a project. Any artistic outing is like asking a sneaky Genie for a wish. A writer might say, “I want to write for TV.” But then you’re writing for the Home Shopping Network. Or you say “I want to write for a cool TV Show.” But then you’re writing for a cool show, but not getting paid. Figure out what’s important to you. Know what your goals are. Also, it’s a myth that if you just get an agent everything will work out.

Finally, just a general question: How would you view the independent film making scene in New York City? From experience, do you feel there are adequate venues/outlets for up-and-coming artists to get their work made and seen?

I’ve met some incredibly talented people who don’t know how to market themselves or their movies. And those people go un-noticed. Then I’ve met some average filmmakers who know how to network and they get some press and attention. New York City is just as susceptible to that B.S. as anyplace else. We’re not so hip.

My best advice (coming from the guy who wrote the direct-to-video Hoodwinked Christmas special which never got made) is to try the NYC scene and circuit. If it doesn’t work, create your own opportunities. Rooftop Films is a great example of that. First Sundays started as people trying to show their own movies. Flicker Film Festival is one of my favorite shows in town – and they do them all over the country. From there, you meet like-minded people and you can enable each other to make more weird stuff. And isn’t that the point?

He's a true artist.

Thanks Kevin! And don't forget to go to ThisKevin.blogspot.com for his blog with all the information you can cram in your brain.