Sundance Interview with the writer/director of TUB

The synopsis alone tells you this will be a short like none other.


Writer/Director Bobby Miller is a 2009 graduate of Columbia University’s MFA Film program. His previous work includes directing a stop motion commercial for VH1, writing for The Onion, and creating the Webby-Award winning variety show The Best Short Films In The World for Next New Networks. His feature film scripts have placed at Slamdance, Scriptapalooza, and the BlueCat Screenplay competition. He’s currently writing his 4th feature length screenplay and writing, directing, hosting, and editing The Reel Good Show for Next New Networks. (TheBobbyMiller.com)  TUB was made by Streetwise Pictures Entertainment and produced by Kim Jackson & Richard LeMay.


10 Frequently Asked Questions about “TUB” with answers by Writer/Director Bobby Miller


1.) When was “TUB” conceived?
TUB was originally written back in 2006. I had never worked with a decent budget before and I knew that TUB had to have a certain level of special effects for it to work. So, I applied for many filmmaking grants, but could never get funding. It was depressing. TUB would become my passion project. No matter what I did at film school, my friends would always ask, “When are you going to make TUB?” But, because I never felt like I had the right people involved or the funding in place, it just never happened. In 2009, after working with Eric Levy and Matt Sanchez on a side project, I decided to up and fund the thing myself. Besides: What’s another student loan anyways?


2.) Where the hell did you come up with the idea for “TUB”?
It’s all based on a true story.


3.) What were you trying to accomplish with “TUB”?
I’ve been making short comedy films forever and was dabbling with more dramatic stuff at Columbia University’s graduate film program. I also love traditional special effects and dreamed of making something with a more complex puppet. Instead of, y’know, a sock. TUB was the ambitious fusing of all of my interests into one project. It’s funny in parts, but sometimes dark, dramatic, disturbing or just plain weird. More than anything, I was interested in creating a unique tone with this film and walking the tight rope line between comedy, drama, and goopy special effects. It was easily one of the most satisfying creative experiences of my life.


4.) Where/when was it shot?
TUB was shot in April of 2009. The shoot consisted of two days in a studio and two days on location. The bathroom in the film was not a real bathroom, but rather a bathroom set. All shooting was done in New York City. The apartment location was in Brooklyn. It’s my friend Shivonna’s place. She’s really cool. You should meet her sometime.


5.) How was the baby in the film created?
The baby in the film consists of two versions: A full body silicon puppet and a larger scale stand-alone head. The larger stand-alone head was equipped with animatronic eye-lids, so the baby could blink and appear more lifelike in it’s closeup shots. The baby was designed by Cheryl Gross and sculpted by Monster in My Closet FX, headed by Jeremy Selenfriend. I feel like I interviewed every FX house in NYC for the job of creating the baby and Jeremy and his crew do amazing work.


6.) What was it shot on?
A Sony EX-1 with a Letus35Extreme 35mm lens adapter.


7.) What are your filmmaking influences?
I find I’m attracted to filmmakers with a skewed or absurd look at the world. Terry Gilliam, Spike Jonze, Fellini, PT Anderson, David Cronenberg, David Lynch, Woody Allen…am I boring you yet? I also think Ren and Stimpy screwed with my brain at a young age.


8.) Tub is world-premiering at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, when does it screen? It screens in SHORTS PROGRAM V.
Friday, January 22, 11:30 a.m. Prospector Square Theatre, Park City
Saturday, January 23, 5:30 p.m. Library Center Theatre, Park City
Sunday, January 24, 3:45 p.m. Broadway Centre Cinemas V, SLC
Wednesday, January 27, 9:00 a.m. Holiday Village Cinema IV, Park City
Saturday, January 30, 6:00 p.m. Egyptian Theatre, Park City


9.) Where can I find out about all things “TUB”?
That’s funny you should ask that, imaginary question-asker. You can visit: TubMovie.com. Once there, you can download the trailer, poster, photos, and follow us on twitter and facebook! I mean…that’s gotta be exciting, right? ...maybe?


10.) What is next after “TUB”?
I’ve been making short films since the 5th grade and showcasing my work online since web video was possible. (I remember feeling frustrated when my little one minute .mpeg video file took forever to download on a modem.)
For the last two years, I’ve become a one-man-band of sorts: Writing, directing, hosting, and editing a show every week for Next New Networks. All the while, I’ve been slowly building an online audience. (That same audience helped me defeat Late Night with Jimmy Fallon for “Best Variety Show” at the 2009 Webby Awards. More at: DontLetJimmyWin.com)


Amongst all of that, I completed graduate film school at Columbia University, where I wrote 3 feature length screenplays and got the idea for my 4th. I also directed a commercial for VH1. And while all of it has been exciting, there’s one thing that has been lingering over me for a long time…I guess this is a long winded way of saying I’m dying to make a feature film already.


Check out the trailer:

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