Joe Rogan Experience #2053 - Danny & Michael Philippou

Episode Summary

Main Topics

This episode offers a deep dive into the unconventional journey of Australian twin filmmakers, Danny and Michael Philippou, creators of the breakout horror film "Talk to Me." The conversation explores their origins from backyard wrestling and viral YouTube stunts to directing a critically acclaimed feature, highlighting their relentless pursuit of practical filmmaking and maintaining creative control against industry pressures. It also delves into their unique, often extreme, creative processes, personal influences, and future ambitions, including a "Street Fighter" movie and a deathmatch wrestling documentary, revealing the duo's distinct and hyperactive personalities.

Key Discussion Points

• Filmmaking Origins and YouTube Success: The Philippou brothers recount their childhood obsession with filmmaking, starting with homemade "Ugly" TV shows and backyard wrestling. They describe their accidental rise on YouTube with "fake fail" videos, amassing a million subscribers, which ironically created a stigma they had to overcome to be taken seriously as feature filmmakers, as their YouTube content differed significantly from their desired film aesthetic.
• Danny's Medical Drug Trials: Danny reveals his two-year stint as a guinea pig in medical drug trials, undergoing tests on experimental drugs for "150 bucks a day" (Australian) to fund their early creative endeavors. He details alarming side effects, including temporary arm paralysis from a drug called "ABP 787 deuterated dextromethorphan hydrobromide quinide sulfate," and a friend's experience with trial mice going blind, yet humorously expresses a desire to re-enter for writing focus.
• Michael's Stunt Work and Car Hits: Michael discusses his extensive background in stunt work, including being hit by cars "two dozen" times, and a brutal unlisted video of a car hit was even shown during the podcast. He outlines the rigorous Australian stunt accreditation process and their commitment to incorporating practical, high-risk stunts into future projects, specifically mentioning the upcoming "Street Fighter" movie.
• The Inspiration and Creative Process of "Talk to Me": The brothers explain that the concept for "Talk to Me" stemmed from observing teens filming a friend convulsing on drugs, blending with a short film idea about "possession for fun." Danny, collaborating with co-writer Bill Hinman, wrote 80 pages in 10-12 days, intentionally avoiding typical horror tropes like detailed origin stories for the "hand" or clear rules for the possession, preferring to keep the characters, and audience, in over their heads.
• "Talk to Me" Production Challenges and A24 Acquisition: The film faced significant hurdles, including losing a million-dollar budget for casting Sophie Wilde, and an intense 5-week shoot during COVID. Despite their initial self-doubt at the Sundance premiere, fueled by audience distractions and high expectations, the film was acquired by A24 (known for "Ex Machina," "Uncut Gems," "Everything Everywhere All at Once") that very night after receiving high praise from director Ari Aster.

Notable Moments

• Interesting Story/Anecdote: Danny described how one experimental drug trial led to his entire arm going paralyzed, prompting the trial's immediate cancellation. Surprisingly, he still received full payment for the planned two-month duration, which he humorously considered a "best part" of the drug trial experience.
• Surprising Fact/Revelation: The Philippou brothers had to reinvest all their personal fees back into "Talk to Me" to secure actress Sophie Wilde, despite her not being a "name" at the time. This decision, along with cutting their 8-week shoot to a demanding 5 weeks during COVID, showcased their fierce commitment to their artistic vision over financial gain, ultimately paying off with the film's success.
• Memorable Exchange: Joe Rogan repeatedly cautioned Danny against re-entering medical drug trials, humorously calling him a "guinea pig" and urging him, "if Joe Rogan tells you not to do it, don't do it." This contrasted with the brothers' chaotic energy and Michael's suggestion that being locked up in a hospital would be ideal for focused writing, creating a comedic tension between their adventurous spirit and Joe's pragmatic advice.

Key Takeaways

The episode reveals the Philippou brothers' extraordinary journey from DIY backyard stunts to acclaimed feature filmmaking, emphasizing their unique blend of raw creativity and pragmatic resourcefulness. Listeners gain insight into the intense dedication required for independent cinema, from enduring dangerous drug trials and physical stunts to battling industry stigmas and production challenges. Their success with "Talk to Me" underscores the power of a distinct vision and practical effects, ultimately attracting prestigious distributors like A24 by prioritizing authentic storytelling over conventional routes. The conversation showcases their hyperactive personalities, unwavering commitment to creative control, and ambitious plans to tackle diverse genres, always driven by a deeply personal and unconventional approach.