Iratefilms.com had a chance to talk with Greg Mottlola, director of Adventureland. Greg is a veteran director establishing himself firmly within television and now the film community. Just to name a few of the projects Greg was a part of: Arrested Development; Hollywood Ending; (working alongside Woody Allen), The Daytrippers (which he wrote and directed); and the recent box office hit, Superbad. Greg’s projects bring fun, wit and an intelligent sense of humor for audiences to enjoy.

Ck: Did your original script of Adventureland change in anyway before it was shot?

GM: Yes, It was written to take place on Long Island, but there were cost and incentive factors to consider…as you can imagine, Long Island is expensive…also, New York’s film making incentives didn’t match Pennsylvania’s, so it all came down to dollars and cents; however, I’m thankful where we ended up shooting. It made the story’s conflict even greater for my character to overcome … our experience was outstanding with the park we used; the staff was friendly and kind.

Ck: The music really takes you back to the 80s. Great choices. Anything you would like to mention?

GM: Some budgets don’t allow for the music choices the writer(s) had in mind, but Miramax, my supervisor on this film, really pulled strings to obtain all the music that was chosen. There’s a scene in the movie where a particular song was used and it just wouldn’t be the same without it. Many don’t realize this, but obtaining music can be rather difficult because you have to buy an odd amount of songs with the minimum sometimes being three or five, but no more than seven—just plain weird, no rhythm or reason at times it seems. We’re thankful it worked.

Ck: With the success of Superbad, do you see us moving toward more ‘coming-of-age’ films?

GM: Superbad really opened the doors for many new films. We didn’t think Superbad was going to do what it did. That was a pleasant surprise. That’s a difficult question because many films start out three, four years prior to when they’re finally released in theaters, so we’re really seeing what was once started years ago, not anytime soon. Coming-of-age films are fun and do take us back to our younger days and the struggles we dealt with.

Ck: What advice would you give to a writer that will also director his/her own work without making a mess because there’s one less pair of eyes?

GM: Very true. As a writer, you’re sensitive to your work, so it’s natural to overlook things. I often work half the time as a writer and the other as the director. You have to be able to make compromises that will be tough, but you have to make them. You have to go over your work time and time again to catch as many mistakes as you can or the picture will turn out less than hoped for. Last, stay true to yourself and the story you want to tell. You’re going to know your project better than anyone, so start out with that in mind and go from there.

Ck Thank you so much for your time.

GM: Thank you and I hope you enjoy my film.