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27” TV and I was quite discouraged at how much unintentional movement there is, even within some quick shots. 
    In summary, we did the best we could do with what we had to work with, and how old we were at the time (I was twenty and Dan was fifteen). In a way, it was good that we were inexperienced. It made us just say, “What the heck, let’s try!” Had we been older, we would have been more aware of the difficulties and probably decided “it can’t be done.” I will never regret making it.  
    Lilja: How do you feel about the fact that Lucas Knight is doing a longer version of the movie? In reality, this must mean your chances to do a longer version are pretty small, right?  
    James Cole: I don’t think it will have a long-term effect on my feature version, but who knows? My feature has been on a back burner for a few years now, and I’m not as interested in it as I once was. Of course, I still believe in it, but I am concentrating on selling my original scripts first. I actually wish Lucas the best, because I know he’s spent over three years trying to pull together the funding and equipment. Certainly, part of me is nervous to see a “remake” (even though it isn’t that exactly—just a different interpretation of the same story). Clearly he will have more of a budget and professional equipment, but as to if his final film is “better,” we’ll have to wait and see. I’ll always be proud of mine, most especially the performances I coaxed out of my young actors. Even after all these years, it still gets praise from people both inside and outside the King community.  
    Lilja: Is there anything else by King you are thinking of adapting?  
    James Cole: Not until I sell a script and make a name for myself in the industry, because I would never want to try to do the dollar deal again, knowing there’s no guarantee I could get it distributed or seen. And, of course, I could not adapt any novels without the rights, which is something King has not granted, and probably won’t until I have a bit more “clout” as a writer. 
    But if I had any dream projects, most are short works. I’d love to do a long-short film version of “The Monkey” from Skeleton Crew , or “One for the Road” or “Gray Matter” from Night Shift . As for features, most of King’s books have already been adapted or are in the planning stages. Still, something like Desperation , which Mick Garris wants to direct but has had trouble getting off the ground, is a dream project. King’s own script was so tight and riveting, I’d love to direct it myself. But odds are it will be made by Mick or someone else. Still, I can dream. 
    This may come as a surprise, but I’d really love to be the first director to do a King remake . My choice? Firestarter . It’s one of my favorite books, and not his usual genre (despite the horror elements, it really is a suspense novel with many twists and turns). The 1984 film version was abysmal, and it’s the first time I understood that a book can be adapted faithfully in terms of structure and plot, and yet have none of the King “flavor.” To me, the film felt like a flat television movie, with no tension or suspense whatsoever. I think it deserves a more faithful remake someday.  
    Lilja: Thanks for talking with me. It was (as always) great! 
     
    **** 
     
    Jay Holben 
    Posted: November 22, 2000  
     
    Here is an interview with Jay Holben, the man who turned King’s poem “Paranoid: A Chant” into a movie.  
     
    Lilja: First, let me say I’m grateful you let me do this interview with you. I also want to thank you for letting me see and review your movie Paranoid . 
    Could we start this off with you telling me a little about yourself? Who are you?  
    Jay Holben: That’s kind of a question for the ages, isn’t it? Who am I? Why am I here? 
    I was born in Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, when I was five. Just after the big move, my parents took me out to