Friend or Foe: humanoid robots with advanced artificial intelligence? What if robots start making their own Sci-Fi films? Will you support them in their endeavors?

Probably not, a lot of films nowadays are created based on algorithms, trying to make the best and most appealing film for the audience. But they do not resonate with me. I believe that true greatness in filmmaking (or other artforms) lies in making something weird, different and that has a personal statement. I don’t believe robots will ever have that.

You’ve gotta go through some bad ideas to get to the good ones. Tell us one of your bad ideas. How do you get past the bad ones to find your spark?

I’m way too self-critical to share my bad ideas. I should become better at pushing through the bad ones.

Do you consider yourself more of an analog or digital person? What kind of balance do strike between the two? Is there a disconnect between the technology you make films about and the technology that you make films with?

I would consider myself more of an analog person but I’m also very grateful for all that digitalization has to offer. Digital can often be limitless; everything is possible at the end of your fingertips and without it I would not be able to realize all my ideas. I always consider both options, as both have their advantages and disadvantages. The charm of analog is its ability to connect with the process on a material level, experience real situations, improvisations, physical limitations and a greater reward when the happy accidents happen. It just has a bit more soul. Ironically most of my work is very digital heavy but I’m always striving for an analog approach within it.

When you’re creating the props and sets that make a new world, where do you look for inspiration? How do you create objects that are relatable but unfamiliar?

I’m mostly inspired by illustrations and images. My method lies in using the various elements that I like and trying to adapt them into a new setting and in that way create something new. It’s a process that kickstarts my creativity and usually results in interesting new creations.

In 1996, Bugs Bunny recruited Michael Jordan and Bill Murray to form the greatest basketball squad of all-time, the Tune Squad; you’re Bugs, who’s on your Sci-Fi Tune Squad?

Nyarlathotep: Can play on any position with his ability to shape-shift into over thousand different forms. Dagon: A gigantic sea creature, to get the rebounds. Shoggoth: Dozens of eyes and invincible against physical attack. A good player in defense. Cthulhu: You always need a player who can play the mind games and drive the opponent to madness. Nikola Jokic: I need at least one human on this team. But I’m not even sure he is human given what he does on the court.