Chris S., Vancouver, BC
Q. People, including yourself, describe Ghostbusters as a New York movie. Do you think it could have worked anywhere else, say Boston or San Francisco?
A. It might have worked but we gained a lot of "local color" from being in New York. There's something about the knowing 'been there, done that' attitude of New Yorkers that helps the comedy in a film about ghosts roaming.
Lorcan L., Milford, NH
Q. Is there going to be a GHOSTBUSTERS 3? If so, what have you heard about it and what role shall you take on the project? Do you also know of a release date or shooting dates for the film?
A. We have talked about doing "Ghostbusters 3", but nothing is set. If we were to go ahead with the project, I would probably produce the film, not direct it.
Mark L., Middleburg Heights, OH
Q. What did you think of "The Real Ghostbusters" and "Extreme Ghostbusters" animated series?
A. I like "The Real Ghostbusters" TV show and actually had quite a bit of input on it. I haven't seen "Extreme Ghostbusters" and wasn't involved in its production
Paul S., New York, NY
Q. Is it True that you are the voice of Zuul?
A. It is true that I am the voice of Zuul...though electronically enhanced.
Danny S., British Columbia
Q. Are you currently a good friend of Bill Murray? Do you guys have any plans of possibly making anymore movies together?
A. Bill and I have been friends for over 20 years. I would love to work with Bill again, but we don't currently have a project in the works together.
Nick S., Jeffersonville IN
Q. Which GB movie did you enjoy making the most?
A. The original "Ghostbusters" was the most fun because we were doing it for the first time.
Anthony M., Boston, MA
Q. Why did you choose not to make Ghostbusters an interplanetary adventure as it was first drafted in an earlier version of the script?
A. The original version was set in the future in outer space with a number of competing Ghostbuster firms dealing with a universe full of strange creatures. I like my comedy to be "down to earth". I felt setting the story present day in a University with technology that is possible would give us many more opportunities for comedy.
John G., Bardstown, KY
Q. Who came up with the Coverall costume, and all of the essentials?
A. Dan Aykroyd came up with a lot of the basic tools and costume ideas for the Ghostbusters. The actual coveralls were designed and refined by Theona Albridge, our costume designer.
Robert H., Canton, MI
Q. Out of the whole experience with the Ghostbusters films, what has to be your favorite scene in both films?
A. One of my favorites is the scene in the Mayor's office when the Ghostbusters are trying to explain the implications of what is occurring in New York. There is something about the nutty reality of all of the characters in the room that I find very delicious.
Chris C., MT Clemens, MI
Q. Regarding your past films-how do you feel about HEAVY METAL? It seems most of your films go on becoming "CULT" films. How do you feel about their lasting success?
A. I like HEAVY METAL. It has held up over the years and it's interesting to see how influential it has been on pop design. I've been very fortunate to have been involved with quite a number of films that are still popular many years after I made them (ie.: ANIMAL HOUSE, STRIPES, TWINS, DAVE and GHOSTBUSTERS).
Alan J., Mission Viejo, CA
Q. How did you, Harold Ramis and Bill Murray get together on the idea for the original Ghostbusters movie?
A. Dan Aykroyd had already gotten Bill to agree to be in the movie when he brought the first draft of "Ghostbusters" to me. I suggested bringing in Harold as a co-writer and the 3rd Ghostbuster.
Giancarlo L., Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
Q. Many people would rather see big-budget, special effects, no-brainer films than a good comedy with a good plot. How do you view the situation comedies are facing nowadays?
A. I disagree with your premise: I think that people always like a good comedy with a good plot. If special effects and a big budget add to the film, fine. . . but mainly people want to laugh. The very first time we screened "Ghostbusters", just a few weeks after we had finished shooting, it only had about 6 of the over 300 Special Effects shots it would eventually contain. Nevertheless, it was one of the best screenings we ever had because people loved the story and the comedy.
Chris S., Vancouver, BC
Q. What was your story about the Hari Krishna guy at the end of the movie? (you never finished your story about it in the DVD commentary)
A. I had seen the guy amongst a crowd of extras and positioned him so that he would be centered in the shot. The New York extras were so great . . . really into it. We had them dressed as various religious groups (e.g.: priests, Hasidic Jews and Hari Krishna's).
Charlotte A., England
Q. Special effects & comedies don't usually work well together. How did you get the right balance? GB is the best Film ever made!
A. Thank you. The balance of mixing special effects and comedy is always difficult, but we knew that going in and always kept in mind that getting the comedy would be the most important. I tried to create a very realistic tone for this rather outlandish story. I thought that playing special effects against a real mundane background would add to both the effects and the comedy.
Steve S., East Aurora, NY
Q. I would love to know how many times filming had to be cut because of cast members laughing so hard during a funny scene?
A. Not very often. The actors were all professionals used to working together, often in improvisational situations. Frankly, the biggest problem with laughter on the set was me. I finally managed to develop a laugh that involved a lot of physical movement, but not a lot of sound. Fortunately, our soundman, Gene Cantamessa, had worked with me on "Stripes", and knew to be careful about picking up my laughter on the sound track.
Austin G., Santa Maria, CA
Q. Where did the Ghostbusters concept originate and how different was the completed film from the initial idea?
A. The original script was conceived and written by Dan Aykroyd. It was at my suggestion that we set the film present day and at a University in New York. I always thought of the movie as a "Going into Business" movie.
Sarah J., Brielle, NJ
Q. Why wasn't Winston in the second Ghostbusters?
A. He is!!!
Luke N., Elmore, OH
Q. Are Ghostbusters real?
A. There are real Para-psychologists who investigate supernatural phenomenon (but very little ghost catching). Dan Aykroyd has actually done research with several of them.
Sean K., Iselin, NJ
Q. I love the soundtrack to the first film. How was it decided who would perform some of the songs to the film?
A. We auditioned various singers and songs for the film, and then showed the film, when it was nearly completed, to Ray Parker, Jr. who wrote and performed the title song specifically for the film.
Jason B., Laval
Q. OK...I know that there is the proton pack, but what is that exact name of that thing they use to trap the ghosts?
A. I can't really remember. . . other than "ghost traps".
Linda L., Ewing, NJ
Q. Bill Murray was cast to replace John Belushi. Was the character changed to suit Bill Murray and if so what were the changes? Also, who came up with the idea of the giant Marshmallow Man?
A. I don't recall the character from Dan's original draft of the script. Harold and Dan always wrote the character of Venkman for Bill Murray. The Marshmallow Man was Dan Aykroyd's idea, and was in his original draft.
Adam M., Lewisville
Q. Having read through the script, it seems like there was a lot of improvisation. Do you encourage that as a director? How much improvisation occurred in Ghostbusters?
A. Yes I do encourage it. Not when the cameras are rolling, but in rehearsal. Especially when you are working with such wonderful comedic actors.
Alex B., Paoli
Q. How did you get the opportunity to direct this film? How long did it take to actually film it? And what was it like? Problems?
A. Dan Aykroyd came to me with the idea for the film. It took about 65 days to shoot. It was difficult but a lot of fun. Fifteen years later I can't really remember many of the problems. . . I just remember what a great time we had.
Paul R., East Rockaway, NY
Q. Did you ever think that the whole Ghostbusters phenomenon would be as popular as it is?
A. While we were shooting we could tell there was something great going on, and we were all pretty cocky about its success, but I don't think any of us ever imagined it would become such a huge phenomenon.
Chris S., Vancouver, BC
Q. If there was something you could change about Ghostbusters, what would it be?
A. I would probably improve a few of the special effects shots. Our special effects crew did a great job back then, but with all of the new technology available today, and with more time than we had back then, the special effects could have done even better.