Interview with Morgan Spurlock

In this section, the host introduces Morgan Spurlock and discusses his new documentary "Rats" premiering on Discovery.

Morgan Spurlock's New Documentary

• Morgan Spurlock has a new documentary titled "Rats" premiering on Discovery at 9 p.m. It is described as disgusting and attention-grabbing.

• Spurlock reflects on dealing with disgusting things in his previous works like "Super Size Me," mentioning the challenges of filming and the impact on personal hygiene.

• The discussion touches on how certain foods, like McDonald's, can affect body odor and sweat, leading to unpleasant smells.

• Spurlock humorously mentions enjoying a late-night McDonald's burger despite its consequences on his body odor.

Exploring the World of Rats

This part delves into the inspiration behind the documentary "Rats" and its unique approach to presenting factual information in a horror film style.

Inspiration for "Rats"

• The idea for "Rats" stemmed from a book about rat infestations in New York by Robert Sullivan, intriguing Spurlock due to his love for horror films.

• Growing up as a horror fan influenced Spurlock's decision to create a horror-style documentary based on real-life rat issues.

• The concept was to shoot and score the documentary like a horror film, creating an eerie atmosphere that differs from traditional documentaries.

Global Impact of Rat Infestations

This segment explores the worldwide prevalence of rat infestations beyond just urban areas like New York City.

Global Perspective on Rat Infestations

• The documentary showcases rat problems not limited to New York but also prevalent in cities worldwide such as Chicago, Vietnam, Cambodia, England, France, and India.

• While America faces significant rat issues, India stands out as one of the worst locations due to high disease rates caused by rats biting people while they sleep.

The World of Rats

In this section, the speaker discusses the world of rats, including their behaviors, evolution, and interactions with humans.

Night Rat Killers

• Night rat killers are a group of employees armed with a net, stick, and flashlight who go out at night to kill rats with their bare hands. They form a unique team dedicated to controlling rat populations.

Evolution of Rats

• Rats evolve ten times faster than human beings, developing immunity to poisons within a few generations. This rapid evolution showcases their adaptability and survival instincts.

Rat Communication

• Rats have evolved complex communication systems within their communities. They can detect and avoid dangers like poison by sending out the weakest rat as a scout before consuming food.

Rat Terriers in Action

This part delves into the role of rat terriers in controlling rat populations on farms.

Rat Terrier Hunting

• In rural England, packs of terriers such as Jack Russell Terriers are used to hunt rats on farms. These dogs play a crucial role in managing rat infestations and protecting livestock.

Rat Impact on Farms

• Rats pose significant threats to farms by preying on birds and causing havoc among livestock. The use of rat terriers helps mitigate these issues by controlling the rat population effectively.

Urban Rat Infestation

This segment explores urban rat infestations and human interactions with rats in cities.

Urban Rat Behavior

• Urban areas like New York City face severe rat infestations due to abundant food sources from garbage disposal. Rats adapt quickly to urban environments, posing challenges for extermination efforts.

Exterminator Challenges

• Traditional methods like mint-flavored garbage bags fail to deter rats from feeding. Exterminators face difficulties combating rats that have developed immunity to poisons but remain attracted to food sources.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the premiere of a horror film at the Toronto Film Festival and the unique approach taken in creating a genre-bending movie.

Eddie and Premiere at Toronto Film Festival

• The speaker identifies Eddie at the Toronto Film Festival premiere of their horror film.

• The movie was part of The Midnight Madness section, providing a platform for proper horror film premieres.

Exploring Genre-Bending Films

This segment delves into the appeal of creating a horror movie that deviates from traditional historical narratives.

Appeal of Making a Horror Movie

• The decision to create a horror film stemmed from wanting to avoid conventional historical storytelling.

• Emphasis on making movies that feel like movies rather than straightforward historical documentaries.

Unique Approach to Documentary Filmmaking

Here, the speaker elaborates on infusing documentary elements with horror aesthetics to create an engaging viewing experience.

Blending Genres

• Aimed to make a genre-bending film that offers both educational value and entertainment akin to a horror movie.

• Despite being informative, the film plays out like a horror narrative, engaging viewers through its eerie elements.

Collaboration with Discovery Channel

This part highlights the collaboration with Discovery Channel and their support in creating an unconventional and captivating film.

Partnership with Discovery Channel

• Pitched the concept to Discovery Channel, expecting rejection but received enthusiastic support for the project.

• Allowed creative freedom to produce one of their creepiest and weirdest films yet.

Rat Temple in India

The discussion revolves around a temple in India where rats are considered sacred and worshipped as ancestors reincarnated.

Rats as Ancestors

• In a building with 35,000 rats, locals believe the rats are their ancestors reincarnated.

• People visit the temple to feed, play with, and worship the rats, considering them sacred.

• Visitors hand-feed the rats milk from bowls despite the unhygienic conditions.

Interaction with Rats

Explores the relationship between humans and rats at the temple.

Human-Rat Interaction

• Despite potential bites, people coexist peacefully with the rats.

• The rats are unafraid of humans due to being cared for by visitors.

Filming Challenges in Sewers

Discusses challenges faced while filming in Paris sewers.

Filming Conditions

• Filming in Paris sewers required protective gear due to excrement and rat infestations.

• Despite filming all day in sewers, none of it made it into the final film.

Rat Urine Stains

Examines rat urine stains and their implications.

Rat Urine Analysis

• Describes how rat urine stains appear on sidewalks and ceilings.

Rat Infestation and Documentary Discussions

The conversation delves into the prevalence of rats in urban areas, particularly around garbage cans, and transitions to a discussion on the rise of documentaries on platforms like Netflix.

Rats in Urban Areas

• Rats are commonly seen scurrying across roads near supermarkets, especially during fall and spring.

• Rats can be observed hanging off metal garbage cans, indicating their presence and activity.

• Rats are most active at 6:00 in the morning or evening, sending out weaker rats first to scout for food before the rest follow.

Documentary Boom on Netflix

• The proliferation of documentaries on platforms like Netflix has expanded viewership and interest in documentary films.

• Mention of the impactful OJ Simpson documentary series that captivated audiences with its depth and storytelling.

Impact of Nutrition Documentaries

The dialogue shifts towards discussing nutrition documentaries' influence on people's dietary choices and perceptions about food consumption.

Influence of Nutrition Documentaries

• Nutrition documentaries have led to heightened awareness about food choices, suggesting that almost all foods are portrayed negatively.

• There is a societal pressure to maintain a certain body image due to these documentaries' emphasis on healthy eating habits.

The Importance of Diet and Lifestyle

The discussion revolves around the significance of diet and lifestyle in maintaining health, drawing parallels with Mediterranean diets and emphasizing the impact on heart disease.

The Mediterranean Diet and Health

• Emphasizes the benefits of a diet devoid of processed foods, rich in vegetables, rice, and olive oil.

• Reflects on the low incidence of heart disease among individuals following Mediterranean diets.

Balancing Projects and Obsessions

Delving into how individuals manage their focus on projects or obsessions while balancing other aspects of life.

Project Focus and Balance

• Discusses investing fully in projects while maintaining a balance between obsession and preparation for future endeavors.

• Highlights allocating brainpower to current projects while simultaneously preparing for upcoming ones.

Living Environment Impact on Rat Sightings

Exploring how living environments influence encounters with rats, particularly in urban settings.

Urban Living Conditions

• Shares experiences of living in rat-free neighborhoods due to effective waste management practices.

• Compares rat sightings in different neighborhoods based on garbage disposal habits.

Upcoming Projects and Film Premieres

Previewing upcoming projects, film premieres, and distribution plans for an audience's convenience.

Future Projects and Distribution

• Details the premiere schedule for a project airing on Discovery Channel before its release on Netflix.

New Section

In this segment, the speaker discusses a family movie they created called "The Eagle Huntress" about a thirteen-year-old girl learning to hunt with a golden eagle, emphasizing its empowering message for young audiences.

Creating "The Eagle Huntress"

• People prefer not to see rats; the speaker highlights their focus on creating family-friendly content rather than horror films.

• The film "The Eagle Huntress" is described as a powerful girl power movie that resonates with audiences of all ages.

• The director approached the speaker with raw footage, leading to collaboration in completing the film and involving various aspects such as crew recruitment and fundraising.

Career Development and Film Projects

This part delves into the speaker's career progression within the film industry, from seizing opportunities post-"The Eagle Huntress" to engaging in diverse projects like documentaries and TV shows.

Career Progression

• Post-"The Eagle Huntress," the speaker transitioned into building a business encompassing movies, TV shows, and supporting other filmmakers.

• Reflecting on past experiences in the industry, the speaker acknowledges challenges but emphasizes perseverance and adaptability.

Favorite Projects and Unique Filmmaking Approaches

Here, the discussion centers on notable projects like "Greatest Movie Ever Sold," exploring themes of product placement and marketing within filmmaking.

Notable Projects

• The speaker expresses pride in projects like "Greatest Movie Ever Sold," highlighting its satirical take on product placement in media.

• "Greatest Movie Ever Sold" is commended for its meta approach to showcasing branding and advertising through paid placements within the film.

Innovative Filmmaking Strategies

This section focuses on innovative approaches to filmmaking, including leveraging brand sponsorships and capturing unique events like Comic-Con in an efficient manner.

Innovative Approaches

• The speaker discusses experimenting with brand sponsorships as seen in projects like "Greatest Movie Ever Sold."

• Highlighting efficiency, filming at Comic-Con was completed swiftly over a week by capturing pre-event preparations and post-event wrap-ups seamlessly.

Upcoming Film Recommendation: Rats Documentary

The conversation shifts towards recommending an upcoming documentary titled "Rats," promising an intense viewing experience centered around these creatures.

Documentary Recommendation