Q&A with Production Manager, Iain Mackenzie
Iain Mackenzie is a Production Manager working in Feature films in the UK. His most recent job is Kick-Ass 2, the follow up to the 2009 film starring Aaron Johnson. He has also worked on productions such as X-Men: First Class, Harry Potter and more....
We asked him about the new Kick-Ass movie and his career to date.
What can you tell us about the story of Kick-Ass 2?
It’s got all the same ingredients as the first film with action and humour aplenty. Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl both return to continue where KA 1 left off. Dave Lizewski continues to fight for justice in his own unique way and this time round is joined by Justice Foreve,r a group of like-minded Superheroes who go head to head with Chris D’Amico’s new alter ego ‘The Motherf**ker’ and his band of Toxic Mega C**ts to safeguard the city.
Where did you shoot the movie?
We shot for 12 weeks at Pinewood Studios as well as on location in Toronto and London.
What was the most challenging aspect of making this film?
Kick Ass 2 was made on an incredibly tight budget and making that work was a massive challenge not only for the production team but also for all departments. It was a real team effort from everyone to get it made.
There’s a new director on board but has the rest of the creative team remained?
Yes indeed Jeff Wadlow joined us this time round. He brought great ideas to the table and worked incredible hard to recreate the world of Kick Ass. We had a few new additions to the team but we were lucky enough to retain a lot of same people from the first film.
Mark Millar is releasing the Kick-Ass 3 comic in May. Do you think we will see it turned into a movie and will you be scouring the comic with a budget in mind?
I guess that really depends on how Kick-Ass 2 performs at the Box Office. I hope so! Having worked on both films I’d really like to see the trilogy completed. When I read them for the first time I will just enjoy them, I think it’s important to be able to switch that work side of your brain off.
The first movie was a launchpad for Aaron Johnson and Chloe Moretz. Was it key to the film to get them back for the sequel?
Of course! Both were incredible in Kick Ass and I’m not sure it would have been the same without them, same goes for Chris Mintz-Plasse. It was always the intention of the creative team to get them back.
Was Jim Carrey your number target 1 for the role of Colonel Stars and Stripes? What was it like working with him?
You’ll have to ask Jeff and the producers that. I think everyone was shocked that Jim wanted to come and join the cast as many of us weren’t aware how big a fan of the first film he was. Watching him work was quite the experience. It’s a great performance from him.
Going back to the start of your career, how did you start out?
I started out doing some work experience running in post-production before going to University. I got a lucky break one day I phoned up the Batman Production Office randomly and they just happened to be looking for a runner so I got an interview. I didn’t get the job as I didn’t have enough experience but I must have made a good impression because within a month my CV had made it’s way to the Mamma Mia Production Office who called me offering an interview and luckily I was successful.
Did you always want to be in production?
No quite the opposite - I wanted to be in the camera department but eventually I met Adam Bohling and David Reid (Layer Cake, Kick Ass, Kick Ass 2) who gave me an insight into how they produce and from then on I wanted to work in production.
What advice would you give a young set production runner starting out?
Work hard, never be late, don’t be afraid to ask questions and put yourself out there because you can’t always be lucky enough to wait for a phone call.
What has been your greatest day at work?
Last day of Kick Ass 2 principal photography, it had been an incredible journey and I was extremely proud of what everyone had achieved.
If you could change one thing about the film industry, what would you do?
If you ever get any time off, how do you relax?
I try and spend as much time as I can with my friends and family. I also really enjoy playing sport as it helps me deal with the hours and stress.
If you could work with anyone (living or dead) and that you haven’t already, who would it be?
I think I would have loved to have worked on a Steve Mcqueen film. I grew up watching his films with my father.
July 2013
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