Interview with Bill Jones
BE: What was it like growing up with a famous father? BJ: Very good! But when I was at school, some other classmate's father was in a popular childrens TV show called "Grange Hill", and that caused more of a buzz than having a Python as a dad! I did get to meet some famous people though, like Douglas Adams. I saw quite a bit of Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin, who was more like a neighbour! BE: Tell us about yourself....
BE: Who is your all time favourite film editor? BJ: Julian Doyle, who also taught me how to edit BE: Apart from a lot of patience, what other qualities does it take to be a great film editor? BJ: You have to be good at remembering your first reaction and have the ability to forget the deleted scenes and everything else you've cut! You have to treat each scene as if you've seen if for the first time and remember your reaction to it - and it's important to remember that the audience knows nothing about the deleted scenes. BE: What are you working on at the moment? BJ: We're looking for funding for a documentary on Graham Chapman, to revisit the Python that died, the issues in his life, and showcase his unique wackiness and humour. He didn't do much after Flying Circus. The original idea was to take his autobiography (A Liar's Autobiography Vol VI) and make a documentary out of it. But later we decided to concentrate on his audio version - take his mad humour and animate it! BE: What do you see yourself doing in 5 years time? BJ: I'd like to be directing television programmes. BE: What's your father (Terry Jones) up to these days? BJ: He's got some film ideas, and is working on a project called 'Absolutely Anything" in the next year or two!
BJ: Our documentary - "Monty Python-Almost The Truth"! We worked with some great people at Eagle Rock Entertainment who sold the documentary to IFC. They let us make the documentary exactly how we wanted to. The Pythons' only role was to be interviewed for it, and they all loved it - especially Eric Idle! He's great and always infuses energy into everything he does - and John Cleese was on top form. All the Pythons are great at interviews! BE: What did you want to include in the documentary that didn't make it in? BJ: We really wanted to include Cameron Diaz, but it wasn't possible because of her filming schedule - same with Snoop Dog. And we really wanted to get some non-Python fans in it, like a BBC employee, maybe a politician or even Eric Sykes...but nobody was willing to say they didn't like Python! BE: How popular has the documentary been? BJ: IFC did a great job in promoting it. It has been released in cinemas in Canada, and has done well in Australia, Germany, France, Spain, all over, in fact! BE: How was the 40th Anniversary of Monty Python celebrated in Great Britain? BJ: I think it was celebrated more in the US than it was here! Our documentary was shown on BBC 2 but we had to cut it down to one hour for them! And it wasn't promoted - but it got 1.6 million viewers, and was up against some pretty stiff competition on the other channels! BE: What's your favourite Python film? BJ: It's a toss up between Life of Brian and Holy Grail....Brian usually comes out on top! BE: And your favourite sketch? BJ: "Bicycle Tour", "Fresh Fruit" - and Ben likes the "Pearl Harbour" sketch! BE: Apart from your dad, who's your favourite Python? BJ: Michael Palin - he's my dad's best mate, and they still meet up once a week! BE: What's the best piece of advice your dad's given you? BJ: He taught by example, and always said, "don't worry what others think about you, as long as you're happy" BE: What's your dad's reaction to our annual Python event in Grapevine, Texas? BJ: He's very pleased about it all and delighted that you're all keeping the flame alive in Texas!
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Benefiting GRACE