September 2009 “CE United presents: 20 Questions with Pete Cooper.” Get to know the guy inside the Spartan armor as well as the Writer, Director and Producer of the Halo fan movie “Operation Chastity”
For those of you who don’t know what Operation Chastity is, well it is a Halo movie being made entirely by Halo fans for Halo fans.
Pete Cooper is the Writer, Director and Producer and pretty much the man in charge of this whole project. So far they have made concept art for the movie, made props of weapons and the biggest achievement is they are making a warthog to be used in the film.
So lets get to it, 20 questions with Peter Cooper.
Question 1:
With so many people working on this project how do you keep everything on track? Does everyone working on this project report back to you on weekly basis or something? Are there times where there are groups of people who will be working independently on something and you just let them do their own thing or do you have say in everything?
Pete:
Email, phone calls, webcam chats and so on. I call in and see how various projects are progressing. It’s a lot of independent groups, and so I have to have a lot of trust in those working on the various projects. I offer guidance where needed, but thankfully we have the best guidance in the form of the games and a heap of pre-existing material.
My Response:
It’s good you have developed a good trusting relationship with everyone on this project things seem to be coming along nicely.
Question 2:
Do you have an idea of how long you want to final movie to be? Would you like it to be a nice 90 minute package or are you going to try to go for the more lengthy LOTR style. I personally would love to watch a 3 hour Halo movie.
Pete:
The film’s shaping up to be between 90 and 105 minutes long. 3 hours might be a bit of a stretch for a fan film.
My Response:
Sounds pretty good, I can’t wait to watch those 90 minutes of awesome over and over again.
Question 3:
Besides the Warthog and the weapons what is the coolest thing you have seen so far on the project.
Pete:
The artwork has been phenomenal. Making props and making your imagination physical is awesome, but seeing your vision created and visualized for everyone else to see is something else completely.
My Response:
I would have to agree the concept art for this has been amazing. Seeing an idea become reality must also be rewarding to say the least.
Question 4:
On the Operation Chastity contact page it says you needs more caffeine, seeing how I have drank three cups of coffee today already “had to get up early to get a lot of things done including these questions” What is your favorite source of caffeine, what satisfies your caffeine fix? Coffee, Pop/Soda/Coke/soft drink whatever people in the world call it or some other form not yet known to man.
Pete:
I’m a cola guy. I drink far too much of the stuff.
My Response:
I used to drink a lot of soda pop I have cut back, not to mention it never really gave me that boost of energy like a good cup of coffee does.
Question 5:
I take it you saw District 9, what are your thoughts on it and did you like it. Also what are your thoughts on all the live action Halo things that have come out so far, Halo 3 Landfall, and just recently the Halo 3: ODST commercial.
Pete:
District 9 was fantastic. I’ve heard complaints about the drifting to and from documentary style (similar to how the Landfall series played out) but it really worked for me – it made me sad that Blomkamp has all but written off his likelihood of doing Halo.
Landfall, Believe and We Are ODST were all fantastic campaigns. I loved their grittiness – they added the grim realism which Halo, from the perspective of the Master Chief, sometimes lacked.
My Response:
Originally I did not want to see District 9, at the time I just finished reading two of the Halo book. Something just made me want to see this movie, it was pretty good.
As for the live action Halo things that have come out, the latest one We Are ODST, this is by far my favorite one. Then again I have always liked the ODST even before Halo 3: Recon was announced.
Question 6:
Seeing how you are making a movie, who is your favorite director?
Pete:
I would be torn between Danny Boyle, Ridley Scott and James Cameron – I go for the easy choices. Boyle has a fantastic hit-rate with films – I can’t think of a Boyle film I don’t love. Scott and Cameron have created some of the greatest films of all time, and certainly some of my favorite movies. It would be a tough call between the three.
My Response:
It’s always tough to pick a favorite, seems like you have a great taste in directors. Just don’t pull a James Cameron and make us wait 12 years to see your movie, like he is doing with Avatar. Just kidding by the way, I know you will make a great movie. You can have all the time in the world to make the best fan made movie ever. I’m sure if the entire Halo community knew about this project the entire community would be pulling for you.
Question 7:
I see on the Armory page on your site you have 3 brute weapons currently incomplete, now I love using the brute shot in Halo 3 please tell me you will have the brute shot in your movie.
Pete:
Brute shots are mentioned in the script. We may well see one in action.
My Response:
Thank You!!! Coming from a small number of people who love the brute shot, or maybe I’m the only one. Anyway I can’t wait to see this weapon in action, hopefully you will give it the respect it deserves and really show that it does not lack killing power.
Question 8:
I see this movie will take place around the same time as Halo 3, also I only see brute weapons does this mean we will not see Elites in this movie.
Pete:
There will be no Elites. Sorry.
My Response:
Makes sense I mean if it is during Halo 3, the humans and elites are working together why would there still be pockets of elites still fighting humans. Seems like every elite got the memo.
Question 9:
I saw this line in another interview you did. You said “our story follows a Marine Recon unit tasked with a very risky mission behind enemy lines in the last days of the war. The ONI are involved, and along the way they end up meeting and fighting alongside a Spartan, which they don't like very much. They see Spartans as bad luck”.
Sounds a little like the Halo book “The Cole Protocol” have you taken any inspirations from the Halo books?
Pete:
The books offer a good grounding, and knowledge of their events has been vital, but I haven’t taken too much inspiration from previous media because it’s somewhat removed from it all. It’s a whole new story, a whole new scenario, and somewhat distant from the ‘big’ events of the books, which always seem to be tied to main characters from the games. It’s still Halo, but it’s a different sort of Halo in my mind.
My Response:
Makes sense, I have enjoyed reading the books getting to find out what some of the other characters did while not being in the Halo games. I can’t wait to watch your story unfold right in front of me on my laptop or maybe even TV
Question 10:
Is the Warthog drive able yet and if so have your driven it yet?
Pete:
It’s not drive able yet, no. We’re still working on it – we’re hopeful to have it running by the end of October.
My Response:
Well at least you will be able to drive it soon, I’m so jealous. Then again if I drove it I would probably flip it over or crash, I suck at driving the hog. I’m more of a gunner.
Question 11:
If you could change one thing in the Halo video games what would it be?
Pete:
There’s very little I would want to change, in fairness. The story beats are fantastic, and while I didn’t enjoy playing as the Arbiter the first time round, the second time round was much more fulfilling. So I’ll pass on that one I think.
My Response:
I think we can all agree on that one, playing as the Arbiter came as a shock to probably everyone. If I knew what I know now about the Halo story I would have enjoyed it more.
Question 12:
What is your favorite Halo weapon and map?
Pete:
I’m going to go with the Warthog’s M41 turret gun and Valhalla.
My Response:
The funny thing I would consider myself a decent or above average gunner, but I suck at gunning on Valhalla. Not to mention I only like Valhalla if it is heavy CTF or heavy slayer.
Question 13:
What is your favorite thing about the Halo community?
Pete:
Their passion and dedication. Many games and their communities wither away after a few years. Halo was released in 2002 – 7 years, still going strong. Long may that continue.
My Response:
Wow, that’s funny when I first thought you said 2002 I thought it was a typo. I had to think about it cause in America Halo was released in Nov 2001, but in Europe it was released in March 2002. Funny how we forget things don’t get released the same exact time worldwide.
I have a feeling with 343 Industries handling the series after Halo: Reach comes out it will be in good hands with Frankie and the rest of the crew over there.
Question 14:
With ODST about to drop in stores will we see ODST fighting along side this Marine Recon Unit and the Spartan. After seeing the live action ODST commercial I would love to see some more ODST in action.
Pete:
The ODSTs are involved in our film. Unfortunately, I cannot say to what extent – that would be spoiler territory.
My Response:
Got to love those little teaser bits, plus no one likes to be spoiled. So I guess this is an official tease from Operation Chastity. There maybe ODST in the film or there may not be, check out the film when it comes out to find out.
Question 15:
Besides the websites listed on the Operation Chastity site, what other Halo websites do you like to frequently visit?
Pete:
Outside of the 405th and HBO, I’ve been known to scour Bungie.net, The Social, Rooster Teeth and I also hang out in various Halo-related IRC channels. I also try (and fail) at exercising my French while reading Halo.fr.
My Response:
For me it’s hard to pick and choose where I go. There are so many Halo related sites out there a person could spend forever, and still not find all the interesting halo info or fan made things out there.
Question16:
What is your favorite movie and how many times have you seen it?
Pete:
My favorite movie of all time is probably Aliens – a fantastic sequel to Alien and a movie that really has it all. I’ve seen it countless times – I’ve worn out two DVDs of it. Other movies I particularly like are Sunshine, 28 Weeks Later, SWAT and Doom. I know Doom has a lot of hate associated with it, but it’s a fun action movie even if it has very little to do with the games. People need to let it go when it comes to that one.
My Response:
Wow, I have never heard anyone wearing out a DVD, my friend wore out his copy of Terminator 2 on VHS. The 28 series is interesting, I can’t wait to see what they do with 28 months later if and when they decide to make it. As for me and the Doom movie, I’ll just say I enjoyed watching it once that’s about it. My brother seemed to enjoy it a little more then me.
Question17:
With ODST almost here, I noticed you have only played about 747 games of Halo 3. Will you have time to sit down and enjoy ODST at all?
Pete:
Of course! I wouldn’t say 747 games is a small figure. I put a lot more time into co-op on the campaign, and will likely be doing the same with ODST.
My Response:
Campaign will be fun, but I have a feeling I will be spending more time playing firefight.
As for the low number of games, now that I think about it I have way more Halo 2 games played then Halo 3. I’m a bigger fan of the series now and I spend less time online playing and more time online enjoying things from the community.
Question 18:
What got you into video games in the first place and what was the first game you remember playing?
Pete:
When I was about 4, my dad gave me his old Sinclair Spectrum ZX82. My first game was Space Invaders, followed quickly by Treasure Island Dizzy, which to this day I have still not completed. Being introduced to games at such a young age meant I was almost certain to be hooked later on, and I was.
My Response:
Can’t go wrong with Space Invaders, seems like aliens and video games are a perfect combination.
Question 19:
Seeing how you have so many people from around the world working on this, which part of the World have you received the most PayPal donations from, if you don’t mind me asking.
Pete:
I think the most donations have come from America, with France a close second. Halo.fr are some of our biggest fans. They’re awesome.
My Response:
Good to see America doing their part to help with this project, we play enough Halo each day; I would be disappointed if another country gave more to this Halo project. It’s good to see we don’t just play the most Halo we also give the most.
Question 20:
Are there any new developments you can or would like to share with us, I noticed you and Operation Chastity have been featured in some type of interview somewhere at least once in the past few months dating back to at least April 2009.
Pete:
We’re working hard – trying to get as much gear finished so that we can display at the London MCM Expo in October. We’re hoping to get the Warthog into a serviceable state by then, so we’ll see.
My Response:
That’s good to hear, well keep plugging away at this movie, I’m sure I’m not the only one who will enjoy seeing more and more updates as this project nears completion.
Well that is it for this months interview I hope you all enjoyed it. I would like to thank Pete Cooper for taking time away from Operation Chastity to answer these questions.
Thanks again Pete.
If you would like to know more about this movie project check out the Operation Chastity website. Also check back on his site for updates to the movie as well. If you would like to donate money to this movie head on over to the donation page on their site for more info.
I can’t wait to see this movie with 90 minutes of AWESOME that may or may not have ODST in it, and maybe a brute shot or two. For those fans of Elites sorry it doesn’t look like they will be in this movie. So here is some concept art to tide you over until the movie is done.
If you would like to follow Peter on Twitter to get up to minute info on Operation Chastity here is the link
http://twitter.com/opchastity
See you next month for another “20 Questions interview”
Follow us on Twitter if you would like to, for October we will be doing a 20 question interview with Mad Villager from Mad Villager Films.
Long Live CE United.
-Willy-