Club Random with Bill Maher

Gus Van Sant | Club Random with Bill Maher

Dec 22, 2025
Gus Van Sant, the acclaimed filmmaker behind hits like My Own Private Idaho and Psycho, chats candidly about the gritty realities of Hollywood. He shares insights on crowdfunding his latest film, Dead Man's Wire, and reflects on how critics played a surprising role in his career revival. The conversation dives into the psychological intricacies of actors on set, sprinkled with wild tales, including one where he threw rocks to elicit a performance. They also explore the evolution of comedy and the significance of influential shows like Saturday Night Live.
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ANECDOTE

Crowdfunded Indie Financing

  • Gus Van Sant describes Dead Man's Wire as a completely independent film with about 100 producers contributing to a $10.8 million budget.
  • He frames the financing as a kind of crowdfunding that let him make the movie outside the studio system.
INSIGHT

Poverty Measures Are Outdated

  • Bill Maher notes poverty thresholds are outdated because food costs used to dominate budgets while housing and healthcare were cheaper or absent.
  • He highlights how modern costs shift the meaning of 'poverty' compared with the 1950s.
ANECDOTE

Early Comedy Roots At The Groove Tube

  • Gus Van Sant recalls working for Ken Shapiro on The Groove Tube and how that connected him to Lorne Michaels and early SNL talent.
  • He describes the film's influence and how it presaged Saturday Night Live's sketch style.
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