Talkin’ Jive With Black Dynamite Director Scott Sanders

How did you approach making a parody of a genre that's already a parody?

The vast majorty of Blaxploitation movies took themselves dead seriously, so I disagree that they were parodies to begin with. Just watching all the films over again, we knew we just had to stay close to the source material and it would be funny. Our job was similar to Tina Fey's imitation of Sarah Palin; you don't have to make up too much stuff. Just repeat whatever Sarah Palin says, and it's funny. It just has to be accurate.

What 70s movies did you like as a kid?

I watched a lot of John Waters and Russ Meyer movies. I watched a lot of alternative indie films. Blaxploitation movies were part of that. The Dolemite films were especially favorites of mine, and have a clear influence on Black Dynamite.

What are three things you love about Michael Jai White?

He's extremely disciplined, he's very funny, and he can jump ten feet in the air and kick out the light bulb from the light fixture on the ceiling.

Let's say your audience wants to follow up the film with a night on the town. What are some spots in LA you'd suggest for a post Black Dynamite night out?

We shot most of the movie in the Crenshaw District of LA, so I would suggest going to those places. Earle's Grille is the location for Roscoe's Chili and Donuts. Across the street is the Sportman's Family Billiards, which is the Hip Pocket Pool Hall in the movie. Down the street is some good soul food at M&Ms. And if it's open, Maverick Flats--a legendary night club which served as Bullhorn's club in the movie.

What are some of your favorite LA spots to DJ at?

I DJ every last Saturday at Bridges, a long running hip hop, house, and reggae monthly that goes on at El Cid on Sunset Blvd. Adrian Younge, the editor and composer for Black Dynamite, spins there as well-- that's how we met. Firecracker is a great bi-monthly club in Chinatown that has gone on for over ten years; that is always a great place to play. I also like doing random afterhours parties. I used to play at an afterhours called Gallery 10, but it burned down.

Three things you can't live without right now?

1. The Internet; I get feverish if I'm away from the web for too long.
2. Kogi Short Rib Tacos and Korean Mexican Fusion food; I have to have them at least twice a month.
3. Since I've been travelling so much, a voltage adapter to convert my US plug to European outlets.

Black Dynamite opens in theaters on October 16