Tallgrass filmmaker questionnaire: Wade Hampton, ‘Francis: The Fists of God’

Wade Hampton, director-writer-shooter-editor, “Francis: The Fists of God”

Currently residing in: Wichita

Genre(s): Thriller Comedy

When is it screening? 10 a.m. Friday at Sedgwick County Historical Museum (Off the Cuff comedy shorts program), 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Garvey Center (Off the Cuff comedy shorts program) and 3:15 p.m. Sunday at Garvey Center (Timothy Gruver Spotlight on Kansas Filmmakers program)

Tell us about your film in 10 words or less: Francis Stringer enforces God’s perfect perfection.

Why were you drawn to tell this story? Because I really enjoy showcasing these fictitious dark crazy people. And it’s definitely a lot more fun writing the words of a crazy person. Anything goes, really.

How long did you work on the film? Over the course of a few scattered weekends.

Who are directors you look up to/are inspired by: David Lynch, all the way. But I’m a huge fan of all the greats: Coen brothers, Stanley Kubrick, Wes Anderson, Ridley Scott, John Carpenter.

What’s your favorite film? “Blade Runner.”

Do you prefer jumping off a cliff or taking the long, winding way down? Depends on if this is a metaphor or not? Naps usually win out in most situations.

Been to Wichita before? All my life.

Be honest. Ever mutter the phrase, “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore”? The funny thing is that I haven’t but I have designed a T-shirt that said that actually.

Any advice for aspiring filmmakers? If you want to learn film, make films. And you will learn a lot more about filmmaking by watching really terrible low-budget films than you will ever learn by watching big-budget blockbusters.

Anything else you’d like to add? I love “Project Runway” and Tim Gunn.

This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 1:53 PM with the headline "Tallgrass filmmaker questionnaire: Wade Hampton, ‘Francis: The Fists of God’."