Shawn Levy on Stranger Things success: Greatest surprise ever!

MANILA, Philippines — Definitely much stranger things are happening in the third season of Netflix’s Stranger Things.

The STAR had watched the first four episodes, and this much we can say: the series’ lovable ragtag bunch of misfits will have their lives turned upside-down again, as they deal with a new yet familiar monster, growing pains and life-changing development in their sleepy town of Hawkins. The main cast of the ‘80s-themed, supernatural thriller is led by young actors Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Fill Wolfhard (Mike), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas) and Noah Schnapp (Will).

Stranger Things enters its newest season buoyed by the success of the previous seasons. Season 3, as director-producer Shawn Levy puts it, is more ambitious than ever. If anything, the biggest challenge that comes with the show’s return after more than a year of absence is “complacency,” the 50-year-old Canadian filmmaker added.

But with Shawn taking up the cudgels for this project (written and directed by the Duffer Brothers), complacency is perhaps the last thing that will cross your mind.

After all, he is one of the most prolific filmmakers in the past decade and a half. To date, his films have grossed over $3B worldwide. His works, under his production company 21 Laps Entertainment, have enjoyed massive success, including the multi-Oscar-nominated Arrival and of course, the multi-awarded Stranger Things. The show and its actors have received awards and nominations from the Emmy Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Golden Globe Awards and the Critics’ Choice Awards.

Shawn giving instructions to young actors Noah Schnapp, Fill Wolfhard and Caleb McLaughlin on set — Photos courtesy of Netflix

Premiering back in July 2016, Stranger Things was created by the Duffer Brothers who, after multiple rejections, found a believer in the man behind such blockbusters as Cheaper by the Dozen and the Night at the Museum series. Shawn then brought it to the streaming giant Netflix and the rest is history.

The STAR had an e-mail interview with Shawn — initially an 8 a.m. phone interview that got postponed — where he answered our questions, from what prompted him to give the Duffer Brothers their biggest break, superstitions on the set, to the most searched question on the Internet: How many more seasons are there for Stranger Things?

Here’s the full interview:

How many more seasons can we expect from Stranger Things after Season 3? Is the “end” near, or is there more to this story?

“I’m not at liberty to answer this question so I will simply say we would eagerly spend more time with these beloved characters.”

Production-wise, what was the biggest challenge in making Season 3?

“Because Season 3 is far more ambitious than anything we’ve ever done, we needed much more time and many more shooting day to achieve the story we dreamed of. Every episode takes months of outlines, then scripts, then rewrites, followed by several months of pre-production. We then spend 11 to 15 days shooting each episode. Season 3 incorporates much, much more visual effects than both our prior seasons combined, and I would say that the complexity of those visual effects requires extensive research and planning.”

The first two seasons of Stranger Things enjoyed viewership numbers and critical acclaim. What was your biggest fear going into Season 3?

“Our biggest fear is complacency. The Duffers and I go into every new season determined to not repeat ourselves and to be true to the DNA of our show, while also taking our audience to a level they haven’t yet been. Certainly, cultural reaction to our show affects some of our thinking but more often than not, we trust the inner voice — which is the Duffers voice — to chart our path.”

Stranger Things has a dedicated, vocal fanbase. Up to what extent do you consider the opinions of the fans?

“It’s a very fine line between hearing the fans but not listening to them too much. If we listened too hard, Barb would be alive and well and living in Hawkins. Certainly, we are aware of fan reactions, but we also know how important it is to quiet that noise and listen to our own instincts in crafting the next chapter.”

When you started the series four years ago, could you have imagined the awards and the audience reception? What were your expectations then?

“Honestly, I started Stranger Things with nothing more than certainty that it was going to be really good. I was also 100 percent convinced the Duffer Brothers were special. That said, I had no idea if anyone would watch it and I definitely did not expect it to be a hit or a franchise. This has all been the greatest surprise ever.”

Looking back, what is it about the Duffer Brothers that made you believe in them and this project?

“First and foremost, their script for the first episode of Stranger Things was just exceptional. It was gripping, emotional and filled with warmth within the darkness. I then watched their unreleased feature film Hidden and it showed their directing talent was as confident as their writing talent. Finally, it was clear to me that they had the tone of their show 100 percent vivid in their heads before anyone was even interested. I knew I had to bet on them and I had to get Netflix to bet on us.”

You’ve previously talked about the superstitions you and the Duffer Brothers don’t want to jinx, like you directing Episodes 3 and 4 of each season. Are there any other superstitions you’ve observed over the course of this series?

“No other superstitions other than me directing Episodes 3 and 4 every year. There are certainly traditions that have evolved, like playing certain types of music on set to get the actors in the mood and giving a similar welcome speech when we return to begin each new season. As far as what I say in that speech, that will need to remain a family secret. I’ll just say I’m eager to make that welcome speech again.”

From the screeners, we can see the child actors coming of age. In a way, this mirrors real life, as the young cast has also grown up on the set of Stranger Things. What can you say about how they have evolved as actors?

“I’m thrilled to say that our cast have remained the professional and emotionally-available young people they’ve always been. The one change is that I rarely have to remind them about their characters because at this point they know their characters every bit as well as the Duffer Brothers and me.”

You wear two hats in this series — as an executive producer as well as director. Which do you find more fulfilling?

“I love being both a producer and director on this show. As a producer, my daily job is to champion and defend the voice and vision of the Duffer Brothers. That’s a great and meaningful responsibility. That being said, nothing compares with the joy of directing Stranger Things. These scripts and these characters are so deeply cinematic, so utterly compelling, that it’s a privilege to bring them to life on screen.”

For budding directors and producers, what advice can you give them in order to make it in this industry?

“Make things. It’s so easy to want to be a filmmaker but doing so and trying to actually become one is far more important. With technology making it so easy to shoot and edit stories, my advice would be to start making things, learn about your own talent and learn if you really have that muscle. Because a lot of people think they do and a lot of people wish they did, but far fewer actually have the skill, persistence and sustained passion.”

(Stranger Things Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.)