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Joe Dante is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Art. After a stint as a film reviewer, he began his filmmaking apprenticeship in 1974 as trailer editor for Roger Corman's New World Pictures. He made his directorial debut in 1976 with Hollywood Boulevard .
Former Roger Corman protg. Also helped by Steven Spielberg.
Directors he has cited as his principal influences include Chuck Jones , Frank Tashlin , James Whale , Roger Corman and Jean Cocteau.
Was interested in directing Batman , which went to Tim Burton.
Was scheduled to direct a Jaws parody (under the National Lampoon banner) in the early 1980s called "Jaws 3 People 0". Universal Pictures dropped this concept in favor of a "straight" film (which became the critical and financial flop Jaws 3-D ).
Was one of the directors considered for Jurassic Park , which went to Steven Spielberg.
His favorite films are Bride of Frankenstein (1935) , To Be or Not to Be , The Night of the Hunter , Touch of Evil and Cera una volta il West .
Is a major fan of 1950s science fiction films, and often contains references to them in his movies. Since he is considered an authority on the subject, he is also frequently interviewed about them for documentaries, television specials, and DVD special features.
He has directed Robert Picardo in ten films or television films: The Howling , Explorers , Innerspace , Amazon Women on the Moon , The Burbs , Gremlins 2: The New Batch , Matinee , The Second Civil War , Small Soldiers and Looney Tunes: Back in Action , He also directed Picardo in five television episodes: "Amazing Stories" {Boo! (#1.17)} , "Rebel Highway" {Runaway Daughters (#1.4)} , "Masters of Horror" {Homecoming } , "CSI: NY" {Boo (#4.6)} and "Hawaii Five-0" {Olelo Paa (#3.20)} .
He has cast Dick Miller in every film or television that he has ever directed: Hollywood Boulevard , Piranha , Rock n Roll High School , The Howling , Twilight Zone: The Movie , Gremlins , Explorers , Innerspace , Amazon Women on the Moon (though Millers scene was cut), The Burbs , Gremlins 2: The New Batch , Matinee , The Second Civil War , Small Soldiers , The Warlord: Battle for the Galaxy , Looney Tunes: Back in Action , Trapped Ashes , The Hole and Burying the Ex . He has also directed him in four television episodes: "Police Squad!" {Testimony of Evil (Dead Men Dont Laugh) } , "Amazing Stories" {The Greibble (#2.6)} , "Eerie, Indiana" {The Losers (#1.4)} and "Rebel Highway" {Runaway Daughters (#1.4)} .
He directed William Schallert in five films or television films: Twilight Zone: The Movie , Gremlins , Innerspace , Matinee and The Second Civil War .
He has directed Belinda Balaski in ten films or television films: Piranha , The Howling , Gremlins , Explorers , Amazon Women on the Moon , Gremlins 2: The New Batch , Matinee , The Second Civil War , Small Soldiers , and The Warlord: Battle for the Galaxy . He has also directed Balaski in three television episodes: "Eerie, Indiana" {Foreverware } , "Eerie, Indiana" {The Hole in the Head Gang (#1.13)} and "Rebel Highway" {Runaway Daughters (#1.4)} .
He directed Kevin McCarthy in seven films or television films: Piranha , The Howling , Twilight Zone: The Movie , Innerspace , Matinee , The Second Civil War and Looney Tunes: Back in Action .
Often cites The Innocents as his favorite horror movie, and one of the scariest hes ever seen.
Editing is where movies are made or broken. Many a film has been saved and many a film has been ruined in the editing room. .
