I am Brandon Dermer, Director of the new MAJOR LAZER music video starring Terry Crews, Nekrogoblikon, Jon Lajoie and more! AMA

How much was your Budget? Terry Crews is freakin Awesome!

legally I cannot speak about the budget. Sorry! But, I spent over $100 on pizza the night we wrapped the shoot.

Terry is THE MAN!

Did you go to Stevenson? I'm pretty sure I've smoked pot with you

I did.

Where did you get the inspiration for the video?

All the incredible Major Lazer imagery that surrounds the group. From their music videos, to their live shows, to their album covers.

No question here, just wanted to say that video was crazy awesome... about as opposite of derivative as possible. I'll definitely be on the look for your work in the future!

No high speed with the epic though?!

Wait scratch that, question; how long have you worked with Jon Lajoie? The cinematic masterpiece high as fuck seems like it could be your handiwork...

I started working with Jon in 2010. The first video we did together was I CAN DANCE ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHnGwDy2y6s ) . I actually make a cameo in it. Actually, I make cameos in a lot of his videos. For example, I'm the prostitute in BEST SONG IN THE WORLD ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_cikTgwMXY ).

A little ways before shooting on red's I guess! It's awesome that you guys have been getting recognition and working on bigger projects for awhile. Rewatching those feels almost like stepping back in time and rewatching Tom Green on ch 22 way back haha! All the best my man!

Thanks!

I Can Dance is actually my favorite song of Jons and favorite one of all time on YouTube. Thanks so much for the comedy gold you don't know how many laughs I've gotten out of it with friends or alone and it even helped my best friend get out of a suicidal situation believe it or not ... Also I love Major Lazer so can't wait to see this! Thanks for the AMA and good luck

Thank you good sir!

What's your favorite pizza topping?

Sausage. Specifically on deep dish Chicago style pizza. Specifically from Lou Malnatis.

what are my chances of getting a date with kaden kross. Who is funnier you or Nick Kroll?

Regarding Kayden... it depends on how well read you are. Regarding Nick Kroll... Nick Kroll. But my Mother would say me.

Ho much weed does Diplo Smoke?

all of it.

Tell me about your pizza addiction and why you love Bill Paxton in the movie Twister?

My Mother is a pizza and my Father is Bill Paxton.

Hi Brandon! I love the video. How long did it take to put on the goblin mask/costume?? Also, where did you get it? Did someone make it?

Thanks! The mask was created in my brain and then executed by the mastermind Mark Villalobos at MonsterEffects. First, we digitally created what we wanted the Goblin to look like. After that, we had to mold our actor's head. Our actor, David Rispoli, has a fear of small places... so the molding process a hoot! After that, Mark spent weeks perfecting the design. The mask took 4 hours to put on everyday of shooting. At the end of the day, the mask would have to be cut off David. So, we didn't have a mask he could just take on and off. He had to wear it ALL day. Each mask was a 1 time use only and glued to his face. The video took 3 days to shoot. So if crew call was 7am, David was in the make up chair at 4:30a/5am. He was a trooper and gave an incredible performance!

What is Jon Lajoie like in person? How different is he from his character on The League?

Jon is the worst. He never showers. He is always begging for money. He is always trying to get me to watch The Voice with him.

None of that is true. Jon is the best. I love working him. He has a beautifully disturbed brain that churns out some of the funniest things I've ever heard/seen in my life. His creativity and unique voice never fails to impress me.

My favorite part of the process working together is when we sit down to spitball ideas until we find that one thing that makes us laugh so hard that we start to cry.

He's also just a great dude. Completely humble and an absolute pleasure to be around.

What's your favorite Hard "R" movie?

Grease

Thanks for No One Survives. It's genuinely the funniest thing I've seen in my life.

thank you! we just released a new LIVE video featuring the Goblin ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk1WCupiHOI )

Was the baby difficult to work with? More or less then Jon?

The baby was actually incredible. Jon and I couldn't believe it! The kid always had a smile on it's face. Jon was terrible to work with, he was constantly pooping his diapers and crying for his bottle.

How much pot does Jon Lajoie smoke? Seriously...

all of it.

there's a rumor that your creativity is surpassed only by your sexual prowess. any truth to that?

duh.

If you could remake any movie as a porno but starring the original actors, what would it be?

Twister.

Beyond the amazing sexual chemistry between Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt, are there any other reasons why? What kind of scene would you have planned for Philip Seymour Hoffman?

There are just so many incredible LOCATIONS for sex... ie, the way I'd redo this scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzYXUVmt9So)... you start off with some tugs in the car.... then full going at in under the bridge as the TWISTER is over them.

Philip would make love to the DOROTHY device.

How did it come about Major Lazer hiring you to direct this video? btw, diplo is the shit

I was able to get my Nekrogoblikon music video ( ) in front of Diplo's eyes. He flipped for it and asked what I had in mind.... so I told him live action Major Lazer.

A suggestion: team up with the creators of far cry 3 blood dragon and make a full length major lazer film. I would cry if you did.

:)

Nekrogoblikon FUCK YES!

Great job on the video.

not that I know of.... but maybe.... tell me more!

What camera do you use?

It depends on the project... for Major Lazer we shot on a Red Epic.

will there be a sequel, as the ending suggests? love this video! thanks for bringing back the mini-movie.

you'll just have to wait and find out....

and you are welcome!!!

i am definitely in suspense. seeing the major come to life was a true treat!

thanks!!!

How cool is DIPlo?

he is the MAN.

Do you wish you had directed Pon De Floor? I do. It's an amazing video. Scare Me is awesome, though, I loved the whole idea. Did the guys from Major Lazer help create the concept or was it just you? And, last, but not least, the pizzas in São Paulo, Brazil are amazing, you should come and get some!

Eric Wareheim directed Pon De Floor... and yes, it is amazing. All of Eric's work is amazing. The Major Lazer guys brought me all the mythology behind Major Lazer and then let me run with it.

Diplo must be interesting to work with. I get the vibe that he creates all the weird stuff and let people just roll with it, I dont know haha anyway, congrats on your work, I'm studying/trying really hard to become a video producer and it's always cool to get to know other people's work!

thanks! best of luck.

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We shot on a Red Epic. I wrote the script on a Macbook. I ordered pizza from Lou Malnatis.

Pornstar Alexis Texas follows you on Twitter. Is there a story there...?

after I made Fleshlightning ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTQagbeCAxs ), I met some cool pornstars :) Alexis is awesome !

What's your favorite cookie?

Chocolate Chip.

The 'That's On Me' video looks fantastic! What was Nathan Williams/Wavves like to work with?

edit: typo and to inform you that I'm literally eating pizza as I write this...

Thank you! Nathan is an total rad gentleman. He is smart, well-spoken, inspired and gnarly. We plan on doing some more stuff together in the very near future...

Never expected to hear any less. I've seen a few articles/interviews online that try to make him out to be kind of a douche but I never thought that was the case, seems like one of the most genuine and hard working people in music today.

New stuff together? Can you elebroate on that at all yet? haha

He's a hustler!

Can't speak to it yet... but very soon! follow me @brandondmob / brandondermer.com for updates!

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I love SCARE ME... runner up would've been Bumaye

What would you rather do: have your hand smashed with a sledgehammer or be double-teamed by Grimace and the Hamburglar?

the hamburglar smash my hand with a sledgehammer.

When are you going to feature Lou Malnati's pizza in a music video? You know that would get mad viewz in the Windy City.

I actually have a pizza music video coming out in October for the Death Set starring Whitney Moore, David Rispoli and featuring Steve Aoki... sadly, there is no Lou's in the video... BUT, I have a Lou's video up my sleeve... just waiting for the right time... get at me Lou Malnati!!

Weren't you a mailman once? That was pretty cool. Why did Jon Lajoie want a mailman-prostitute to be in "The Best Song"?

yes I was. Jon loves the mail.

I was a mailman.

Any relation to Dermer's from upstate NY?

not sure...

How did Blake Anderson end up in this video?

we reached out to him. amazing dude

I'm a huge fan of Blake's so I reached out to him.

Out of the various artists you've worked with, who has been the best/worst to work with?

Best has been everyone from the actors to the Pa's... the worst, myself.

your great and I hope you keep kicking ass with your productions

thank you very much!

thank you!

How was Blake Anderson to work with?

terrible. he was constantly farting on set. jk. maybe. no, seriously, the guy was awesome. he came on set with a smile on his face and gave a great performance.

What is it like working with Diplo?

a dream. guy is a true collaborator.

Bill Paxton in Independence Day >>>>

Big fan of both, but I was specifically moved by the sexual tension between Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt in Twister.

How did you get the hot girl from Birdemic?

First off, I'm a HUGE Birdemic fan. Second off, I'm a HUGE Whitney Moore fan (the said hot chick from Birdemic). Through a couple of friends I was able to get her contact info and I reached out simply telling her I wanted to work together. I first worked with Whitney on my Futurecop! music video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ba8zFBy0k0 ) and she was an absolute delight. Never complains. Always gives 110%. And she loves pizza. She also makes a cameo in Jon Lajoie's Broken Hearted, which I produced, ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAZhXAh7BC0 ). Keep an eye on for Whitney Moore, she's going to take over the world!

Hey Brandon - let's get that drink soon before I move. Also some pizza. And metal music.

yes!!! lets go to QT Chicago! have you been?