“Bill Murray Experience” Filmmaker Sadie Katz On Her Appreciation Of Bill Murray

Simply put, Bill Murray is one of the most beloved actors of our time. Everything that Murray does seems to be done on his own terms. This includes his legendary public appearances and social interactions among everyday people, which generally conclude with him telling the person that “no one will ever believe you.” In turn, the Golden Globe-winning actor often comes across as an enigma.

Bill Murray’s storied past is the subject of the new documentary Bill Murray Experience. As the star and director of Bill Murray Experience, Sadie Katz’s film revolves around her journey to have a storied encounter with Murray. Without giving too much away, this entails interactions with some of Murray’s family members and co-stars, who aim to assist Katz. I had the pleasure of interviewing Katz and believe are some of the highlights. In the meantime, more on Sadie Katz and Bill Murray Experience can be found online on Facebook.

When did you first become a fan of Bill Murray?

Sadie Katz: I was always a fan like, almost everyone. Isn’t it funny how like no one doesn’t love Bill? I can’t think of another actor or actress that is so adored by such an age range of fans.

Do you have a favorite Bill Murray project?

Sadie Katz: Lost In Translation was a really big movie for me- I thought Bill Murray’s performance in that had so much truth and then I later saw Broken Flowers, and both films have a loneliness played so honestly by Bill that speaks to me. The fact that you know Bill is picky about what he works on and these are two films that I think really speak to the difficulties of being a women. St. Vincent was the same. Of course, maybe Bill just got tired of working with men, always a possibility.

How long did you spend making Bill Murray Experience?

Sadie Katz: I spent a year and a half shooting on and off, another year and a half editing and another year doing festivals and distribution. I never went to film school, but I feel like I got a pretty solid Filmmaking 101!

What was the biggest challenge with putting together the project?

Sadie Katz: Honestly, the biggest challenge was really just getting people to believe and trust in me. It was such a strange thing because before I started the documentary, it never occurred to me how much negativity you have to cut thru to get something done. I think partly because L.A. can be a flaky town, and honestly because it’s scary sometimes for people to have blind faith in you; this was my first doc and my first time directing a film.

Was there a lot of footage left on the cutting room floor?

Sadie Katz: Actually, I was careful to not just film hundreds of hours of footage, only because I couldn’t afford an editor to spend months cutting. Jim Towns was my editor and animator. We’ve been friends from other projects and he just has the best work ethic — and a great sense of story — we were sorta on the same page of what stayed and went. That being said, there was a couple scenes with the girls I really loved and one with my buddy Mark Jones — director and creator of Leprechaun — that we cut, but it’s on the DVD extras.

Has there been any contact with Bill with relation to the project?

Sadie Katz: From me? Lawyer stuff and such. From Bill? Well, if I told you you’d never believe me anyway!

Did working on the project lead you to learn a lot more about Bill Murray?

Sadie Katz: Sure, I researched a lot about Bill, but it also made me get to know his family more — they’re kinda cool and exceptional. Totally not Hollywood. There’s something really wonderful about how down to earth the family really is. I mean after doing the doc, you kinda wonder why Bill is the one who gets the most fuss in the family, they’re all pretty dope.

Bill Murray Experience aside, what is coming up for you?

Sadie Katz: I’m excited in my acting side of things to have Bloodfeast and Party Bus To Hell released. It’s such a crazy April.

When not busy with filmmaking, how do you like to spend your free time?

Sadie Katz: I have a 16-year old son, who is my favorite person ever. If he let me I’d spend every second hanging out with him, listening to him play his guitar and just be excited about life. I actually love teenagers and sometimes forget I’m not one.

What was your favorite movie of 2017?

Sadie Katz: I don’t even like superhero movies but, I thought Wonder Woman and Black Panther were pretty important films. Something exciting about the success of those films that sends a bigger message to the entertainment powers that be. I’m hoping 2018 has more of those break-throughs and maybe, we won’t have to have those kinds of conversations because, it’ll be the norm.

Finally, Sadie, any last words for the kids?

Sadie Katz: Hmmm… What I just told my son yesterday… Art isn’t art without sacrifice, it’s just a hobby. Oh, and take out the damn trash. Thank you for having me!

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Tags: Bill Murray, black panther, Documentaris, Jim Towns, Los Angeles, Sadie Katz, Wonder Woman

About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."