Not too hot to handle

Two of the most prolific producers in Hollywood, Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher, oversaw the acclaimed Oliver Stone film 'World Trade Center,' brought to their attention by their friend, the late producer Debra Hill. Released through Paramount Pictures, the movie chronicles the real-life struggle of two policemen fighting to survive beneath the collapsed World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001.

Shamberg and Sher also produced 'Erin Brockovich,' which was nominated in 2001 for best picture and earned Julia Roberts her best actress Oscar. They were executive producers on 'Pulp Fiction,' nominated in 1995 for best picture. Shamberg also produced 'The Big Chill,' nominated for best picture in 1984.

What drew you to this script?

Shamberg: We like movies about the times we live in. We like stories that, while true, also have a positive message. That's part of the lifeblood of Hollywood. It was not a slam-dunk to do a movie about the World Trade Center. We've grossed over $150 million worldwide.

It's unusual that there are two 9/11 movies potentially in awards contention.

Sher: The year we made 'Erin Brockovich,' 'A Civil Action' had just come out. People are interested in similar subject matters when big events affect people.

Do awards matter that much?

Shamberg: From a business point of view, movies that are opened in the awards season are counting on that to sell their films, which is a good thing. A lot of good films get made for that reason. It probably adds value in DVD. For a filmmaker, it's just gratifying to have your work recognized.

Some said people weren't ready for 'World Trade Center.'

Sher: The story is extraordinary and moving. For us, telling a small, personal story was the only way to look at it. We weren't trying to tell a story about everything that happened that day.

Shamberg: The movie industry wasn't clamoring for a movie about 9/11.

Sher: So we developed it out of our own discretionary fund.

Why didn't the film show the planes flying into the buildings?

Sher: Michael, Debra and I made a decision early on that the movie would be completely subjective of what the guys saw. You would only see what they saw.

Shamberg: Had you done that, you would have said you're just showing people something they've seen before. We wanted to show people something they hadn't seen before.