2011 - Page 65 of 69

Interview with Andrew Clement

Andrew Clement is the owner of Creative Character Engineering, an SFX company that has been around since 1993. Just in 2010, Andrew has worked on the following films, 2010’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, “Repo Men”, “Let Me In” and HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Andrew about his latest work and what he has planned upcoming.

Mike Gencarelli: Where you nervous re-designing one of horrors biggest icons Freddy Kruger in 2010’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street”?
Andrew Clement: I have to honestly say that the main thing that I was nervous about was getting the work done on time. We didn’t get Jackie Earle Haley until the eleventh hour, and we had a deadline for a makeup test a few weeks after that. I didn’t want to compromise the look, or how the makeup went together, so it meant a lot of crazy hours. I always have a certain amount of stress when I prep a makeup, because I want it to be the best it can be, and I’m a pretty tough critic. When I was awarded the film, I knew that no matter what I did, there would always be a segment of the fan population who would hate it on principle, just because we changed it. I was really happy that there was an almost universal acceptance of the make-up, especially with the people who were invited to see it in person.

MG: When working on make-up effects for “Let Me In”, did you refer back to the original film?
AC: I actually didn’t know that the film was a remake until after I began working on it. I asked Matt Reeves if he wanted me to see the film, and he requested that I not watch it, so my take would be fresh. I still have not seen the original, even though I bought a copy. I got too busy with projects right after we wrapped “Let Me In”. Again, like “Nightmare on Elm Street”, I got a lot of positive feedback on the make-up, even with people who were familiar with the original.

MG: How did you start working with Dick Smith?
AC: I had been sending photos of my work to Dick ever since I was a kid, and he would send nice responses to me. Eventually, I would call him for advice and help when I began to get professional jobs. Around 1984, I heard that he was thinking of writing a book or something on make-up. I called him to say hi, and let him know I would be interested in buying a copy if he ever got around to it. A few months later he sent out a flier advertising his professional make-up course. I sent out a check to him for a copy that day, and my promptness resulted in me being his first student. Then around 2004, Dick called me to say he wanted to find someone to carry on the work of the course, and to update the material. I was his first choice, and would I be interested? Of course I said yes, and we have been business partners since. It’s allowed me to spend a lot of time and travel with him teaching, and it’s been a remarkable experience.

MG: You have worked on a few projects with Steve Oedekerk, can you tell us about how that became?
AC: Steve is one of my favorite people to work with. He’s terrifically funny and a nice guy. I was brought in on “Kung Pow” by a prop master friend of mine, and we hit it off. I wound up doing some small things for his “Thumb” series of projects after that. I look forward to him doing something big again, because he always has fun, silly things to do.

MG: What has been the most difficult project that you have worked on?
AC: I can honestly say that “Let Me In” was far and away the most difficult project I have ever been on. Working with a limited budget, in the mountains of New Mexico in the dead of winter, with effects in water, and on kids who have a limited schedule for filming. The production that did not have a lot of experience working with practical effects and that made it extremely stressful. But we got through it, and delivered work that I am extremely proud of.

MG: What has been your favorite project that you have worked on?
AC: My favorite project to date, in terms of work I have created has to be “Repo Men”. On that film, we got to do everything from tiny brand/tattoo appliances to full effect replicas of Jude Law and Alice Braga. We also broke new ground for ourselves in creating the futuristic artificial organs in the computer. We then printed via a 3D printer and plated with actual metal to create these hyper real working props.

MG: Do you have a favorite genre to work in?
AC: I love to create characters, and some of my best memories came from when I worked at Jim Henson’s company. I love when an audience can have an emotional response, be it awe, or fear, or affection, to something that I have created. I would have loved to stay at Henson’s, but they have an edict that keeps them from pursuing films that are not family friendly. I needed more latitude in my work than that, so I decided to form my own company where I could explore those kinds of projects. If I had the opportunity to create more fantasy or alien characters, I would be very happy.

MG: Tell us about your two upcoming projects “The Apparition” & Wanderlust”?
AC: Unfortunately, I’m not permitted to talk about either of those projects yet. I do have a lot of things in the works, including some exciting CG projects, that should really show the full range of the work that we can do.

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Interview with Giovanni Lombardo Radice

Giovanni Lombardo Radice is known for his roles in such classic Italian horror films such as “City of the Living Dead” & “Cannibal Ferox”. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Johnny (as called by his friends) about how he actually dislike for horror genre and “Cannibal Ferox”, as well.

Mike Gencarelli: You have made quite a career in the horror genre, has that always been a favorite for you?
Giovanni Lombardo Radice: Not at all. As a cinema goer I stopped watching horror films with Dario Argento’s “Deep Red”. I get easily scared (and don’t like it), I do not like gore, blood, violence. Curiously enough as an actor, I have been in it up to my hair (when I had hair).

MG: What was it like starring in the film “Cannibal Ferox”? they do not make films like that anymore.
GLR: And I am very glad they don’t. “Cannibal Ferox”, in my opinion, is one of the greater pieces of shit ever made. Tasteless, useless, cruel and fascist. Making it was a nightmare (Lenzi + jungle is a fatal combination) and I am still deeply ashamed about being in it and I also think I was terrible in that movie: Over the top, bombastic and bleah!!!!

MG: How did you feel when you found out that it was “Banned in 31 Countries”, that is something really incredible?
GLR: I couldn’t care less. Sorry if it comes to a disappointment to you or others but I really HATE the thing. If it had been for me it could have been burned in Times Square.

MG: How was it working with the late Lucio Fulci in “City of the Living Dead”?
GLR: To me he was always very kind. He liked my acting and respected me. The atmosphere on set was edgy, because he was always shouting (at the production mainly) and work was quite hard. But all in the same, I have good memories. He surely had a bad temper and frequently mistreated people. He was very unhappy both for tragedies that had happened in his family and because he was unsatisfied about his career. Once I invited him to a party in my house. He went to the toilet and found out that whilst theatre posters were displayed in the living room, the horror movie posters were decorating the bathroom. He came back yelling “Hey, people, I’m in the loo!” Anyhow, he was a cultivated man and respected me for my family background and for my theatre credits. He was always very polite and friendly with me.

MG: Tell about playing your intense character in “City of the Living Dead”?
GLR: I liked the character of Bob and, as I always do, had most of all a physical training, working on the character’s body, his frailness, the slight twist on one shoulder.

MG: How do you feel Italian horror films differs from American horror films?
GLR: I haven’t seen many from either countries because, as I told you, I don’t like them. What can I say is that Italians are generally less technical and more inventive. They rely more on fantasy than on special effects.

MG: How can you reflect how your films resonate with new and old fans still through today?
GLR: It’s a mystery. I learned to accept with gratitude. It’s quite strange to be loved and at times idolized for something you don’t like yourself, but I think an actor must always be grateful to his audience for affection and esteem.

MG: Going on working on zombie horror films to “Gangs of New York”, how was that process for you?
GLR: As I told many a time, in “Gangs Of New York”, I have almost an extra role, which I accepted (against the opinion of my agent). I was paid as an actor and because I was very curious about the huge reconstruction they had made of 1860’s New York. As a matter of fact these characters in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” originally had lines, but they were cut before shooting because of the movie length. Anyway before zombies I had been on stage performing Shakespeare and others plays. I kept doing theatre all the way and being in a lot other stuff than horror film. Mainly period European miniseries, some of them really good.

MG: What are you favorite types of films to watch if not horror?
GLR: I like mysteries, ghost stories, thrillers. I could name “The Others”, “The Sixth Sense” and the recent “Hereafter”, which I thought a work of genius.

MG: Tell us what are you currently working on?
GLR: I recently made an independent movie in Texas called “The Infliction” by Matthan Harris. I translated and directed a Neil Simon play here in Italy called “The Dinner Party” and occasionally acted in it, sharing the role with another actor. I am now starting to translate “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”, which will be staged next year.

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Interview with Sandy Collora

Sandy Collora created the short film “Batman: Dead End”. The short is believe to be one of the best adaption of Batman on film. Sandy recently completed his first feature film, “Hunter Prey” which was just recently released on DVD. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Sandy about his films and what inspires him.

Mike Gencarelli: What were you thinking when you originally made the film “Batman: Dead End”?
Sandy Collora: A lot of things. It was really just a big experiment. So much of what I was attempting to do, had never been done on film at the time. I wanted to present the Batman that I knew and loved from the comics. A dark, brooding, creature of the night, that didn’t need a rubber suit, nipples or a credit card. That’s really mostly what it was all about. A lot of people didn’t believe I could make the cloth and leather suit work. Even simple things like the white eyes, the over-sized cape, the rain, no one had done those things previously in a Batman film. I think a combination of all those elements is what made it unique. I chose Batman because at that point, I had already made a few short films. No one really seemed to care… I thought if I made a short with Batman in it, people would at least watch it. I wasn’t sure if they’d dig it, but at least it would get watched, as opposed to “Solomon Bernstein’s Bathroom” and “Archangel”, which nobody watched. LOL.

MG: Can you believe the reception it received?
SC: No. To this day, seven years later, I still get emails and requests for the film, autographs, interviews, what have you. It seems to resonate… I think the fact that so much time has gone by, especially with the Nolan films being so dark and realistic, people are realizing finally that I was on to something. That little film definitely put me on the map as a director, and eventually led to making “Hunter Prey”. It took much longer than I would have liked, especially with the reaction I got from “Batman: Dead End”, but I got to make a feature length film, that you can walk into a store and buy on DVD. That in and of itself, in this town, is quite the feat.

MG: How does it feel to have created one of the most beloved depictions of Batman?
SC: That’s definitely cool. To have people that I really respect, guys like like Alex Ross, Neal Adams and John Byrne, say that they really dig it and it’s still the best depiction of the character on film, is pretty damn cool. I run into fans all time at shows or the comic shop, who say it’s still their favorite version to date. To be honest, all I did was take what so many talented artists before me drew in comic books, and put it on film… That’s really about the long and short of it.

MG: Would you ever consider doing a follow-up?
SC: No.

MG: How was it working Stan Winston?
SC: That was a very special time in my life. Stan was cool guy… He and all the talented artists working there, kinda took me under their wings and taught me a lot. I learned so much in the time I worked there. I actually miss those days. It was at the beginning of my career. I was 18 years old. So young, so idealistic… So naive. Back then I actually thought this industry was different. I thought it was about making art and that I could make a difference. But it’s really about making money and what I think or what I do, makes no difference at all. Stan had a way of understanding all this, because he was very successful at being both an artist and a businessman. I admired him for that, and always will. Learning that Hollywood is much more of a business, rather than an entity that cultivates art, has been the biggest learning experience for me in my journey through my career. Stan was really an integral part of that. I really miss those early days of my career and I miss him. Another really cool part of working there, was hearing all the Cameron stories from “The Terminator” and “Aliens”. Those guys all talked about him like he was some kind of God. They showed me his drawings and stuff and told me stories of working with him, and how awesome it was to be involved with a guy who knew so much about FX, creatures, making models. I absolutely loved those films, but working at Stan’s was where I kinda got my first dose of what a juggernaut Cameron was and how much he knew about every aspect of the filmmaking process. You gotta remember, this is like 1988, there were no DVD’s with all the extensive “making of” features that are so commonplace now. Back then, you got all this stuff through magazines and word of mouth. It was almost like these guys painted Cameron as this unearthly apparition… A character, like Stan, who in and of himself, was such an interesting person. It was just a different time… There was so much more magic to it all then because you couldn’t just pop in a DVD and get the entire story behind the scenes. These days, director commentaries, documentaries, and all the special features that come with every movie, kind of ruin the mystique of the movies. Exposing the man behind the curtain, so to speak.

MG: You have worked in FX on various projects, what was your favorite project?
SC: “The Abyss” by far, even though the guy who ran the FX shop I worked for on that show, was the polar opposite of Stan. He was neither a good artist nor a good businessman, but getting to work with Jim Cameron is still the absolute highlight of my career. I learned so much, just by watching the guy. He’s brilliant. I would sneak on the set even when I wasn’t supposed to be there, just to watch him. I even got to do some pre production art for “Spider-Man” back in the day, when he was supposed to direct that film. In the short time I was around the guy, I learned more about being a director, than I ever have anywhere else, on any other set, or working for any other director. He’s just a pure genius in every sense of the word. Cameron is my hero. Period.

MG: Tell us about your latest project “Hunter Prey”?
SC: Well, I kinda got sick of waiting for a bigger studio movie. So I just went out, raised a little money and made “Hunter Prey”. I simply thought it was time to make a movie instead of just pitching them. There were a lot of limitations, especially regarding the budget, but I did what I could with the resources that I had. I felt good to kind of get the monkey off my back and actually make a feature film. A film that actually got distribution. A film that you could walk into Target and buy, or a go into a video store and rent. It was a long two years and I sacrificed a lot to make it. A lot of love and hard work went into that little film.

MG: What are you currently working on?
SC: It’s winter in Southern California… When the waves are up, we surf. When the waves are down, we dive for lobster.

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Interview with Kristin Carey

Photo by Michael Helms

Kristin Carey plays the sexy cougar Aunt Meg in the upcoming Farrelly Brothers film “Hall Pass”. Movie Mikes had a chance to talk with Kristin about her role in the film as well as some of her other projects.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about your lastest film, “Hall Pass”?
Kristin Carey: It’s an adventure of two guys played by Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis who receive hall passes from their wives…which is good for one week off from marriage. We always think that the grass is greener on the other side, however once these two guys start out on their adventure…they start to realize that this might not really be the case.

AL: Can you tell us about your character?
KC: I play Aunt Meg who is a crazy cougar with an insatiable sexual appetite [Laughs]. I hear about the hall pass through my niece who is Owen Wilson’s characters babysitter. Aunt Meg decides that Owen’s character is going to be her pray. I am one of many characters that the two guys encounter on their adventure.

AL: How was it working with the Farrelly Brothers?
KC: This was my second time working with them, as I had done a Sprint commercial with them previously. They are amazing! They are very down to earth and are interested in getting to know each person they work with on a personal level. We bonded over our love of the Boston Red Sox. It was like working with family but without the arguing. They like to hear your input on the character and scenes. It’s a very democratic set.

AL: How did you become attached to the film?
KC: When I met the Farrelly brothers for the first time, we just really bonded. They wanted to know everything about me…which was great. I had kept in touch with them after the Sprint commecial shoot was done. One day I got a call out of the blue to test for New Line.

AL: Had you seen the entire script prior to your audition?
KC: The night I was set to fly out for my test something had happened with the computer and I was only able to see part of the script. I went to the test knowing only a small portion of the script, but after I got the role I read the entire script. I very rarely laugh out loud when I am reading but this script was really funny!

AL: From your work do you have a role that sticks out as a favorite?
KC: I really love my role in “Hall Pass”. You always hear that there is a little piece of us in each character we play and I think there is a little bit of Aunt Meg in Kristin [Laughs]. I also got to play a National Security Advisor in a play called “The War Room” that I enjoyed. I liked the politics in that play and the role was feisty and intelligent which I loved. I was actually the only female in that cast and I produced it. That play was just a great experience. Another role I did that really sticks out for me was I played an Irish singer in a small indie film. I actually got to go into a studio and record a CD which was a pretty intense experience.

AL: Can you tell us about some of your upcoming projects?
KC: I am attached to an untitled film right now where my character is sort of a younger and sexier version of Jane Lynch. I play a college professor who is sort of a militant lesbian (Laughs). The film revolves around the experiences my character has with her students. It’s still in the planning process but we should be underway around spring time.

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Interview with Kyle Bornheimer

Kyle Bornheimer is the star of NBC’s hilarious new comedy “Perfect Couples”. The show is really catching on with its audience and is consistently funny each episode since it has premiered. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Kyle about working on the show and what we can expect from it.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about what drew you to the show “Perfect Couples”?
Kyle Bornheimer: What I liked was that it was just such a simple concept for couples. I knew exactly where I taught we could go with the show. When I met with the creators Jon Pollack and Scott Silveri, I just liked what they had to say about what they wanted to do with the show. One question you always ask about when you do a show is “What is this going to be week-in and week-out?” They had a great answers for me and it got me really excited. Not even just for one season, we all had plenty of ideas on what we could do with these couples. In case of my particular character, it just the right neighborhood for me. I was immediately getting ideas and writing them down and playing with the material they had. When something inspires me and makes me go into my office and spend a couple of hours playing with material and coming up with ideas, then I know I am in something that I like.

MG: Do you find on the show, you have a lot of creative freedom?
KB: We have a nice collaboration. We are all committed to making it something really special. The scripts come in incredibly polished and we are working with some of the best writers in the business. Due to that, it makes our job a lot easier. After that it is just us playing around with it and coming up with even more ideas and trying to nail the right tone. For me it is the perfect thing, the scripts are so well done and plus we are still able to play with it during filming.

MG: The cast of the show seems to all have such great chemistry, tell us about working with them?
KB: It is has been great working with such a great cast. We are all hitting our stride as performers. You go to work and everyone is just cracking up. Everyone just wants to do extraordinary work and it is just inspiring. Everyone is really feeding off of each other. I really enjoy the six person scenes personally. We would get really excited when all six of us get to be in the same scene together. Just from a purely hanging out and having fun perspective, it is was fun days. The material was so good and we were playing off each other so well that it was like being on a constant comedy high for a bit.

MG: Besides cast you also seem to have a strong behind the scenes for the show?
KB: Yeah I agree. We are fortunate on this to have just a lot of good people working on it. Jon and Scott have a real rich history of working on television. Andy Ackerman who has directed the episodes, has also directed most of the “Seinfeld” episodes, so we are in good hands. So combined with our inspiration and drive to make it excellent with Andy’s direction and editing team and finally the scripts, we are very lucky. It is fun on the days we are filming and then fun again when we get to revisit it and see it edited together and get to experience it all over again.

MG: What has been your favorite episode to date?
KB: The episode that airs on February 24th called ‘Perfect House’, is one of my favorites. We discover that Dave and Vance’s friendship is like the fourth perfect couple. Once we realize what a great friendship they had…we started really playing with that. Those were some of my favorites scenes. I love the way David (Walton) works and the material that the writers comes up for us together. David is always making me laugh and I love trying to make him laugh during the show. That episode really plays around in a unique way with the intense friendship between these two. In some ways it is more intense than some of the relationships in the show.

MG: I feel that the show seems to get better with each episode, did you notice that during filming…once you all got comfortable?
KB: I felt pretty good early on. It is hard to step away from it though…I can’t be 100% subjective. I was confident we were making a good show. As it was put out there, we found people have to learn about these characters sometimes before the full richness of them could be understood. With comedy once you have learned the characters, then you could follow them a little easier. If we do something funny that goes against character or someone’s character, you would have to know them first to do that. If we would have explored the interesting friendship between Dave and Vance too early, people might not have gotten where it was coming from. That is always the tricky thing with comedy. There are always those legendary stories of show that got off to a slow start like “Seinfeld”…”Will and Grace”…”Cheers”, comedy is harder to get audiences on board right away. I think we have gotten better with each episode as well even though I really like the first episodes. I was just excited to be doing good work and then we start thinking we were getting a hang of it and then by episode three we totally had it. It was just smooth sailing from there.

MG: How does working on this show compare to the other shows you’ve worked on?
KB: Generally, I have been very fortunate. I have worked with really fun and creative people. I have been able to do work that I am proud of and this show is no different. I got very invested and into this project as soon as I started. It has been very family-like working on it. All of us in the cast and crew meet almost every week to watch the episodes together, it is really cool. Even if someone is out of town, we would call them as we are watching it. I think we all really bonded. I literally have like seven seasons of ideas for the show. There is plenty of material when it comes to couples. We are all kind of waiting on the edge of our seats to see if we can get a season two.

MG: Can you give us a sneak preview of the upcoming episodes?
KB: We have teased about marriage between the most intense couple on the show, the fight and make-up couple, Vance and Amy. So that through-line of their wedding has provided a lot of hilarity throughout the season as we go on towards the later episodes. Anytime we got scripts about the wedding from the writers, we would get so excited since it was since a unique take on a wedding and was always out of left field. I think they knew that it would be natural for a wedding situation to be in the cards for that couple, but they didn’t want to write just a wedding. They wanted to think of it in a different way. I think it is going to work out really well and I am incredible excited about what is upcoming.

Perfect Couples revolves around three unique couples at various stages in their relationships, yet who face similar problems. Vance and Amy are a couple who fight a lot and have a very active sex life. Rex and Leigh view themselves as relationship experts and therefore a “perfect couple”, while Dave and Julia are considered the normal pair to whom everyone can relate

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Interview with Charlotte Ross

Charlotte Ross is known for her role of Det. Connie McDowell in “NYPD Blue”. Charlotte has recently worked on the show “Glee” and is co-starring with Nicolas Cage in the new film “Drive Angry 3D”. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Charlotte about her role in “Drive Angry 3D” and what else she is involved with.

Mike Gencarelli: How was it working on the film “Drive Angry 3D”?
Charlotte Ross: Well it was really intense and awesome at the same time. I have passed on nudity quite a bit in the past. It is interesting because the ass scene I did on “NYPD Blue” has been brought up recently because the FCC has sued Disney for $1.4 million over that scene. It was just overturned in the NY Federal Appeals Courts. I guess I pushed the envelope pretty far in TV. As far as full frontal, it is something that I had never wanted to do but I have already said that clichéd comment that when the right role came around. I think it works for this role and I really liked it. I was just very thankful to have this role.

MG: Tell us about your role in the film?
CR: My character is a tattoo covered – horny – on the edge of white trash – hard knocked life kind of gal. It is funny because I was shooting this the same time as “Glee” and those two cannot be any different of characters…which I love [laughs]. My family keeps asking me when is it coming out and I said “I am not going to tell you”. It is not something I picture my mom sitting and watching.

MG: How was it shooting in 3D?
CR: It was really interesting shooting in 3D. The director Patrick (Lussier) really knows the 3D genre since he did the remake of “My Bloody Valentine 3D”. It is a different way to shoot and requires a different visionary sense. I also think we have a really cutting edge script and a great cast. David Morse, Amber Heard and William Fichtner were all great. You always hopefully that something you do does well but I think this looks like a really cool film.

MG: What was it like working with Nicolas Cage?
CR: I have always wanted to work with Nic Cage. I certainly did [laughs]. I was on top of him day after day [laughs]. He was all about the work and we just had a blast. I think we did improv and ad lib for almost all of our stuff…which was so much fun.

MG: Tell us about your role in the hit show “Glee”?
CR: The role I play on “Glee” is Quinn’s mom Judy Fabray. I love her to death because she is so much fun to play. She is kind of Ann Coulter – wrapped into some people I knew growing up in Winnetka, Illinois – wrapped into Ryan Murphy. The minute I get in my wardrobe, I tangle my purse from my elbow and my whole walk changes. It is just a joy to play. I joined it before it aired and I was just really happy to work with Ryan Murphy and be a part of the show. Then I came back at the end of season one and by then it was already a phenomenon. Everything had their limos waiting everyday to go to award shows. I was just blessed to be a part of the show. Having been on television so long, it has just amazed me what a rarities it is to be such a hit in less than one season. I haven’t been on much this season but it sure is a fun character to play.

MG: Looking back on working on “NYPD Blue”, how do you feel working on TV has differs?
CR: I have recurred on shows like “Fraiser” and “Law & Order”. I have starred in one hour dramas, half hour multi-camera, half hour single camera and they are all different genres. A one hour drama playing a detective that has to deal with rape and incest cases all day compared to a single camera half hour comedy is a whole different experience. But that is what I love about it. My number one priority is to play different characters. I love switching between something that is very intense and drama heavy to something light and comedic. I really love to consider myself a character actress. I love jumping back and forth.

MG: Tell us about some of the charity you support?
CR: I have been an animals rights activist for years. I actually did a PETA campaign years ago…again with my ass. You would thing all I talk about is my ass but I don’t [laughs]. I did a ad that “I’d rather rather show my buns, than wear fur” and I was really proud to be a part of that. I am also producing a documentary right now about the tragedies of how many dogs and cats at the local county and city shelters that have to be euthanized on a daily basis. It is just so tragic. I am also the spokesperson for an organization called Blankets of Love, which I really like. My son just did a fundraiser at school. These shelter animals are usually on concrete floors and only have 3-7 days before they are put down. So if someone does come walking by and they look cold and depressed it reduces there chances of getting adopted. But if they have a blanket or a doggie toy it can make the difference and in turn save there life.

MG: Tell us about your recently sign on to “Street Kings: Motor City”?
CR: Yeah, I play Ray Liotta wife in the film. Like many people I have been a fan of Ray Liotta’s for a long time. I think he is an amazing actor and I love his intensity. I was just excited to get in the ring with him, as they say. We just shot that in Detroit. It was very different again from “Glee” and “Drive Angry 3D”, since I play the more supportive “did you like the dinner I cooked you” wife [laughs]. I was just really excited to be involved with the movie. I took a break after “NYPD Blue” but I am just glad to be back working.

Interview with John Ottman

John Ottman is best known for his collaborations with film director Bryan Singer, and composing the scores for “The Usual Suspects”, “X2: X-Men United”, “Superman Returns” and most recently “Unknown”. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with John on his past scores and what he is currently working on.

Mike Gencarelli: What is t he first step you take when starting to compose a film?
John Ottman: First, I take a Xanax and take a deep breath. Or is it the other way around? Kidding aside, at first glance, having an entire film ahead of you can be a daunting prospect. Especially the ones I get, which always require such an enormous amount of score. Composers are usually up against the wall, and are the last great hope of the film; all the other areas of the film are at the exhaustion point and they’ve tried almost everything, or are still tinkering when you come on board. I live with the film for a bit, watch it a couple times, ruminate about it in bed and while driving to the store until a concept or approach comes to mind. I want to crack the sound of the film almost like deciphering a code. But before things have gelled too much, you have to dive in. When I have an approach I discuss that with the filmmakers. The director will also have specific or broad ideas about what he’s looking for. Then there are the inevitable problem areas that the music can try to help or solve in a pragmatic way. My next step is to come up with motifs and themes for the film, characters, situations, etc. This becomes the inspiration and well from which I draw. It’s a lot of work up front to preconceive these themes, but for me it pays off in the end. Just winging it as I go along is much harder, as I’m more in a fog as to what the thematic structure should be for the story. Scoring a film is a bit of both – planning and coming up with new ideas as you go along. But if I have a template ahead of time, those new ideas are going to be more refined, and a better musical story will be told. You have to know where you’re going.

MG: How did you get involved working with Bryan Singer and his films?
JO: I was the editor on a USC student film that Bryan was a PA on. He saw what I had done to the film (I replaced a previous editor), and we became acquaintances. He then got money together to do a short film and I cut and co-directed it with him. We did an industry invite screening with other short films and got the attention of a Japanese company looking to produce low budget features. They financed $250,000 to make “Public Access”, which I ended up editing. When the composer dropped out at the last minute, I volunteered to score the film, which I had been doing as a hobby. Public Access ended up winning at Sundance, and after that the Usual Suspects deal was put together. Bryan refused to make the film unless I was both the film’s editor and composer. In other words, he refused to let me just score the movie. And to this day, the enforced labor camp of editing a project for over a year in order to score it continues.

MG: You have worked a quite a few superhero films (i.e. “X2”, “Superman Returns” and “Fantastic Four 1 & 2”, do you find it difficult to distinguish the sounds?
JO: That’s always the concern going in, but every film has something very different that I draw from – usually the characters’ plights. I can’t score a film unless I approach the music from the point of view of the characters. They are the genesis of everything for me. So even though these films are of the same genre, the music ends up addressing different issues and characters within a super hero context: “X-Men” is darker and more serious; “Fantastic 4”, lighter and more on the sleeve; “Superman”, emotional, even introspective, and grand.

MG: What has been your hardest film to work on to date?
JO: Well, you wouldn’t think so but “Lake Placid’ was difficult because it’s the one score I’ve done where I couldn’t draw from any characters. The humans were cardboard or one-liners (great one liners), and the crocodile didn’t have any history or plight for me to grab onto. So much of the music was just to keep things fun, exciting or scary. There’s basically one major theme that encompasses the mystery, adventure and the crocodile himself, who’s part of that mystery.

MG: Do you have a favorite?
JO: My most enjoyable score to write was “Astro Boy”, and it ranks among my favorites. But also “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” was a blast for me to do, and is certainly one of my best. My favorite work always seems to be for films no one sees, or hears. Sigh.

MG: Do you feel that the budget of the film reflects your flexibility with the project?
JO: Well it affects the ease of working on the project, and your writing speed. With the low budget synth- supported scores, it’s ten times more labor intensive because there’s so much synth producing eating into composing time. You spend the bulk of your time finding samples, designing sounds and doing detailed mixes. The sounds you’re using aren’t merely for mock-up purposes, but the final product. The irony is that a lot of the synth work is working samples to sound like the orchestra. When it’s mainly an orchestral recording I can write much faster, as I’m not producing a final product. It’s going to be recorded later. The producers don’t understand that when they pay you less to do a synth score, you’re working at least twice as hard to get it to sounds non-low budget. It’s a double f**k.

MG: Tell us about your latest score “Unknown”? What was the process you used when working on the film?
JO: “Unknown” is more of a psychological journey than action score. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson), is a biologist, and in love with his wife, Liz. At least that’s what he believes. Therefore the audience has to believe this as well. When he doubts himself, so must the audience. And that was the musical challenge. The music’s aim was to get into his head and experience the world through his eyes.The film taunts you to ask questions and make suppositions via Martin’s experience. The idea was to establish a familiar musical place and slowly morph it to sound more confused as the film goes on. The story begins with him and Liz driving to a hotel where they’re attending a conference. This music is a place of normalcy for Martin, marked by a piano melody connoting his world and his connection with her. When things start turning upside down, I tried to signify his “confusion” by taking the melody and “stressing it out” with atonal elements. I wanted the music to reflect his bewilderment, yet do it with empathy. I had a personal mission to keep a large portion of the score free of electronic loops. The temporary score was basically a giant collection of flavor-of-the-day rhythmic wallpaper. Even when Martin was alone to contemplate, or lay on a gurney in a hospital, it was synth rhythms – almost to a comical degree. It felt like a TV show. I kept commenting that there was actually an intriguing story under all that noise. The common fear is that without a constant beat, the film will drag. The opposite was true. By breaking it up and stripping out the incessant bologne, the film transformed to something far more captivating. There are, of course, a lot of aggressive rhythms in the action cues, but I tried to keep it sounding organic, or classic. But most of the score is lyrical in nature. It’s a journey.

MG: Tell us about some of your upcoming projects?
JO: I’m off to editing prison for a year and a half for “Jack the Giant Killer”, based upon the “Jack and the Beanstalk” fable. It’ll be a big budget motion capture project. MoCap, as they call it, is apparently is an editing nightmare based upon what I’ve seen about “Avatar”. I’m off to London for six months of that sentence in a few days. So I’ll get one score to write in the next year and a half. I don’t know why I do this to myself. At least it will be a score with a good recording budget.

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Interview with Christopher Lloyd

Christopher Lloyd has one of the most notable careers out of any actor in Hollywood. Christopher started his career with his well known role on “Taxi” as Reverend Jim, and starred in such films as the “Back to the Future” franchise, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”, “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” and the list goes on and on. He is a man who does not need any introduction and will always be known and loved for his roles in his films. Movie Mikes had the absolute pleasure in talking with Christopher about his various roles and got a chance to pick his brain.

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Mike Gencarelli: What was it like working with such a wonderful cast on “Taxi”?
Christopher Lloyd: It was my first real job. I grew up in New York. I gravitated to various theater work in New York for many years before I did “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, which was my first film. When “Taxi” came along it was an area I did not expect to be in. I remember I was so astounded by the cast. They were all so wonderful and they worked so well together as an ensemble. They are all such good actors and brought such good personality to the show. I was amazed and really privileged to belong to that cast.

MG: What was your inspiration for your portrayal of Reverend Jim on “Taxi”?
CL: When I did the show, I would run into people and they would say that they knew somebody in their lives that was a “Reverend Jim”-type. During hiatus, sometimes I would come back after time off and it would take me a little while to get back into the character. I found I would start thinking of my oldest brother, who was 22 years older than me, and there was just something about his character that would help. Maybe it was his attitude or his facial expression but I would always then find myself back as Reverend Jim. My brother was a complete non-drinker or smoker. So besides a character resemblance, he bore no other likeness to Reverend Jim. But somehow I would think of him and I would get my character back.

MG: Looking back now 25 years at the “Back to the Future” franchise, what has been the best part for you being apart of it?
CL: With celebrating the 25th anniversary, certainly myself I never expected it to have the life that it has had. We all hoped it would have a good opening and be well accepted. What impresses me the most, which is also the most rewarding, is that how much it means to some people. Even young people, for instance someone who liked it back then is now making their children watch it. Once they watch it the first time, they are just completely hooked and they love it. It has lasted generation after generation and it still means as much as it did to the first audience back in 1985. I run into people from various walks of life and various countries, they have told me that in one way or another it has inspired them to do something special.

MG: How has it been reprising the role of Doc Brown in Telltale Games’ recent video game?
CL: It was a lot of fun. The game picks up where “Back to the Future: Part III” ended. It goes back to the story and develops new parallel lines of time and more adventures with Doc Brown and Marty. I liked having the chance to go back and reprising that role once again.

MG: One of our readers, Jim Baldassi, would like to know, do you have any good behind the scenes stories to tell about filming “Back to the Future”?
CL: Hmmm, I wouldn’t know where to start. Just after “Back to the Future” was shot and months before its release to theaters. We went up to Northern California to shoot the music video for the soundtrack with Huey Lewis. It was an all night shoot. Huey didn’t know anything about the film…or whether it had a future or not. I remember Huey Lewis coming up to me and asking me “Is this film ever going to do anything”? I looked back and shrugged at him because none of us knew. We were all just hoping it would have a decent run. I do not think anyone could have anticipated how popular it would become.

MG: What can you recall about playing Judge Doom in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”? Due to the animation, was it a difficult project?
CL: It included a lot more preparation than a non-animated film. They made a dummy Roger Rabbit. It was the actual size…probably about hip height and it had a certain weight to it. When we rehearsed the film, we were able to get a sense of the Rabbit and its weight when we were holding it. We would rehearse with and without the rabbit to get the feel and adjust our performance. When we shot the film, it would appear we were actually working with the rabbit. We also had Charles Fleischer, who did the voice of Roger Rabbit off camera. He even dressed up as Roger Rabbit and came up with the crazy voice. He really helped us so much to believe what we were doing and made it work. It was a lot more time rehearsing than regular movies but we had a lot more help from animators and the voice actors.

MG: How does it feel to be a part of the “Star Trek” universe from your role of Commander Kruge in “The Search for Spock”?
CL: I LOVED it. Commander Kruge was so evil and so nasty. He did not have passion or any kind of moral sense of any kind. It was just fun to play that kind of a character. It was a lot of fun. I loved the look of the character…its costume and the makeup. He even had his own language in the movie….Klingonese. They have even formulated a book with Klingonese vocabulary…verbs…the whole thing. It was just so great.

MG: How did you get involved with the fake trailer “Gobstopper” as an evil Willy Wonka?
CL: Yes, I just got a call. It was only one day’s work down in an abandoned warehouse in Downtown LA. I loved it. It was essentially a preview of a movie that hasn’t been made. I have been hoping that they would make a film out of it. I would jump all over that, I would love to do that. It was just so much fun. I think it would work great as a movie.

MG: Tell us about working on “Piranha 3D”? Do you think you will be reprising your role of Mr. Goodman in its sequel “Piranha 3DD”?
CL: Oh yeah! [laughs] “Piranha”. I thought it was a good film within its genre. They set out to do what they wanted to do…and they did it. I was at an award ceremony last year and “Piranha” was awarded the Best/Worst Film of the Year [laughs]…and I think they deserved it [laughs]. I had a lot of fun with that. I have no idea about the sequel, I haven’t heard anything about a sequel but I will be there if they want me back.

MG: We have a celebrity question from actress Sean Young: Who is your current favorite actress? Which actress have you had the most laughs with?
CL: I had a lot of fun working with Mary Steenburgen in “Back to the Future: Part III”. I worked with her before and she is such a wonderful actress and is very engaging. We did a film together before called “Going South” and we had a lot of fun and had real good chemistry between us. My favorite actress today really comes and goes with what I see currently. I do have a lot of admiration for Judi Dench. I have seen a lot of her work over the years and I just really appreciate her commitment and her daring to take on really interesting roles. She just does it so well and has continued to keep working. We all hopefully have our big moments but the real goal is to hopefully keep working.

MG: You recently starred as Willy Loman in the stage production of “Death of a Salesman”, how was that experience?
CL: That was wonderful. Willy Loman is not a role that I am normally considered for. I do not have a lot of credits for doing dramatic roles. The opportunity came up to do that and I jumped on it. It was one of the greatest experiences I have had in my career. It is such an amazing play…still very relevant and pertinent for today. For me it was a challenge to tackle that role but I felt I did it justice and I gave it everything I had. We also had a wonderful cast and director. Again, it was just a great moment for me and I was very grateful for it.

MG: What else do you have planned next?
CL: It just depends as to what comes up. Whether it is TV, film or stage. I just take it day to day as to what I am going to do next.

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Interview with Yara Martinez

Yara Martinez is currently recurring on TNT’s hit show “Southland”. Yara’s character in the show is dealing with the death of her husband in recent episodes and promises it to be really intense. She will next be seen starring in A&E’s upcoming drama “Breakout Kings” with Laz Alonzo (“Avatar”) and Dominick Lombardozzi (“The Wire”), which premieres on Sunday, March 13th. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Yara about her current role in “Southland” and her upcoming show “Breakout Kings”.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about playing Mariella Moretta in “Southland”?
Yara Martinez: I play Kevin Alejandro’s wife on the show. His character Detective Nate Moretta was killed on the show,s o my character has been dealing with his death and it has been really intense. Usually a death on TV lasts for one episode, but this is being carried throughout. His partner Detective Sammy Bryant, played by Shawn Hatosy is staying at my house and helping me take care of stuff. Instead of just dealing with the death, I am also dealing with the complicated emotions. It comes to the line of what is true emotion and what is just comfort. It is really interesting to play that, I have never had to do that dynamic. I feel like it is more three dimensional then just like “Oh, I am sad”. It has been great to work on the show.

MG: Your character has some great episodes this season, what can you tell us?
YM: One scene that was definitely super intense actually didn’t have any lines but it was me finding out that he was dead. I come out of the hospital room and I fall into Shawn’s arms and we are crying. It was one of the most exhausting things I have ever had to do. It was very intense. The cool thing about “Southland” is that they let the actors improv a lot. They let us do what feels natural and you don’t to hit every mark every time. It allows us freedom to do what feels right and let’s it just happen. It is really nice and a luxury for any actor, since a lot of real moments come out that aren’t planned.

MG: What stands out on this “Southland” that makes it different that other shows?
YM: The actors on the show are really amazing. It was originally on ABC and then switched to TNT after its first season. It has actually been better for the show. They have more freedom to do different things now and it feels even more real. Every actor on the show is just amazing. I am really proud to be a part of that show. I am just really excited for going to work everyday.

MG: Tell us about your upcoming role playing Marisol in upcoming “Breakout Kings”?
YM: I play Laz Alonso’s wife, who is a US Marshal on the show. Our characters have been together for a while and they are like high school sweethearts. What is cool is that Laz and I are both Cuban and I have never acted with another Cuban actor. It was nice since we had a lot of similarities, for example stories from growing up. They let us improvise in Spanish and come up with a few extra things. It was really cool. Laz’s character, Charlie Duchamp is really obsessed with work and I kind of bring him down to reality. I am not sure how much more I can say though, since the show has not aired yet. But I can say it is action packed show and there is a lot going on. It is from the same producers as “Prison Break”.

MG: How did you becoming involved with the A&E show?
YM: I just auditioned for the show. They actually shoot in Toronto, so I auditioned for one of the producers here in LA. That is just how I got it…good ole fashion auditioning. I love being able to travel for work though…makes everything feel more glamorous [laughs].

MG: Last year you worked on both “CSI: NY” and “Chase”, tell us about those shows?
YM: Yeah “Chase” was really fun! It was the first time got to shoot people and jump off a cliff and run around a lot. I have never done that for any role prior. It was really physically active, but even though it was demanding…in a weird way I liked it. Plus it was in Dallas, so it was like 100 degrees. It was nice be able to do that things, like I was hanging from a cliff. It was totally safe but I felt like a real badass after doing it. With “CSI: NY” was really cool because I got to work with Gary Sinise. It was great just to get to see him work.

MG: What has been your favorite projects to date?
YM: I really like “Southland”. I haven’t seen “Breakout Kings” yet but “Southland”, when I work on it…I get the rush like when I am doing theatre. Because of that I would have to say that that would be my favorite that I’ve worked on.

MG: When you are not acting, what are you doing?
YM: Well I read a lot…really exciting [laughs]. I grew up in Miami and constantly have friends visiting me, so I am always hanging out. I go to a lot of live concerts. What is cool is that by my house, there are a lot of little movie theaters. We like to go to the silent movie theatre. This month they are showing some French films from the 60’s and 70’s. We will go with some friends to dinner…take a bottle of wine…and watch French films [laughs].

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Interview with Tory Kittles

Tory Kittles is an up and coming actor who has appeared alongside 50 Cent in “Get Rich or Die Trying”, as well as having a recurring role in the hit FX series “Sons of Anarchy.” Tory currently stars in the independent film “The Kill Hole.” Movie Mikes had a chance to speak with Tory about his previous work as well as his upcoming projects.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about your new film “The Kill Hole”?
Tory Kittles: This film is a psychological thriller about a soldier who sees some bad things happen involving his fellow soldiers while in Iraq. I play Carter, who is the guy that saw these things happen. Since those events he has lost his mind and become a wreck loose up in the mountains. Instead of going after the soldiers who carried out these actions Carter decides he is going to go after the higher up people who actually gave the orders. My character succeeds in killing one of the higher up people however the guy who Carter originally saw commit these acts is then sent to kill him.

AL: When is the film slated to be released?
TK: I received a call yesterday and it looks like the film is either going to be released at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival or at the Toronto Film Festival. This film was one of the greatest experiences I have had on set. We got to shoot on top of Red Mountain in Portland and the view was beautiful. I think the scenery really compliments the film.

AL: How did you originally get involved in the film?
TK: I was just finishing up a role on Broadway and I returned to Florida to help take care of a sick relative. I had heard that they were doing auditions in Los Angeles however I couldn’t make it out there to audition in person. They then asked me if I could Skype them. I met Mischa Webley on Skype and we just talked about various everyday things. I told him I had experience doing war themed films and he asked if we could talk again. We talked the next day like we were old friends and then I didn’t hear anything for some time. I came back to Los Angeles and got a role in the play “Bones.” Just after I got the play I got the call that they wanted me for the movie. I really wanted to do the role in the film however I also wanted to do the role in the play. I talked with Mischa and told him that if he let me do the play it would allow me to bring a lot more to my role in the film. The play has a very deep and dark theme, as did the role of Carter in the film. Doing that play allowed me to warm up for my role in the film. As soon as the play closed, I was on a plane the next day and we started shooting the following day. It all moved very quickly.

AL: How did you get involved with “Get Rich or Die Tryin”
TK: I auditioned out in Los Angeles and after my initial audition they asked me if I could come back and meet Jim Sheridan, who was going to be the director. I went in and did the audition again and it went pretty good. That night Jim Sheridan had dinner with Colin Farrell, who I worked with and became friends with on “Phone Booth.” They started talking about people for the film and my name was mentioned. Colin said that we were friends and after that, they called me with the offer to do the film.

AL: How was it working with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson?
TK: He was really cool. Everybody has the vision of him as a hardcore rapper and that was it. This was his first film so no one knew what to expect. When we got to the set he was the hardest working guy there. He was making the music for the film and also doing his scenes. He wasn’t afraid to ask questions because he really wanted learn as much as he could. He was very generous and open.

AL: How was it working with the cast and crew of “Sons of Anarchy”?
TK: Well I’m still alive on the show. They haven’t killed me yet! (Laughs) It’s a really great experience they have a lot of talent on that show. That cast is like a big family. They made me feel at home and I look forward to working with them again.

AL: Are you going to be on the next season of the show?
TK: I have heard that they are going to tell more of the back story during the upcoming season but we will see what happens. Like I said they haven’t killed me yet!

AL: Can you tell us about the television series you are developing?
TK: I have a show that I am creating called “Harmony.” I actually got the idea while my Grandfather was sick. It’s going to be a drama/comedy about a single mom and her misfit employees. It’s going to focus on her struggles of being a mom and running a business. She runs a hospice care business and has a very unorthodox relationship with her clients. We are currently in talks with HBO to put it out.

AL: Are you going to have a role in the series?
TK: I wrote it with my writing partner Mercy and there are some things that I think I need to have a role in but for this project I don’t feel I have to have a role in it. I want to see this happen as being a producer and creator. I think if we end up being on for 10 seasons I may show up somewhere down the line.?

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Interview with Sinqua Walls

Sinqua Walls is co-starring in David Ellis’ “Shark Night 3D”. Sinqua is also know for his roles in two of my favorite TV series “Friday Night Lights” & “Blue Mountain State”. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Sinqua about battling sharks in his new film and his work on his TV shows.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us your role in David Ellis’ “Shark Night 3D”?
Sinqua Walls: My characters name is Malik. He is one of the leads in the film and he is kind of like the glue to the whole story. Basically, he and his friends are going on a spring break/summer vacation once the semester ends and trouble ensues. My character is the relative athlete. He is also in love with one of the girls and getting ready to propose to her. He is a good character and throughout the film has some really good courageous qualities.

MG: How was it shooting in 3D for the film?
SW: First off, yes we shot it in 3D. We used the whole 3D camera setup. We did not do it in post, so everything too a little longer because the cameras were heavier and you need to be lenient to the light. It was amazing though, we shot with three cameras to capture everything. Every when we got to see the dailies it just looks amazing. You see this shark and it literally looks like the shark is coming out of the screen to bite somebody.

MG: Where there any animatronic sharks used in the film or where they CGI?
SW: We had these huge animatronic sharks that literally can free swim and move on their own. All you had the do is just put them in the water and they just come at you. Once you see it on the screen it is going to look amazing. Most of it is animatronic…CGI doesn’t really come into play much. Also all the explosions were real. We blew up boat houses [laughs]. Boats were blown up…trees we knocked down [laughs]. But yeah, the sharks are real. I believe the budget for the sharks alone was between $1-2 million dollars. There were like three or four sharks I believe. I really only worked with one shark called Jimmy the most [laughs]. You are going to like it, it is really good stuff.

MG: Would you say it was it a difficult production to shoot?
SW: All throughout it was a really good experience. You’re waking at 5:30am in the morning everyday and it is long shoot, but David is a great director to work with. He really knows what he is doing and knows action really well. He can be having a conversation with you and calling action at the same time. He knows exactly what he is looking for. We shot it in Shreveport, Louisiana. The crew was really great too. It is just one of those projects that just from day one just go so right.

MG: You played football player with two hit shows “Friday Night Lights” & “Blue Mountain State”, how was it working on those series?
SW: It was fun. I am an athletic guy and I work out a lot. When you are shooting those shows you always have to use those physical tools. One time when Taylor (Kitsch) and I had to do a “40” on the camera, we actually had to run like we were doing running a fast 40 [laughs]. It is fun when you can incorporate acting and get a workout at the same time. It is like cheating the system a little bit.

MG: Do you find that the two series compare at all?
SW: “Blue Mountain State” is a comedy and it is hilarious. Working on that show I was laughing non-stop. “Friday Night Lights” is a drama, so it is more in depth and focuses on character analysis. I think it is an awesome show. Jason Katims is one of the writers on that show and he just wanted to capture it being so real. Both shows are so great though. I have been very lucky so far and been able to call this a job. I am just riding the wave man [laughs].

MG: How do you compare working on TV to movies?
SW: TV is a lot faster pace. You are working against the clock most of the time, especially for half hour shows. You get a little more time when you are doing an hour show like “Friday Night Lights”. “Friday Night Lights” is shot similar to feature style since that is the way that Peter Berg wanted to do it. With features you just get more time to play. From an actor’s prospective you really get to delve into a particular character. For Malik, I wanted to try my best to make sure it was a character that the audiences would appreciate. This guy is fighting these sharks but he is actually a good dude also! So, I would say that it is fun to do both.

MG: Tell us what else you are currently working on?
SW: Right now, I just did a show for ABC Family with executive producer, Brenda Hampton. We are waiting to see if that get picked up. So once that happens we will hopefully be moving forward.

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Interview Ken Sagoes

Ken Sagoes is known most for his roles in “A Nightmare on Elm Street: Part 3 & 4”. Besides acting, Ken is also an author, his latest is called “Seven Maids From Stockbridge”. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Ken about working on the “Nightmare” series and his current book tour.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you originally get the gig on “A Nightmare on Elm Street” series as Roland Kincaid?
Ken Sagoes: There were a mass audition. They were really looking for a bodybuilder type guy, but the day I went in I was in such a bad mood, (Mainly because that day I had to catch a bus and it was raining very heavy, plus, I thought it was a waste of my time because I was far from the physical look they were asking for) but it turned out that was the mood they were looking for.

MG: Tell me about working with the cast of the films?
KS: It was great, from the first day of walking on the set, we became a family. All of the “Dream Warriors” were like brothers and sisters, and Heather Langenkamp and Robert Englund became our big sister and big brother. And thanks to Facebook, we keep in touch more often now. Even when Rodney Eastman (Joey) and I stepped on the set of “Nightmare 4”, we knew it was just a going to be a short time, but the new cast were very good to us, suddenly, we became the big brothers. Tuesday Knight was wonderful too, and was a great new Kristen and big sister.

MG: How was it seeing Robert Englund for the first time as Freddy Kruger?
KS: When I first met Robert Englund, he was going to his dressing room. He stopped and welcome me, made me feel very welcome. Robert Englund is one of the most giving and gentleman you would ever meet. Then, the next time I saw him was on the set in make-up, and was somewhat eerie; hard to believe a man that kind was under that make-up. But Robert is/was a true pro, he was no longer Robert Englund – it was Freddy Kruger. So I think because I had met him first, then met him as Freddy made it more eerier to me.

MG: Any behind the scenes stories from working on the films?
KS: I have none. I was one of those actors that stayed in his dressing room when I wasn’t shooting. Mainly because I was working on another project at the time. But I do remember when we were filming the boiler room scene, we were really in a very, very hot place, and everyone was trying to complete the scene to get out. The place in itself was eerie, even without Freddy.

MG: Tell us about your process you are working on a book?
KS: It really is a long process. Most people don’t know it, but I was a staff writer for Paramount television before I was an actor. I even won a CableACE award for writing a Disney movie called, “On Promised Land”. First, I get the story together and then the characters. Because I was a stand-up comic, I am able to bring in comic even when there is drama. I like story that I can put a little history in and view by all
ages and race.

MG: Can you explain what a scriptnovel is and why do you use that format?
KS: A scriptnovel (one word) is half novel and half screenplay – all in one. I like that format, because first, it becomes a very easy and fast read for the reader. It also, put you, the reader in the story. You often can get a sense of feeling what the characters are all about, which can make the story more interesting. My first scriptnovel, “Latch of the Shadow”, which was a horror, received great reviews, and I will have a few of them when I’m in Orlando, Fla, Friday and Saturday for the book signing of my latest scriptnovel, “Seven Maids From Stockbridge”.

MG: Tell us about your latest book, “Seven Maids From Stockbridge”?
KS: “Seven Maids From Stockbridge”, is a powerful story, and I mean really powerful story that takes place during the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s. It’s about families and lives of seven women – six black and one white. It may appear that the title is about females, but it is not totally true. It is about everyone’s life, and yes, it has comedy, drama, adventure, and I would say a touch of horror. What the women and men had to experience during that time is unbelievable. This story came about from a couple of trips I had with my mother as a maid when I was around five years old. I never forgot the journey. I honestly believe that whatever type of stories you like, you will find some of it in this story. I believe that no matter who you are, you will find it to be a part of you, and because it is written in the scriptnovel format, you would like it even more.

MG: Tell us about your book tour this month?
KS: I will be in Orlando, Fla at the Orlando Public Library Central (downtown) Saturday, Feb. 26. I will be a the main downtown library from 11:30 to 2:30. I will talk about the movies I’ve been in like: “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Rosewood,” which was filmed in Orlando by John Singleton, and what it’s like in Hollywood. I also will have a Q&A section, plus will personally sign each book and take a picture. The
library’s number is: 407-835-7323. Saturday, Feb. 26, please call the library. The address is 101 E. Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801.

MG: Do you have anymore scriptnovels planned in the future?
KS: Yes, I am working on my third as we speak, it’s called, “The Genesis Experiment.”

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Interview with Joel Moore

Joel Moore is known best for his roles in films like “Dodgeball” and “Grandma’s Boy” and most recently a little film called “Avatar”. Joel also stars in David Ellis’ “Shark Night 3D”. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Joel about working with James Cameron on “Avatar” and on his upcoming films.

Mike Gencarelli: You started your career with notable comedy roles in “Dodgeball” and “Grandma’s Boy.” Has comedy always come easy for you
Joel Moore: Yes. When I was younger I always wanted to be a clown. But when I got old enough I realized that was probably a bad career move so I got into acting. But I learned very early on that I won’t get beat up by the bullies at school if I just fall on my own head. So that really worked out. I think that comedy comes naturally to me, though I don’t consider myself a “comedian.” I see these guys doing stand up and I know that it’s very hard work…probably some of the hardest work in this business. And acting also gives me the opportunity to bounce around and do comedies or do drama. I made a point to try to do both comedy and drama early on so I wouldn’t get type cast into one little area of this industry. And that made things much easier on both sides. Right after “Dodgeball”, I directed a feature where I played a sort of out of touch guy who could be a serial killer. A movie called “Spiral.” And one of the reasons that we did it was because it was completely the opposite of what I had been doing before that. It was an exciting move and something I really want to pursue, being on the director’s side of the camera.

MG: Tell us about what it was like working on such a big film like “Avatar”?
JM: It was a two and a half year process and whenever you’re working with Jim Cameron you’re working with a guy who has the bar raised so high that it forces, in a healthy way, everybody’s endeavors to reach that same level. He’s the hardest guy working on the set. He’s the first one in and the last one out. It’s the best example of “helming” a project that I’ve ever been a part of and I think I ever will be. I can’t wait for the sequels coming up. Working with Jim is like going to graduate school. It really was. It was such an experience and such an education for me that it’s almost beyond words.

MG: Would you say it was the hardest project you have worked on to date?
JM: Yes, because of the technology…because of the fact that a lot of it was being created and built as we were going so you’re really doing two things at once. You’re creating the idea of what it’s going to look like as you’re shooting and building the project at the same time. It really was the chicken and the egg at the same exact time. It was fascinating to watch. You know with all of that pressure I would have been having panic attacks every day but the guy is made of stone…he’s made of giant stone balls! Two giant stone balls and they’re very heavy!

MG: Obviously the sequel(s) are a few years away,.. do you hope to be involved?
JM: I have no idea about what’s coming up. It’s all in Jim’s head at this point and he’s going to be the person who will be asking and answering all of the questions. It should be fun to see what happens with it.

MG: You co-directed, produced and wrote “Spiral” with Adam Green as well as starred in it. Tell us about that experience?
JM: The experience was something I’d always been interested in ever since college. I wrote a play and it got put on at the college and I thought “this is interesting…to see my words come alive on stage. So Adam and I set out to write something small. Something we could get the funding for privately so we didn’t have to go through the studio system. It was hard wearing a lot of hats which is why Adam and I decided to take this adventure on together and co-direct it. It’s very hard to do so many things at once because you’re not really wearing a bunch of hats, you’re taking one hat off and putting another one on. So when I’m in front of the camera I just have to wear the acting hat. If I’m behind I have to wear the director hat. It’s a lot of shuffling, but I happen to be a good shuffler! (laughs)

MG: Any future plans to direct?
JM: Yes. I’m putting a project together that’s currently under wraps. It’s a dark comedy and we’re really excited about it. It’s going to get off the ground around the middle of this year and it will be a good follow up to “Spiral.” It’s a little different and on the lighter side of things. I’m really excited about it and excited to get it going and add another “feature director” credit under my belt. I’m going to actually say the name of the film so we can have it in print. It’s called “Killing Winston Jones.”

MG: So you’ve just given me an exclusive here?
JM: Exactly! An exclusive.

MG: Tell us about your role in David Ellis’ upcoming 3D shark thriller?
JM: It’s actually really fun. I think people are going to enjoy it. It’s based on true events that happened post-Katrina where, because of the levees breaking, sharks could come into the waters around the area. Chris Briggs, the producer, he’s kind of a genius. He was behind the whole “Hostel” franchise. He come up with the great marketing ploy that sharks sell movie tickets. At first I was like, “oh no, a shark movie” but it really falls into a fun realm. I like to pop in and do some commercial fun stuff. It’s a big movie and it’s full of action. It’s fun…it’s funny! The whole cast was wonderful. We became a tight knit group. There’s a lot of talent. They were the young talent and I was the old talent on the set. All those young kiddies running around…they didn’t listen to me at all!

MG: So was the film actually shot in 3D?
JM: I wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t. That was one of the key points when the offer came through…that it was going to be shot in REAL 3D. There’s no shitty transferring afterwards that makes the 3D look crappy. It’s the real deal. It really was important to me. If I’m going to do a silly fun movie like this I want to do something that honors the true side of 3D. David (Ellis, the film’s director) is good at what he’s done. He’s done it before and he knows how to make all of that action work really well, which is a big driving force to making an action/thriller.

MG: What else do you have planned for the future?
JM: I signed on to “Hawaii Five-0” this year and that should be fun. It’s a big show and people seem to enjoy it. I just finished my first episode. The cast is great. Alex (O’Loughlin” and Scott (Caan) are great. I couldn’t say kinder words about them. They’re having fun. As they should…they’re shooting in Hawaii! You can’t get much better than that. Then I have the upcoming film I’m going to direct and play the lead in. And I’m filling time between now and when the “Avatar” sequels start. I’ve got a couple movies coming up, one I’d like to mention called “Janie Jones.” It’s just a fantastic little story that stars Alessandro Nivola and Abigail Breslin. I’ve seen it and it’s such a wonderfully touching story. I’m excited for people being able to see it. The cast is great. Frank Whaley…Elisabeth Shue. It should be coming out at some point this year. Just a great little movie!

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Interview with Patrick Fabian

Patrick Fabian is known most for his role in last year’s hit “The Last Exorcism”. He is currently starring along side Melissa Peterman and Ed Asner in CMT’s new show “Working Class”. Movie Mikes had a chance to talk with Patrick again to discuss he new show and how it has been working on it.

Click here to check out our interview with Patrick for “The Last Exorcism”

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about how you got involved with “Working Class”?
Patrick Fabian: I got involved because I was on “Reba” about five years ago and I played the character of, and I kid you not, Reverent Yummypants and that is how I met Melissa Peterman. Five years later I ran into her for a charity event in Los Angeles for under privledged kids and she mentioned she is doing a show for CMT. She asked me to do a table reading with her. So I did the table reading and got to be reunited with her basically. I was thrilled since I think she is the funniest girl on television and then you add in Ed Asner…he is a TV legend. So between her and him, I was over the moon. We went into production last Fall…shot twelve episodes and started airing them four weeks ago.

MG: So I am assuming it was easy then working with Melissa Peterman again on the show?
PF: When I was on “Reba”, it made it seem maybe Reba and I would be getting together, but instead Melissa’s character turns out to have a crush on me. In this show we are kind of playing off that dynamic again. I end up playing her boss in this show. We are from different sides of the tracks. She is from the poorer side…trying to work her way up. I play a Richie Rich guy who owns the store. We are attracted to one another. What is great about working with her because it is an easy job on my end. All I had to do put on a suit and stand there, she does all the work. She works overtime making all the funny happy and I get to be her bounce guy…which is a great working relationship to be in.

MG: Tell us have you enjoyed playing your character Rob Parker in the show?
PF: What is really fun about it is that Martin Mull plays my father. So I got to meet and hang out with him. He plays the matriarch of my family and he owes the entire chain of these supermarkets in the nameless midwest. He gives me this store to run and to kind of cut my teeth on. What is nice about it is that even though I am a manager of a grocery store…I am dressing in black Armani suits. That is why I like television because that works out fine for me. Somebody asked me before if I had any experience with grocery…which I didn’t but I was a grease monkey at McDonald’s for four years right through high school. So I know what it is like to make the minimum mage and put your nose to the grindstone. So it is kind of fun to be the guy in charge of those people as well.

MG: How does it feel to be working on the first scripted series for CMT?
PF: Working with CMT is great, they are just as nice as you would expect. A company based out of Nashville is just as polite and fun to work for like you could imagine. This is their first scripted and there is a lot riding on it. But they love Melissa since she is the host of “The Singing Bee” which has been on CMT for numerous years. There is also something really great about being attached to something that is brand new. Since it is CMT, it is a smaller audience. It is not NBC, CBS or ABC. The quota for success is whether really the people in the office like it enough. If CMT likes this show, they will be behind it all the way. The fact is, we shot twelve episodes right out of the gate and in these days it is hard to start with twelve episodes on regular network TV. The shows fail so quickly and the bar is set so high in order to give the show a chance. What I like about our chances here is that this show is exactely their audience and they always talk about the station being “Television the whole family can watch”. I certainly think that this is that. This is not the snarky kind of bitter humor that a lot of shows tend to have today on network TV…I am not saying it is a bad thing, since there is definitely a place for it. I think though that CMT is a place to sit down with your family and laugh at jokes that make everyone laugh. We haven’t seen the light of this since “Roseann”, “Everybody Love Raymond” and “Cheers”. Those shows are in our memories and also in reruns but they do not exist freshly on TV. I think that is the whole that this show fills.

MG: How has it been working with such a legend as Ed Asner on the show?
PF: Oh my God, it is crazy. I know it is Ed Asner. I am aware I am going to see Ed Asner and I then show up on the set, I look up and I am like “DUDE, Your Ed Asner!!”. He is everything you want him to be and then some. He is completely without ego. When it comes to work, he is really good about it and takes it very seriously. There is a reason why he has been at this so long, he is a real legend. At his age and with his career behind him, he could have easily sat around and not done anything but he really comes out and works. I have definitely learned a couple of things by working with Ed. I have learned how to really polish up your funny and make your mark. I have also learned that if you are in a scene with Ed Asner…don’t let him get upstage of you or he will steal it from you [laughs].

MG: What can we expect from the rest of the season?
PF: I can give a little sneak. Obviously, we have it setup that Melissa’s character is trying to be above her station. Her and I have some chemistry going but I clearly have a girlfriend. I will say this though, there is definitely some kissing involve sometime during this season. I am not going to say between who…maybe it is me and Ed [laughs]. I don’t know, but that is definitely in store for us down the road.

MG: Besides the TV show, what else do you have planned next?
PF: I got two things right now. I got a movie I did last year called “Pig”, which is a science fiction film and it should be coming out this summer. Also I am talking to you right now from Berkley, CA where I am up doing a guest spot on a new movie called “The Eleventh One” which stars John Benjamin Hickey and Marin Hinkle. It is being producing by Bryan Singer of “X-Men” fame. I am keeping busy between the cracks and waiting for the phone call from CMT to come back to work and get busy kissing Ed Asner [laughs].

Click here to check out our interview with Patrick for “The Last Exorcism”

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Interview with Judy Reyes

Judy Reyes played Carla Espinosa on the hit series “Scrubs” and has also appeared in shows such as “NYPD Blue” and “OZ.” Judy’s most recent project “Gun Hill Road” has been accepted in the Sundance Film Festival. Movie Mikes had the chance to speak with Judy about her new film as well as some of her other projects.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about your new film “Gun Hill Road”?
Judy Reyes: “Gun Hill Road” is a fantastic indie film that was shot in the Bronx. It’s a story about a father that has recently been released from prison and who is looking to pick up with his family where he had left off. What the father begins to realize is that everything has changed since he has been away. The man’s wife Angela which is the role I play has strayed and their son is struggling with some sexual identity issues. These problems are really going to mess with the family and put them through a lot of changes.

AL: How did you become involved in the project?
JR: It was such a compelling story and one that is very powerfully written from the Latino perspective. I had been thought of ahead of time by the director for this role which made it very appealing. I also really enjoyed the challenges that this role would pose. I had just become a mother a few months prior to taking this role and that created an excitement within me. It was an opportunity that was begging me to jump at.

AL: How was it working with Esai Morales?
JR: Esai was really fantastic! I have been a fan of his for a really long time and it was a pleasure to work with him. He and I really got into play acting with each other. We were really comfortable. Esai is a guy who is very well respected in the business and in the Latino community.

AL: How did you feel when the film was accepted into Sundance this year?
JR: I was beside myself! I knew when I got the phone call that it was going to be good news. I’m such a fan of independent films that this is really an honor. We worked so hard to see this film through and get it completed. It is really thrilling and we are all delighted to be a part of Sundance.

AL: A lot of our readers know you from the hit series “Scrubs.” Do you have an episode of the show that is a favorite of yours?
JR: I really enjoyed the musical episode. It was a really hardcore episode for us to complete. We spent about a month on that one episode! It was a lot of fun to sing and dance which was always my dream. That episode will always stick in my mind.

AL: Besides “Scrubs” you have also had the opportunity to be on a bunch of other really great series. Is there one of those that sticks out as a favorite?
JR: “Sopranos” was really delightful. I also did an episode of “Off the Map” recently which was great. It’s always wonderful to be on a show that is successful and where everyone involved works together to put out a really great product. “Third Watch” was another show that I really enjoyed being a part of.

AL: Do you have any other upcoming projects you can tell us about?
JR: I am currently exploring a few options that have come my way in the past few weeks but I don’t want to say too much right now as nothing has been set in stone. I also want to see what will happen after Sundance as well.

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Page 65 of 69

Year: 2011

Interview with Andrew Clement

Interview with Giovanni Lombardo Radice

Interview with Sandy Collora

Interview with Kristin Carey

Interview with Kyle Bornheimer

Interview with Charlotte Ross

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