Ahmed Ahmed is a standup comedian who has also appeared in several films and television shows. His newest project is titled “Just Like Us” and documents Ahmed and several other comedians’ tour across the Middle East. Ahmed took time out of his busy schedule to talk with Movie Mikes about his new project.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about your film “Just Like Us”
Ahmed Ahmed: “Just Like Us” is a documentary film that I came up with after doing comedy shows around the Middle East. Around 2007 I toured the Middle East with a group we put together called “The Axis of Evil Tour” which was filmed and shown on television over there. In 2008 we toured there again but not as a group and we didn’t film anything. In 2009 we had a tour that lined up with the International cast and that’s when we actually decided to shoot it.

AL: So the idea came about after touring over there a few different times?
AA: I had started a company with my business partner called Cross Cultural Entertainment and under that umbrella we created Cross Cultural Productions. This would be the portion that would physically produce and put on projects. After doing this my partner asked me what my next plan was. I told him I was going to go to the Middle East and he said I had to shoot it. The timing was great and the topic was relevant so that was part of it. A couple years prior I had done a comedy tour with Vince Vaughn called “The Wild West Comedy Show” which was also turned into a documentary film. From that I sort of had an idea of how to make a documentary. Another thing that kind of brought me to making this project was when I would come back from the Middle East a lot of my friends would ask what I was doing over there. I would tell them comedy shows and they would ask which military base. I would tell them we played theaters for Arabs in English and they get it. The film came out really great and I think people will enjoy it.

AL: What was it like touring and filming at the same time?
AA: I kind of bit off more than I could chew! At first I was going to just be the host for the shows however the promoters started asking me to bring comedians. I in a way started to become a talent booker as well as being relied on to do press. I didn’t have to set up the shows but I did a lot of the grass roots work in setting everything else up and promoting. When we started to shoot that’s where I started to turn into the producer/director (Laughs) It was literally 4 days prior to leaving for the tour that my partner said we should shoot it. I didn’t think we had enough time but he was very adamant about finding camera operators which we did. Once we got back to New York we started almost immediately in post production. We set up an office, purchased the editing equipment, hired two editors and began transcribing everything. We had about 200 hours of footage that we cut down to about 72 minutes. I didn’t really know what I was getting into at the beginning but the film has unfolded into this beautiful project that has taken on a life of its own.

AL: When is the film going to be released?
AA: We did a deal with Lion’s Gate Entertainment and the film is going to be available as a digital download through places like Netflix. My company is also going to release the film independently in select theaters. We hope to get the film into about 10 cities. If it catches wind in its sails we will add more cities. We want as many people as possible to see the film.

AL: Do you have any funny stories from working with Vince Vaughn?
AA: Everyday on that tour was a funny day. It went by so fast that we didn’t have a lot of time in each city but just being a part of that tour was really inspirational and eye opening. That tour really prodded me to make my own film. There were just so many funny things that happened. I can’t think of one that really sticks out.

AL: Had you known Vince previously?
AA: I have been friends with Vince for over 20 years. He had come to a lot of the comedy shows I was involved in which exposed him to the other comedians. He then just had this idea to take it on the road and film it. It was great to be a part of that and we are actually doing some follow up shows in June.

AL: Do you have any other upcoming projects you can tell us about?
AA: The film has opened up a lot of doors. I was actually invited to attend a dinner at the White House last year because of this film and that opened up some doors for us which took us to Palestine, Syria and a few other places to do some shows. During this time we accidentally shot a sequel and we will probably start going through that material in the fall. Releases for “Just Like Us” are going to be spaced out from city to city and that will probably take us through July. I travel quite regular and have had a lot of inquiries to go to a lot of different countries that have recently opened up.

Danielle Nicolet co-stars in Syfy’s latest film “Red Faction: Origins”, playing the character Tess DeLaVega.  She is also co-starring with Cuba Gooding Jr. in the upcoming film, “Ticking Clock”.  Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Danielle about her roles in both her films recent films.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your role in “Red Faction: Origins”, playing Tess DeLaVega.
Danielle Nicolet: Tess is a very special combination of Princess Lea and C-3P0 [laughs].  She is Jack Mason’s unintentional side-kick.  She believes herself to be the smartest person in the room all the time, better much because she is. Jake, our hero, kind of can’t save the day without Tess, but Tess goes along kicking and screaming at absolutely every moment.  She doesn’t do so good out of the office.

MG: Where you familiar with the video game franchise?
DN: I have to say I am a HUGE gamer.  I am a big first person shooter player.  I have even voiced a couple of characters in different video games.  So, I am pretty involved with video games.  I have not played “Red Faction”.  I have not played “Guerilla” until after we started shooting the movie, which was kind of good for me.  When I got the script, I read it and I didn’t have any preconceived notions.  Also Tess, my character, is the only one in the movie that doesn’t have any previous connection to the past games.  My character is though connected to “Armageddon”.  It was really confirming not to have all that in my head before I got the job.  Once I got it I went out and played the games.

MG: How was it working with Robert Patrick and Brian J. Smith?
DN: [laughs] Ok, number one: Brian Smith is the nicest person I have ever known in my life.  I love him.  Number two: Robert Patrick is the funniest person I have ever known in my life and I love him.  Robert is hysterical.  He is from two towns over from where I live in Ohio. We spent pretty much the entire time in Europe together fighting over who was better: the Steelers or the Browns.  He thinks I am terrible person because I am a Steelers fan and I think he is sad and sorely mistaken to care about the Browns [laughs].  Robert is just a blast.  We have breakfast together every morning.  He is just the most salt of the earth completely grounded superstar that you will ever known.  It is like he has no idea he is ridiculously famous.  With Brian, I can say he has no idea he is ridiculously cute and that every girl checks him out no matter where we go.  He is incredibly humble and just really loves being an actor.  It was incredible for me to work with him since we are in every scene together.  We were both so committed to our characters and to this job that we were able to be real supportive of each other.  He will forever be family.

MG: What was the most difficult part of working on the film?
DN: I am sure every single actor from this movie would have the same answer.  The most difficult part was shooting this shooting this movie in Eastern Europe in the dead of winter.  The physical conditions of this movie was the hardest I have ever been in my life.  They were also though the most necessary.  The movie takes place on Mars.  Mars is not a comfortable place to live in “Red Faction”.  It has been terraformed, so you can breath the air but just because it is breathable doesn’t mean it is warmer. We shot in a place that was like the temperature that Mars is.  Our day average about 3 degrees fahrenheit.  At nighttime, it was between 10-14 below.  So we did a lot of huddling up together to try and keep warm.  All of the exterior we did in the movie were not shot in front of a green screen.  We shot all of the exteriors in this incredible cave system just outside of the Romanian boarder.  It is totally remote and a 2 1/2 drive from the nearest hotel.  It literally looks like Mars.  It has red ground, rocky and exactly like the Martian landscape.  The cave system is totally protected from nature.  So when you watch the movie, the only thing that isn’t real is if we are ever outside the sky.  The digitally took out the ceiling of the cave and put in the Martian sky.  But that is why we were freezing the whole time because our director really wanted the exteriors to be real.  He didn’t want it to seem like an entirely CGI generated film.

MG: Tell us about working with Cuba Gooding, Jr. in the sci-fi thriller, “Ticking Clock”?
DN: Working with Cuba was a dream come true.  How many times in your life to you get to ask somebody where do they keep their Oscar [laughs]. “Ticking Clock” is like a psychological thriller but once you get 10 minutes into the film you see it is science fiction.  Cuba’s character is a writer and the murder mystery he is solving in his book starts coming to life.  I play his wife, who has a real problem with what is going on with him.  I believe that he is having the issues he is having because he is drinking too much.  He can’t quite tell the difference between his reality.  I won’t give away the ending but we will find out what is real and what isn’t.  It is a really fun movie and I love my science fiction.  So I was really excited to do that.

MG: You are both equally skilled with drama and comedy, do you have a preference?
DN: I don’t want to sound like a fence-walker but seriously the thing I love to do the most of all is like the character I played in “The Starter Wife” and “Red Faction”, which is a funny character that is in the middle of a serious situation.  That is the most fun for me.  I enjoy playing that character that brings a little of levity to a very serious scenario.  So playing Tess was like being a kid in a candy store for me as an actor.  I got to spend five weeks delivering fantastic one liners and screaming when guns come around [laughs].

MG: What other projects do you have upcoming?
DN: Right now, “Ticking Clock” is obviously coming up. “Marry Me”, the mini series I did with Lucy Lu comes out on DVD in a few weeks.  I know they are also going to air it again in it entirety really soon.  So I got that coming up.  Also just also keeping my fingers crossed that there will be more “Red Faction” movies.

Tinsel Korey continues her portrayal of Emily Young in the upcoming release of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn”. Tinsel also recently released her first single currently available on ITunes. Tinsel took time out of her busy schedule to talk with Movie Mikes to discuss “Breaking Dawn” and her venture into music.

Adam Lawton: What made you decide to get into acting?
Tinsel Korey: Growing up I was one of those kids that was always putting on sketches. I was also very artistic so it was my way of expressing myself. It all just became very natural for me. I don’t think there was ever a moment where I didn’t want to be an actor or entertainer. I was just something I knew I wanted to do since I was very young. I actually just performed live with the Acme Comedy Troop and it brought me back to my child hood when I was doing a lot of the same type of funny characters and such.

AL: Can you tell us about the process of becoming involved with the “Twilight” series?
TK: The process was fairly easy I guess from what I was told. I guess some of the other cast members had to do a bunch of call backs and auditions but mine was fairly quick. Rene Haynes the casting director for “New Moon” was familiar with me from my previous work so I only ended up having one audition in front of Chris Weitz. A couple days later I was short listed for the project. I got really lucky that it went so fast.

AL: I had read you were selected for the role out of 800 other actresses. Correct?
TK: The casting directors had told me that over 800 girls had auditioned for that role. I had no idea that so many people had tried out for the part. I think if I had known that prior to the audition it may have thrown me off a little. I just went into the audition taking it seriously.

AL: Were you familiar with the previous film and the book series prior to reading for the part?
TK: I actually didn’t know anything about “Twilight”. My younger sister is a fan of the series but I had no idea what so ever. Rene Haynes had kept me in mind for that role so she was the one who brought it to my attention. Knowing my sister was a fan I really wanted to get the movie more for her than for myself. I actually took her to the premier which was really exciting.

TK: What was your first experience like on the “New Moon” set?
AL: It was interesting because I didn’t really know the guys. I had known Bronson Pelletier from his work on “Renegadepress.com”. We had to find chemistry together which we were able to do after spending a little more time with each other. I think we really captured that family element which is present in the movie and it actually carried over off screen as well. I knew the film was a big production but at the time we were shooting “Twilight” wasn’t yet really at the caliber it’s at today. It was big just not as big. After the premier of “New Moon” the series just took off!

AL: What can we expect in the next film “Breaking Dawn”?
TK: I am probably most excited for the wedding scene and getting to see the wedding dress. I am still getting asked if I am for Team Edward or Team Jacob. It’s pretty much over! (Laughs) She picks Edward. There is a lot more action in this next film and the director was fantastic. I really hope to get to work with him again. His vision for the film was really great.

AL: Any great behind the scenes stories you can tell us?
TK: During the past shoots we had a little bit more time to Joke around but I do remember a prank we played on Kiowa Gordon. He had ordered a hot chocolate one day and then left it unattended with Bronson and I. The two of us are probably the biggest prankster on set. So Kiowa comes back and gets ready to drink his hot chocolate and I ask him if he was sure he really wanted to do that? (Laughs) He kept asking what we did to his drink so Bronson and I really milked it. After he had finished we started asking him if he was feeling anything. It was pretty funny. To this day we still haven’t told him that we really didn’t do anything to his drink.

AL: You also are a musician. Can you tell us about your first single?
TK: I just released my first single titled “Letter” which is available on ITunes and Amazon. It has kind of a bluesy Jazz Rock sound to it. People have compared my voice to Nora Jones and Jewel. Music is really my focus right now. Acting has always been in the foreground of my life and I really want music to have that chance as well. If a great acting role comes along I am totally up for it but I am not actively search for film roles as my music is the main focus for me right now. Music allows me to use my own words and music compared to when I am acting and performing someone else’s work. I think music is way more personal for me.

AL: Is there a release date for the full album?
TK: I am doing the album independently so I am currently focused on the single and finding time to shoot a video for it. I am hoping by the end of the year. The process of doing a record on your own is very different than when you have the help of a record label. I have a producer who I want to work with and I have some really great musicians involved also. On “Letter” I had help from Marcos Curiel of P.O.D. and Mark Schulman who is the drummer for Pink. Right now it comes down to finding the time to get everything done.

AL: Do you have any other upcoming projects you can tell us about?
TK: I have been doing a lot of live musical performances lately trying to fine tune my craft. I have a film called “Avarice” coming out which stars Kevin Sorbo and Jason London. The film is a Sci-Fi thriller which should be released this year. The director Matt Schilling is a visual effects genius. What we shot and how the end product looked were completely different. It was amazing. The film is getting some good buzz. I also have a movie called “Black Forest” which will be appearing on the Sci-Fi channel as well around the fall of this year.

John Diehl’s career in the movie business has spanned over 30 years. He has appeared in such classic films as “Stripes” and played the Hawaiian shirt clad Larry Zito on the hit television series “Miami Vice”. Movie Mikes caught up with John to talk about some of his classic roles as well as some of his current projects.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about how you got involved with “Stripes”? and what it was like being a part of such a great cast?
John Diehl: I was just starting out in the business and at the time I was working on a  Sam Sheppard play which called for me to have a shaved head. I went to the audition with my head being shaved already and I remember nodding back and forth with Ivan Reitman. A short time later I was delivering furniture when I got a message from my agent telling me that I got the part. As far as the cast goes I never really watched TV so I no idea who anyone was. I think this helped because I didn’t have any trepidation about anything. It wasn’t until afterwards that I found out how great everyone was. My scenes with John Candy were all improv. They really liked mine and John’s characters together. It was great because I got to take that character and make him my own. I understood that character. Ivan was too busy arguing with Bill to worry about me (Laughs) so it was a great experience.

AL: You also had a part in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” can you tell us about that and what it was like working with Chevy Chase?
JD: I still lament the fact that sometime after we finished shooting I was having dinner with Harold Ramis and I asked him if we could add in one tiny part. I wanted the part of my scene with Mickey Jones where Mickey shows Clark his badge and states “I am the Sheriff” I wish I had just said “And I’m the Deputy”. I felt so bad that I didn’t come up with that sooner. I kept asking to get that put in but it never happened. Chevy is a very reserved guy and I remember we had a picture taken of us along with
some American Indians on set. For some reason he thought that I wanted a picture taken with him. Sadly the picture got left on top of an old soda machine and I always think about that. Years later I’m walking through LAX and there is all of this commotion going on. All I see is this big guy with grey hair and a bunch of reporters. It was Chevy and he recognized me right away which was really cool that he remembered me.

AL: What was it like working with Harold Ramis both as an actor and a director?
JD: Harold was really easy going. When he was directing he had a lot more stuff going on than when he was just acting. I don’t think he was smiling as much when he was directing. (Laughs) Overall both experiences were good.

AL: Can you tell us about your work on “Miami Vice”?
JD: There are a few stories that I guess kind of come together as to how I got that part. I remember going on an audition for the show which I think Michael Mann was at. I was wearing this long leather coat because I had to leave my play rehearsal to make it to the audition which really annoyed me. I just went into the audition kind of pissed off which I thought could be a good thing. One other thing that I think was part of me getting the role was I had done a small short called “Leon’s Case”. There was an article about the film that stated Brandon Tartikoff who was the head of NBC at the time saw me in that film and wanted me for “Miami Vice”. That show turned into something we never expected. It had created a lot of buzz but then slowed a little after the first few episodes but after that it really took off. Even though I got myself out of the show after about 3 seasons a move I don’t regret. Working on that show was a great experience and I got some great work from that show.

AL: What made you want to leave the show?
JD: I was miserable. I lived in New York at the time but spent 9 months of the year shooting in Miami. I didn’t mind going back and forth as I was single at the time. We weren’t making a ton of money on the show but it was more than I had ever made. I think it was just really depression that got the best of me. After the first season we were told that they were going to include more of us in the show but, I would show up to work and spend at times 12 hours in my 5 by 5 Honey Wagon just waiting to be called for my scene. There were times where I would show up and the scene would never end up even being shot. There was just a lot of stuff like that going on.

AL: Do you have a project that sticks out for you as a favorite?
JD: Right now I would have to say “Land of Plenty”. I played the male lead role with Michelle Williams. The film never really came out distribution wise but I still really enjoyed the process. I also enjoyed my theater work with Sam Sheppard where I got to work with some really amazing people. “End Game” which I did with John Larroquette was another great experience.

AL: Do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
JD: I like doing independent movies lately. The money usually isn’t as good but the parts are really great! I did one called “Natural Selection” which won everything at this year’s South by South West Festival. The film is going on to some other festivals so I have some reserved hopes for that. I also am in talks to do a horror film in Montreal. One other thing I just finished up was with Bruce Campbell for a “Burn Notice” TV movie which aired recently.

Kim Roberts is known for her role in “Saw III & IV” playing Nurse Deborah.  She also was in Zack Snyder’s remake of “Dawn of the Dead” and just finishing appearing in the TV series “Being Erica”, which was just renewed for season four.  Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Kim about her roles and what she has planned upcoming.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about how you got involved with playing Deborah in “Saw III & IV”?
Kim Roberts: I auditioned just like anyone else. At the time it wasn’t a huge role. When we started filming Darren Bousman, who was directing, told me he really loved my character. He told me he was going to have all this development for my character, so he brought me back in “Saw IV”. He said “Just wait “Saw V & VI” I am going to write all this stuff for you”. As you know [laughing], in Saw V & VI”, Darren was known longer around. Deborah just kind of disappeared. So I myself cannot tell you where she went but it would have been nice.

MG: Are you a fan of the films and horror genre?
KR: Oh yeah, absolutely.

MG: Tell us about your experience working on the film “Dawn of the Dead”?
KR: It was wonderful, it really was. I think part of the reason why “Dawn of the Dead” was so beautiful was that there was a lot of love on the project. Zack Snyder, who directed it, and I actually shot a commercial with him about a year or two before this. It was a really huge project for him. He had all these wonderful ideas and passions for it. Since I worked with him before, I was happy to get the opportunity again and was rooting for him. Sarah Polley just rocks and she is amazing. Working with her is just a dream. She is one of Canada’s greatest gifts. I was really touched to do that scene with her. We keep saying [laughing] “We want more scenes together”. Even watching the film, there is a wealth of Toronto talent and also great LA talent. He just got so many great actors that are actually so are passionate about there craft and their work. Everyone wanted to do a great homage to such a classic film. I think that when you have real good artists caring about what they are doing, it just works.

MG: You have played a nurse in various TV and film projects, how do you always find yourself in this role?
KR: [laughs] It came to a point when I said to my agent, I am not doing any more nurses. I said unless it is the nurses life story I am not doing any more nurses. I think every actor has a typecast. I remember reading a quote from Jennifer Aniston that before “Friends” she was typecast as playing a waitress. The nurse just became mine. The irony about it was that when I was a kid, I said I wanted to be a doctor. My very first on camera role, I actually played a doctor. So a lot of people actually thought I was a doctor [laughs] for a really long time. But I keep saying “No, I am an actor [laughs]”, so I keep finding myself in this doctor/nurse roles. I think karma is a funny thing.

MG: With “Being Erica” renewed for Season four, can you tell us about your character and are you going to be returning in next season?
KR: Camilla was introduced in season three, as part of this whole journey that Erica was on. I don’t want to spoil it for your readers if they haven’t finished up but we find out it was quite the journey. So I am a part of a group therapy unit that is in a sense are people that all lived like Erica. At the end of the season, I am the only person from the group who graduates with her. So there is a hope that the character will come back and maybe go one to beautiful things and it will great to play her colleague. We have to see what the writers have in store for the new season. It was a blast and an honor to work on the show. My character Camilla was really fortuitous. When I auditioned it was only for one episode, then when I came on initially it was for the first six episodes but they liked the character and kept her. Again I haven’t been killed off yet so who knows?

MG: What else do you have planned for the future?
KR: The project I have coming up next is “The Vow” with Rachel McAdams, should be out next year. It was a great experience, she was so sweet to work with. I also just shot a Christmas movie, it is untitled right now but I loved it. The producers Steve Solomos and Joel Rice are so great. I love them. I think this is the fifth project that I have worked with them on for Lifetime and every time they are in town they put me in them. They do really go work and are really good guys. Right now it is called “The Untitled Santa Project” and will be on ABC Family next Christmas.

Karen Lynn Gorney first earned attention with her role of Tara Martin on the popular daytime series “All My Children.” But it was her role as Stephanie Mangano in “Saturday Night Fever” that made her a star. As the object of John Travolta’s affection (both on the dance floor and off), she was able to pull of the rare feat of making a tough girl also appear very vulnerable. Defying conventional thinking, she took more then a decade off, concentrating on theatre and music while also teaching. She returned to the limelight in the early 1990s and has appeared in numerous film and television projects, even reprising her role of Stephanie in the “Fever” video game. While preparing for her next project Ms. Gorney took some time to speak with Movie Mikes about her career:

Mike Smith: Both of your parents were in show business. Did watching their experiences steer you towards a career in acting?
Karen Lynn Gorney: I got into acting because of my shyness. I wanted to be a songwriter like my Dad. But I was too shy to really sing my songs! So Ma said I should study acting.So eventually I sang and played guitar- I’ve recorded 3 CD’s…two of my original songs. one of song’s my dad wrote. (NOTE: Ms. Gorney’s father, Jay, was a popular composer and wrote the music for the classic depression-era song “Brother, Can You Spare A Dime.”)

MS: How did you come to get the role of Tara Martin on “All My Children?”
KLG: Many many auditions, like everything else. Just showing up time and time again.

MS: Do you still hear from fans of the show?
KLG: Oh yes. All the time.

MS: You’ve reprised the role twice. Any chance of Tara making another return to Pine Valley?
KLG: If they asked me I would do it. (NOTE: Since our conversation ABC has announced that this will be the last season for “All My Children.” Hopefully that fact will guarantee an invite back).

MS: You have a BFA from Carnegie Mellon and MFA from Brandeis University in Acting and Speech. With that kind of training how hard was it to nail Stephanie Mongano’s accent in “Saturday Night Fever?”
KLG: I have a good ear, being from a musical family. It came really easily. Dialects are fun for me.

MS: In the famous poster for “Saturday Night Fever” you are featured in a red dress. However, in the final dance competition you are wearing a white dress. Were there other dance scenes shot or was the dress altered for the poster?
KLG: We shot me in every color dress under the sun. They kept dyeing them until they settled on what you see. Red sells. I think that’s why it was used for the poster.

MS: One of the most touching scenes in “Fever” is when Tony and Stephanie are sitting by the bridge talking. During the scene, as Tony’s eyes begin to tear Stephanie kisses him on the cheek. Years later it was revealed that Travolta had just returned to the set after the death of his girlfriend, Diana Hyland. Was it tough to get “back to work?” And what moved you to give Tony the unscripted kiss?
KLG: We hadn’t stopped work for that long and John came right back into it. The character kissed him not me. It seemed the right thing to do – he looked so pitiful.

MS: Was there any talk of Stephanie returning in “Staying Alive?”
KLG: Yes, but the only character from the original “Fever” that appeared in “Staying Alive” was Tony’s mother. Stallone wrote us all out.

MS: Your father, Jay, was a successful songwriter and you yourself have written and produced several albums. Any plans to record again?
KLG: Not right now. The three Cd’s I’ve done, the “Trilogy,” seems enough for now. If I start getting HAUNTED again by words and music in my head, I’ll have to do more- but for now, I’m good. I do have a suitcase full of stuff I haven’t put together and recorded!

MS: What are you currently working on?
KLG: A new play. Starting to take meetings on it for Off Broadway.

For fans interested in ordering a CD or original artwork, or just wanting to keep tabs on her career, please visit Ms. Gorney’s web site: www.karenlynngorney.com

As a young man growing up in the 1970s, one of the seminal films for me was “Saturday Night Fever.” No, I didn’t have the big hair or platform shoes. And while, thanks to drama and dance classes, I could cut a rug I was certainly no Tony Manero! But one of my fondest memories of the film is Donna Pescow, who played Annette, the girl who really only wanted to be liked by the boy she loved. It was her vulnerability that kept the film grounded. “Are you a good girl or are you a c*nt,” Tony asks her early on in the film. “Can’t I be both,” she replies. After “Fever” Ms. Pescow landed the lead role in the Garry Marshall produced television comedy “Angie,” earning a Golden Globe nomination for her performance. For the next three decades she has appeared regularly in both films and on television, including long stints on “Out of This World” with Burt Reynolds and on Disney’s “Even Stevens,” a role which earned her three Daytime Emmy nominations. Ms. Pescow recently sat down with MovieMikes to talk about her career:

Mike Smith: You’ve appeared in several popular daytime dramas (“All My Children,” “General Hospital,” “One Life to Live”). Is there something about them that keeps you coming back?
Donna Pescow: “All My Children” was presented to me as being a six week guest star. They were going to bring in the first openly gay character, which was really a fabulous opportunity for me to be in a groundbreaking role like that. I knew a lot of the people on the show…a couple writers and producers and a couple of the actors…and it was really just a wonderful opportunity for me to be a part of something so groundbreaking. I loved being a part of it. They won a couple of awards for it and, I think, opened up a real arena of something that hadn’t been explored. It wasn’t a stereotypical fluffy, fuzzy piece it was something that I thought was beautifully handled. “General Hospital” was another one that went on for a couple of months. They wanted me to do a character that was kind of like a 1940s style comedy – like Roz Russell. A fun but bigger than life kind of character. So again it was something unusual for that style of show. They asked me to do that and again I thought it would be a nice opportunity to do something different and work with some good people.

MS: You had to audition for both “Saturday Night Fever’s” original director, John Alvidsen and later, John Badham. Was there any difference in your character of Annette in each director’s vision? Did they maybe perceive her differently from one another?
DP: I don’t think so. I remember that when I auditioned for both directors I had never seen a full script. I was just starting out so I received what they call “sides,” which are excerpts from the script that your character auditions for. So I think the character was the same. What I did was I improvised a lot to get the tone of the character. Both of them were still trying to find the voice of the character. I don’t know if they were different or not but I’m sure each of them had their own specific take they wanted the actor to bring with them. There was a couple of months gap between the directors so I don’t know if the script was rewritten or not.

MS: How did the television series “Angie” come about?
DP: I got a call from my agent saying that Garry Marshall wanted to meet with me about an idea he had for a show. I was thrilled to get to meet with Garry, who is one of the funniest people on the face of the earth. And he pitched the idea – I think it may have come from another show he had thought about doing but he had tweaked it a bit – of a modern day Cinderella girl from the poor side of the tracks marries the boy from the rich side of the tracks. Now Garry pitching a story is almost funnier then the show! He has such a hysterical personality…he acts out all of the characters…I would have signed up right then and there in his office.

MS: You participated in the “Battle of the Network Stars.” I remember one year it was almost a grudge match between Robert Conrad and Gabe Kaplan. Was the competition really as fierce and competitive as it was made out to be?
DP: It’s funny that you mentioned Robert Conrad. He was there the year I was doing it. I would guess that if I’d ever joined the military it would have been very similar. He was really serious and really scary! And I was very happy that he was NBC and I was ABC because even from a distance he scared me. People were really serious about this and I was terrified because even though I was a dancer I was not an athlete (laughs). And I was so worried that I was going to let my team down and, most importantly, make a complete and utter fool out of myself. Which of course I did. I had to run the obstacle course and I think Howard Cosell said it was one of the slowest runs in the history of the games. So maybe I should take solace in that I did break a record! (laughs). It was a lot of fun but people were tremendously talented in athleticism and I just did not shine there. (NOTE: for readers who never experienced watching the “Battle of the Network Stars,” click here if you want to see the Robert Conrad/Gabe Kaplan match up I mentioned. Notice that Conrad keeps puffing on his cigarette before the big race:

YouTube – Battle of the Network Stars – Conrad vs. Kaplan

MS: You co-starred with Burt Reynolds (a recent MovieMikes interviewee) in the series “Out of This World.” How did that role come about?
DP: I like that you said co-starred. In the show I spoke to him through a candy dish! Again it was one of those lovely moments where somebody calls and says they have a show they think I’d like. All of the pieces seemed to fit. It kind of reminded me of a show I used to like when I was a kid called “Bewitched.” I just thought it was kind of fun to do the magic and the special effects. I was actually surprised that it went on as long as it did. Not that I didn’t like it, it’s just that you never know. It’s one of those things that will either hit or not. And Burt was great. I would have liked to have had a scene with him! But we were never in the same room. He was recording in one studio and I was in another.

MS: You’ve directed several television episodes. Is directing something you’d like to pursue more?
DP: I love doing it. I got to do some when I was on “Even Stevens.” I also did “Harry and the Hendersons” awhile back and I love it. Pursuing a directing career is like pursuing an acting career. You really have to give it 100%. I think if I’m going to do it again I need to make that commitment and pursue it as strongly as I do acting. I’m sure that the next round I do I’ll definitely stick with it longer.

MS: Getting back to “Fever,” was there any talk of bringing Annette back in “Staying Alive?”
DP: Annette WAS in “Staying Alive.” The character was in the script for quite a while. In fact, there was a section filmed where he (Tony Manero) goes back to Brooklyn and sees several people. But the script changed and they ended up taking that section out. But I did shoot a tiny scene where I was in the audience with my husband – I guess she got married – and we were watching the Broadway show Tony was performing in. But we only shot a little bit of it because they kept rearranging the script. I was sorry to not be in it but I understood that it didn’t really work.

MS: A lot of people pan that film but I think it was amazing how Stallone envisioned the Broadway musical of the 1990s. Lots of flashing lights and explosions and rock and roll scores.
DP: He really had a vision. Both John and Sly really did a great job. They had a very specific thing they wanted to accomplish and they did it and they did it well. It’s really iffy how the public react to things at times. I think they should take a second look at the film and see if they enjoy it more.

MS: You appeared on both “NYPD Blue” and “The Sopranos,” both landmark television dramas. Did you feel you were working on something special when you were filming?
DP: Yes. “NYPD Blue” I was a fan of so going into something that you watch and you like is almost like a little gift because you know going in the quality of the work. So I had a sense that I was doing something that was above average. And the cast and crew were tremendously talented to work with so I had a great time. “The Sopranos”…I was such a “Sopranos” junkie that I could not get enough of that show. I was glued to it every week…I never missed it. When they asked me to do it I really had a hard time separating being a fan from being an actress. I was really sort of star-struck when I went on the set. I got to meet everyone and I had to keep telling myself over and over, “Donna, be a professional. You’re here to do an acting job not sit and gawk at all of the people you watch every Sunday night.” But I was so excited and so thrilled…it was the last episode. So it was really an extraordinary thing for me to be a part of it. It was really an amazing thing to be a part of that show. And you know, when you look back on your career you think you’ve done all of these things that have been personally rewarding. But then you look at “The Sopranos,” which was very much a groundbreaking show in television history, and you’re proud to have been a part of that.

MS: What are you working on now?
DP: There are a couple of things happening. Of course I never know which of them is going to pan out. I’m talking to someone now about possibly coming back to New York and doing some theater there, which I’m kind of excited about. So we shall see!

Genevieve Farrell started acting at the age of 7. She has appeared in such shows as the Emmy Award winning “Zoboomafoo” as well as “American Girl on the Home Front”. Genevieve left acting in her teens and recently graduated from USC film school. Genevieve took time out her busy schedule recently to speak with Movie Mikes about her previous work and some of her upcoming projects.

Adam Lawton: What made you decide to get into acting at such a young age?
Genevieve Farrell: I was really shy when I was younger so I started to take acting and dance classes in an effort to meet people and get over some of my shyness. I really excelled at them and from there I got myself an agent and then went on my first audition which was for a McDonald’s commercial. I acted quite a bit before deciding to take a break to attend high school.

AL: How did you become involved with “Zoboomafoo”?
GF: That show was filmed in Montreal as well as New York. The casting director for the show had cast me in a few other previous projects and brought me in for an audition. I remember going in for one of the auditions and I had to talk about a plant. This was very different from many of the other auditions I had gone to. I had always been interested in animals and things that were talked about on the show so I think that really helped.

AL: You were also in “An American Girl on the Home Front” which was produced by Julia Roberts. What was it like working on that film?
GF: That was an amazing experience! I was just so excited to be apart a film that was targeted for young girls and also to be a part of something that has such a huge following. I also really enjoyed the fact that the film is based on the book and that they encourage reading. It’s great that you can watch the American Girl movies and learn about different things as the movie progresses.

AL: Besides acting you also produce films and model. Do you prefer one more than the other?
GF: I really enjoy making films. I graduated from USC film school last year and during the four years that I was at school I got to write, direct and produce projects which was really great. Getting to have my hands in all the different areas of the film making process made me understand the importance of each aspect. I really am most excited about making films and being able to contribute in any way I can. I do love writing and acting as well but it’s really great getting to bring your own projects to life as a producer.

AL: Can you tell us about your project “The Perfect Gentleman”?
GF: “The Perfect Gentleman” is a short film I did set in the 1950’s. It kind of deals with issues of the period and is based around my characters engagement party. It was a very interesting role for me to play. The film was shot on 35mm which gives the film a real vintage look.

AL: Can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects?
GF: I am currently in pre-production on a short titled “Angela’s Light” which is about a high school student who makes a rash decision to cheat on a math test. The film is really about when you are in high school and you’re very sheltered. At that age everything is a big deal. If you don’t do well on a test its going to ruin your life and you won’t get into a good college and such. So the film points out the pressures during these times. We look to start shooting in mid May. I play Angela in the film and it is being directed by Mu Sun who is an up and coming director that I went to film school with.

AL: Are you producing the film as well?
GF: Yes besides acting in the film I also am producing. I felt since it is my project and I am very passionate about it that it would have been a shame not to produce the film. I have a ton of excitement for the project and I really want to inspire people to work on the film.

Alfredo De Villa is the director of “Harlistas: An American Journey” which premiers on the Mundose network Friday, May 27^th. Alfredo took time out of his busy schedule to talk with Moviemikes.com about the film as well as his upcoming film release “Fugly!” which stars John Leguizamo.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind “Harlistas: An American Journey”?
Alfredo De Villa: I am primarily a fiction film director and this idea really started during the shooting of my last movie in 2008. I was doing research for set designs by going to different people’s homes. During these trips, I really saw how people lived and I found it very interesting. This was where everything really started but I knew I would need another point of connection. I chose motorcycles because I found that when someone decides to start riding a motorcycle it can often times bring about a lot of consequences. As a filmmaker this brings drama. The way I got into Harley’s is because of the mystique that surrounds the brand. It’s a brand that is very American and I just thought this would be a fantastic addition to the film.

AL: Are you a rider yourself?
ADV: I was not. I was solely coming from the story telling point of view. However once I started to get into the motorcycle world I started riding to help get the sense of what it was that I was talking about.

AL: What do you think was the most exciting thing to happen on your journey of shooting?
ADV: For me I think I would have to say that when I started shooting often times the scenes would turn into something far richer than I had originally envisioned and I really enjoyed that. The other thing I liked was getting to go to so many iconic places across North America and meeting the people who are very in trenched in each of the places I visited.

AL: How long did the project take to put together from start to finish?
ADV: The project took two and a half years. I actually am still cutting a version of the film that is going to be shown in Cuba in the coming months.

AL: What were the primary difficulties you found from directing features compared to documentary?
ADV: There were a lot of obstacles that I had to overcome. I had to really learn how to allow reality to change the material. When you are shooting fiction you can dictate what happens when and where you need that specific thing to occur. In reality you can’t force things and you have to really just let things happen as the happen. This was really the biggest challenge. I also found that shooting a documentary strengthened my listening skills. The way people reveal themselves is through talking. It’s something you can’t force and you just have to let the person talk and unfold at their own pace.

AL: Can you tell us about your work on “Fugly!”?
ADV: I am currently still editing that project and it should be done next year sometime. “Fugly!” was a really interesting film to do after shooting the documentary. I actually was still editing the documentary when I started work on “Fugly!” I think both movies will kind of reflect on each other. “Fugly!” was written and based on John Leguizamo’s life. John wrote this script so there is a lot validity and autobiographical insight behind the script. It’s very comedic and it allows you to laugh at John. When I was shooting I kind of applied a half documentary and half fictional approach to the film. I applied everything I have learned thus far to that film. I think the film is going to be very fantastic.

AL: Can you tell how you became involved with the project?
ADV: I had worked with John previously on a film called “Nothing Like the Holidays”.  John had been developing the “Fugly!” script for quite a few years and because we had gotten along so well together on our previous film he asked me to join the party. Working with John was an incredible experience.

AL: Besides working with John you also worked with Radha Mitchell and Rosie Perez. Can you tell us what that was like?
ADV: You are talking about two amazing knock out actresses. Rosie is a force of nature and you just kind of drop a line where her character is and let her go! She brings just so much to the table. Radha is incredible and has a different approach than Rosie. Radha has a much more studied approach combined with great instinct and intelligence which really adds to the character. Rosie and Radha play opposites in the film and it’s just wonderful to see them in those roles.

AL: Can you tell us when the two projects will be released?
ADV: “Harlistas: An American Journey” will premier Friday May 27^th on the Mundose channel. It will also be getting different premiers overtime within the NBC family. “Fugly!” won’t be released until next year and it will be receiving a theatrical release.

AL: Do you have any other upcoming projects you can tell us about?
ADV: I am working on a film right now called “Without You I’m Nothing” which I think is going to be really amazing and we hope to start shooting in September.

Scott Thompson is one of the members of the cult favorite comedy troupe “The Kids in the Hall”.  Scott is working on his graphic novel “Danny Husk” and his stand up tour. Movie Mikes took a chance to chat with Kevin about working with the troupe and the new mini-series “Death Comes to Town”.

Mike Gencarelli: Did you have a favorite character to portray with “Kids in the Hall”?
Scott Thompson: In “Death Comes to Town”, I think my favorite character was Dusty Diamond, the coroner. I think it was the funniest thing that I did in the show. “Kids in the Hall” the original series, I can’t really say.  I mean I liked doing all of them. It also depended upon what I was feeling at the time. I did Buddy Cole the most, but I wouldn’t say that it was always my favorite. I really don’t pick favorites. I liked Dusty because it was the easiest for me to do. I didn’t have to wear and makeup or anything, he was just the way I was and that was really cool.

MG: How was it returning to TV with “Death Comes to Town”?
ST: It was wonderful. I have been waiting for this for a long time. It was difficult though because I had cancer. It was a great distraction and kept me going and I am very grateful for it. I knew I had to survive because I had a comeback to do [laughs]. It was incredibly rough for me but it would have been rougher to not have the show. When I was going for my chemotherapy, I told my doctors I am doing this and that is all there is to it. So when I did “Death Comes to Town”, it was like a reward for all the agony. When it finished I went right back into the hospital. But for nine weeks, I had this amazing experience between my treatment, where all I had to think about is being funny between action and cut.

MG: Why did you guys decide to do a mini-series and not a full series?
ST: I don’t think we wanted to do another sketch series because there is no way we could top what we did before. It has to be different. When Bruce (McCulloch) came to us with this idea we jumped on it, because it was different. If we did a sketch series, all people would have done is compare us, “Oh look at them they are old” and even though they still say that only we aged. Our fans are not aging. The one thing I learned from this series is don’t read your comments. It will only lead to pain [laughs]. Within two pages or actually within six comments you will read the word “fat” and “faggot” [laughs]. I don’t need to hear those words. But it allowed us to do what we did and that is to play wonderful characters and do something different as well. Also with “Death”, we were able to tell a long story. With “Brain Candy”, we only had like 90 minutes to tell that big story, but with this we almost had four hours. It was exactly what we needed.

MG: Tell us about your experience with “Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy”?
ST: It was terrible experience but it is well in the past. It has been 15 years now. Art is not easy. We are very dedicated to what we do. I would never want to go through an experience like that again. Even though the new series I was sick, it still easier than doing “Brain Candy” [laughs].

MG: How do you compare the group from the early days to today, any changes in the creative process?
ST: Yeah, since with the new series it was completely different for us. We never had one person in charge before and Bruce was our leader. If we didn’t do that we would have never got anything done. That was big change. The story itself was created by Bruce, Kevin and myself and Dave and Mark came in later. That was different. But other than that once we are all together, it was exactly the same. The only other difference was, I was lying on a cot and slept a lot.

MG: What is the hardest part for you when creating a character?
ST: The beginning I guess is the hardest. The voice is always a challenge. Once you have the voice then you are launched. Then you focus on the way the person moves. For me usually the voice is definitely first. It takes years sometimes. Dusty Diamond took years to be born. I went through lots of incarnations of characters that were similar to that. It was only until I lost all my hair that Dusty was really born. The hardest part about Dusty was having cancer, that was the worst and most difficult part [laughs].

MG: Tell us about the new development for your character “Danny Husk” and its comic book?
ST: I started writing this over ten years ago as a screenplay. I was trying to write myself out of the box I was put in, which was I was only able to play gay characters. I thought in order for people to see me differently I had to write a vehicle to show people I can play everybody. Even though, I felt that “Kids in the Hall” had done that, it didn’t seem to matter. I decided I would write “Danny Husk” and firstly throw everything at him and try to destroy him and have him survive. That was my thinking and  Danny as a very strong survivor. He may not be the most exciting or brilliant human being but he never gives up. I also thought I wanted to write something that no one will ever turn into a movie. I wanted to write to a script that would appeal to the ten year old boy in me. I wanted to write something that a ten year old boy shouldn’t read but would read anyway. I wanted this book to be something that if you parents found, they would go “Oh that looks like a nice adventure” and they opened it and said “What the heck is going on here”. That is what I wanted. I spent years trying to get it made but it was just too big of a movie. So I figured then I would turn it in a graphic novel a few years ago and it was wonderful. As long as the story gets out it doesn’t matter to me what the medium is.

MG: Any plans for future books in that series?
ST: I am writing the second part of the book. It will hopefully be a trilogy and be three stories in that adventure.

MG: Are we going to see any more tours planned for the group?
ST: I don’t know if we do as a group honestly. But I do. I love would to do something as a group but it doesn’t seem to be in the cards. I do not think “Death Comes to Town” was that much of a hit. I think that as we got older we have become more culty. As most people get older they become more mainstream but it doesn’t seem like we did. I look at the series and ask myself “When are we going to mellow”. Maybe never. I still am very proud of what we did and I wouldn’t change anything in that series. I am trying to do a stand up tour by myself. I am also going to a lot of conventions for the book.

Kevin McDonald is one of the members of the cult favorite comedy troupe “The Kids in the Hall”.  Kevin is by far the most energetic member of the members.  Movie Mikes took a chance to chat with Kevin about working with the troupe and the new mini-series “Death Comes to Town”.

Mike Gencarelli: Did you have a favorite character that you played in the original “The Kids in the Hall”?
Kevin McDonald: During the sketch show, my favorite character would be the King of Empty Promises. I only did it twice during the series because we never did the same characters a lot…besides the head crusher and the chicken lady. We never did the photocopier guy every Saturday. King of Empty Promises is the guy that promises things and says “Will do” and “Slipped my mind”. I am sort of like that, “Yeah you want that…Yeah I’ll get that for you”. I always forget and never do anything. My writing partner in the show Norm (Hiscock) said you have that evil trait and he said that it should be a sketch. So we wrote it up. Instead of me playing myself again, we decided I would do it like Paul Bellini, Scott (Thompson)’s writing partner. I am lousy at doing impressions but me doing Bellini’s impression is what became of the character in ‘Empty Promises’ sketch.

MG: “Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy” was one of my favorites of the 90’s, are you a fan?
KM: I am a fan of it. I am a little disappointed with the end with came up with. We tried hard and actually had a original ending that we shot but it didn’t seem to work with audiences. It probably would have been the right way to go but not in the terms of audiences. Once we got a little more money, we re-shot the ending as a little more mainstream and it would have been better but then took away half the money. So instead of it being eight scenes, it was four scenes and some of the details were lost. Monty Python is so smart. With their first movie it was a gag fest and an excuse for sketches in the “Holy Grail”. I guess we were ambitious, good for us, we jumped right into a real movie. It probably would have taken us two or three movies to get it right. Also learning to write together in the same room is hard. We have been writing sketches like two or three at a time and all six of us were in this board room writing and it was really hard.

MG: Would you consider that the bad time for the group?
KM: The group has had a series of downfalls and up falls [laughs], like any group of creative people. There is always creative differences and arguments. When it works it makes the work better and when it doesn’t work it cripples the works for a bit. When we were a club act before our TV show, we had an argument about what kind of comedy we should do and that was resolve by just doing it over and over. During the TV show, three of us did not like the producer in charge and two of us like him. That was horrible fight we always forget about. “Brain Candy” arguments are more in our mind now but that was a really horrible one which almost split up the group. What saved us originally is that we were canceled after the first season but luckily they changed their mind and then we ended up firing the producer. But “Brain Candy” was just hard for so many reasons Dave (Foley) was becoming a TV star with “Newsradio”. Scott and I had deaths in our family. It was so ambitious…not like “Ben Hur” or “Avatar”…but it was ambitious in the way we were trying to tell a story. I think the story took over the comedy and that divided the group. Dave actually quit right before we started shooting “Brain Candy” and then was still forced to do the movie since he already signed the contract. That part was horribly tense, especially because him and I are like best friends. The movie didn’t do well but in the meantime our show was showing on repeats and that is where we really got our audience. We stopped filming the show in 1995 but from 1996-2000, Comedy Central was repeating our show to death. We were talking in a reunion tour and that is why the troupe is still a troupe. I don’t think we will every split up until the first one of dies and my money is on Dave [laughs].

MG: Tell us about the groups return to TV with “The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town”?
KM: Before that we had the 2008 tour, which was a unique tour from our other tours since it was new material. Between 2006 and 2008, we did some shows at the Steve Allen Theater and we worked out some pretty good material. It was really exciting for us not doing the greatest hits like we had, but to do all new stuff. Led by Bruce (McCulloch), he had an idea for a movie called “Death Comes to Town”. I worked on it with him during the tour. It was so exciting that the new material was going over so well and we wanted to keep writing new stuff. We thought if we got a new TV show our tour, we will sell out every night. It sort of grew and grew and became a mini-series. We always thought mini-series, we never wanted to do a lot of seasons. The writing process was different again with Bruce in charge and I helped out with the writing, instead of all five of us. Then we all met up a couple of times in Toronto with the other three. I think the good thing about that we that we got it done quickly and easily. The bad thing was that I think we missed a lot of the troupes flavor.

MG: What else do you have planned for the future? Any more tours?
KM: The group is trying to get another tour together but it is really hard. We started planning for the Spring, now that isn’t going to happen. So maybe in the Fall now. Like the past year, I am just concentrated on coming to Winnipeg and become a good boyfriend and father figure to my girlfriends two children. But I am writing another pilot with now, which I was hired to write called “Homeland Insecurity”. I just did a TV show, which is 4-minute episode which will be online with plans for a 30 minute format later this year, it is called “Papillon”. It has nothing to do with the Steve McQueen movie but that is what it is called.

Tracey Walter is one of the great character actors of our time. He has been in filming ranging from 1989’s “Batman” to “Conan the Destroyer” to last year remake of “I Spit on Your Grave”. He is has worked with some amazing actors such as Danny DeVito, Jack Nicholson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Steve McQueen. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Tracey about his films and what he is working on currently.

Mike Gencarelli: How was it working on the remake of “I Spit on Your Grave”?
Tracey Walter: One of the unique things about the film was…although auditions are nice the drawback with auditions is that you might not get the part…what’s better is when they call your agent and say “I want to offer Tracey the part,” which they did. When I first got involved with the film it was called “Day of the Woman.” I was not familiar with the original “I Spit on Your Grave” movie. But I got a call from my agent who said “they’ve offered you a role in this film and they’ll be sending over a script tonight.” That happens all of the time in the movie business. Not just to a “Tracey Walter” – type actor but even to a “Brad Pitt” – type. I just finished a movie…a beautiful movie called “Savannah.” That happens to actors like Jim Caviezel. You’ll get a call and they want to start shooting tomorrow….I’m going to answer your question, I promise (laughs). And that also happens on “A” type films. On “I Spit on Your Grave” I got a call. They wanted to know if I was interested in playing the role. It was really the only character, other than the sheriff’s wife, that was not a really brutal and sadistic character. In fact what lead to his death was his concern for the woman. He calls the sheriff and the sheriff come by, takes him out to the woods with a bottle of whiskey and then blows his brains out. My character was the only decent character in the picture. I’ve been acting for 40 years and I always think I’ve seen it all. But this film was a new one because not only had I not met the director prior to filming, I didn’t even know his name when I showed up on the set (NOTE: his name is Steven Monroe). That was unique. The actors in that picture were really talented and it’s always interesting to work with actors who are not big names. You haven’t seen them before and it makes you realize how many good actors there are out there. If you saw the movie you know what Sarah Butler went through on that movie. No complaints. Same with the actor who played the Sheriff (Andrew Howard). I thought “he’s got a great southern accent.” At the end of the day we finish work, get in the car and drive to the hotel. And I realize he’s English! He pulled off a “Hugh Laurie” to some extent! Whether it’s a film or a TV show, how I get hired has a slight influence on my taking the job. Did they make it a three act play? Was there someone else they wanted to hire? Or, as in this case, did they call and make an offer? They were very respectful. With the conditions while filming and being with the other actors it became really a great experience. And I hope that set experience
does good things for Steve Monroe’s career.

MG: Are you generally a fan of the horror genre?
TW: Not only am I a fan but…Danny DeVito has for the past two years had a web site where he does tributes. The name of the website is www.thebloodfactory.com. And he has created really bloody and over the top tributes to the horror genre’. I did a couple of them. They’re about four minutes long and usually shoot in one day. One had me as a psychiatrist married to Carol Kane. She decides I’m no longer listening to her so she decides to shave my ears off! A real bloody mess. Another one I did I played a doctor who gets revenge on another doctor who has done some botched abortions in the past. That’s also bloody as you can imagine. We just finished another one. DeVito directs them. I haven’t done a lot of horror. I did do some episodes of “Freddie’s Nightmares.” But I love the genre.

MG: How did you get involved with the TV series “Monsters?”
TW: There’s really not a big story behind that. They made the traditional call to the agent and they offered me a part. I’ve still got a great 8×10 photo of me transforming into the monster.

MG: How long did the make up process take for that part?
TW: About two hours.

MG: What was it like to work with Jack Nicholson on 1989’s “Batman”?
TW: I met Jack in the summer of 1977. He directed and starred in a movie called “Goin’ South.” He played a character named Henry Moon and I was a part of the ex-Moon gang. He get’s sentenced to marry Mary Steenbergen and we (the ex-gang) try to get him to come back to the old ways. So I’ve known Jack since 1977. It was great shooting “Batman.” We shot in London. I’ve done two films in London. “Batman” and another one that was based on a book by Larry McMurtry called “Buffalo Girls” with Angelica Huston and Jack Palance. Jack (Palance) also worked on “Batman” but we didn’t have any scenes together. And we also appeared in “Cyborg 2,” though again we had no scenes. I’ve worked with Jack on four pictures, the fourth one being “City Slickers.” He played the sandpaper-faced cowboy and I was “Cookie,” the authentic western cook. The “Batman” experience, on a scale of 1-10 was about a 12! Tim Burton was fantastic to work for. I haven’t worked with him since but I’m surely not ruling it out (laughs). The entire film was a great experience for me. They even made an action figure of me. I’ve really been blessed. As humbly as I can put it, I’ve really been blessed with terrific success in films.

MG: Tell us about working with Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Conan the Destroyer”?
TW: That was an incident where I replaced another actor to play Malak. It was the classic call. My agent called me and asked “can you be on a plane to Mexico TONIGHT?” I was single at the time…no dogs or cats…so I was able to pack a duffle bag, get in the car they sent for me and head to Mexico. That’s how it happens some times. You can imagine how great it was working with Schwarzenegger. We’ve remained friends since. That’s the kind of genre’ that an actor likes to try at least once. Plus I’m a big basketball fan and Wilt Chamberlain, who was in the film, loved to talk. He wasn’t the type of guy who, because he was a basketball star and basketball was his big claim to fame, didn’t want to talk about it. I was reading a book called “Giant Steps” by Kareem Abdul Jabbar and I showed Wilt some photos that he was in. He could tell me, just from looking at the photos, what was happening…where the game had taken place. You know, even with the Internet, there are places that stars can go and not be recognized. Even Schwarzenegger…there are probably places in the world where no one would know who he is. But there was no where on the face of the earth where you could go and not have Wilt Chamberlain turn heads. He was just your average 7’2 millionaire that lived next door! It was a dream come
true for me to do that picture.

MG: Which projects really stick out as most challenging among the ones that you have worked on to date?
TW: Again, humbly, there have been many. “Batman” and “Goin’ South” with Jack Nicholson….”The Two Jakes,” which was a sequel to “Chinatown” that Nicholson directed. “Erin Brockovich” was another great film. Steven Soderberg is another great director. Edward Lachman (the film’s cinematographer) made me look good in that one. Another favorite is a western television series I did called “Best of the West.” I was in “At Close Range” with Sean Penn, Christopher Walken and a talented group of character actors. It’s hard to say what’s challenging. A smart man once said “if you like what you do you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Again, I’ve been very blessed. This last project I was involved in…”Savannah” with Jim Caviezel…has a wonderful director named Annette Haywood-Carter. She did a real rarity. When I got hired she called me at home to say “welcome aboard.” That’s beyond nice! Directors don’t usually call Tracey Walter – like character actors who appear in the middle of the film. When someone does that you’re ready to not only jump through hoops for them but make a complete fool of yourself. Another film that was a treat to work on was “Raggedy Man” with Sissy Spacek. I also appeared with Steve McQueen in his last film, “The Hunter.” Steve Monroe is a huge fan of McQueen so when I showed up for work that was the first thing he wanted to talk about. “How was he?” “Did he look good?” He died right after making the film but he looked fantastic. I was shocked that he passed away so quickly.

MG: Besides “Savannah,” what other projects do you have coming up?
TW: I just did something with director William Dear. I started working with him in 1981 on the movie “Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann.” It was a sci-fi western. We filmed in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We’ve worked together several times since then. He just took over a picture called “Love Obama: The Election of Barack Obama.” It’s a humorous look at the campaign…especially campaign headquarters. I play an aging hippie…it’s really a dream come true.

Ed Asner is a legend in Hollywood.  Whether it is TV or film, Ed has done it all and is still doing it all.  He is known best for his role in “Mary Tyler Moore” and its spin-off “Lou Grant”.  Ed also worked the character of Carl in Disney/Pixar’s “Up” and played Santa Clause in 2003’s “Elf”.  Ed recently just completed working on CMT’s TV series “Working Class” as well an HBO film “Too Big to Fail”.  Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Ed about his career and working on some of his well known projects.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about working on the film “Too Big to Fail” as Warren Buffett and working with such a great cast?
Ed Asner: Well it was a great cast but unfortunately every goddamn thing I did was on the phone [laughs].  All I heard was disembodied voices…probably our assistant director.  It was an honor to play Buffet, I have admired him and he didn’t screw up in this film either.

MG: Tell us about working on the TV series “Working Class”, was that a fun project?
EA: It was a very fun project.  It was big work load and I will give you an example why.  We did one episode of “Mary Tyler Moore” in five days and it was a relaxed country club.   We had to do TWO shows on “Working Class” in five days, so the work schedule was tough. But everybody involved was a gem of a person, producers, writers, and fellow actors.  I was surprise we were as good as we were.

MG: Can we expect more Hank Greziak in season two of “Working Class”??
EA: No, we won’t. CMT has given us the hook.  There has been some attempt to interest other networks but that rarely works. It is a loss to me that I will not be able to do more work with Patrick Fabian, Melissa Peterman and Steve Kazee.  They were wonderful to work with.

MG: If you had to pick a favorite between your award winning TV shows: “Mary Tyler Moore” or “Lou Grant” which would it be and why?
EA: You can’t do that to me.  Bigger people than you have asked me that and I have refused them [laughing].  “Mary Tyler Moore” was nothing but sheer delight. Getting the laughs and getting the points across was nothing but great pleasure. With “Lou Grant”, we knew we were the first show to ever show a newspapers as it approached being a newspaper.  We presented situations and problems that no one else in America was presenting.  We were presenting both sides of it and never the bad side winning of course. It is apples and oranges, you just can’t compare them. It was a lot more fun doing “Mary Tyler Moore”. “Lou Grant” was a grind but all hour shows are a grind. I was saved in many respects that I was chained because that goddamn desk.  Billie and Rossi had to go around covering stories.  When it had to do with stories in the newsroom that is where I came to shine.  It was more fun to do “Mary” but the honor was great if not greater to do “Lou”.

MG: You have won 7 Emmys, more than any other male performer and also only person to ever win Emmys for same character on two different shows, how does it feel to hold these records?
EA: It is insane.  I do not think you will find anyone capturing it again, in terms of winning it both ways.  The conversion of Lou from half hour to hour was a nightmare.  It was horrible.  Nobody did it before and no one has done it since.  It is two different worlds.  It is the dark and the light side of the moon for God’s sakes. You are doing a half an hour with three cameras and an audience that laughs every time you burp.  Then you switch over to an hour where you can’t hear any laughter and it breaks the wall of reality.  It is single camera.  For instance I was in therapy at the time and my shrink asked me, “Why do you grimace so much?” and I said “Oh”.  I realized we were a dramedy, but I felt that in places where I thought people should laugh, I would do the goddamn grimace to service a key to let go at home.  It was stupid and unnecessary.  If they are going to laugh they will laugh and they don’t need any cues from me.  But I was so nervous that I would do that.  When we were brought back for the second year, you may call it psychological but I was shaving with a two edge razor blade at the time.  I left it out to dry out and I was racing to go to work for the first day.  I raced into bathroom, late as usual, picked up the razor, brought it to my side burn and pulled down and sliced open my cheek.  I ran to St. Joseph’s Hospital and luckily for a plastic surgeon, he put in 20 smaller stitches and I worked that afternoon.  I figured I must have been doing that trying to avoid the frustration of the hour show.

MG: You have been known to do a lot of voice work on over 20 projects, do you enjoy voice work?
EA: Oh I love it.  I get carried away like doing any other job.  My God, what “Up” did for my career…I just love it.

MG: Looking back on playing your character Carl from Disney/Pixar’s “Up”, did you enjoy that experience?
EA: It was lovely.  [laughing] I actually had an accident working on that film too though.  I believe it was the sixth session, there was a rise level by the sound room and I was marching back to the mic room.  Well, I tripped on it and went crashing into a shield covered corner of the wall.  I opened behind my ear as my head hit the wall.  It took six staples to close it.  Well, I still went on to work and did the days work anyway [laughs]. Nothing stops me.

MG: You have been successful in both TV & movies; do you prefer one over the other?
EA: I think TV is a medium that is just as great if not greater than film, expect you have to do it faster and you don’t get the spoiled treatment.  I have done a slew of low budget films where conditions are certainly no better than TV.  TV you are on an express train and there can be no feet dragging.  For anybody to put movie actors over TV actors…are full of crap.

MG: You have played Santa Claus more than a few times most recently in 2003’s “Elf”, did you enjoy playing St. Nick”?
EA: I think that Jon Favreau created the definitive Santa Clause in “Elf”.  I love playing him in that film and I would love to do it again.

MG: What else do you have planned for the future? Any upcoming projects you want to talk about?
EA: I have been working on a film about the Spanish Civil War.  We almost had it financed but it just ran into issues, so we will see about that one.  It is a great film and Ed Harris is going to be in it.  I am suppose to do a film in Alaska, which I have high hopes for and we will be shooting that in October.  There is another film that I am waiting to hear back on which I will be playing a chairman of the commission that re-hears the 9-11 tragedy. So let’s hope.

Michael Gladis is known for his role as the Chief on Adult Swim’s “Eagleheart”.  The show was a hit in season one and already got renewed for a second season.  Movie mikes had a chance to chat with Michael about his role and his upcoming projects.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about how you got involved with “Eagleheart”?
Michael Gladis: I was given the appointment for the audition and turned it down at first because the character description was for an “Orson Welles type in his late 50′-60’s”. Now, I’m an Orson Welles type, but definitely can’t play that old. My agent told me that the producers were really excited about talking to me about it, and urged me to meet with them, so I did- very last minute. The “meeting” turned into a sort of impromptu test- with the room filling up with not only the writers and directors but also other brass from the production company/producer types, etc. So I read the scenes, totally cold, and they laughed, which was nice- but we only talked a little bit about how this dude was supposed to be older, and in a position of authority, and how I was a baby-faced early 30’s actor. So, a couple days later I get the offer for the role- which was awesome, but I still didn’t buy me as Chief- I still felt like I was WAY too young for the role. So I asked for another meeting with the writers/producers, and this time we really got to talk. They’re all great guys- really down to earth and friendly and funny- and that’s where I pitched the idea of the prosthetics and fat suit- I figured, if we were going to send up Welles, let’s really do what he would have done- age me like he aged himself in Citizen Kane- which thankfully they were happy to indulge. So I took the role.

MG: How did you come up with your character of the Chief? Did you base him off anyone?
MG: Well, obviously a lot of the foundation for Chief is Orson Welles. Both in writing and appearance. Visually we were going after a “Touch of Evil” Welles, and I think we did a great job. In terms of performance, though, Chief kind of took on a life/character of his own, and deviated from an Orson Welles impression to become something else entirely- he’s a character I really, really enjoyed playing.

MG: Tell us about the makeup process for the character?
MG: 2 1/2 to 3 hours sitting in a chair watching a make-up artist reproduce a sculpture on your face with prosthetics glue, 17 different colors of paint applied with brushes, sponges, and an airbrush gun- just so we can tear it all off and throw it out at the end of the day. I have a very simple mind, so I’m always fascinated by the process, and I have such a respect for the make-up artists that do the work. It’s also turned into a way to get into character. I sit down as Michael, and get out of the chair as Chief.

MG: Are you shocked that “Eagleheart” is already greenlit for a second season?
MG: “Shocked” isn’t the word I’d use. “Elated” is a good word for it. I’ve only received really positive feedback so far- even my parents and their friends think it’s funny- which is a far cry from our intended demographic of college students ripping bong hits every time a gun is fired on-screen (if that’s not a game that’s played to our show in every university across this great land, it should be)- and I don’t think my parents or their friends are ripping any bong hits, so if they think it’s funny, the show should definitely be renewed.

MG: Do you think we will be seeing more of the Chief?
MG: I truly hope so.

MG: Do you have preference working in comedy or drama TV series?
MG: I love working in both- as long as they’re good. I was totally sold on doing Eagleheart when I heard that Chris Eliot was on board. I’ve been a fan of his since I was a kid, and working with him is so much fun. He’s amazing, as are Brett Gelman and Maria Thayer- they’re all so funny and such wonderful people, going work is really a joy- we laugh a lot.

MG: Tell us about working with Clint Eastwood on “J. Edgar”?
MG: Well, my role is a very small one- blink and you’ll miss it- but I’d be an extra in a Clint Eastwood movie. He’s really one of my Hollywood heroes. So I jumped at the chance to do it. I was warned that Clint moves very, very fast, and that I’d only get one or two takes- and that I’d probably only be on set for 45 minutes if I only had one line. I did, indeed, only get a couple takes, which was fine, but because I was playing the owner of the club where the day’s scenes took place, I actually had to hang out for about 9 hours to be in the background (see? be careful what you wish for)- but that turned out to be great, because I got to watch Clint work all day.

MG: Tell us about working with Joe Lynch on his new film, “Knights of Badassdom”?
MG: Joe’s awesome. Such a nice guy. Very positive- very supportive- and I think “Knights of Badassdom” is gonna be a kick-ass film. I can’t wait to see it.

Fred Sayeg is the director of the new independent film “The Encore of Tony Duran”. The film is Fred’s feature film directorial debut and was an official selection at the 2011 Palm Springs International Film Festival. “The Encore of Tony Duran” stars Elliot Gould, Cody Kasch and Gene Pietragallo. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Fred about working on his first film and what is to come upcoming.

Mike Gencarelli: With the film “The Encore of Tony Duran” being your feature directorial debut, do you feel that you were able to add your unique experience and talent to the film?
Fred Sayeg: Yeah absolutely.  In fact that was the only reason I did it because I knew we had very little money and time.  I felt that I could do it, if I could do it my way…the way I envisioned it and without any outside interference.  Not from any ego standpoint, I just knew you do not have a lot of time to bicker and things can’t go all the way to jury with a little movie like this. I felt from the very beginning I knew that I could get it done well.  I was able to rely on myself for the decisions and I do not have any regrets. I feel very fortunate now [laughs], I wish I could make every movie I do like this.

MG: How did you originally become attached to the project?
FS: A guy I work with on my corporate films, Mitchell Cohen, wrote it based on an idea by our co-producer Terry Fraser. It was a semi-biographical piece about Gene Pietragallo, who we call Tony Duran. I would say that about 40-50% of it is true.  So when he told me about it and what they were trying to do and how they had a director but he fell out, the wheels started turning in my head.  I thought it was doable because the way it was designed.  I went over the script with Mitchell and reworked some stuff. I thought we can actually make this happen.  I felt so strongly that I said I would even help raise the funds and I did in a short time.  It sort of went rapid fire from that point on.  It felt like only a few short weeks from when I started to when it was finished.

MG: The film was shot in just 8 days, was that a grueling schedule?
FS: It was about 9 days [laughs], not that big of a difference. There was a day when I almost did 19 pages in one day.  It was a lot and I wouldn’t recommended it but it was simply this is what we had to do.  You can’t fall in love with a lot of scenes that you would like to cover a few times.  We had to say this is what it is and if we have it covered, then we would move on.  I trust my DP a lot that he got the shots.  We knew that later we might have some problems but mainly we got what we needed.  I needed to make sure we got continuity and luckily we did not run into problems.  There were a couple of things I wish I had more time for but I am sure that happens with everything.  We were lucky to finish in the time we did.

MG: How was it working with such a great cast such as Elliot Gould and William Katt?
FS: Elliot is such a professional.  He walks in the set and everyone stands a little straighter.  He has been around and he knows it all and heard it all.  He knows his lines and he is a professional and he expects everyone else to know their stuff. I had people with a lot of experience and I had people with little experience.  You can’t do a film in this amount of time with people who do not know what they are doing.  You can get the greatest director and crew in the world and it doesn’t really matter.  They guys did such a great job and they are the main reason that we got it done.  It was a great little ensemble we had.

MG: How do you feel about the buzz surrounding “The Encore of Tony Duran”?
FS: Yeah, it is very fun.  You look at each other on set and you don’t really know what you have. We all knew in our hearts that we have this little film with this big message. I think that might be the reason Mike that this resonates. We are in a time when America has some economic problems, everyone has a little Tony Duran in them.  They know somebody that has hit the bottom and thinks they cant get any lower and find maybe they can get out of this.  This is a redemption film but it is a real world redemption film that people can relate to. Tony is not a big ball player, he is just a guy.  He hits bottom and loses everything and thinks it is over.  His old friend Elliot says maybe says “You know what it is really not” and sometimes that is all it takes.

MG: You also started your own production company, tell us about that?
FS: One More Time Productions was formed just for this movie.  Then I also formed Mister Moon Media and will do other films like this under that with similar messages like in this film.