interview Archives - Page 17 of 35

Interview with Marilyn Burns

Marilyn Burns is best known for her starring role as Sally Hardesty in the ground breaking 1974 Tobe Hooper film “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”. Media Mikes had a chance to talk with Marilyn about her role in the film and some her other experiences in the movie business.

Adam Lawton: How did you end up working on “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” as your first starring role?
Marilyn Burns: I had been with the Texas film commission and helped start that up way back when. I had also gone to the University of Texas and received a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. I was doing any film that came to Texas such as Robert Altman’s “Brewster McCloud”, Sidney Lumet’s “Lovin’ Molly” and “The Great Waldo Pepper” with Robert Redford. They were all little walk on parts practically but I also tried to work with the production people and do my best to learn something. When I was doing “Lovin’ Molly” I knew these two film makers Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel. They came on the set one day to see what we were shooting. They happened to be serving chicken that day for lunch and I think Stephen Friedman who was a producer on the film saw these two people who were coming to eat chicken that weren’t part of the cast or crew. They came over and told them to put the chicken back. I recognized them and we kind of looked at each other before they were hustled of the set. A short time later I was called in for a reading for the part of Sally.

AL: What did you think when you first saw Gunner Hansen in the Leather face costume?
MB: Gunner had stayed away from the cast because he was the scary guy. They didn’t want us to do a lot of talking or become buddies. He looked very scary in his outfit and it was very impressive! We didn’t have to really fake it when we saw him. The mask and the different costume changes were frightening. Plus if you see an actor with a chainsaw and you’re a bunch of kids running around in the dark you’re going to be scarred! I don’t know what we were thinking because Gunner could have tripped and that chainsaw could have gone up in the air. They had taken the chain of it but everything else was still moving and it could have done some damage. When we were doing the chase scenes Gunner did trip and that was really scary. Another time when I was hiding in the bushes and Gunner was trying to get me with the chainsaw he couldn’t see very well out of his mask and my hair had gotten tangled in the branches. I was sitting there praying someone would yell cut before he tripped and got me with the chainsaw. It was pretty intense and when I look back on it I wonder what we were all thinking. It was crazy!

AL: What do you think was the most difficult part of the shoot?
MB: The dinner scene. That was a 26-28 hour shoot that was a smelly mess. It was so hot and we were all getting sick. We just kept working and working while the chicken and head cheese was rotting. The lights were very hot and Gunner’s costume smelled quite bad because he didn’t have a change. It was a very intense evening.

AL: How was it working with Tobe Hooper?
MB: Tobe had already done “Egg Shells” and he was kind of looked up to in the Austin area. Everyone in the film and drama department was aware of anyone that actually made movies. I was really pleased to work with him. He was delightful.

AL: You also worked with Tobe on “Eaten Alive”. How did that experience compare to working with him on “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”?
MB: “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” was all made up and we did everything for real because we didn’t have a sound stage or anything. We used real gas stations and houses. We did everything on the road in the van and it was just too many people in one van sweating trying to get the scenes. Everything was very real. “Eaten Alive” was done on a sound stage where there was a pool for the alligator to run around in. Everything had sort of a surrealistic different kind of feeling. It was in Hollywood so that makes a big difference. I had the spider monkeys put by my dressing room which didn’t smell very good! There is always a touch of realism as you do these things. I think they may have put the monkeys by my door on purpose. (Laughs) There were always fun little things happening on the set of both films.

AL: What are your feelings toward the remakes of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and the upcoming 3-D version?
MM: They are all interesting and entertaining. I was concerned at first thinking they were going to redo the film and that I was going to be competing with another actress in the role. I realized that no, they weren’t the same movie. They were all enjoyable and different. “Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2” with Caroline Williams and Dennis Hopper was brilliant. There have been some good things but I don’t know how we are going to take a chainsaw in 3-D. It’s going to be interesting.

AL: Were you a fan of the horror genre prior to making the movie?
MM: It wasn’t the career choice I made. I was surely a fan as when I was a kid I would go to all the Saturday matinees and watch all the movies. I like mystery and suspense but I never thought in a million years that I would be noted for the horror genre. However it has been very good to me and it’s a fun and exciting place that I have enjoyed.

AL: What do you think has been your favorite role from your career so far?
MM: “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” has legs that I never thought would be possible. It’s amazing how much it still keeps going and the interest is still there. The part was very hard to do and it took a lot out of me but I have to give the part credit and people know me very well because of it. I also enjoyed doing the film “Helter Skelter” which was about the Manson family. It seems I am always offered these great gruesome pictures. I have to say that whoever would have thought that after all these years Sally Hardesty would still be so popular. It’s just amazing!

AL: Can you tell us about your role in the upcoming film “Bone Boys” and any other upcoming projects?
MM: I’m in “Bone Boys” for just a second. If you blink you will miss me. Kim Henkel who helped Tobe write “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” wrote “Bone Boys” and that’s his puppy. Being a great friend of Kim’s we had a good time. I actually saw him recently and we had dinner at the house we shot “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” in. It has been turned into a beautiful restaurant. They had a showing of the film there and while we were eating I realized I was sitting in the same spot as I was in the scene. It was very surreal to be there during the dinner sequence in the movie and to be back sitting in the same place which is now a beautifully restored restaurant called the Junction. I have another project that I am working on right now however I don’t want to comment on it just yet. As soon as I know everything I will be glad to let everyone know about it.

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Interview with Bill Johnson

Bill Johnson played the charismatic and almost loveable Bubba in Tobe Hooper’s “Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2”. Bill took time out of his busy schedule to talk with Movie Mikes about his work in the film as well as some of his other upcoming projects.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us how you got involved with “Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2”?
Bill Johnson: Early summer of 1986, I got a call from my agent telling me that I was going to go and audition for Tobe Hooper. I had not seen the original “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” prior to that phone call however I saw it immediately afterwards. I went into the audition and read for the casting director. From there I got a call back to read with the casting director and the writer this time. Then I got another call back, this time to read with Tobe and Caroline Williams. It was mostly improvisational and they liked Caroline and I together…so they cast me.

AL: Can you tell us what it was like working with Bill Mosley and Dennis Hopper?
BJ: Dennis was a pretty amazing guy. He was doing pre-production for his film “Colors” at the same time as filming for “Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2” was going on. Dennis would only be on set the days he was shooting. Dennis really had this enormous energy and when you were with him you really got that sense about him. Dennis had a great sense of humor and was always joking around. Working with Bill was also a lot of fun and he was really ready to play that role. He and I played cards quite a bit while I was cooped up in my trailer in full costume. (Laughs)

AL: Any great behind the scene stories you can tell us from that shoot?
BJ: The place we were shooting in one night almost burnt down, which was pretty interesting. We were shooting on the set of the underground building and for that set the design department had searched all the second hand and goodwill stores within a 50 mile radius for any lamps they could find. After they got them all put up in there they actually clocked the temperature at 125 degrees. The idea for all the lights came because production had fallen behind and they lit the entire building to save time on set up. The University of Texas art department did the props and art work which was really great. From what I was told some of the wiring may not have been up to code and a spark or something set off the fire. Someone from the crew threw a ladder up and pulled down the stuff that had caught on fire. They really saved the bacon.

AL: Can you tell us about your role in the film “Jon”?
BJ: “Jon” is a film about a fledgling serial killer. Billy Instone produced, wrote and directed that film on a budget of just $5,000. I think he ended up with a really nice film! The main character has an imaginary friend to speak that convinces Jon to do harmful things. I have four scenes in the film and play the role of a priest who Jon visits with to talk about the things he has done. The film has a really great ending that I think people are going to enjoy. Billy is just such a great artist and the director of cinematography Dave Griffin did a really great job as well on the film. I hope to have some of the DVD’s at a few of my upcoming convention appearances for people to check out.

AL: You also have done some voice work for a few video games. Can you tell us how you got involved with that?
BJ: I have a degree in performance and have done a lot of stage and screen work and voice over has been a part of that. I got a call one day from a guy by the name of Raymond Benson, who I had gone to school with. He tells me they are going to try something that has never been done before with computer role playing games in that they are going to use digitized voice. I went in the first day to record and it was pretty much a janitors closet with some foam walls and a dat recorder which I guess had been smuggled in from Germany.(Laughs) We recorded everything for that first project in that closet. I find doing the voice over work to be a lot of fun.

AL: Can you tell us about your upcoming project?
BJ: I have a role in a film called “Boneboys”. Kim Henkel who has been the co-writer on most of the “Texas Chainsaw” movies wrote this script and it is wicked! I play this really bad perverted baker that tries to lure in teens. There is some really cool stuff in this film and I think people are going to like it. The film is wacky and very intense. It’s quite edgy. I have a cameo role in a film called “Supernatural Exorcism” which was directed by Derek Lee Nixon, who is also in “Boneboys”. A few more that I have been a part of recently one being “Naked Horror” by Carlo Rodriguez another titled “Creatures from Hell” and I also did an old fashion comedy called “Camp Kickatoo”.

Interview with Eduardo Sanchez

Mike Gencarelli: Since working on ìThe Blair Witch Projectî how can you reflect on viral marketing for films today?
Eduardo Sanchez: What we did on ìThe Blair Witch Projectî was out of necessity. It was the only venue or way we had to get our movie out there. Luckily I knew how to build some websites. From there stuff just really caught on and when Artisan bought the movie the market people there were smart enough to continue with what we started. Right now I think whatís going on with viral marketing is that everyone is or wants to be doing it. ìBlair Witchî was the perfect story for viral marketing and the internet was in a good spot at the time. It was kind of like the Wild West. There are so many people on the internet and posting things now that itís a lot harder to break through the clutter. I am working on a film right now that I think has a great Tranís media campaign as the story works really well for that type of exploitation. I think to a certain extent the same rules apply now as they did back then in the fact that certain forms of promotion/marketing works well for certain projects. Lately stuff is very processed and has I think a different effect than when we did it.

MG: Can you give us some background on your newest film ìThe Possessionî?
ES: I wrote the script, directed and edited the film. Itís kind of a weird movie as itís not your typical possession type movie. Itís about this woman named Molly and her and her husband move into the house where she grew up. Molly had grown up with relatives after her parents died and after moving back to her parentís home they realize the house holds a lot of dark secrets. Molly starts seeing things she shouldnít be seeing and things go from there. Itís kind of an exorcist movie without the exorcist. We shot the film here in Maryland by my house on a small budget. Itís looking good and we hope to have it at some festivals.

MG: What are your feelings on the ìParanormal Activityî franchise and found footage type films?
ES: I didnít see the second movie. I liked the first one and thought it was executed pretty well. It was a good use of first person footage. It was great that it blew up like ìBlair Witchî and they used the same type of things we did.

MG: Do you think there will be another ìBlair Witchî film?
ES: Itís definitely a possibility. We have talked to Lionsgate about it and they are interested so itís really just a matter of me and Dan coming up with something that we both feel passionate about and that Lionsgate will want to back. Dan and I are very busy on other things so there are priorities. We just have to get the right idea that clicks with everyone.

MG: How did you get involved with doing an interview for ìThe Shark is Still Workingî?
ES: I was contacted by James while I was working on a film in Orlando titled ìAlteredî and he asked me if I would like to be a part of the documentary. I loved the film so I said sure. I was really happy to be a part of it. The film is probably the best ìJawsî documentary I have seen in my life. It covers all the aspects of the film and it is really well done. I was proud to share the screen with a lot of people I admire.

MG: Any idea of release plans for ìThe Possessionî?
ES: We donít have a distributor yet so itís a matter of selling it first. I am hoping next year maybe. Itís amazing how much lead time distributors want on these movies.

MG: What can you tell us about your upcoming Big Foot trilogy?
ES: Itís actually slated to be four films. The first film will have to make money before there are others so we will see. I have been wanting to make a Big Foot movie for a long time and it seems like all the right elements have come together. We have a lot of great people working on the suit and we are going to be shooting in Austin this fall. I am mostly looking for unknown actors to be in this one and we want to do Big Foot right as it hasnít been done in a while.

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Filed Under: Film Interviews, Interviews Tagged With: eduardo, interview, sanchez

Interview with Dennis Farina

Dennis Farina is known best for his roles of the tough guy in films like “Get Shorty” and “Snatch”. This year Dennis is starring in one of his notable role called “The Last Rights of Joe May”. He is also co-starring along side Dustin Hoffman in HBO’s upcoming show “Luck”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Dennis about this new film and about his fantastic performance.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you become attached to “The Last Rights of Joe May”?
Dennis Farina: The script was sent over to us by a friend of an employee who works at our film office. I read the script and liked it immediately. I started talking with our writer and director Joe Maggio about the script and I asked him if he would be willing to change the location in the story from New York to Chicago, which he did. We worked on the script a little bit more and it was really fun. It was great to be involved with something written so beautifully. Shooting in my home town was especially nice as well.

MG: What did you like most about playing the character of Joe May?
DF: He is a fish out of water whose time has come and gone. The thing is he doesn’t know it yet. Joe is just hanging on and he really believes he has one good score left in him. Of course everyone knows it’s not going to happen but he clings to that dream. That’s what I like most about the character. Joe May is very truthful and what you see is what you get.

MG: Did you do anything special to prepare for the role?
DF: [laughs] No. I didn’t do anything in particular training wise. It was really cold during shooting so running and climbing was fun. We made a lot of jokes about that.

MG: What do think makes this film worth checking out?
DF: I hope it does what films are supposed to do which is to provide entertainment. A film allows you to escape for a couple hours and be entertained. I don’t know that there is any great message in the film but it’s a character study of a world that most people don’t get to see.

MG: Was there anything interesting that happened during production?
DF: Nothing really out of the ordinary other than it was just so cold. A lot of the scenes there was no acting going on as it was cold! Joe Maggio said to me that the weather is a character in the movie. If the film was shot in spring or summer it’s an entirely different film. Shooting in the winter allowed us to add the weather as another obstacle Joe has to overcome.

MG: What do you normally look for in a character when you approach a project?
DF: Where a person comes from or what they make a living doing doesn’t really matter to me. I am more interested in how the person does specific things. The way a person does things is I think what makes a character interesting for me.

MG: What can you tell us about your upcoming role on “Luck”?
DF: “Luck” was created by co-executive producers Michael Mann and David Milch. We are very fortunate to be a part of such a great cast which includes Nick Nolte, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Gedrick and a bunch of other great people. It really is a great group to be around. The show revolves around the behind the scenes workings of a race track. Everything from managers to jockeys to how the horses are treated makes up the base of this series.

MG: What can you tell us about your character on the show?
DF: I play Dustin Hoffman’s right hand man. Our characters have known each other for a long time and whatever Dustin’s character needs done or found out I am the guy who does it.

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Filed Under: Film Interviews, Interviews Tagged With: dennis, farina, interview

Interview with Russell Hornsby

Russell Hornsby is co-starring in NBC’s new series “Grimm”. Russell is playing David Giuntoli’s partner in the show. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Russell about the new show and what we can expect from his character this season.

Mike Gencarelli: Can you give us some background on how you got involved with “Grimm”?
Russell Hornsby: I auditioned for the role during pilot season. There were about twenty scripts that I auditioned for during that time. There were about five of those roles that I really wanted and “Grimm” happened to be one of them. I loved the concept of the show as well as the characters. I also felt there was a lot of room for my character to grow. I felt the idea of the show was something the fans could really take to.

MG: How has it been working alongside David Giuntoli?
RH: I am the guy who is in the real world. David and I are just partners working together to solve crimes. For my character it’s a real procedural world. I look at David’s character and realize he is special but I have no idea of the powers he has.

MG: Are we going to see your character Hank get involved with the supernatural side?
RH: I think possibly indirectly. I feel for the show to be believable we have to believe Hank is really entrenched in his job and has no clue about what David’s character is going through. I also think that’s the hard part for the writers. The questions is: “How do you create that and keep both of our characters on separate sides of the line?”

MG: What can we expect from season 1?
RH: I think we can expect seeing that this world has criminals obviously. However they have this alter ego. It’s kind of like the arcade video game “Altered Beast”. These people can change into all these different creatures but what it is at its core is it’s the human condition. We are both good and bad. David’s character is able to see people for who they really are.

MG: How has the production process been for you so far?
RH: It’s been difficult. There have been a lot of long hours. We are sometimes shooting 14-15 hrs a day. But the reality of it is don’t get into the game if you don’t want to play. We are here to work and put the best product on the screen. The most important thing is that we got what is needed and it looks good.

MG: Do you have a favorite episode that you have shot so far?
RH: They all are special. I think we are delving into a world and genre that people haven’t seen. The show is going to be suspenseful. I think each show gets better and better.

MG: How many episodes have you shot thus far?
RH: We have shot seven episodes so far and I go in tonight to shoot our 8^th.

NBC’s “Grimm” Interview Series

“Grimm” is a new drama series inspired by the classic Grimm’s Fairy Tales.Portland homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli, “Turn The Beat Around”) discovers he is descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as “Grimms,” charged with keeping balance between humanity and the mythological creatures of the world.

As he tries to hide the dangers of his new found calling from his fiancé, Juliette Silverton, (Bitsie Tulloch, “quarterlife”), and his partner, Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby, “Lincoln Heights”), he becomes ever more entrenched in the ancient rivalries and alliances of the Grimm world.

With help from his confidant, Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell, “Prison Break”), a reformed Grimm creature himself, Nick must navigate through the forces of a larger-than-life mythology, facing off with Hexenbiests, Blutbads and all manner of ancient evils, including royal lines dating back to the original profilers themselves, The Grimm Brothers. Reggie Lee (“Persons Unknown”) and Sasha Roiz (“Caprica”) also star.

Media Mikes had a chance to interview the whole cast this new great show. This show is going to take the cop-procedural to a whole new level. “Grimm” premieres on Oct.28, 2011 and airs on Fridays 9pm ET on NBC.

GRIMM CAST INTERVIEWS:

Interview with David Giuntoli

David Giuntoli is the star of NBC’s new series “Grimm”. The show is described as “a cop drama—with a twist…a dark and fantastical project about a world in which characters inspired by Grimm’s Fairy Tales exist”. The show co-stars Russell Hornsby, Bitsie Tulloch, Silas Weir Mitchell, Sasha Roiz and Reggie Lee. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with David about his role in the show and also what he has planned next.

Mike Gencarelli: Can you give us some background on your new show “Grimm”?
David Guintoli: The show is a cool mix of genre and procedural. It’s “CSI” meets “X-Files”. There is crazy stuff going on but it’s based here in the real world. It’s about a regular guy trying to sort out some new rules he has learned about. The show has some action mixed with some horror. It’s really neat in those ways.

MG: What drew you to the character of “Nick”?
DG: Most roles in Hollywood you are playing are an attorney, cop or doctor. This role right of the bat is one of those gems where the lead character starts his quest immediately. In the pilot episode the main character has something happen to him and the following episodes will be how he is dealing with his new identity. This is one of those special parts that if you are lucky comes around maybe once or twice in a lifetime.

MG: How was it for you taking the lead in the show?
DG: I was completely nervous. On one end I was ready but at the same time it was the first time taking the lead. It was a big responsibility.

MG: What can you tell us about the episodes that have aired so far?
DG: My character Nick has come to terms with this new world where characters from the Grimm fairy tales are trying to kill him. Nick has very few resources to find out about what is going on. Nick does have his aunt (played by Kate Burton) and a small library where he goes to try and figure out his responsibilities. The character Eddie Monroe played by Silas Weir Mitchell also helps my character navigate this new world. You will see me learn how to decide who is good and who is bad. Each episode has a crazy crime going on.

MG: How do you feel this show differs from shows like “Supernatural” and “Fringe”?
DG: They are all quality shows. I think “Grimm” will push the gore factor a little more. The more of these types of shows the merrier since I believe Friday night is a perfect night for these shows.

MG: What can you tell us about your upcoming film “Caroline and Jackie” which also stars Bitsie Tulloch?
DG: We filmed that prior to us working together on “Grimm”. We played boyfriend and girlfriend and we had good chemistry. The film is kind of like a Woody Allen comedy, where an intervention goes completely awry.

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Filed Under: Featured, TV Headlines Tagged With: david, giuntoli, interview

Interview with Silas Weir Mitchell

Silas Weir Mitchell is playing Monroe in the new show “Grimm” on NBC. His character is similar to the “big bad wolf” from the Grimm world. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Silas about his role and what we can expect from season one.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved with the show “Grimm” playing Monroe?
Silas Weir Mitchell: I had previously worked with Jim Kouf who is one of the creators of the show. He and I had hit it off and we have a great working relationship. They called me in and it was a good fit.

MG: What has been your greatest challenge playing the role?
SWM: The best part for me has been the inner conflict that the character has. He is a reformed criminal and I have to fight against my criminal urges. My character is really trying hard not morph as he is all done with those things.

MG: What has it been like working with the CG and make-up effects?
SWM: I haven’t had to wear the prosthetics that much. It takes so long to get everything on that they have come up with a way to use both CG and make-up. They have a system that works really well. A lot of the time I just have markers glued to face for the computers to read.

MG: How has it been working with David Giuntoli?
SWM: We have had a great time working together. We are very lucky here as we have fun and everyone gets along. David is perfectly cast for this role. He has charm and a sort of haunting quality which is perfect for his character of Nick. Our relationship in the story is very unique and almost like a chess match. David and I really enjoy that.

MG: What can we expect from the first season?
SWM: In the first few episodes, the writers are definitely hitting the fairy tales that we know. The writers are changing them though. They are using the original stories as a foundation. The episodes are sort of jumping off points as opposed to a re-telling. There is a mythological quality to what is going on without using the humanity.

MG: How does this show compare to your other work?
SWM: It’s different for me as I have been in on this show from the start. I came in on the ground floor. Every other series I have worked on I have come in later in the process. When I did “Prison Break”, I originally was only supposed to do a couple episodes but it worked out to where I was around for awhile. I didn’t come in knowing I was going to be in every episode. With “Grimm” it’s been great knowing that I have steady work. There is also just so much to chew on as the character is very rich.

Interview with Bitsie Tulloch

Bitsie Tulloch is playing the role of Juliette on NBC’s new series “Grimm”. Her character is the girlfriend of Nick, played by David Giuntoli. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Bitsie about her role in the show and what we can expect from season one.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your role of Juliette Silverton on “Grimm”?
Bitsie Tulloch: I play a veterinarian on the show that is dating lead detective Nick Burckhardt. One of the reasons I was attracted to the role is because of the six regulars on the show that role is not a cop or a monster. I am thinking that with my character being a vet I might be helpful with some of the creatures down the road. Right now they are enjoying coming up with creative ways Nick can lie to me. When I read the script the first time I was shocked at how dark the show is. I knew enough about the original stories to know that the stories were pretty gruesome. I thought the idea to add a crime procedural element to these stories was fantastic. The show is just really smart and how they are reinterpreting these classic stories is great.

MG: Tell us about working with such a great cast including David Giuntoli & Russell Hornsby?
BT: It’s great. I am the only woman on the show who is a series regular. It’s not hard getting out of the bed in the morning. (Laughs) They guys are all great and different from each other. I love it. They all are so sweet. I have never been on a show or movie where everyone is this close.

MG: What has been the most challenging part of working on the show so far?
BT: Having to move to Portland was my biggest challenge originally. Now I think it’s the least challenging as I love the city so much. It’s been pretty amazing shooting up here with the five guys. We all live within about four blocks from each other.

MG: How do you feel that the show stands out from the standard cop procedural?
BT: It’s not your standard cop procedural by any means. One of the things that I think is really cool about the show is the fans that I think will be drawn to this show are the best type of fans. I think there will be a lot of artistic, passionate people watching the show. The turnout at Comic-Con was amazing! There are about eight different genres blended together into this one show. Something like this has not been done before.

MG: Tell us about your film “Caroline and Jackie” with “Grimm” co-star David Giuntoli?
BT: That was a film I actually co-produced. It’s an indie drama about two sisters who relationship is unfolding. The film takes place over the course of one day. We had a period of about six months where David and I weren’t shooting together and when we got back together the chemistry was still there. David plays my boyfriend and his character is really great.

Interview with Reggie Lee

Reggie Lee is playing Sgt. Wu on NBC’s “Grimm”, which premieres on October 28th. Reggie is also co-starred in Sam Raimi’s “Drag Me to Hell”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Reggie about his new show and what we can expect from season one.

Mike Gencarelli: Can you tell us about working on the series “Grimm”?
Reggie Lee: It’s going great. We are now filming our third episode and the show is what we call a procedural cop drama that takes fairy tales and drops them on their head. The series is from the creators of “Angel” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. People are expecting this sort of dual world thing. This series is a little darker than the creator’s previous works and leans more to an “X-Files” type theme. The story follows Nick Burckhardt played by David Giuntoli who starts to see people transform into characters from the Grimm fairytales. He is the only one who can see these people transform so it creates an interesting dynamic between him and the other detectives. Everything is an adventure on this show.

MG: What can you tell us about your character?
RL: I play Sgt. Wu and he is basically a smart ass sergeant. The character is a lot of fun and he technically really smart but he also has some great one liners. We find out as the series progresses that he has an addiction problem that is tied to one of the other characters on the show.

MG: What has it been like filming in Portland?
RL: Portland is unbelievable! It’s just really great! Portland is almost like the 7^th lead character in the show. The landscape really lends to the story. Everything about the city is just great.

MG: What has it been like working with the rest of the cast?
RL: It’s been great. I have known Silas Weir Mitchell for quite awhile and it’s been great being back on a show with him again. David Giuntoli is a fresh new face and he has done really well. We are all on the same level in with our careers so there really isn’t one person who gets more attention than another. We have been really close since the start and I think both of these things have helped the show.

MG: How does this series differ from the others you have been involved in?
RL: This one is different because I have been with it from the ground up. The other shows I have worked on I have joined in the second season or there was a story arc that I was involved in as a reoccurring character. The other great thing about “Grimm” is that they created this character specifically for me after I had auditioned for a different role that I did not get. This character is really fun. I generally always play assholes and this character is nothing of the sort. I have a role in a film coming out Oct. 28 called “Safe” and I love it because I am finally being given characters that are diverse. My previous roles were just killing the guy and have no remorse. These recent roles are more like real life and I get to branch out.

MG: Since the character was created for you were you allowed any creative control?
RL: When you go with a series you almost always do. After an episode or two the writers start to write for your voice. Before I jumped into the project I wanted to know what exactly the character was going to be like. Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt who have been in the business for some time now have not one ounce of ego. They are the most collaborative people along with Sam Raimi that I have ever worked with.

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Filed Under: TV Interviews Tagged With: interview, lee, reggie

Interview with Kate Burton

Kate Burton is known for her role of Margo in John Carpenter’s “Big Trouble in Little China”. Kate is co-starring in NBC’s new show “Grimm”, playing the character Marie. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Kate about working on “Grimm” and also some of her upcoming projects.

Mike Gencarelli: Can you give us some background about your new show “Grimm”
Kate Burton: The story is an updated/modernized version of the Grimm fairy tales. I play Marie, who is the aunt of the main character Nick. Aunt Marie is sick with cancer and she tells Nick that he is a Grimm. Being a Grimm means Nick has supernatural powers which allow him to see things that normal people can’t. I have been in a lot of pilots and this is one of the best I have ever been in. The way the story is told is very gripping and funny. There is a little bit of a “Twin Peaks” feel to it but a little less perverse. My character was originally meant to be killed off in the pilot but it was decided against, so I return for the first episode and I am also going to also be in some dream sequences.

MG: You are currently shooting now correct?
KB: Yes. I just filmed the first episode in August and they have been filming ever since. I think they are going to be shooting 12 episodes plus the pilot. The show has been picked up for the beginning of the season and we will see where it goes from there.

MG: What do you think makes this show stand out and will make people want to watch it?
KB: Anyone who is interested in sci-fi/supernatural stories or magical themes, I think will like this show. I really think the show could take off! There are some really good stories. The Brothers Grimm really knew what they were doing. It’s just an interesting and gripping series.

MG: What was it like working on “2 Days in New York”?
KB: That was really fun as I don’t get to do comedy very much. Julie Delpy is very specific and knows what she wants. I worked for 2 days on the film on some really funny little scenes. Julie is really great and inspiring. The cast on the film is really great and a lot of fun.

MG: Can you tell us about another project of yours titled “Puncture”?
KB: That was a lot of fun. We shot that film in Houston about a year ago. The Kassen brothers were a lot of fun and really nice. It was a very happy experience. I have a wonderful scene with Chris Evans. I wish I was going to be able to go to the premier but I am shooting another television titled “Scandal”?

MG: What can you tell us about that show?
KB: The show is a mid-season replacement and I am not really sure when it’s going to air. I start shooting later in the week.

MG: Can you tell us about the film “Liberal Arts”?
KB: That’s a great movie that I really love. We shot in Ohio with director/writer/actor Josh Radnor. The film has a great cast which features Zack Efron, Allison Janney, Richard Jenkins and Elizabeth Olsen, who is an up and coming actress. Josh was really great to work with and our location was really great as well.

MG: What can you tell us about working on “Big Trouble in Little China”?
KB: That film is such a cult classic and it was my first movie. Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall and I were the only three white people in that movie [laughs]. Everyone else was Asian and I got to meet practically every Asian actor that was working in Hollywood at the time. We also met a lot of great actors that came over from China to be in the film. John Carpenter was fantastic to work with as he is such a pro. My character was really fun to play. We didn’t know how great the film was as it came out the same day as “Aliens”. The film has really endured and people just love that film. Victor Wong was so funny!

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Filed Under: TV Interviews Tagged With: burton, interview, kate

Interview with Christopher Moynihan & Dan Fogler

Christopher Moynihan & Dan Fogler are the stars of ABC’s new comedy “Man Up!”, playing the roles of Craig and Kenny (respectively). Christopher is also the creator and writer on the show. Dan Fogler is known best for his roles in films like “Balls of Fury” and “Fanboys”. The show is one of the funniest shows on TV right now easily. It airs on ABC on Tuesday nights and their second episode is “Star Wars” themed so check it out. Media Mikes had the chance to chat with Christopher (again) and Dan about the show and what we can expect from their characters.

Mike Gencarelli: You have have been filming for a while now, would you say that you are comfortable with your characters?
Dan Fogler: I think it is growing. Each episode it gets more hysterical and we get more into our skin. As you can tell from the pilot right of the bat it looks like we have been going this for a while. Everyone was really cohesive. The chemistry from day one was great and we are just having a great time. I think that is going to come through when you watch the show definitely.

MG: You both have love troubles in the pilot, are we going to see any new love interests from your characters?
DF: Yeah!
Chris Moynihan: It is a good question Mike, actually we are going to be seeing quite a few new love interest for me and Dan. We actually have a new girl for both of us for each episode. At one point we are dating the girls who work the money and food windows at the local drive-in. I am dating the first girl and we call her money because she takes out money [laughs].
DF: I date the second girl. We call her food because she give me my food [laughs].
CM: So every week we have a different set of girls we are going after.
DF: It is like “Three’s Company” in here man.
CM: But…it is like Two’s Company with two more women…like four.
DF: And it all CHRISSIE! [laughs]

MG: Every show has its challenges, what are some of yours for this show?
CM: The truth is from a creative stand point, the only challenge is making something that you like and I think we have done that. Actually the big challenge is getting people to watch it and getting the network to give it an honest shot. I think the pilot tracked well, people watched it and hopefully more people will tune it each week. Hopefully the network will give us a little time while to get our legs. I have no doubt that we could be a show that people will really dig.
DF: My concerns are that I am hairy like a werewolf. I am really concerned about continuity day to day. There is a lot of shaving going on. I think that is going to get weird on my skin after a while.

MG: Dan, what drew you to work on this show?
DF: My wife. She forced me. No, I loved the show. I read the script and I thought it was hysterical. I have been doing a lot of film and I thought it was time for me to break into TV. I think I picked a winner with this show. I am really excited. It is my first TV venture and it is really hysterical. They are really letting me play and I love coming to work.

MG: Tell us about the transition with the character Grant joining your group?
CM: It was tricky thing from a writing stand point. This is a guy who is sleeping with Kenny’s ex-wife. It was hard bringing him into the group without a little bump. What we did was we had it that Craig and Will really like Grant. He is a good guy. He is going to be part of the family because Bridgette is going be part of the family because she is the God parent to Will’s kids. That was out way in. In the second episode, we all sit down to watch “Star Wars” because Grant never has seen it. We figure since he has never seen it, he will watch it and love it and him and Kenny will have something in common. Of course it all goes array. Our job as writers is to make him part of the group and make it feel organic and natural. By the third or fourth episode, it is the four of us together and you don’t even question whether Grant should be there.

MG: The promos that you guys have done have been killer, any more plans for those?
CM: We are going to be doing as much as we can. If you do on YouTube, we have been shooting some fun behind the scenes stuff like Teri Polo naked. Really if you go on YouTube you can see it. We are trying to get people to watch by lying to them [laughs]. We are going to try to shoot at least one a week and keep posting them and trying to make it go viral.

MG: Any cool guest stars coming up that you want to tell us about?
CM: The big one is Billy Dee Williams.
DF: Yeah, we had Lando come on. It was awesome. I worked with on “Fanboys”. We have this sweet scene with him and I together and my God he is one manly space scallywag [laughs] if I have ever seen one. Working with him was like being on cloud city [laughs].
CM: And Billy does some great dialogue from “Empire Strikes Back”
DF: Yes, there is a lot of “Star Wars” love. So if you are fan…tune it in.

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Filed Under: TV Interviews Tagged With: christopher, dan, fogler, interview, moynihan

“Man Up!” Interview Series

Will Keen’s grandfather fought in WWII. Will’s father fought in Vietnam. Will plays Call of Duty on his PlayStation 3 and uses non-dairy hazelnut creamer. So what happened to all the real men? They’re still here — they just smell like pomegranate body wash now.

Meet Will (Mather Zickel). His evolved, sensitive nature is why his awesome wife Theresa (Teri Polo) married him. But Will and his friends find themselves wondering — in a world of body spray and manscaping — what does it really mean to be a guy anymore? Will is more interested in finding the perfect gift for his son Nathan’s (Jake Johnson) 13th birthday than in doing his job selling insurance, sensitive soul Craig (Christopher Moynihan) still pines for his college ex Lisa, and Kenny (Dan Fogler) clamps down on his anger and asks himself “What would Tobey Maguire do?” when his ex Brenda (Amanda Detmer) starts seeing a guy who is everything he’s not (Henry Simmons). And though it may not come naturally, each new day brings these lovable beta males another opportunity to Man Up and be like their forefathers.

In the vein of The Hangover, Man Up! is the virile new comedy from writer/producer/actor Christopher Moynihan (100 Questions), executive producer Victor Fresco (Better off Ted), and director Beth McCarthy-Miller (SNL, 30 Rock), that follows the struggles of three modern male archetypes as they search for their identities and try to prove that “real men” really can use hazelnut creamer.

Amanda Detmer

Christopher Moynihan

Christopher Moynihan & Dan Fogler

Mather Zickel

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Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: interview, man, series

Interview with Brad Neely & Daniel Weidenfeld

Brad Neely & Daniel Weidenfeld are the guys behind Adult Swim’s new show “China, IL”. Brad is the writer, producer and star of the show and Daniel is the executive producer. The show just started airing on Adult Swim every Sunday, be sure to check it out. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with the guys about the new show and what we can expect.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about the journey for “China, IL” starting as web series to airing on Adult Swim?
Daniel Weidenfeld: I had worked with Brad on the shows at Super Deluxe. We had been talking about doing a four part episode. We wanted to do a television show however Super Deluxe wanted it to be a web series. We had this super complex story where we had a four part show but in each part there were three acts. It was a very confusing. About a year and a half later, Adult Swim came to Brad about doing the show. I came on a short time after. Together we did a pilot titled “Professor Brothers”. The show ended up being picked up for series and Adult Swim wanted to develop it further. We made the show more about the world and added pupils to the characters which gave them a little more life. We also changed the name to “China, IL” and that’s where we are today.

MG: Brad, you not only write and produce the show but also voice the main character, How do you juggle those roles?
Brad Neely: It’s fun! You have to just put on different hats. Of course it’s not all just me either. While I am in doing voicing, Daniel is on the other side of the glass directing me. We have a lot of people working on the show that have editorial input.
DW: The crew here adds a lot to each frame of the show. It’s really great and we are very lucky.

MG: How did you get involved with Titmouse and Tommy Blanca who voiced the Mayor?
DW: Shannon and Chris (Prynoski) have been friends for a long time. They have done a lot of work with Adult Swim. There was a time when it looked like the show was going to be picked up just based on the written scripts. They were the first people we called.
BN: They were actually the first people I ever met with. I couldn’t imagine doing the show elsewhere. They presented a studio that had a booth in house. They were also able to do revisions and pickups on the fly. We were able to make everything run like a well oiled machine.
DW: With Tommy for the episode “Dean vs. Mayor” we had initially wanted to get Macho Man Randy Savage to go head to head with Hulk Hogan. However we couldn’t find him at the time and that was prior to him passing away. The next person we called was Tommy who used to be the head writer for the WWE. We knew he could bring that spirit to the episode. The voice he brought killed it! You’re going to be seeing a little bit more of the Mayor in the future.

MG: Tell us how Hulk Hogan came aboard to voice The Dean?
DW: It was tricky but we got him. We had to appeal to him in a way where it wasn’t about the money. He cares about doing awesome stuff! We sent him the script and he told us it was the weirdest thing he had ever seen in his life and he wanted to be a part of it. It took some massaging and to this day we are still massaging.
BN: He has a comedy personality in him. He doesn’t just come in and do his lines. Hulk is a funny performer.

MG: Any other guest voices to keep an eye out for this season?
DW: Oh yeah!
BN: One of our favorite things about the show is the voice talent. We have Jason Alexander doing a voice in episode four. We have Jeffery Tambor playing Baby Cakes’ dad.
DW: We also have Natasha Leggero and Chelsea Peretti doing voices. We are trying to stack the deck as much as we can. It’s been awesome!

MG: How long does each episode take from script to screen?
BN: It’s different with each as the writing process is unique for each episode.
DW: We started production in October of 2010.
BN: Right now we are finishing the tenth episode. While everyone is working on the first episodes we are writing the second half.

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Filed Under: Interviews, TV Interviews Tagged With: brad, daniel, interview, neely, weidenfeld

Interview with JT Hodges

JT Hodges is a new up-and-coming country music singer. He recently signed with Show Dog-Universal Music and released his debut single “Hunt You Down”, which has been blowing up on the country radio. JT is currently touring with Toby Keith and Eric Church throughout the country. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with JT about his music and about touring.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us the story behind how the song “Hunt You Down” came to be and now hitting high on the charts?
JT Hodges: I guess the story of the song is I got a opportunity for a private tour of Graceland about 14 months ago. I had family in Memphis and went back and forth from Ft. Worth, TX to Memphis all the time when I was a kid…but I never got to go to Graceland. I got to go and I spent about six hours there. I stayed up till about 3am in the morning on Beale street celebrating and just soaking all of Memphis in. I had a writing session back in Nashville the next day with Rivers Rutherford. I walked in a little red eyed, I’ll never forget, he asked where I was and I told him about the night and my experience. He told me he was born and raised in Memphis, which I didn’t know. I had a riff and 45 minutes later we grabbed it out of the air. The music Gods blessed us that day…it was cool.

MG: I love that video too with you walking down Beale street.
JTH: Yeah man, we went back to Memphis to shoot it. It had to be shot down on Beale street! It was a good time.

MG: You know you are going to be responsible for bringing back whistling right?
JTH: Well man, there is a funny story behind the whistling though. It was a little early in the morning and I was a little under the weather. It was too high for me to be singing the melody…so I was whistled the melody. Once we wrote the song, the whistling came back and it works. It was fun.

MG: Who has been your musical inspiration in your life?
JTH: I grew up in a studio. It was in cow town, so country music was prominent. I love George Strait. I was really into the group Blackhawk. A lot of the 90’s country stuff really, I had it in for. There was also this audio library ranging from John Melloncamp to The Eagles to Elvis Presley to Buddy Holly. There are so many great artists out there. I am also inspired by great songs.

MG: Give us a few highlights touring with Toby Keith and Eric Church on the Locked & Loaded tour?
JTH: Every show has really been a highlight personally for me and the band, since we are getting better and better. Really it is great just getting to have one-on-one time with Toby and Eric, talking music and just hanging out. It has been a very relaxed tour. We leave it all out on the stage.

MG: What is going to be your next single and when can we expect album?
JTH: The album is looking like it is going to be towards the beginning of the year. The same with the second single. We got about three or four songs that we are considering. It is a good problem to have that we have a lot of songs that we like. The thing I tell everyone about this record is that just because you hear “Hunt You Down”, don’t expect the whole record to center around that song. It is going to be a very diverse record. I do everything in a frame but it is not just one thing I do. I am looking forward to people seeing and hearing that.

MG: You are co-writing 9 out of the 11 songs on the album, how was it been writing your own songs?
JTH: Oh man, it has just been so great. Nashville has the best songwriters in the world. Just in the last year and a half, I have learned so much. I am ten times a better writer than I was. It has been a great process and I look forward to doing it more…and more.

MG: What are you plans after this tour ends?
JTH: I tell everyone I have been taking this whole thing one day at a time. Not trying to look too far ahead and definitely not trying to look too far behind me. There are some stuff lined up, I am getting to play the Opry at the Ryamn for the first time on November 4th. I am looking forward to that opportunity. There are some more shows lined up. There are also some tour packages with some artists that we are trying to work on now but I am not giving that away just yet [laughs].

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Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: hodges, interview, jt

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Page 17 of 35

Tag: interview

Interview with Marilyn Burns

Interview with Bill Johnson

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