Interview with Robert Galluzzo

Robert Galluzzo is the director/writer/co-producer of the upcoming “The Psycho Legacy” documentary. Robert has been able to take his love for horror movies, specifically “Psycho” and tell the world about it. “The Psycho Legacy” features dozen of new interviews with cast and crew for all of the “Psycho” films as well as critics, fans and horror veterans. The documentary also includes rare photos and footage. The film itself is 90 minutes but the DVD features 3 hours of exclusive bonus features and much more rare footage. Movie Mikes had the chance to talk with Robert about his movie, “The Psycho Legacy” and his passion for film.

Click here to purchase “The Psycho Legacy”

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us why a documentary on “Psycho” series?
Robert Galluzzo: I grew up not only a huge horror fan, but a huge movie fanatic and I just felt the “Psycho” series was the one film franchise that over the last decade fell by the wayside. There had been retrospective documentaries and special edition DVD’s for all the other famous horror franchises, so I just felt that Norman Bates deserved his due and that if I didn’t do it, no one was ever going to. The interesting thing in particular about the “Psycho” sequels is how much amazing talent came out of them. “Psycho II” writer Tom Holland went on to do “Child’s Play” and “FRIGHT NIGHT”. Mick Garris directed “Psycho IV”, went on to create the “Masters of Horror” series and direct several Stephen King adaptations. You’ve got amazing actors like Jeff Fahey who appeared on “Lost”. Dennis Franz, Robert Loggia, Meg Tilly, Diana Scarwid. So many fascinating people came out of “Psycho” movies, so I wanted to dig and get the stories about the making of them, while having modern filmmakers explain why all the films are still influential to them.

Mike Gencarelli: What was the hardest part of making the documentary?
Robert Galluzzo: Every part of making this documentary over the course of the last 3 years has been difficult! Honestly, because it was a self financed, completely independent production, finding the time and people to help me do it was tough, but it was always a passion project from the very beginning; a labor of love, and that’s been contagious for everyone involved since we started this thing. The editing process, while fun has been the toughest part because we have so much footage and there were so many problems and obstacles along the way. The way some interviews were lit, sound issues on others. This is my first doc so it was a lot of trial and error and learning along the way. I credit my editor Jon Maus for sticking with me through the entire process and making it all work. I’m very proud of the final result and can’t wait to share it with fellow “Psycho” fans because I’m one of them too!

Mike Gencarelli: How did you go about getting all the interviews together? Tell us about some of the people you got?
Robert Galluzzo: Well, it was a lot of luck. “Psycho II” director Richard Franklin really set me off on the path and sadly he’s no longer with us. We had communicated via email a few times and he was happy at the prospect of this project because he was very, very proud of “Psycho II”. He put me in touch with the writer Tom Holland. Tom put me in touch with Mick Garris. Mick put me in touch with Katt Shea who acted in “Psycho III” and it all just kind of snowballed from there. A lot of these people saw my genuine enthusiasm and wanted to help. The toughest part has been dealing with agents and managers, whom for some reason really don’t want you to get to their clients unless they get their 10 percent. And as I said, this was a labor of love done out of my own pocket. Literally everyone I’ve gotten for the doc has been great. If you’re a fan of “Psycho III”, you’ll love the interviews with star Diana Scarwid and writer Charles Edward Pogue. If you love “Psycho IV”, we’ve got both Henry Thomas and Olivia Hussey. And if you’re not familiar with the sequels, then hopefully this’ll make you want to see them, because when compared to other horror franchises, all the “Psycho” movies are predominately good!

MG: How did you obtain all the rare photos and footage?
RG: After most of the interviews, I tried to keep in touch with all of the “Psycho” alumni and they all wanted to help. Tom Holland has not only become a great friend but dug out a tremendous amount of personal Polaroid photos that he took from the set of “Psycho II”. I also met a fellow fan named Guy Thorpe through a mutual friend and Guy provided me with some Anthony Perkins footage from his one and only convention appearance in 1988 and it’s just an amazing find. Snippets of it are in the doc itself, but the entire panel which covers Perkins entire career will be unedited as a bonus feature. “The Psycho Legacy” disc will be worth it alone just for the Perkins stuff!

MG: With hours of interviews did you find it hard to trim the documentary down to 90 minutes?
RG: It’s been very difficult because there’s been so many great stories pertaining to the making of the sequels that have never been told, but thankfully we live in the day and age of 2-disc special edition DVD’s, so we’ve cut together a healthy portion of extended interview clips just for the DVD. On top of the 90 minute doc, there’s hours of additional interview footage. “Psycho” fans will be busy the first weekend this disc comes out!

MG: When can fans see and purchase “The Psycho Legacy”?
RG: Shout! Factory will release “The Psycho Legacy” on October 19th, the same day that Universal puts out their Blu-Ray edition of the original “Psycho”. It’ll be a great day for “Psycho” fans. Right now, this is only for a US DVD release, but we’re actively working out details for a release in all parts of the world.

MG: What is next to come for you, any upcoming plans?
RG: I’m in the early stages of putting together a few other similar documentary projects, one is “Zombie: Documentary of the Living Dead” that I’m directing and co-writing with a very talented screenwriter and fellow movie buff Jackson Stewart. We’re going to cover the entire 80 year history of the “zombie” sub-genre in a fun and unique way that hasn’t been done quite like this before. I’m also producing a web-series called “Twisted Tales” that Tom Holland is writing and directing. It grew out of our friendship from “The Psycho Legacy”. We’re about 3 episodes in and we’ve got amazing genre actors like William Forsythe, Danielle Harris and AJ Bowen in the first few. We’re going to do a few more episodes and then debut it exclusively on mobile devices. And I’m also in the very early stages of helping set up a passion project called “South Texas Blues”. It’s from a phenomenal Long Island based filmmaker named Christopher Garetano and it’s a drama based on the events of the making of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”. It’s one of the best scripts I’ve ever read and Chris is an amazing talent to look out for, so I’m going to do everything I can to make sure we make that movie! I’m looking forward to tackling all those projects, and also for those who might be familiar with me from my writing on either Icons Of Fright, Fangoria, FearNet or Shock Till You Drop, myself and my Icons co-creator Mike C are planning a complete redesign and relaunch of the Icons Of Fright website later this summer which is going to be awesome. Thank you so much for your time and interest in all of the above and I hope you dig “The Psycho Legacy”. We’re working very hard to make it worthwhile to “Psycho” fans everywhere…

Click here to purchase “The Psycho Legacy”

Interview with Jason Steadman

Jason Steadman played the character Drew in one of the proclaimed worst movie of all time “Troll 2”. The films star of Michael Stephenson recently created a documentary about its road to success even though titled “worst movie” and its title “Best Worst Movie”. The film is currently screening all over the world showing the unknown success and fan base of the movie “Troll 2”. Movie Mikes had a chance to talk to Jason about his role in the film and how he reflects in the documentary.

Click here to purchase “Troll 2” on DVD or Blu-Ray

Mike Gencarelli: How was it on the set of “Troll 2”, did it really seem like it was going to be the film it is today?
Jason Steadman: When I first read the script, I remember thinking that the story was a bit odd, but I was just happy to have a part in a movie. Then, the very first day on the set, I saw them film the final scene in the movie where the Goblins were eating the mom. When I was watching this scene being filmed, I was thinking, ‘Wow, that sure doesn’t look very real’. So, I started wondering how this movie would actually turn out. Nevertheless, I really tried to do my best while shooting the scenes, but overall it was just an unusual experience, so I think I kinda knew all along that it wouldn’t be the movie Claudio had hoped it would be…or maybe it is???

Mike Gencarelli: After “Troll 2”, you stopped acting, what the reason for that?
Jason Steadman: I had done a lot of theatre acting while growing up and while in high school. As a matter of fact, I entered college as a theatre major. So, I did continue stage acting for awhile after Troll 2. But, as far as film acting, Troll 2 was my first and last experience. I knew I was a horrible film actor and I think that kinda killed my excitement to pursue it since I didn’t feel I was a ‘natural’. Nevertheless, now. 20 years later, I’m starting to get back into film acting and it’s very fun. I think with good teachers and training, a good stage actor can become a good film actor. I just didn’t realize that at the time.

Mike Gencarelli: How do you feel about the fan base following for the film has despite being labeled as one of the worst movie of all-time?
Jason Steadman: I think it’s quite amazing actually. There’s just something about Troll 2 that’s fun and that brings people together. As we’ve traveled around the world showing this movie and meeting the fans, I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve heard of friendships being built, relationships forged, people pulling themselves out of depression and many, many other stories all as a result of Troll 2. There is something special about it. Like someone says in Best Worst Movie, Troll 2 is like a religion. As soon as someone sees it, they want to share it with others. It brings people together. Kinda crazy.

MG: Have you kept in touch with any of the cast after the movie was made?
JS: Jason Wright (Elliot) and I hung out a couple times after the movie was made, but after that, I lost contact with everyone for 17 years. This world-wide phenomenon around Troll 2 is what brought us all back together. I would have to say that the best part of this whole Troll 2 experience for me has been reuniting with George, Michael, Darren, and all of the others and renewing old friendships. They, with the Best Worst Movie team, have become like a second family to me.

MG: How did it feel revisiting “Troll 2” for the documentary “Best Worst Movie”
JS: Awesome. Troll 2 never left my life. I have been showing it to friends, attending Troll 2 parties, and things of that nature for the last 20 years. But, it was fun to start going around the world and seeing how other people were celebrating the movie. So, it’s all been a wonderful experience.

MG: How do you feel that “Best Worst Movie” is finally getting released, do you think the film will reach a wider audience than just fans?
JS: Definitely. It already has. Since the day we premiered Best Worst Movie at SXSW, it has been receiving praise from critics, Hollywood types, and everyone else. It is a documentary that appeals to all audiences and I have yet to meet someone who hasn’t thoroughly enjoyed it, whether they be a Troll 2 fan or not.

MG: Tell me about your music career? Is that your primary focus?
JS: I don’t write and perform music very much anymore. About 5 years ago, I jumped over to the business side of music. Since then, I have been a band manager, tour manager, booking agent, and now I run an events center. In addition, I own a company called, Lounge Fly Entertainment. We do concert and event promotions. I love working in the entertainment industry. It’s very similar to the film industry in many aspects, so I’ve enjoyed getting more familiar with that industry as well.

Click here to purchase “Troll 2” on DVD or Blu-Ray

Interview with Billy Blair

Photo by Tyler Mason

Billy Blair is co-starring in two of this years most exciting action films, “Jonah Hex” and “Machete”.  Besides acting Billy is also involved with music and is currently working with two bands.  Movie Mikes had a chance to talk to Billy to discuss his upcoming roles and his love for movies.

Click here to purchase Billy’s movies

Mike Gencarelli: Tell me about your role in “Jonah Hex”?
Billy Blair: I am one of Turnbull’s gang members, played by John Malkovich.  I am pretty much side by side with Michael Fassbender in the film.  Michael is the nicest guy and really talented.  So, pretty much that is my role I am a gang member.

Mike Gencarelli:
What was it like working on the set, any cool stories?
Billy Blair: Yeah I got a good one.  During the shoot, Malkovich is a method actor, so he was in character the whole time.  As far as everyone else, they are all on queue and really nice.  Josh Brolin and I kinda hit it off.  Brolin was walking to the set and passed me and some stunt guys while getting ready to do this dynamite scene.  So he walks by and farts really loud and I turned to him and said “Hey! Is that the dynamite for the scene” and he started laughing and he was way cool.  I didn’t get to see Megan Fox though, since originally she didn’t have a big part until the re-shoots.  They shot her scenes a week prior to me showing up.  Maybe I will get to see her though in “Jonah Hex 2”.

Mike Gencarelli: You also are in the upcoming “Machete”, tell us about your role as Von’s Henchmen?
Billy Blair: Oh yeah! Von is played by Don Johnson and I am his henchmen in the movie.  I thank Robert Rodriguez because during the re-shoots he gave me a bigger part.  I got a lot of action in this film.  Don Johnson was way cool.  It surprised me a lot that because people already knew me by name when I walked on set, but then again my character’s name was Billy [laughs].  Here is a funny story both characters in “Machete” and “Jonah Hex” my name is Billy.  I said, “Wow, I am playing myself twice”.

MG: That shoot must have been a lot of fun right?
BB: I loved working on this movie.  Rodriguez is such a kind and generous guy.  He never shows a sweat.  He is smooth all the way, totally professional.  Every actor has a wish to work with one director and that was my wish man!  It was unbelievable.  It was shot in Austin, Texas and it so was HOT!

MG: Were you familiar with the “Grindhouse” fake trailer before you worked on this?
BB: When my agent submitted me, I became more aware of it.  I said maybe I need to watch this trailer real quick.  I had to do my homework catch up and see what it was all about.  I really dug it and I am happy to be about of the movie.

MG:  Did you always want to become an actor?
BB: Well, I started off as a musician.  In the mid 90’s I wanted to get into acting.  I went to college here in Texas for theater and drama.  After that I just started picking up independent films.  I almost stopped acting though because my agent at the time was horrible and kept screwing me.  I focused on my music instead but in 2008, I got a call from my agent, Joseph Chavez, and he sent me off on an audition.  At first I didn’t take it seriously but I went for it anyway.  The audition was a Joe’s Crab Shack commercial and sure enough I got it and it is nationwide man!!  It is on YouTube, I play a devil.  After that I got “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell”, “Jonah Hex”, “Mongolian Death Worm”, and “Machete”.  It is like a snowball effect.  Now I am back into acting and I love it.

MG: What does the future hold in store for you?
BB: I am just waiting on some projects I have been submitted for but I am not sure if I should say the name.  Well I can say that it is a pirate movie and I am just waiting at this point.  I also play in a band and I am always touring. The band is called Messer.  I actually also have another band I am working with called also White Collar Ghetto.  Messer is a mainstream hard rock and White Collar Ghetto is more heavier.  You can check them both out on Myspace. So that is what I am doing now.

Check out Billy’s bands, Messer and White Collar Ghetto
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