Hey Jose, why don't we start this interview off
with a visual? Would you be so kind as
to describe the room where you
are writing your answers for the racks and
razors readers?
Well right now I am
actually on location in San Francisco. I am
working on a Serial Killer project here in the
Bay Area. It's currently untitled. I play one of
the leads along with Joe Estevez and Todd
Bridges. It'll be released in late 2006. The room
I'm in happens to be one of the sets for the
film. It's a small shack where my character
lives. I'm taking a break.
In addition to acting chores, you've also
contributed the story and screenwriting duties on
your two latest films - 'The Devil's
Playhouse' and 'The 11th
Aggression'. Has writing always
been a passion of yours or is it more a means to
create the sort of roles you want to play?
When
I first attempted to write a screenplay, had to
be at least four years ago. I did it just to see
if I had it in me to go through with it. I had a
story floating around in my head for a while and
it felt good to let it all out on paper. And I
had always heard that writing a screenplay would
help you as an actor. I don't know if it has to
do with understanding how and why certain things
are laid out for certain characters in certain
ways, dialogue and action wise. Since then I've
written quite a few screenplays to just try and
get better.
Somewhat going along with that question - when
you are writing is it clear from the
start which character you are going to be
playing?
I've
written stories built around a character I have
in mind for myself. And I've written stories that
have nothing to do with me as an actor. I've
gotten to a point where if I have an idea, it
feels good to let it all out weather or not I
think I can actually be in the movie as an actor.
But my first love is and always will be acting.
But a good example is a short film I made
recently. It's titled "Indebted." I
wrote, directed, and acted in it. And yes, I
wrote this story for myself. I wanted to give
myself a challenge, put myself to the test.
Okay, first off tell me about 'The 11th
Aggression'.
"The
11th Aggression" is a story written by
Charles Peterson. www.coolwavepictures.com I
worked with Charles recently on his short film,
"Laws of Deception." He started
bouncing ideas off me for a feature he wanted to
do next. It's a serial killer story based in
Arizona. I just pitched in with some ideas and I
actually helped write the scene for the character
I am going to play. It's an awesome story and we
are currently seeking investors. Our goal is to
go into production in early 2006.
www.the11thaggression.com
I've also got to hear about your work as Sick
in 'The Devil's Playhouse'.
With a name like Sick you know the role
has gotta be good.
Oh
yes, Sick is a great character. I had lots of fun
with that one. "The Devil's Playhouse"
is a movie I co-wrote with my partner Ben Juhl.
www.twilightshow.com The editing is about to come
to an end and I'm very excited about this film. I
think people are really going to enjoy the crazy
and twisted story we came up with. Sick is one of
the smaller parts in the story but also one of
the better parts. He's a homeboy from the hood, a
monkey wrench thrown into the whole mix of
"The Devil's Playhouse." You're going
to have to check it out to see what I mean.
Busy time for you -- you're also starring in
the upcoming Matt Deitch film 'Psycho
Manor'. Why don't you tell me
about your role as Chad in that film?
Well
"Psycho Manor" is a project that was
filmed about four years ago, in 2002. For some
reason it's still in post-production and has sat
on the shelf. I wish I knew why but I hear it
might see the light of day soon. We'll see.
So this is a lot of horror work from you
lately. Before all this I can mainly recall
you doing '666:The Demon Child'
a couple years ago. Are you enjoying
the genre, is it something you are seeking
out, or are the roles just happening?
I
love horror movies. I love being in them. I think
horror fans are the best in the world. Too bad
"666: The Demon Child" happens to be
one of the really bad ones. We gave it a shot and
it didn't work out. But I love doing different
work. I just had a comedy released nationwide
titled "I Got Five On It." I play the
lead along with Todd Bridges. I have a drama
coming out nationwide March 14, 2006 titled
"Illegal Business." And my short film
"Indebted" is a very intense/dramatic
story. But the project I'm the most excited about
is a horror film titled "Machined."
It'll be released in 2006.
www.machinedthemovie.com And the Bay Area Serial
Killer film I'm doing now is going to be a good
one. I have a really good feeling about it.
You have directed and produced two short films 'Indebted'
(2005) and Hold On' (2004)
- which you also wrote, edited, and
shot. Is working on shorts rehearsal for
doing the same thing soon with a feature film?
No,
short films are just a smaller commitment. It's
an opportunity to concentrate on a smaller part,
a handful of pages and get your performance
right. "Hold On" was a one-man job I
did a couple years back. I wrote, directed
myself, did my own lighting, sound, and I did the
edit. It got into a film festival but I knew I
could do it better. I started a production
company with a friend of mine, Socio Vision
Films, and our first project was
"Indebted." It's basically a remake of
"Hold On." This time though I was very
fortunate to get some help. I cast other
characters in the story. I had very talented
people help me with my production work, camera,
lighting, sound, and editing. I couldn't be more
proud of my short.
To date you have made over thirty films.
Which role do you think has been the greatest
challenge for you so far and do you have a
fantasy role?
Yea,
actually it's almost sixty projects overall. But
that ranges from extra work, one liners,
supporting roles to lead roles. And it's been
over seven years now. The biggest challenge for
me has been my short film "Indebted." I
really put myself to the test and directing other
actors and taking control of my set was a big
deal for me. It felt good but it wasn't easy. As
far as my fantasy role. Every role I've gotten in
my independent and direct to video career has
been like a fantasy to me. I'm so grateful for
every opportunity I've gotten. The next role I
get will be my fantasy role. Then the role after
that and the role after that. I have so much to
learn and I just want to work my ass off to get
better. I don't want anything given to me. I want
to earn my way to that next level of motion
pictures.
Do you have any other projects in the works,
which we haven't discussed?
Well
first off, if you're a real horror fan, you're
going to love "Machined." It's gotten
such good press off of the trailer alone. The
trailer has blown so many people away. One of the
very few people to review the movie is Horror Bob
out of New York. He calls it "A Great and
Scary Independent Masterpiece." Check out
the website and trailer at
www.machinedthemovie.com "Illegal
Business" will be released March 14th, 2006
and is a Quiroz Brothers Film. Two other films I
have coming out nationwide with the Quiroz
Brothers are currently untitled, a vampire film
and the serial killer film I'm working on now.
Look out for both of these in 2006.
www.pumpkinpatchpictures.com I'll be hooking up
with Craig McMahon, the writer/director of
"Machined", again in January for his
next project- "Sport Kill."
www.sportkill.com Early next year I'll be working
on a thriller on Alcatraz Island titled
"Asylum Alcatraz." www.fof-films.com Be
on the look out for these up-coming horror titles
as well- "The Cochise Suicides",
"The 49th Line", and "It Envies
The Living." All slated for a 2006 release.
Was acting something you've wanted to do
since you were a kid, something you discovered
later, or a career that just sort of happened?
I've wanted to be in the
movies since I was in the 6th grade. I used to
ditch school and stay home to watch movies. But I
used to sit there and realize that the people in
the movies were actors, playing pretend. I could
only imagine how much fun they were having making
these movies. As I got older I started to realize
it was all about entertaining. I was a shy kid
and it wasn't until I was about twenty-three when
I started pursuing it. Since then I've gotten in
front of any/every camera I could. And I still
do. I just want to work with talented people and
entertain.
So Jose, youve also been all over the map
genre-wise in your career. Do you have a
favorite?
Well for me personally, I love
being in all different kinds of movies. But I
give the edge to horror films. But I want to do
it all, drama, action, comedy, and even stunt
work. Action is exciting, Drama is great, comedy
is fun, making people cry is special- but there's
nothing better than scaring the hell out of
someone. I'd love nothing more than to make an
awesome horror film for all you die hard horror
fans out there.
We are pulling the LeSabre into the
Jose Rosete Drive In. What three
horror films are you going to have playing on the
horror triple bill and what sort of food are they
serving up at the concession stand?
Well
first up would be an old school horror flick
titled "Pieces." It's a chainsaw
murdering blood fest, one of my favorites. Next
up would be "The Exorcist." The only
movie to have people leaving the theatre scared
and crying, even before the movie was over. And
last up is my all time favorite horror film,
"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." It seems
like every other horror film made is so typical,
it's always at night, in the dark. Leatherface
didn't care. He'd chase you around and cut you in
pieces in broad daylight. It doesn't get better
than that. And I'd just have lots of broccoli to
eat. (Dont ask why)
Do you have any superstitions you would care to
share?
No
I'm not into that stuff at all. I don't believe
in it.
What scares you in real life?
What
scares me is getting older and looking back on my
life, knowing I didn't do what it is I wanted to
do. This is my life, and it's the only one I am
ever going to have. I don't want to look back and
say, "woulda, shoulda, coulda." I want
to act. I want to entertain people and work my
ass off doing it. AND- my nightmares always
consist of spiders, really scary stuff.
Thanks for your time Jose and good luck with
everything.
I just want to thank
you Owen for the opportunity to chit chat with ya
and I hope to be asked back sometime down the
line. I have a website and I always update it. If
anyone is interested, check it out. It has all of
my info, background, experience, IMDB, and tons
of pictures in my gallery. www.joserosete.com
Thank you once again for the time.
Very cool, thanks. |