At
what age did you see yourself as an entertainer?
Not until I was
about 16. It began in my drama club during high
school.
Did you ever see
yourself acting in horror films?
LOL-No. I really
enjoy it, though.
I understand you had a
bit part in your first horror film called 'The
Crazies'. What was it like doing
your scene?
Well, this really
wasn't my first horror film but it was a great
experience. I was reunited with Tim Olyphant whom
I had worked with on 'Scream 2' and we had a
nice-albeit hectic-scene together. Lots of
helicopters, 300+ extras, and a LOT of yelling on
my part.
Oops I forgot there was
a remake on it like there is on alot of horror
flicks since Hollywood seems to be running out of
original ideas as you were in that one. Who did
you play in it and what did you do?
I was an Emergency
worker with the military. My job was to get Tim's
character and others off of the truck they were
riding in and get them to safety.
How
did you find out about the auditions for 'Sleepaway
Camp 3: Teenage Wasteland'?
Through my agent,
Shay Griffin. Shay is now one of the premiere
casting directors in the country and we see each
other on a pretty regular basis.
Who did you try out for
apart from your role as Tony DeRaro?
That was the only
character I read for and I wanted it BADLY.
What was it like being
on set as I heard it was pretty cold?
Yes, it was cold
but it was still one of my favorite projects to
have been a part of. The entire experience is
something that I look back on very fondly.
What was it like during
your fight scene with Daryl Wilcher as Riff in
the canteen room?
A complete blast.
Daryl is a pro and a great guy to work with. We
worked through the scene with Lonnie Smith, the
stunt coordinator on the film. We were both
psyched up for that scene.
You
had great dialogues with Tracy Griffith who
played Marcia Holland. What was the chemistry
like working with her? Do tell us every detail.
I can tell that
you're fishing, Greg LOL Well, Tracy was an
incredible person and actor to work with and we
had some great chemistry together. We considered
continuing our on-screen romance but alas, 'twas
not to be. She was in New York, I was in Atlanta.
She was high society, I was from a Mexican gang.
Our romance didn't have a chance post-'Sleepaway
Camp'.
Did you know she was
Melanie's half sister when you started working
with her and that Pamela Springsteen was the
sister of the Boss too who played the maniac
transexual Angela Baker?
No to both
questions. After I found out, I wondered who was
responsible for the sibling theme we had going
on.
What was Pamela Springsteen
like?
Very cool! At
least until Greg (Chung Yen Tsay) asked her if
she was truly Bruce Springsteen's sister. Yikes.
She handled it well, though. I'm sure she's been
asked that a million times or more.
Did you see her in any
of her other work beforehand?
No, but I did go
back and watch one of my favorite films 'Fast
Times at Ridgemont High' to see her performance.
When there was the dark
forest scene being scared when a raccoon was
walking by did you feel that you were in a
'Friday the 13th' type of sequel
environment?
Absolutely. That
was by design, as were many of the other tributes
paid within the film to classic horror films.
Was it a struggle when
you, Sonya Maddox who played and Anita Bircham
and Chung Yen Tsay who played Greg Nakyshima were
all tied up and had to bounce in each cabin as
your characters had to find Marcia?
Yes! They really
had us tied together and it was awkward.
What memorable moments
do you have during shooting that film?
Too many to list.
Some of the finer moments consisted of the
nightly jam sessions that would take place in the
mess hall. The crew were all musicians, and that
made for a very festive atmosphere. The sense of
camaraderie between the actors and truly enjoying
coming to work every day is something I won't
forget. I was pretty bummed when it came to an
end as I am on most film projects. Sometimes I
focus too much on what is coming up next rather
than enjoying the moment in the here and now. I
have to work on that.
What was the toughest
scene to do?
The
fight scene, definitely. We spent an entire day
just doing that scene as I recall.
I heard that some
people had issues with Michael A. Simpson. Would
you be willing to share any informantion about
this?
Oh, I love to
expound on unsubstantiated rumors. That's just
good karma, you know? LOL Alright, I never
personally had a problem with Michael. He treated
me fine. Having said that, it was no secret that
Michael had a roving eye for the ladies. That's
the only somewhat negative thing I can say about
that guy. Perhaps you should ask some of the
female cast this question?
Who did you get along
with the most on set?
Tracy Griffith, of
course. Also, Kim Wall whom I'm friends with to
this day. Everyone was pretty cool.
Did the movie go direct
to video as I heard that Italy gave it a
theatrical run. Do you know anything about that?
Not sure about that. I was
bummed out that 'Sleepaway 2' had a limited
theatrical release here in Georgia but part 3 did
not.
Apparently they were
making a 'Sleepaway Camp 4: The
Survivor' but the people didn't
know what they were doing and couldnt complete it
due to funding. Were you asked to return to it?
No, I wasn't . Why
the hell wasn't I?
Did you ever watch the
very first Sleepaway flick by Robert Hiltzik and
what did you think of it?
Yes! The ending
creeped me out as it did most people. Some of the
composite characters were awesome.
Did Michael A. Simpson
ever ask you to be in his comedy flick 'Fast
Food' since he had a handful
appear in it?
Hmmmm. No, he
didn't. You know, I never liked that guy now that
I think about it.
What other gigs did you
do afterwards?
Kind of a tough
question to answer considering that was one of my
very first film roles. I've been fortunate to be
able to act full time based in Atlanta which is
no easy task.
Was it true you were
asked to guest star in a TV episode of
'In the Heat of the Night'?
Yes, and I had a
conflict with the shooting date. I think I'm the
only Georgia actor from the 80's that never made
it on the show. Perhaps it's a blessing as my
mullet would have upstaged my acting chops.
Were you in any other
horror films afterwards or did any casting
directors from horror flicks ask you to audition
due to your role as Tony?
Not really. Even
though I was pretty young, I wasn't that naive to
think that my role as Tony was going to put me on
the map.
What experiences did
you have as your bit part as a reporter in
'Scream 2'?
Had a great time
with Liev Schriber. What a great guy he is. One
of my favorite things was that Wes Craven
remembered me from the auditions and was
extremely gracious.
Were you in other
scene's that was cut out in the editing room?
Yes! I was
actually the killer and they re-wrote my part and
relegated me to being the reporter. Bastards.
Now some of your fellow
actors from SC3 were in zombie flicks like Daryl
Wilcher in 'Zombeak'
and Kyle Holman in 'Hide and
Creep'. Your big break was your
part as the tough as nails Coach Keel in
'Dance of the Dead' which I
enjoyed. How'd you come across doing that film?
Oh, man. I absolutely LOVED
working on 'Dance of the Dead'. I went through
more auditions and callbacks on that film than I
have for any other project I've ever worked on.
The best part?
It was all worth
it. I'm very proud of that film.
What was Gregg Bishop
like to work with?
Take one part mild
mannered easy going country boy, one part
brilliant editor, one part brilliant director,
and one part ridiculously white teeth and you
have Gregg Bishop. A really nice guy on top of
all that.
What was the scene you
mostly enjoyed doing in that film?
Probably the one
that kicked my ass-the coach goes on a zombie
killing spree scene. Gregg had amassed an
incredible stunt team with whom he established a
rapport with on this first film, 'The Other
Side'. Black Knight Stunts is a top notch stunt
team and I owe them a debt of gratitude for
helping to make Coach look legit.
I enjoyed your take on
inventing weapons to blow away some zombie's and
leading the teenage cast. What was racing through
your head when you were performing all of this?
Well, we shot all
of my scenes in the evening and that helped out a
lot in creating the zombie vibe, you know? I
really didn't over think what Coach Keel would
do-I just did what felt natural.
"Natural" for Coach Keel would be
absolutely terrifying to the average person.
Who did you enjoy
working with on this film?
Everyone, really.
As far as actors, Blair Redford is an incredibly
cool guy that I still stay in touch with along
with Stephen Caudill and Randy Mcdowell. Lucas
Till was very cool as well. I try to stay in
touch with as many DOD alumni as possible.
Stephen lives right around the corner from me
actually.
Did you feel that this
role proved yourself to be a versatile actor?
Yes, I do. Again,
I'm so very proud to have been a part of this
film and to show a side of me that not even my
agent knew existed. This was a dream role for me
on many levels.
What kinds of feedback
did you get from viewers?
I received more
positive feedback from viewers that saw 'Dance of
the Dead' than I have from any other project I've
ever worked on. Everyone seems to dig Coach Keel
and I truly appreciate it!
Have
you been reviewed by horror magazines like
Fangoria and Rue Morgue on your role or even
asked to be interviewed?
Yes, and I was
very flattered by their comments. The reviews
have been overwhelmingly positive for DOD across
the board.
Is the sequel in the
works and will you reprise your role in it?
No word on that
just yet, but they did leave the door wide open
for one. I hope it comes to fruition. There are
so many places I want to take the Coach Keel
character now.
Are you getting other
opportunities in horror films due to your work in
this film since it's very talked about?
Mainly on an
independent level. Had 'DOD' been given a wide
release, who knows?
What's your next acting
gigs?
I've been
auditioning A LOT, thankfully. The film industry
has finally returned to Atlanta and I couldn't be
happier about it. Waiting to hear back on a few
things. Story of my life.
On April 30th, there will be a premiere for
"The People vs. Leo Frank" here in
Atlanta ultimately to be shown on PBS. It's
a period piece that I worked on last year about a
Jewish man here in Marietta that was wrongfully
accused of murdering a young girl. That man
is Leo Frank, and he was played by Will Janowitz,
of Sopranos fame. I played one of his
lawyers. I also worked on a movie called
"The Joneses" featuring David Duchovny
and Demi Moore that will be out this fall.
Most recently, I worked on a Lifetime movie
called "Acceptance" which will also be
out this fall starring Joan Cusack and Mae
Whitman. Not sure if you've ever seen
"Dinner and a Movie" with Paul
Gilmartin on TBS, but I just shot an episode of
that to be shown May 22nd.
As
you know Robert Hiltzik made his true part 2 to
'Sleepaway Camp' titled 'Return
to Sleepaway Camp' and plans to
make another 'Sleepaway' sequel
titled 'Reunion'.
Do you think you can try to get your agent to
track him down to see if there's a possible part
for you to be in it?
I would LOVE to be
a part of it. I will see if I can steer my agent
in that direction.
I understand you also
do voice over work. What kinds of stuff?
Voice-overs have
become one of my favorite things to do, actually.
I have a studio within my home and can work in my
pajamas, which I often do. I was the voice for
'Turner Classic Movies' for the past 5 years, and
maintain a nice corporate and commercial client
base.
Apart from acting what
else do you do for a living?
Acting and
voice-overs are all that I do and I'm very
fortunate to be able to say that.
Now here's some fun stuff: What
are your favourite horror films?
Some of the early
70's classics like 'Phantasm' and 'Dawn of the
Dead'. 'The Shining' and 'The Exorcist' still
scare the living hell out of me to this day. More
recently, I really enjoyed the 'Saw'
movies-especially the first one.
What is the show you
were in that you cherished the most?
Probably 'Dance of
the Dead' or 'We Are Marshall'. I'm assuming you
meant films? If you meant television shows, I had
a great time on 'Prison Break'.
What is your idea of
perfect happiness?
I'm actually
living it. I have two gorgeous and healthy young
daughters, along with an amazingly supportive
wife, and I love my job
If you were a horror
film actor for a day whether he was alive or dead
who would he be?
Wow, great
question. I think it would be pretty cool to be
Bruce Campbell back in the 80's. What stories
that guy must have.
If you have a show
you'd like to change. What would it be?
I don't really
watch a lot of television anymore. There are a
few shows that I used to watch like 24 and more
recently Lost, but since I don't have a DVR I
miss out on a lot. Ask me anything about some of
the kid's programming on PBS or Noggin, though.
I'm an authority. Having said that, I do have a
show I want to change. On the PBS animated show
'Arthur', there is an incredibly whiney character
named 'DW'. In my opinion, no child should be
referred to by their initials at age 5.
What are your ambitions
in life?
First , to
continue to be the best husband and father that I
can be, and secondly to continue to work in films
and voice-overs. Particularly in films, to play
characters that have names instead of job
descriptions. I don't think that's asking too
much, do you? |