Hi Tony, hope you are doing well. Can you start
everyone off at www.racksandrazors.com with a quick visual and
describe the room where you are answering these
questions?
Whereas
my usual abode involves lounging about a personal
sized cell with simply upholstered walls
(padded), smartly attired in a tasteful, canvas,
wraparound blazer (strait-jacket), donning iron
ankle bracelets a little too closely attached;
today I find myself sitting naked in a glass
house with a big pile of rocks at my side.
I am so impressed
- I saw your amazing acting in the 3 Christopher
Alan Broadstone shorts 'My Skin',
'Scream For Me', and 'Human No
More'. All are horror, but all 3 are
such divergent roles - what part of a character
is the first thing you put in place when it comes
to wrapping yourself around a role?
What
acting? Christopher Adam Broadstone simply came
by wherever I was living at the time and brought
his camera and crew. It was all improvisation
based on my temperament that day. That said;
please know that almost everything I say is a
lie, so it's going to be difficult to get a good
interview outta my ass. If you think it's tough,
try being me; I can't believe a thing I think!
Actually, thank you for the compliment. It really
depends on the project about how the character
kinda evolves. Sometimes, it comes externally as
in the case of Death in My Skin. Christopher
Alice Broadstone had a very specific look he was
going for. The emaciation, and hairlessness and
tatteredness. The bird mask also helped define
qualities in the character. As far as Madman in
Scream For Me was concerned, it really was a
matter of who could say and do the things he does
that created this guy. He really is pretty much
out there for all to see. I think he really does
speak his mind and that mind is just a little off
center. And then for Human No More, Nemo is
really kinda similar to me, I think. It was the
most intimate and least theatrical role.
How did you first
hook up with writer/director/editor Christopher
Alan Broadstone?
I met
Broadstone outside an elementary school where he
was selling crack cocaine and heroin, we hit it
off immediately. (I very simply submitted my
headshot-resume to a casting notice found in
theatrical publication called Back Stage West
(formerly Dramalogue). Christopher Albert
Broadstone thought I had that leading man quality
that he was looking for, I suppose and...)
Have any
Hollywood powers that be seen you in these films,
noticed the awards you've received for your
performances at various festivals, recognized the
sheer horrific power of your performances (for me
especially 'My Skin') and thrown
offers at your feet?
No one
has seen anything I've ever done except for
friends who dread the possibility of me saying
something like "Hey, check out this new
thing I worked on!" Even my agent seems not
to know my fucking phone number! It's a sad state
of affairs. Luckily, Black CAB Productions has
gotten some really good press and feedback from
the horror community.
You
play Madman so convincingly in 'Scream
for Me'. What was the first thing you
wanted to get down when it came to portraying a
rapist who rapes the man who kills the woman he
was intent on raping? Not quite sure if that made
sense, but you know what I mean.
I think
Madman simply believes in the motto about making
lemonade when life gives you lemons. As an actor,
I figured that since we only had one actor to
work with and if I was going to actually kill
him, I'd have to at least have my lines down so
we could try and do it in one take. Gabriel Sigal
was such a talented actor it was a little sad to
have to kill him during the filming of that
movie. Of course, with all the competition in
Hollywood among actors, I suppose it really was
kind of a good thing. But offing Lora Cunning ham
really was a waste. I mean she and I probably
wouldn't have been in competition for that many
roles. Oh, well. An actor does what an actor must
do. The show must go on, ya know!
I've read in a
previous interview that you are a gay man. Me
too! I must ask -- was the portrayal of gay sex
(or at least male sodomy) as a horror element in
the film a concern of yours?
Whereas
the violence that occurs can be viewed in the
context of sex, I see it more as an alpha male
teaching a smaller male a lesson, while at the
same time getting a semblance of his original
intent. And without a pretty girl on his arm, or
his fancy car to show off, or a pocket full of
cash to impress, and of course, being just little
emotionally touched, Madman uses his own
technique in communicating. Sometimes, touching
someone with steel can get a point across the way
a limited vocabulary just can't do. Although one
has to admit that Madman does have an eloquence
all his own!
And I must hear
what was running through your mind when it came
to your amazing work as The Grim Reaper in 'My
Skin'?
While
working on My Skin, my biggest concern was
whether the lights were catching the glistening
pools of limpid delights that are my eyes. An
actor really must develop a good relationship
with the Director of Photography and the lighting
designer (as well as makeup and hair) or else
they came make you look pretty unattractive.
Luckily, my connections with those talented
individuals, allowed for me to come across as
handsome and charming as I truly am in my regular
life. It was actually long hours, hard work and a
lot of fun working on that movie. Broadstone uses
a very active camera in his stuff so it can be
quite methodically choreographed and timed. It
was very theatrical and over-the-top and allowed
for a bit of a ham-fest. There's nothing like a
ham-fest to bring out the worst in an actor!
Thank you Christopher Agnes Broadstone!
What was the main
thing about Death you were hoping to convey?
I think
anger and unbridled fury were key elements. If
you've ever seen an angry bird going after a cat
that's attacked its nest, you can almost see the
rage on the bird's face. Of course, birds have
pretty expressionless faces, so maybe I'm
projecting a little bit. Maybe I should talk to
my therapist about this and not you. Maybe, JUST
MAYBE, this in none of your goddamn business,
thank you very much! Next fucking question!
Congrats on your
various honors for acting in 'Human No
More'. What was the toughest part about
making that long monologue of the detective so
convincing without being overwrought or boring?
In all
honesty, the monologue really was all about the
writing. Plus, there was the director there to
pull me back if I was too big and broad and loud.
The words were there. If the words hadn't said
something, it would have really sucked. I will
take this moment to say that Christopher Alfred
Broadstone's writing really is some good shit.
When I first read the Madman stuff, I fell in
love with his writing. That said, please feel
free to edit out what I just said since this
interview is supposed to be about me and not
about that fucking asshole Christopher Alex
Broadstone!
Mr. Broadstone is
so skilled at creating mood in the films. Is that
creepy finished product we see on film apparent
in a certain creepiness during filming?
When
shooting, at least from my perspective, there's
not much creepy about it. It's all technical. Can
the sound guy hear what's going on? Is the makeup
right? Do I know my lines? Am I in focus? Is the
light catching the glistening pools of limpid
delights that are my eyes? However, I do know
that when we were shooting Scream For Me, there
were a couple of people in the other room hearing
some of the dialogue who were creeped out by what
they heard. I am assuming that they were creeped
out by the lines and not the crazed raving of
Christopher Edna Broadstone. I'll note here that
editing is extremely important in filmmaking.
It's one of the skills that Broadstone excels at.
Bad editing can really make some good shit look
terrible and the reverse is also true. The
general public doesn't realize the huge influence
editing has on the final film. What he does in
the editing process really makes a movie.
Why do you think
you are so adept at playing horror? What about it
makes it a unique challenge for an actor?
Until I
met Christopher Elmo Broadstone, I never worked
in horror. It's not a genre I'm that
knowledgeable of. I do think that a lot of horror
is theatrical and creates a reality different
than your standard melodrama. And therefore,
bigger, hammier performances are often needed. In
the same way that a lot of those Star Trekkish TV
shows often rely on Shakespearean actors, horror
is another world that demands a certain
suspension of disbelief, not unlike a stage
performance.
Do you have any
other projects in the offing you would care to
tell the www.racksandrazors.com readers about?
In a few
days, I'll be doing some work on a movie called
Carnies directed by Brian Corder of
ToxicShockTV.com. I'm actually going to be a
victim instead of the more demented character.
But, it's still a hammy part, so it'll be lots of
fun. As long as they can make sure to capture the
glistening pools of...
Okay - we're
pulling the car into the Tony Simmons Drive In.
What three horror movies are going to be on the
triple bill?
Assuming that
Lucille Ball's performance in Mame, although a
horrific moment in cinematic history, does not
particularly fall into the category of horror, I
would have to say that my faves are the original
Dracula with Bela Lugosi, the Sixth Sense, and
Rosemary's Baby. Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?
While not normally considered traditional horror
is without a doubt a great movie on so very many
levels.
What makes you go
psycho in real life?
People
who wear too much cologne, people who have cute
cat collections, and fundamentalists of any
religious belief, drive me fucking nuts!
What scares you
in real life?
What
really scares me are former beauty queens without
a wrinkle on their faces, cat eyes, lips that
look like unnaturally swollen labia, cheeks like
golf balls, eyebrows that can't move, and talons
instead of hands! Especially ones who tout beauty
tips. I'm also very frightened by born-again
Christians and recovering alcoholics or addicts.
Practicing alcoholics are usually a lot more fun.
I know! Also, looking in the mirror is a
frightening experience. There is only so much
denial in which I can wallow.
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