Interview with... Tim Dry

Again I apologise for the lack of activity on this blogsite in the past few months.

I've brought you a doozy of an interview though.  Star Wars fans will know of him, and you can catch him in the new movie, Son Of Nosferatu.

I bring you my interview with Tim Dry.

 

 

1. Can you please describe your involvement in the Star Wars movies?

Back in the early ‘80s I was a member of a multi-media group that mixed together mime, music, dance and theatre in a new and very colourful way. We were called Shock and we became very popular on the London club scene. We supported artistes like Gary Numan, Ultravox, Depeche Mode and Adam & The Ants.
We did a lot of live shows and a fair amount of TV and released two singles on RCA Records which were dancefloor hits in the UK. But Shock split up at the end of ‘81 and I formed a mime/music duo called Tik & Tok with Sean Crawford who was also a member of Shock. We perfected a style of movement called ‘Robotics’ which became very popular. You can still see it today, although it’s now become more of a dance as it morphed into body-popping later on.
Anyway, Tik & Tok were becoming pretty well known for our mime style and in early January 1982 Sean and I got a call from our mime teacher Desmond Jones, who told us that he’d been contacted by the Producer of the ‘Star Wars’ movies who said they were looking for mimes to play Aliens in the upcoming third movie. Desmond arranged an audition at his mime school and I think about 20 of us turned up and showed off our movement skills in front of Producer Robert Watts and the Casting Director (I think). Sean and I and seven others got the job to play these weird creatures who hung out in Jabba The Hut’s palace. We were big, big fans of the first two ‘Star wars’ movies and so to actually be in the third episode was enormously exciting!

We went along to Elstree Studios, just north of London early one cold and dark morning where we met Robert Watts again and members of the FX team who were creating the creature costumes. We were each given a costume according to our height and size. So, I was given what was then called ‘Tooth Face’ to try on and Sean was given ‘Yak Face’. Well, the costumes fitted, and after some minor adjustments, Polaroids were taken and then we were given our shooting schedules for the next three weeks. Basically we were ‘Baddies’ lurking around Jabba’s palace and later on in the shooting the same on Jabba’s sail barge when the action really kicks off! We were told that we would be featured nicely in the palace scenes but as there were so many performers, crew, cameras everywhere there was sadly no room or indeed any time for us to have more to do. That’s why you have to keep freeze-framing when you watch the movie to see us! But it was all very exciting, very hot and pretty uncomfortable under the lights, with smoke machines going on each take. We had to have assistants to remove our creature heads inbetween set ups so that we could actually breathe!
After we finished all the Jabba scenes a few of us mimes were given the job of playing Mon Calamari men on Admiral Ackbar’s rebel ship. These scenes were a joy to film, as the costumes were light, comfortable and we could actually see where we were supposed to be! I think we did just under a week as Mon Cals.
We got paid well for our contributions to what is an amazing bit of film making and it was an experience that I’ll cherish for ever. Which brings me on to your second question!

2. I see you've written a book about your Star Wars experience. Care to give it a plug right now?

Absolutely! The book is called ‘Continuum – The Star Wars Phenomenon As experienced From The Inside’. Back in 2007 when I was an autograph guest at Celebration IV in Los Angeles (at that time the biggest ‘Star Wars’ Convention EVER!) I was sat at my table in this huge hall like an aircraft hangar, surrounded by about 40 or so other performers from The Saga, and I kept thinking how weird it was that exactly 25 years after filming my bits for ‘Jedi’ I’m sat at a large table selling autographs of me as a furry Alien and a Squid Man on pictures, posters, cards, toys, T Shirts, DVD boxes etc. Who would have that that this would happen back then? Not us certainly!
It started back in 2003 when Sean was contacted by a young guy who was a collector of all things ‘Star Wars’ who asked the two of us if we’d like to make some money by signing stuff. Huh? We really didn’t know what he was on about, as after we’d gone to the Premiere of ‘Jedi’ in London back in ‘83 we’d both got on with our lives in our own ways although we were still best buddies and saw each other frequently. This guy told us that there were these things called Conventions where people like us, who had (let’s be honest) fairly minor parts in the movie, were paid to turn up AND charge fans money for our autographs. Wow, brilliant! So we started getting asked to do shows here, there and everywhere. Very exciting! We also discovered that both of our characters now had names, action figures and a back story.
Anyway, so when I came back from LA I started to write ‘Continuum’. The first part of the book is obviously a detailed account of the actual filming, costumes, tales from the set etc, etc. The middle bit of the book is about some of the strange things that I did as an artist in the ‘90s and the last part of the book (and the biggest) is all about the weird and wonderful world of worldwide ‘Star Wars’ Conventions and how strange it all is.
‘Continuum’ is an ebook and you can buy it from:
iBookstore
Amazon Kindle
Sony Reader
Barnes & Noble Nook
and Kobo
For a very reasonable price of about $3.99 US!
It has 10 pages of colour photographs and a foreword by Robert Watts (Producer of the ‘Star Wars’ trilogy and the ‘Indiana Jones’ trilogy).
This is the website that I created to promote the book: http://www.starwarscontinuum.com

 

3. I see you've attended Star Wars Conventions. Do you have any interesting tales to tell about the fans or the conventions themselves?

Yep! But you’ll have to read the book! It’s all in there...

 

4. Just what is Son Of Nosferatu? The title alone sounds very interesting.

‘Son Of Nosferatu’ is a short comedy/horror film written and directed by an old friend of mine named David Rose. I’ve known David for years and he’d often talked about wanting to make this idea happen with me. It finally came together on a shoestring budget in Autumn 2010 and I have to say that it was the most enjoyable thing that I’ve done performance wise in years! I play Nosferatu’s unknown son who, after his Dad squandered the family fortune and then died, had to sell the castle in Transylvania and ends up being homeless and selling magazines on the streets of London. He’s actually lost his Mojo and his fangs no longer work. But he meets a young female fairy who devises a cunning plan to help him out.
There’s some reviews on the IMDB here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1802811/
You can actually watch or download the whole movie (it’s only 20 mins long) in HD here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fDpPbSiY24

 

5. How did this movie come about?

Basically by David Rose calling in as many favours from as many friends as possible! Everybody loved the idea and was keen to make it happen. We’re still hoping to get the go ahead and funding to make it into a feature or if not that then a series of episodes on UK TV or cable/Satellite.

 

6. Is there a charity or event you would like to promote?

Any charity that helps cancer patients or prevents cruelty to animals gets my vote. I don’t have an event to promote at the moment, although I’m doing a show called ‘Star Wars Weekend IV’ in Denmark in November with Dave Prowse and others: http://www.danskstarwarsloge.dk/

 

I want to thank Tim for his time on this interview.  It was a nice surprise to receive his email and read his enthusiasm for doing this.

Thanks Tim!  :)

Please check out Tim's sites

http://www.timdry.co.uk
http://www.starwarscontinuum.com

 

Until next time.

Interview with... Amber Heard

I apologise for taking so very long since last updating this blog site.  I'll chalk it up to wanting to find someone to interview who would amaze you.

Hence I had the honour of interviewing Amber Heard.

Amber's been in a slew of great movies, from Pineapple Express to the very funny Zombieland.  She also starred alongside Johnny Depp in The Rum Diary.

Amber has some very interesting things to say, and fingers crossed there'll be a part two to this interview in coming days/weeks/whenever (Amber's currently doing reshoots so I don't want to pressure her for follow-ups).

I hope you enjoy my interview with Amber Heard.

 

1.  What type of movies do you look out for? I keep an open mind when it comes to my acting career and movie's I look out for. Everything happens for a reason. At this point I just take everything as it comes and I try to keep myself as grounded as possible.

2   What would be your ideal film role?  I just want to portray great characters and someone that everyone can relate to. I want to be someone who could be your sister, your cousin, your girlfriend, your best friend, etc. (That is character driven)

3.  You've previously mentioned in other interviews a love of guns and muscle cars.  What are particular favourites? gun: taurus slimline 9mm muscle car: 1969 Shelby Mustang GT500

4.  How much fun do you think starring in a Fast And The Furious movie would be? You kidding me lol? To work with Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, & the Dwayne "the Rock? That would be absurdly, insanely over-the-top action fun. And a lot of that will involve cars.

5.  Have you ever travelled and if so, where's your favourite part of the world? Argentina, its beautiful, friendly locals and the weather is brilliant. Especially if hiking and cycling is your sort of scene - there are many adventures to be had!

6.  Is there any particular charity or event you would like to bring to my readers' attention? Yes please support GirlUp Foundation at: www.girlup.org/

 

A huge thank you to Amber for her time with this interview.  I couldn't be more rapt in her responses and eagerness.

I wish Amber all the very best, and if we can just get her in a Fast And The Furious sequel well, I know it'd be all kinds of awesome.

Until next time.



Interview with... Butch Patrick

Oh boy was I excited to do this interview!

I mean, come on! Butch Patrick; Eddie Munster. Who wouldn't be jumping outta their skin to interview him?!

What follows is one of the shortest interviews I've done.

I hope you enjoy my interview with the extremely busy Butch Patrick.

1. You were in a few episodes of a fair few shows before The Munsters. What was it like being involved in such classics as The Untouchables, Mister Ed, and My Favourite Martian?

early shows were good training especially the Real McCoys

2. Why do you think the Munsters has endoured for all this time?

Family values & great writing and acting as well as special effects and make-up

3. What was your favourite part about playing Eddie Munster?

Cruising in the car!!

4. Have you been involved with the upcoming remake, Mockingbird Lane?

not as of today

5. You’ve recorded two singles for Eddie And The Munsters. Has music, and performing, always been an interest of yours?

I enjoy listening but not performing

6. What’s coming up next?

new radio report "Eddie's World" and 50 th anniversary book and tour PLUS a Halloween cruise.

7. Is there a charity or event you would like to tell my readers about?

yes Louise Harrisons Help Keep Music Alive and Marine Mammal Care Center and yes Lou is George (Harrison)'s older sister

For fun check out Butch's website www.munsters.com/

I want to thank the very busy and very cool Butch for his time.

All the very best to you Butch.

Until next time!

Interview with... Rey-Phillip Vivas Santos

For today's interview I bring you a stunt worker, actor, and body builder.

Of course I'm referring to Rey-Phillip Vivas Santos.

Rey-Phillip has worked on projects such as Blade 2, through to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

We discuss a range of topics, not simply about film and tv work.

Enjoy!

1. What is it about physical fitness that appeals to you?

With me its the sense of achievement after finishing a tough workout. This also included confidence, health in your body feeling and looking better, seeing yourself improve week by week, pushing others, and also relieve stress. More importantly it helps for physical & mental well being.

2. Obesity and weight issues are something really taking hold on a lot of lives. How do you think physical fitness can become appealing for young people again?

Physical activity interventions may be effective in the development of healthy lifestyle behaviors among adolescents & young adults that will then translate into reduced risk for many chronic diseases and cancer. Any physical fitness can be dancing, local gym martial arts, and school sports (join a school team)

3. How did you get involved with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers?

I already had a competed in maritial arts championships before getting into entertainment so it was natural to get into acting and stunts. I first worked as a production assistant on set then eventually got hired assisting with stunts.

4. Please describe your time on the set of the show.

Fun but also It is very physically and mentally demanding with long days. It is never nine to five, One day you are going to work and you are doing fights, the next day you stand around doing nothing all day. Sometimes it’s a lot of hurry up and wait.

5. Have you done any other stunt work?

WMAC Masters, Michael Jackson's Ghosts, Blade 2, Dark Angel, and Stargate Atlantis

6. What’s coming up next?

Other than auditions and a few guest spots on "Days of Our Lives". I looking into two projects in development, a science fiction and the other a native american horror film with director Chris Eyre if all goes well with funding and the studios.

7. Is there a charity or event you would like to tell my readers about?

Yes its called The Actors Fund which is a nonprofit organization that assists anybody interested or involved in the performing arts. For more info go to: http://www.actorsfund.org/

I want to thank Rey-Phillip for his time doing this interview. It certainly is appreciated.
I hope you got a thrill out of Rey-Phillip's responses. I thought they were very great.

Until nex time.

Interview with... Kate Adamson

What I love about this site is that it gives me the ability to communicate with a whole range of people. Firstly I wanted to interview movie stars and celebrities. I've since gone on to interview astronauts, directors, and writers.

This interview is something special though.

For those of you not familiar with Kate's story I ask that you read, and I hope you enjoy.

My interview with Kate Adamson

1. What motivates you?

I had one in a million chances to survive from a stroke that completely paralyzed me. I could do nothing but blink my eyes and communicate with blinking to the alphabet to spell out words. So I look at life so differently now. I love being able to share my experience and touch those who are going through any kind of adversity. I also like to touch those who may not be facing adversity but feel stuck and paralyzed in their lives. I have been given a second chance at life and try to make the most of it. By focusing on others the focus is taken off me. As the saying goes, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade!

2. Were there any butterflies in your stomach the first time you spoke publically?

Yes! And I still get butterflies in my stomach but being prepared really helps, taking a deep breath and remembering it’s about the message I am there to deliver. As a kid growing up in New Zealand my parents had enrolled us in speech lessons [elocution]. During our school holidays we entered speech and drama competitions. So I guess the seed was planted a long time ago. I have a twin sister and she would start crying the minute she had to go on stage, my mother would grab me and push me out on stage. I had no time to get nervous. Fast forward 30 years and here I am back on stage in front of people.

3. What can people get from hearing you speak on motivation?

After hearing my story and how I over came complete paralysis people can then apply what I learned in their own lives by focusing on what they CAN do and not focusing on what they can’t do. My story truly motivates and inspires people.

4. I’ve never been so I thought I’d ask, what is New Zealand really like?

Well my friend, it’s a fairly quick flight for you and I remember years ago a T.V. ad showing the countryside and the words, “Don’t leave home without seeing the country first.” It is stunning with plenty to do but just as equally beautiful are the people. There’s nothing like the Kiwi’s.

5. What’s coming up next?

Right now I am recording the audio version of my book Paralyzed but not Powerless. It is exciting to record this in my own voice with a somewhat hint of a Kiwi accent. Many stroke survivors are not able to read after their stroke and this allows them to hear a story of hope and encouragement. Stroke Awareness month is fast approaching here in the United States and my calendar is full with travel.

6. Is there a particular charity you would like to bring to my readers’ attention?

I think your National Stroke Foundation in Australia. Stroke week will be from September 10th through the 16th of 2012. This is a great time to learn about stroke and know the risk factors. Usually one thinks of someone older having a stroke but many young people have strokes.

I want to thank Kate for her time during this interview. If you'd like to know more about Kate's story please check out her website at www.kateadamson.com/

you can also purchase her book online, which I recommend.

I hope you enjoyed this interview. Please comment below.
Until next time.

Interview with... Juliet Dunn

I don't think I've ever interview a jazz musician before, and I don't think I've ever had as much fun with an interview.

Juliet Dunn has been entertaining people with Jazz for years and certainly has some interesting things to say.

I hope you enjoy my interview with... Juliet Dunn

1. What is the appeal of Jazz?

Ever since childhood I've been drawn to the 20's, 30's + 40's. From music,
to film, to fashion, to lifestyle. I've always felt a connection there.
And of course jazz came into it's own during these era's. I love the
melodies, the voices, the harmonics, the instruments, the lyrics and the
freedom with the solos. And the messages are great. (I'm not a fan of a
lot of the more recent music which often has extremely rude lyrics and bad
messages for the younger generation that listen to them.)

2. Please tell us how you began your career as a Jazz musician.

I was a late bloomer and really started to listen to jazz at the age of 18
when a girlfriend gave me a cassette tape with Billie Holiday on it. I just
LOVED it and could also sing along with it. (My voice is lower so until
then I hadn't really identified with any of the pop singers.) Then in my
20's I was working as a back up singer with a French funk / rock band. The
lead singer introduced me to his singer teacher (Jean Salamero) and I
started to train with him. He was an older gentleman with a career in jazz.
(Same time period as Maurice Chevalier.) With Jean I 'dove' into the jazz
standards. Sarah Vaughan, Billie, Ella and more.

3. Which jazz instrument is your favourite to perform with?

I do love being accompanied by a piano and most of the time that is the
case. However I also enjoy singing jazz with a jazz guitarist. It's
definitely a different vibe and lovely for the latin tunes.

4. What is it like being part of Le Trio Parisien?
　
I love the French music and lyrics and as I trained as a singer in France
there is a real connection there. I think it comes across more when I sing
in French than when I sing in English. With Le Trio Parisien it reminds me
of my days in Paris which will always be fond in my mind. And there's
nothing like the sound of an accordion to make you feel like you're in a
brasserie in the heart of Paris! I've wanted to put together my French band
for a while now so I'm glad that it has finally all come together.

5. What advise would you have for people interested in Jazz?

If they're interested in playing or singing jazz I'd advise them to follow
their hearts and to remember that it's never too late. (I've only been
singing jazz professionally for 7 years now and I'm 42!)
If they're just fans of jazz my advice would be to keep discovering it.
There is SO much to discover. Both old and new! :)

6. What's coming up next?

Currently I am running a jazz series here where I live in Canada. It is
called the 'Twilight Jazz Series' and we are in our 6th month. (You can see
details on our website at: www.sheadduo.com)
Our goal is to bring more live jazz to our region and to help local jazz
musicians have more gigs. I started this series with my husband Peter Shea
and we perform at our own series occasionally with some of our own bands.
My job is lining up the bands and booking them as well as marketing the
series and I am really enjoying that.
And I have also landed my own radio show on Canada's premiere jazz station.
Jazz FM91 (www.jazz.fm) My show airs every Saturday and Sunday from 6am -
9am our time, and overseas people can tune in via the ipad app or online.
My show is called 'Sunrise' and I am learning SO much about the world of
jazz!

7. Is there a charity or event you would like to bring to my readers'
attention?

I do many charity events out here in Niagara and do volunteer concerts
regularly for the Niagara hospice. I also just performed for the Niagara
Women's Awards and International Women's Day. However I do not have any
other major charity events coming up in the immediate future.

Wow!
Thank you so much Juliet.

I hope you all enjoyed this interview. Please feel free to leave some comments below.
Until next time!

Interview with... Angela Oberer

Whenever I ask someone for an interview I'm always wondering how they'll respond. Will they feel obligated to do it to promote an upcoming production, or will they be outright rude and flatly say no (I've had a few of those responses in my time).

Then there's the actors who embrace the chance to be interviewed and really give some great responses.

If only all the interviews were as great as this one.

I give you, my interview with Angela Oberer.

1. What is it about acting that appeals to you?

I was doing some research on a movie set and was interviewing actors for an article I was writing, when I realized that all of the actors I was speaking with were progressive people. Meaning they were taking classes to learn new dialects and new languages. They were learning fun things like shooting firearms, tap dancing, swimming, Frisbee throwing, Karate, horseback riding, piano and crocheting. And I wondered how come none of my friends were learning those things – so I switched my friends and became an actress and enrolled in some fun classes and started learning how it feels to be an actress. Every day is filled with new things.

2. What made you want to become an actress?

Growing up, story time was a big part of our day. Mom read to us, until we were old enough to read to each other and to ourselves.
We loved to hear stories. We loved to read stories and we loved to watch them on TV and at the movie theatres.
Acting lets me tell stories on the screen and it is the best job I’ve ever had.

3. Have you done stage production before, and if so how did you find it?

When we were young (and I have 12 brothers and 6 sisters) our family played and performed a lot of music. We made up these zany little programs that included poems, skits and songs and we entertained lots of elderly people at assisted living centers, church events, and hospitals. We had a couple of scripted programs we performed but they were not “plays” in the traditional sense of the word. And it’s not really about how we found out about them, it was more of how did they find out about us, because it seemed like we were always performing somewhere.

Then there were all these old people that kept requesting that we come “perform” at their funerals when they die, and so our youth was spent entertaining people until they died, and then singing sad songs once they passed, to send them to heaven.

4. Please describe what it’s like doing horror films.

Horror films give me nightmares. They scare me terribly, and once I’ve seen a horror movie, the images stay in my head and keep scaring me again and again, when I think about them – even during the day time with the lights on.
I never wanted to be in a horror movie, until I met Ti West who directed Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever, and has since gone on to create some more wonderfully scary movies. I just wanted the chance to work with him and when I got to set, the crew was so awesome that Showing up to work every day on the set was like a big party. I just love those guys.

5. What would be your ideal role?

The next one? (Laughing) I like playing different roles because it allows me through acting to be somebody different for a while. I get to dress like somebody else, wear somebody else’s clothes, walk and talk like somebody else, and learn how other people deal with difficult situations.

6. What’s coming up next?

I’ve just been cast as a waitress who works at a restaurant where famous people come to dine. And in the movie I’m not supposed to be star struck, but I think I am a tiny bit when a big shot movie star comes into dine with his wife – exciting story. We begin filming in a couple of weeks. Woohoo!

7. Is there a particular charity you would like to bring to my readers’ attention?

Corazon de Vida http://www.corazondevida.org/ is a very dear to my heart. It is a US-based non-profit organization supporting Baja orphanages. It provides children in dire need the necessities of shelter, food, clothing, education, and healthcare – as well as hope, compassion and love. As we get older, hopefully we can all take care of ourselves, but there will always be a need to help take care of others as well.

To check out more of Angela's work and upcoming productions I strongly suggest you visit www.angelaoberer.com/
It's pretty darn cool!
Angela was also nice enough to provide this little snippet.

Short Bio: Angela Oberer (O-bur-er) is an American Actress who loves to share stories through television and films. You can learn more about her on at www.IMDB.me/AngelaOberer

Thanks to Angela for being so great with this interview. I wish you all the very best.

Please feel free to comment below.
Until next time.