QQ) What are the current projects that you are working on?
A) I am currently working on finishing up a sitcom that I am producing that is called "Pepe's America." It's a comedy pilot. There are two other films in the works. I don't want to say anything just yet since we're finalizing the paper work.
Q) Please tell us the premise for the film Bone Eater and about your character Randy Cook.
A) Bone Eater is a Sci Fi movie. It was directed by Jim Wynorski. It is about this spirit from the Native American era that comes out to kill and get revenge. It's a mean spirit that pulverizes people and that's why it is called Bone Eater. The character I play is Randy Cook. I am a student at a college and I end up finding a bone while we're doing some excavation. I turn around and there is a horrible creature!
Q) What made you want to be a part of the film?
A) I worked with Jim Wynorski on another film. I do really well working with directors more than once. I worked with him on a film that is about to be released in Indiana as one of the largest independent B-movies. It's not really a festival, but more like a showcase and it's one of the largest B-film showcases. The executive producer on this is none other than the person known as "the father of B movies," Roger Corman. Through Sci Fi channel and through his production company, they decided to do a worldwide release of The Cry of The Winged Serpant down in this convention. It's for all the huge fans that love Roger Corman films and Jim Wynorski films because he's done over a hundred and sixty films. They are going to do a premiere for it in Indiana. It is a Sci Fi film and it is my first starring role. It should be coming out on the Sci Fi channel, hopefully, some time next year.
Q) What about your role did you find challenging?
A) That was not very difficult for me. I played a student who is digging since he's an archeologist. It didn't seem to be too difficult to do.
Q) What was your most memorable moment from filming Bone Eater?
A) I have never died on a blue screen. You had to die while this creature is eating you. What the director wanted me to do was to run and eventually stop. Where ever I stopped, I would have to hold still because they had to do some CGI effect. I had to stop and that was kind of neat. I did hurt my knee, but that was kind of neat running and doing your own stunts.
Q) Why should people take the time to see the film?
A) For those Sci Fi fans that love those kind of movies, it is kind of cool. It's not too heavy and it's entertaining. It is similar to when I worked on Transformers. It's very entertaining and it goes by fast. You come out with a lighthearted feeling. I am hoping that Bone Eater will do the same thing for fans that love Sci Fi films.
Q) You were also in the hit summer movie Transformers. What was it like working with director Michael Bay?
A) It was amazing! I loved working with Michael Bay and would work with him any time. He made me feel really comfortable in my skin and myself as an actor. I enjoyed being on set. I was treated like family and that's important. Even if you have a one day or two day gig on any job, if you're coming into a family it's already all together. You come in for your shoot and sometimes you feel unwelcome since you are the outsider. He made me feel really comfortable. We just went to work and and did a few scenes. Every time I'd ask Michael how it was he'd give me the thumbs up. I had a great time. I acted opposite of Bernie Mac and he is such an amazing guy. He's very inspirational and true to his art. That's the kind of caliber an actor I'd like to be. I'd like to be his kind of an artist where you give a lot to the art and to others. We talked and I had a great time!
Q) You're a writer, director and actor. What made you want to branch out into these various avenues?
A) I have to look for jobs constantly as an actor and most of the jobs that I am getting are not the jobs that I am supposed to be doing. I am not going to wait for Hollywood to knock on my door. I am not one of those pretty faced guys where people will say, "You! You're perfect!" It hasn't been easy. I have to work for the roles that I want. The only way I am going to prove to Hollywood is to do my own work. The first short that I did is called Habanero. In that film I play a very nice guy, in the beginning, and then I do a one-eighty. I become this mean guy who takes advantage of this couple. I kidnap them and do some horrible things. I would never see myself in this type of character and I did. I directed and produced the whole thing. It was a learning experience. I have to showcase myself out there unless I get to meet a huge direct, like Michael Bay. If he asked me to play something, I'd say, "Of course!" He's already seen me on a certain amount of caliber. If I wanted to see Oscar and Academy Award type of films, I had to write and do my own thing. And, I am continuing.
Q) What do you do in your spare time?
A) I've been doing this for a while now and I am so focused that I don't really have any spare time. With the little spare time that I have I will go to a celebrity party. I hang around and do red carpet events. I try to meet other people that are doing the same thing I am. I used to be able to do other things when I wasn't so focused. I'd go to the mountains, I'd walk, go to the beach and go rollerblading. I'd go to a friend's house to watch football. Now, I feel I have to focus and be together because I am afraid that the train might leave me (since I've been doing this for a while). So, I don't have a lot of time and the time that I do have I spend as much as I can on my career. Eventually, I will take a trip. I am telling myself I need to take a little vacation.
