Jake Busey – From Dusk Till Dawn

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I’m doing “From Dusk Til Dawn; The Series” and it is the TV series adaptation of the 1994 film (I think that’s when they started working on it). It’s kind of a little bit of a 20 year reunion, but technically it was released in 1996. The TV series is kind of the novel version that was the short story behind the movie. It feels like each ten minutes of the show was expanded to a forty-four minute episode. You can actually go on Netflix and watch on Wednesdays. Also, I’ve got a movie called Wicked Blood coming out this year. That has Sean Bean, James Purefoy, Alexa Vega and Abigail Breslin. There is a movie called Sparks that is a small independent film coming out as well about a superhero – underdog that is 1940’s film noir in color. It’s a cute little story of self awareness and self awakening.

Q) What makes El Rey Network the perfect fit for “From Dusk Til Dawn?”

A) The deal is that Robert Rodriguez wrote and created the show and he has a huge library of films. Between him and Quentin Tarantino, they have this crazy partnership where they swap ideas, co-writer and co-direct. They have this Grindhouse band of art house troublemaker vibe going. The El Rey Network is basically a funneling channel to channel all of their interests and material into one hang spot. You get to see like The One-Armed Swordsman, which is an 1967 samurai movie and old blacksplotation films. All the stuff that inspired Robert and Quentin is running on the El Rey Network. Robert is the President of the network. It’s his show on his network with his crews and his ideas. It’s basically “Robert Rodriguez Land.” He has created a pretty cool world! Hi world is guns, fire, steel and stone gorgeous women, flames and shotguns. It’s kind of Post Apocalyptic yet somehow integrated into modern culture. It’s awesome.

Q) Please tell us about your character Professor Tanner.

A) I play a Doctor of Archeology at Alamo State University. It’s a fictional university. In the show, there are a string of murders that are happening in Texas on the way to the Mexican border. This is in connection with these two brothers that rob a bank and are trying to get to Mexico. We see one of the brothers is a little off his rocker and shoots people willy-nilly. With some of the killings, they find some hieroglyphic Mayan-Aztec looking symbols. The Ranger that is tracking them wants to find out what the stuff means. He enlists me and he shows me pictures of the crime scenes to figure out what any of it might symbolize. I kind of guide the audience through the complicated parts of the story. I’m a little bit Indiana Jones in the classroom and I’m a little bit Basil Exposition from Austin Powers. It’s a fun role and I play kind of a straight guy with a sweater and a collared shirt and combed hair. It’s a bit of a departure. Robert is the kind of director who will hire an actor against type. It’s not what people are used to seeing, which is really nice. We’ve got Wilmer Valderrama and he’s playing the head villain. Robert is the kind of director that takes the opportunity to do something different. He gave me this opportunity with this TV series that I haven’t had in a long time and I’m grateful for the fact he hired me and brought me in to be a part of this when nobody else in Hollywood would dare hire me. It’s really a nice thing to be a part of it.

Q) Was there anything about the character that you added that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) He told me that I had brought a lot more to it then he expected. I don’t exactly know what that is, but he said that I brought so much more to the character than he had originally seen for him. They extended my vacation here and have added me into a lot more than I had initially expected.

Q) What is your favorite aspect of this character?

A) I like the fact that I get to ride a Ducati motorcycle. I’m a motorcycle guy and so to get to ride one on the show is pretty nifty. It’s something you don’t see your average Archeologist driving.

Q) Did the chemistry with the cast come naturally?

A) We’ve all become pretty close. It’s definitely a little band of brothers and a sister. We’ve got Eiza Gonzalez and she’s like a gal who is one of the boys, but she is probably a 10. She could probably blow Bo Derek out of the water with her beauty. She’s a fiery Latina! It’s a good gang of diverse people. I’ve spent the most time with Robert Patrick and Jessie Garcia. I’ve spent a little time with Zane [Holtz] and DJ [Cotrona]. We’re in a condo complex together.

Q) You are a part of social networking sites. Are you enjoying the instant feedback you’re getting after the show airs?

A) I don’t really know where to look, but I know there is instant fan feedback. And I don’t know where to look on chatrooms. I’m curious to find out though.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A) I’d like to say that I don’t show up until the third episode so have patience. I will show up! I’m really glad to be a part of it. It’s not going to be a carbon copy of the film. It goes off and it has different story threads that sort of shoot off in different directions. For those who are die hard movie fans of From Dusk Till Dawn, remember we’re not trying to keep the original, but stay in the same tones. A lot of people have said that DJ doesn’t do a great George Clooney impersonation. Well, that’s not the point. He’s playing the role in a different manner and in my opinion, DJ is doing fantastic! If people can separate themselves from the original and just understand it is the concept that we are going with they’ll enjoy the ride. We’re just making it so people have fun entertainment to watch. We’re trying to kick people in the ass and make them have a good time.