Ted Alderman [Interview]

Welcome to Day 24 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

Today’s interviewee for our Month of Horror is a very personal one, as the amazing actor and stuntman Ted Alderman happens to be the man who happened to portray what is, in my humble opinion, one of the best named characters in any film ever made. I am speaking of course of…Sheriff Ronald Trembath in the 2008 Steve Sessions indie horror classic film Torment. That’s right folks, that is also my name! Crazy stuff, right? The film’s creator Steve Sessions, who you may have noticed we have talked a lot about during our MoH, was generous enough to use my name as well as my dear friend and former TWS contributor Ray Wiggington. The two leads of the film are of course, Ray and Laura Wiggington. Long story short, Ray and I were deployed together in Iraq in 2006, where we would spend whatever free time we had watching indie horror flicks that were for some reason, very available at the local PX. We reached out to Steve just to say we enjoyed his work on Malefic, and he was kind enough to ship us a few copies of his other works, and promised to put our names in his next film, which would be Torment! And a friendship was born that continues to this day!

So that is the story. But, let’s not let all of that excitement take away from the fact that we are honored to have Mr. Ted Alderman featured on the site today. He is a brilliant man who works in so many different areas of the world of film and television. He is an expertly training martial arts professional, a stunt man, an electrician, a terrific actor, and more. His credits range from indie horror gems like Torment, to huge projects like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and NCIS: New Orleans. He is a wonderful man, and we are so proud to have him here today! So please enjoy some great words with the amazing Ted Alderman!

How did you come into the world of creativity?

I’ve always had a very creative mind. As a child I used to love to draw and create things.

What drew you to the world of film and television from the very beginning?

As a teenager growing up in 80’s. I was attracted to the Chuck Norris and Ninja movies and told my mom once, I wanted to be the guy getting beat up by the star.

When it comes to your resume, you are all over the map on so many different types of projects. It seems like there isn’t a job in the world of film that you aren’t able to be a part of. One aspect I am very interested in, as it is a former profession of my own that I loved and miss, is that of an electrician. I feel like a lot of people may assume they know what you might do on a show like NCIS: New Orleans or a film like American Ultra, but what does this job actually entail?

It’s about setting up lighting on the sets.  On the ground or 200+ feet in the air. Not to mention the power supplies and cable that goes along with it. Your either supplying ambient lighting or even moon light or fake lighting flashes. Among just about any other lighting you see in film or TV.

Is it a daunting task on such large projects?

Yes it is. You have sometimes, 100 lb power cables you have to string along ground or roofs for thousands of feet. Or being up in a manlift for hours at a time 100+ feet in the air and the wind rocking the basket your in. Fun times. Lol

I understand you recently spent some time in Switzerland working on a film and some other cool activities. So how was your trip?

It was good. Just no air conditioning. Other than that is was very beautiful there!

Anything exciting you can share with our readers?

Not really except I choreographed a fight scene where a group of kids whoop my butt.

In 2008, you appeared in a film that was written and directed by our dear friend and B-Horror mastermind Steve Sessions entitled Torment. I truly loved your performance, and especially loved the name of your character, Sheriff Ronald Trembath, I believe it was? So as we have asked a few guests as of recently, how was your experience working on a Sessions project?

Steve is always a pleasure to work with. Hope to do more in the future.

Writer/Director Steve Sessions, actress Suzi Lorraine as Laura Wiggington, and Ted Alderman as Sheriff Ronald Trembath, on the set of Torment.

How did it differ from other projects you have worked on?

Not much. Steve knows what he wants but also allows the actor to be creative.

While you have worked in several different genres in the world of film, I am compelled to ask what it is you enjoy about working in the world of horror?

I really enjoyed the horror genre. I hope to get back into it. It’s fun and serious at the same time. Usually not so stressful. And a lot of room for creativity.

What do you find to be the most special about this specific genre?

The people are more fun to work with!!

What is your favorite scary movie?

Jeepers Creepers. I love that idea on a monster that has lived throughout history reading up and killing people. A lot of different cultures have some type of mythology monster like that. Not to mention I have meet Jonathan Breck and Victor Salva and there both great guys.

What are your plans for this coming Halloween? Any sort of traditions you try to uphold each year?

I really don’t have any plans. Just giving out candy to the kids and checking out the single moms!! Lol

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

Right now my life is at a stand still. Nothing on the books. Just living day to day.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Seeing a koozie at a local store that said “Boobies make me smile”. Lol