Alli Hart [Interview]

Today we have some wonderful words from a brilliant up and coming actress that you all should be on the look out for in the coming future, should that still be a thing we are able to look forward to in these trying times. It’s the brilliant Allie Hart! Alli recently appeared in one of my favorite films of 2020 thus far, the wonderful film The Dinner Party that is truly incredible and just so damn much fun!

Alli was kind enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to tell us a bit about The Dinner Party, why she got into the world of performance, and much more. And we are eternally grateful for her to do so.

So Folks, please enjoy some wonderful words from the great Allie Hart!

******

What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment? Was it something you had wanted to do since your youth? Or did you happen to find yourself in this world one day?

Growing up in a small town in Texas, I’ve always been the weird extroverted creative one who discovered so much of my passion in theatre and entertainment. It was a place I felt not only a calling to but a belonging. I had always felt misunderstood or that I was too hyper, too much or too big-so characters and creativity was a way to escape and transform those feelings in a vibrant way that was very cathartic for me. I was a slave to this passion from the time I was in middle school. Wishing on every star and working every little job to graduate and move to Los Angeles to truly pursue it.

Ha. I wish I woke up in this world. I had to work (still am) incredibly hard for many many years to be where I am. Nothing about my Journey has been easy… and maybe that’s the point. To have this arsenal of experiences that make my colors deeper and richer to paint with as I portray another human being.

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any sort of lessons learned from this experience that still affects your work to date?

Oh wow. Probably My Haunted Mansion where I played a ghost girl.

I wouldn’t say that it affects my work but definitely something that bled into my audition process. I had so much fun in the room and committed 1000% to a character that was screaming and crying and banging her head into a wall. That was the point where I realized “I am going to make fearless decisions as an actress in that room. I am going to disturb them with truth.”

I recently had the pleasure of seeing your incredible performance in the film The Dinner Party. It’s a truly brilliant piece of horror. Can you tell us a bit about this project? Why should people be excited to check this one out?

Thank you so much! That project was such a special one for me. It was my first on location film and also my first lead in a feature… so it definitely has its own space in my heart and I think it always will.

The Dinner Party was shot in Mississippi on one location. We shot through the night for 3-4 weeks. We’d go to set at 5PM or so and come home at 6 or 7 am. During that time I was so present with the journey of it, I had felt like I instantly adapted to where I was staying and who I was spending time with like I had been there for a year haha. Everyone became family on this intimate project.

The director, Miles Doleac, got me a combat trainer in Los Angeles to train with for about a month or so before filming. The fight scenes were some of my favorite scenes to shoot. Though I woke up covered in bruises! Haha.

This film was shot oh so beautifully and the talent is absolutely incredible and riveting. The storyline takes me back to good ole horror that I loved growing up with, like Rosemary’s Baby -but to cut to the heart of it the performances in this movie really are something else. I love experiencing each character. They are all so unique and different and I’m just in awe watching them come alive with their barrage of complexities and eccentricities.

While it’s not the only genre you have worked in, you have managed to turn out some wonderful performances in one of our favorite genres of film, which would the world of horror. I am curious to know what you enjoy the most about the world of horror? What is it that sets this genre apart from others you have worked on?

Ah! I love that recognition haha.

I have been a horror fan all my life. I wasn’t allowed to watch it in my house as a little girl so maybe I got addicted to the act of rebelling and sneaking a scary movie at 2 or 3 in the morning when my mom was asleep haha. Started with It by Stephen King.. then all the Screams, Chucky, Freddy Kruegar, Jason, Texas Chainsaw, etc.. 🙂

So maybe I like it because I wasn’t aloud to like it but I also always felt that I could be scarier than anyone in the movies and I love to test that. (You should see me in a haunted house, you’d think I was at Disneyland)

To put it simply, I resonate with FREAK and CREEP. Ha!

I want you to feel in my movies – “is she going to kiss me or kill me?” Maybe I should put that on a shirt haha.

If you were handed the opportunity to star in the biopic of any legendary figure in American history, who would it be?

Oh why do you gotta do this to me hahah!

Honestly, without thinking, Angelina Jolie, and I think anyone close to me would tell you the same thing. Since I’m a girl and it can’t be Jim Carrey. Two people who influenced my work since the beginning.

I have always connected to her and identified with her intensity. Her fire. Her sexuality. Her ability to make people uncomfortable with just how damn honest she is. She was misunderstood, too. I’ve always seen that. But, her evolution throughout time is extraordinary. She became so much softer after becoming a mom, much like myself. After I had my daughter, I had no longer a desire to self-destruct and I stopped romanticizing pain. Plus, we both like to keep blood in vials 😉 I imagine we love deeper than most. Which is synonymous to a lot of other things.

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

I know what I want. And that’s to continue creating wildly beautiful stories with wildly beautiful humans. With my daughter and my family right along with me. I’m willing to be surprised by life. Show me what you got.  Make it interesting 😉

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Your last question. The future makes me excited!

Annie Gaybis [Interview]

Today we have some amazing words from an absolutely legendary actress. It’s Annie Gaybis, Everyone! She is a renowned performer of stage and screen, as well as an accomplished dancer for close to 50 years. She has was so kind to tell us a bit about her career leading up to today’s time, and we are so excited to share what she has to say.

So Folks, please enjoy some wonderful words from the great Annie Gaybis!

******

What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment? Was it something you aspired to do since your youth, or did you happen to find yourself in this world one day? 

I was inspired by a woman who was as close to being “Auntie Mane” as one could get. Her name was Debbie London who immediately sensed something in me and brought me into her world of show business. She ran a dance studio that morphed into a Creative Arts Workshop where many went onto professional careers on Broadway and as Dancers/Choreographers themselves.  My Aunt brought me there after my mother passed. I was very young not more than seven.

I was (so I’ve been told) shy and a bit withdrawn from the bewildering experience of losing my mother. My Aunt brought me there to watch her daughter dance in an in-house recital.. Well, when I saw my very own cousin make magic with her dancing….and besotted by Miss Debbie with her flaming red hair and artsy ways…who had a talented daughter exactly my age who became one of my best friends. I thought I was the luckiest girl in the whole wide world and I wanted to part of all of it. All of it. She introduced me to many things outside the studio. Art festivals, concerts…She brought in movies like The Red Shoes where we sat on the dance floor in one of the studios and watched in awe. Guest teachers like the renowned dance artistes Dave Harris and Jack Pottigher who luckily noticed how much trouble I was having at pointe work . He had me take off my shoes one day and saw my feet were not meant for pointe work and immediately after that when the ballet class went to put their toes shoes on I went off to a private tap class and probably that was the greatest thing for me for tap has provided me with many opts.

She had such a great staff including a theater director Ed Golden who said I had the worst regional accent…. he was from Boston and he was going to save me from proceeding with it as I continued in life and I am so grateful for that. So it started from there and morphed into getting my AEA (Actors Equity) card as a child performing in children’s roles or small ingénue roles in a Union Rep Company…Center Stage….and being the youngest in a semi-professional dance company The Wally Saunders Dancers. Wally Saunders was another of those dynamic personalities who had trained many including his most famous dancer Goldie Hawn who performed with his company for years.  When I entered his studio and saw photos of Goldie and saw the caliber of dance I entered and having Wally Saunders encourage and mold me I went into a whirlwind of performances from half-time games to local television, operettas to full-scale productions. And I was so young I was often driven home by both he and his mother Irene who was the perennial receptionist and looked out for me.  It was amazing I had time to do my homework.  It was always the dynamics of the individuals that I met that cultivated my interest because they were so interesting to me…and I felts lucky that they wanted me included into their exciting whirl. I was thrilled.

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any sort of lessons learned from it that still affect your work to date?

Really cannot remember.

You appeared in one of my favorite films of all time, the Dolly Parton-fronted film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. I am curious to know how your experience was working on this now cult-classic of a film? Was it as entertaining to work on as it has been for me to go back and watch every now and again?

Well, Whorehouse was already filming in Texas. I happened by a casting agent whose name escapes me on Hollywood Blvd for an appt. I found myself sitting with two other dancers. All three of us being interviewed at the same time. We hadn’t been sitting there that long when his phone rang, [and he] forget about us. Maybe this was a “work” call for someone. Well talk about being in the right place at the right time. He took the call, put his hand over the mouthpiece and said, “You all three dance, right?” We nodded.  He said, “They need three dancers on the set of Whorehouse. Three walked out when they found out that they had to do nudity. I can get you double scale and then some. What’d you say?”. Well, two days later there we were. The agent had never even seen us dance. We landed in Austin and went right into rehearsals with the wonderful Tony Stephens ….now some of the other female dancers didn’t take kindly to us because we replaced their pals. But Colin Higins the director came over to where we were frantically rehearsing to catch up that first couple of days and was so kind to us and when we were on the set and doing the small very small amount of nudity he made us all feel very relaxed and eventually the other “femme” dancers got to ease up on us when they saw the director going out of his way so by the time we got to the backlot of Universal everything was better.

I do remember the first day I saw Dolly Parton. We had not filmed anything with her as yet.  She was on the set early one morning and it was exciting to see her. There were several of us on set but …she walked directly over “to me” and said just as sweet as can be “I saw the dallies last night. Your the girl with the pretty titties.”

That was my introduction to Dolly Parton.

You have done some incredible work in what is one of our favorite genres of film, which would be the world of horror. I am curious to know how you enjoy working in the world of horror? What do you believe sets it apart from the other genres you have worked in? 

Let me tell you a little story about one of the films I did. There was a film released in the 70’s with “‘the Orson Welles” in the lead.  It was called Necromacy.” It didn’t do too well from what I understand.  So in the early 80’s they were going to cut it up add scenes add characters in other words re-edit the whole thing and re-release it as The Witching.

I had gotten the role of “The Spirit.”  I was excited. An Orson Welles film. Soooooo, I remember I was at a home in the Valley which in LA talk means over Laurel or Coldwater Canyon….being wardrobed and made up  and then doing some test shots with the cameraman who had worked with Orson many times…..They had to clear all this with Orson …the reshooting…the re-editing …since it was in his contract I guess for any changes…….so since this man…I am sorry I do not remember his name was going over the hill….if you lived in “the Valley” thats what you called going into Hollywood and beyond…he was going to meet him at Trader Vic’s for dinner….I too lived “over the hill” in West Hollywood and he asked me “Would you like to come along and meet Orson Welles? Would I?  Plus having dinner with no strings attached at Trader Vics which was this restaurant that was in a very prestigious Bev Hills Hotel that was an in spot that looked well how do I describe it, like a luau had blown up and landed. Tacky chic.  We both take our cars and give them to valet and walk into the entrance of Trader Vics. He tells them he is having dinner with Orson Welles. The maitre-d tells him “Mr. Welles is already seated.” And we join him at his table. Orson Welles was an immense figure with his own aura. After we sat, Orson said, “Lets order.” This was like the first thing out of his mouth. So, fine with me, we ordered. They talked for a couple of hours. I ate and had an exotic drink or two, hoped we had their famous Poo-poo platter, smiled, spoke a bit about my role and myself.

I have to say he had very kind eyes and I wish I could say more. I held back my fascination at meeting him, at least I hoped I did.  It was a business dinner about percentages and stuff I cannot even remember in regards to the film and then he took the papers to sign, bid us “A Good Evening” I remember him saying that he wished me luck with my role, and left.  Soon after the film editor asked for the check. I was sitting across from him. I sort of noticed his eyes bulge out of his head. I thought, “Gawd how much was those Mai-Thais I had” He said to me “I think they brought me the wrong check.”  He called the waiter in his Tommy Bahamas wardrobe (before there was a Tommy Bahamas) and showed him the check.

The waiter calmly said “No Mr.- this is the correct amount. Mr. Welles ordered a full dinner with a bottle of wine before you both came to join him.” So Mr. Welles had eaten and drank a full meal before he ordered with us. And he ate and drank heartily with us, and consumed an entire  second bottle of wine ….I’m sure that bill was a horror to the production company that was operating on a limited budget.

I still am very impressed how Orson Welles managed to pull that off in one smooth maneuver.

Sing “Smooth Operator.”

In your very impressive career, you have managed to do some great work both on the big screen as well as the silver, and on Broadway and stages across the country. With that, I am curious to know what your favorite way to perform? Between film, television, stage, etc., what is your favorite setting to be in as a performer? 

I LOVE ALL OF IT!!!  I guess what I as well as any actor/performer yearns for is an appreciative audience. A nod from them is so fulfilling. In a theater role, where you have to be new and fresh and discover you character and reaction nightly, no matter what has happened to you emotionally that day. Whether your fatigued or feel like you’re fighting off getting something, you realize that there is an audience out there paying good money to see you perform and take them into another world away from their daily thoughts and jobs. A listening audience. Ahhhhhh!!!!!

Performing in Cabaret, corporate dates are wonderful because it’s for one night, your far and away from the audience, and usually have a full back up. Now, more intimate cabaret work, sometimes, and just that odd sometimes, there is someone in the audience who has had too much of “whatever” trying to have a little of the spotlight on them by thinking they are being funny but “not”. They can annoy you by putting their feet on the rim of the stage [which is] very uncomfortable for the audience and as a performer singing and dancing it messes up the rhythm and focus  that you have tried to create with what you bring onstage.

On a movie set sometimes I have to say you almost feel like your self-directing your role and your character because the director just expects you to do your best but shooting a film out of sequence sometimes is hard to realize where your character is at because if the ending of your role happens to be on the location that they scored for that day you can start off shooting your ending before you even get to your beginning. It’s the location that sets up the movie sequences not the script.  When you’re on location or on a studio lot since when you are shooting a film and your presence or a TV show you are required to be there for many consecutive days, weeks or months….so the crew and actors become one tight family and it’s a wonderful feeling

Everything comes with a price but there is nothing that compares to doing something you love and manage to make it a career.

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

I am looking forward to the release of a movie I co-starred in called D.O.A. 

If that sounds familiar to you because it’s an adapted remake. An adapted complete remake of the original film that is a cult favorite that starred Edmond O’Brien.

It’s a horror story if ever there was one. The lead played by the actor John Doe who was wonderful to work against. He is a private investigator and I play his client Mrs. Phillips kind of a Gena Rowlands type of character circa 1949. In the storyline our lead gets poisoned and has a week to live. He does not know why he is poisoned and tries in that week to find out the answers and gets himself into some heavy scenarios. I am as evil as they come.  It was directed by Kurt St. Thomas. Shot in bxw, Film Noir style. The original location was San Francisco. They replicated it in St Augustine.  From what I understand it is now being edited so I have no idea when and how it will be coming out. It was such a great role….and some fabulous location shooting and wardrobe with the period hats and gloves….and hey…no nudity.

On stage I will be doing later this year the role of Maxine in The Night of the Iguana for City Repertory Theatre.  This is exciting for me because I was lucky enough to be mentored by the Academy Award Winning Actress Shelly Winters who originated the role on Broadway. And the original director ,Frank Cosaro, who for many years headed the legendary Actors Studio. I was lucky enough to be directed by him in Faust at The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Big shoes to fill and looking forward to it.

What was the last thing that made you smile? 

I just read the final draft of my husband’s memoirs. Its called Five Minutes…Mr. Byner: A Lifetime of Laughter. My husband, John Byner is an American comedian/ actor/ impressionist and I, who love bios, laughed out loud at some of his many stories working  the clubs, television and film with everyone from Henry Fonda to Barbara Streissand to Fred Astaire. Highly recomend. And not just because he’s my husband.

Daniel Zirilli [Interview]

Hello Folks! Today’s interview subject is with the brilliant filmmaker, writer, & producer Daniel Zirilli. Dan broke out onto the creative scene directing some of the finest hip hop videos you know and love.His work included videos for artists such as Montell Jordan & Skee Lo, and he continued on into the world of film in many different genres, with a strong footing in the world of action with films like Asian Connection and Hollow Point, the latter being co-written by our old friend Chad Law. He’s a sweet, sweet man, and you are going to love this.

So Folks, please enjoy some words from the great Daniel Zirilli!

******

When did you first realize that you wanted to work in the world of entertainment? Was it something you have wanted to do since your youth, or was it something that you just sort of fell into?

Growing up in La Jolla California I never thought the film biz was viable. I thought I was going to be a lawyer, and went to Pepperdine University in Malibu. I started taking screenwriting courses, and worked my way up from the bottom.

 What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any sort of lessons learned from this experience that still affects your work to date?

While I was at Pepperdine, I took an internship with a “producer” in Malibu Colony. She talked a lot about herself and had me taking out her dry-cleaning and other nonsense. I learned how not to treat people from her. The first paying work was in production of Music Videos. I eventually represented other music video directors. After a couple years I realized I was doing all the work and someone else was taking the money and credit. So I started my own company, directing music videos. I have many stories, but always learn what NOT to do as what TO DO in this business. One of the key elements if finding people with good character and talent. Not just stepping on people on the way up. I still get stepped on, but never give up.

Early in your career, you directed several wonderful music videos for some of my favorite artists of the time. One specific video is absolutely to me, and that would be Montell Jordan’s remix for “Somethin’ 4 da Honeyz” featuring Redman. I am curious to know how your experience was working on this project? And how was your experience working on it?

Thank you. Interestingly enough Montell and I lived in the same dorm at Pepperdine for a semester before he was famous (from “This is How We Do it” onwards). At Pepperdine, it’s required to take two classes on religion, and Montell used to break down the Parables in the bible for me and a hilarious “street” way… he was fun to study with and very smart.  So cut to a few years later and I was directing a bunch of Hip Hop/Rap music videos, many #1 on MTV, The Box,  etc. and Montell’s record company reached out to me after we both had some success. It was great reconnecting.

In 2016 you worked on the action-packed film Asian Connection, featuring the legend himself Steven Seagal. I am again curious as to what drove you to bring this story to film? And now that it is out there in the zeitgeist, what are your thoughts on the final project?

Thats a long story…. Actor Tom Sizemore and I wanted to work together, and he was always talking about this idea he had called “Two Americans” that he said he and his buddy Thomas Jane wanted to make, about crossing the boarder into Mexico and robbing banks, so that Toms character could run away with his girlfriend and retire. After his partner is killed, he and his GF become sort of a Bonnie & Clyde. I encouraged him to write it, but after years of not doing that, I finally put him with my longtime co-writer, Glase Lomond, and had him just videotape Tom for an hour taking down his ideas. From there we developed the script into “The Mexican Connection”… and later a distributor wanted to make the movie, but in Thailand with Steven Seagal, to open up the Asian market more, and call it The Asian Connection. The timing did not work out to have Tom in it, but I called him and explained we can “get the movie made and we will buy you out, or I’ll turn it down and wait for you”. He said, and I quote, “Fuck you Danny I love you, I’ll take the cash!”.

The good news is I was able to get the rights to sequels and remakes, so I will be making the original Mexican Connection at some point, hopefully with Tom and I’d love to work with Thomas Jane, so we shall see. Seagal and I worked well together, though I want to do a film with him in a bigger true leading role, and make it great. I also was an Executive Producer on End of a Gun with Seagal, and we are talking about more films together.

If you were handed the opportunity to create the biopic of any legendary figure in American history, who would it be?

ERNEST HEMINGWAY. My 100% greatest literary influence and the standard for me that all else follows. He was an adventurer and fisherman, (like me) who wrote and lived much of his life on an Island, and was born in Oak Park, Chicago, as I was too. His advice is legendary, including “in order to write about life, first you must live it”. I’m not comparing my work to Hemingway, but I am indeed living an adventurous life, and using that for my stories. I do NOT think he has been portrayed well in film At All at this point. Even that Woody Allen film had him all wrong in my opinion spouting his own quotes in a silly manner.  Hemingway always said just to “write one true sentence”. I don’t feel Hemingway has been portrayed in a TRUE way on film yet… though some amazing actors and directors have tried.

Also I like ZANE GREY, though not as solid as Hemingway, but Zane made a million bucks, bought a huge Yacht and fished around the world sending in stories from each port. JACK LONDON did the same before him. Made money, hit the ocean. So there are three actually I’d like to make movies about. I have chased down these three authors around the world in places they worked, lived and fished. I have a Hemingway related project I’ve been working towards for 20 years, and I used to represent the Zane Grey Estate, so I know much about these subjects and they are amazing.

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

My films- Hollow Point is out now, and Invincible will be released later in the year. I have a few new films on the horizon such asInternational Waters, The Gunrunner, and Combat Medic and others in the works I can’t disclose yet. BUT I hope I am given a chance to make the films I really want to make. That takes a bit bigger budgets and certain actors / actresses I want to work with…   but I’m always writing and developing and I encourage everyone to do the same. Write.

Also- PLEASE follow me on  INSTAGRAM @DanielZirilli   I’m just getting started spending time on Insta with very few followers, and will answer most questions there, and post updates.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

I smiled watching my son play electric guitar on FaceTime, then went down to the beach and walked with my pack out wild dogs I take care of. Crazy dogs bring a smile to my face, and of course my children always.

Leif Tilden [Interview]

Greg Fitzsimmons [Interview]

Hello, Folks! And welcome back to another week in this crazy world, which I hope is finding you all at least a bit cheerful. If not, let us rectify that a bit. Today we have some brilliant words from one of the most legendary figures in the world of comedy. Yes, we have had dozens upon dozens of very hilarious people grace our digital pages over the years. But, if I were to toot my own proverbial horn for just a moment….I’d say we have have outdone our damn selves this time. Or we just got lucky. Either way, we have the incredible Greg Fitzsimmons with us today!

Greg has been bringing on the laughter to live audiences for over 25 years. He is also a writer who has written on just about every damn show you love. In fact, it was almost to difficult to make questions for him, as I wanted to ask about every damn project he has ever worked on. And (maybe, unfortunately?) I managed to be a damn fool and ask about one that was actually cancelled. But, fuck it. Crashing was lovely, and I shan’t regret it. Although I will say that it all but got me into the idea of moving this format to a streaming way of life or something to afford the opportunity to talk with Greg more. But, that’s neither here nor there.

Obviously you can’t catch Greg on the road right now. But thankfully he has been in deep in the podcast game for a very, very, long time. His show Fitzdog Radio just hit 856 episodes. Yes, you read that right. 856! You’ve got some catching up to do, Folks. His guest have included everyone you love. Seriously, all of them. Including some fine folks we have had here at TWS including Greg Proops, Jen Kirkman, Martha Kelly, and so many more. Like I said, he has been at it forever. And he has a couple of new podcasts to share with you all as well!

So Folks, allow me to politely stfu and share with you all some wonderful words from the brilliant Greg Fitzsimmons!

******

When did you first discover that you were a hilarious human being and that you wanted to make people laugh for a living?

I stole the microphone at a swim team awards ceremony when I was about 9 years old. I did a big speech making fun of the coach and my parents and killed. It was over.

What was your first paid gig in comedy? And were there any sort of lessons learned from this experience that still affects your work to date?

Barnabys in New Hampshire. I was paid $10 to drive about 90 minutes and do 10 minutes opening for Mike Donovan. I still have that bill in a photo album in my room. Learned that I could get paid and that it didn’t matter how much when I first started. It mattered that I had made progress and it was addictive. I kept wanting to get to the next level for about 25 years. The last five I’m just where I want to be. Balance has been achieved.

We always like to ask touring comedians (back when that was a thing) about the performing in the “fly over states”. I am curious to know what some places happen to be wonderful for comedy that some people may not expect? In your experience, where do you love to perform the most?

The further away the better. Fargo ND was one of the most fun shows I’ve ever done. I was snowed in at a college and we decided to add another show because we couldn’t fit everybody.

I was pretty bummed when the HBO series Crashing was criminally cut short, but still remain grateful that it was ever put out into the world. You worked extensively on the show as a writer and producer, and are credited on some of favorite episodes. So, what was it that drew you to work on the show?

I’d known Pete and Judd Apatow for a while and they just approached me at a comedy club and asked me if I was interested. I started 2 days later. I love writing on shows that are built around a comedian because they know what they want and you speak the same language

Another question that we always like to ask our statue holding guest is this: Where do you keep your Emmy’s? And does their physical location hold any sort of significance to you personally?

I have 3 in my office way up on a top shelf where they are rarely seen. The other is in my mother’s house in Florida. She holds it when she watches the Emmys every year. I don’t have the heart to tell her it is a Daytime Emmy. Let her drink and enjoy

If you were handed the opportunity to put out a series, with a limitless budget, about any legendary figure in American history, who would it be?

Lyndon B Johnson. I have read all four of the Robert Caro biographies on him and he is a true badass. He used to sit on the toilet while meeting with foreign dignitaries. A real Texan who pulled coalitions together in the senate that were brilliantly orchestrated. Stayed with JFK’s civil rights act knowing it was somebody else’s project and he wouldn’t get sole credit. That is rare in modern politics. He was deeply flawed but had conviction.

Can you tell us a bit about your podcast you co-host alongside the great Alison Rosin known as Childish. How did the concept for the show develop, and how has the experience been thus far?

I did not want to do it. I didn’t think I could take on the extra responsibility. Took Alison a year to convince me but now that we are doing it I look forward to talking to her for an hour every week. She is a joy and so talented.

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

I started a 3rd podcast when the pandemic started called Sunday Papers. It is a weekly roundup of the news that we read section by section out of the Sunday paper. I do it with Mike Gibbons who is my best friend and has created or run shows like Tosh.O, The Great Indoors, Sports Show with Norm McDonald, The Burn w. Jeff Ross, Showbiz Show w/ David Spade and Between 2 Ferns.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

I am a 54 year old man who is addicted to TikTok. Cannot get enough of fat people falling down and rednecks totaling dirt bikes. It is like AFV without the annoying host from Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

To check out Greg’s three wonderful podcasts, and to see where he is on the road once the world is seeing straight again, visit GREGFITZSIMMONS.COM

Bernard Robichaud [Interview]

Happy Friday, Folks! Today we have some wonderful words from an even more wonderful actor that you all surely know and love already. It’s Bernard Robichaud! Fans of the insanely popular series Trailer Park Boys, which has been disturbing the silver screen, especially on Netflix, with their frantic endeavors geared to make you laugh at the absurd, you will recognize him as one of the biggest foes of the Boys themselves, that motherfucker Cyrus. TPB fans will unite around that the fact that anytime Robichaud comes on screen, hilarity is sure to ensue.

Of course, Cyrus is a personification of a bad man in a wild world. And Bernard could not be a nicer person in real life. He was kind enough to take some time out of his schedule to share a few words with us, so obviously he is a very generous person, right? We are so excited to have Bernard grace our digital pages today, and share a bit of his personal life with us and how he is holding up in these insane times.

So Folks, please enjoy some wonderful words from the great Bernard Robichaud!

******

What was it that first inspired you to get into the world of performance?
Was it something you had wanted to do since your youth, or did you happen to find yourself in this world one day?

It just happened through a series of events that made me realize I needed a better way to express myself than what I had been doing. That would’ve probably ended very badly for me as a person. So it was the right decision.

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any sort of lessons learned from this experience that still impacts your work to this day?

First paid gig, In Becky’s Name, – lessons, be prepared not just for your lines and the development of your character, but for never listening to anyone but the writer and director, and what they want. There are those that will try and sabotage you, not that that happened, but you don’t need to listen to anyone else. You did your homework, and you’ve made choices, go with those unless otherwise directed, and listen to your heart.

For close to 20 years, you have portrayed the beloved character of Cyrus on the insanely popular series Trailer Park Boys. I am curious to know what drew you to this role? What was it about the role of Cyrus that made you want to take it on?

Well, I would take on any role, and I auditioned for it. Yes, I was asked and considered for it, but it wasn’t a given. I grew up in a similar neighbourhood, with similar people every day as a boy, and those experiences I drew from, I believe, made the character and certainly my audition what it was, and I guess the rest is history.

If you were handed the opportunity to portray any legendary figure in Canadian history, who would it be?

Sir William Pearce Howland; one of the fathers of confederation. One of the men noted to have helped the confederation of Canada in 1867, or Hewitt Bernard, or Louis Riel, who were instrumental in bringing Canada together as we know it.

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

I have several projects in development at the moment, and a script I am presently reading based on a true story. But that’s’ all I can say, between NDA’s I generally don’t discuss anything until the ink is dry, I don’t want to jinx anything.

Where can people find you on the Internet? What is your preferred social media choice?

Lol, I think they can find me anywhere, IMDB, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Cameo for a quick video, or text message. Those links can all be found on my website https://www.BernardRobichaud.com

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Waking up this morning and seeing my Happy Easter notes, and my stepdaughter’s Shorgie I’m taking care of while she’s back in Canada Covid-19.

Titus Paar [Interview]

Hello Folks! Today we have a wonderful interview to share with you all with the brilliant Swedish born filmmaker Titus Paar. Titus has created some wonderful work, especially in the world of action and adventure films. He has directed the likes of Steven Seagal, documented the living world of ancient tribes that most of us probably didn’t even know existed, and re-invented the idea of filming the era of the Vikings, as well as so much more. He is a powerhouse of a filmmaker and a visual mastermind in the world of cinema. We are so excited to have him grace our digital pages to provide a much needed relief from the insane times and events that re surrounding us lately.

So, Folks, please enjoy this wonderful interview with the great Titus Paar!

******

When did you first realize that you wanted to work in the world of entertainment? Was it something you have wanted to do since your youth, or was it something that you just sort of fell into?

I was born with a very strong visual mind and have always seen everything in angles and cuts with big storys. Can’t shut it off. Started in the playground with me directing my friends to go out on my big adventures that could stretch weeks.

Then I started acting around the age of 6 and found my passion for theater. At the age of 12 I realized I wanted to star in movies and become the next Arnold (didn’t happen) but I also realised I lived out in the Swedish wilderness with no connections so…

I started making my own movies where I was the leading man and it grew from there. It lead me into making my feature debut at the age of only 15 and became the youngest filmmaker in Scandinavian history to make a theatrical feature.

So I’ve been doing this since before I can remember, natural born filmmaker. I try to stay true to that kid as much as a I can and remember the magic of seeing moves at that young age.

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any sort of lessons learned from this experience that still affects your work to date?

I was 8 and played Mowgli in The Jungle Book in a play (there were not a huge amount of Indian boys in Sweden, hence the white washing casting of me). It was great, we where on a tour and I made the money that I was able to fund my first film with.

You were recently kind enough to make me privy to a truly wonderful short film entitled Legend of Dark Rider that I absolutely LOVED. Can you tell our readers a bit about this project? And can we expect to hear more about the Dark Rider in the future?

Thanks, Man. Yeah that one is dear to me. I wanted to make a grand old tale based on a world I spent 8 years creating. A mix of everything I loved and I didn’t care if anyone else liked it, just needed to make something I got a kick out of. So I funded this short that also works as a pilot of the first 20 min of a feature .

I wanted to make a bloody barbarian movie in snow landscape, with a elements of Black Metal, Japanese story telling, Viking Folklore and with a story that is thoughtful and not just a guy with muscles trying to save the world/sexy woman.

We actually made this short for only 8k and it was the film that took me to Hollywood. Won 16 best film awards that year and was praised by people like John Carpenter, Anthony Hopkins and Dolph Lundgren.

Check it out HERE for free.

If you were handed the opportunity to create the biopic of any legendary figure in world history, who would it be?

It´s not what I usually do, I´m more into creating my own world with my own set of rules. If you do a bio pic you are very locked in to the real world and real events that you have to respect.

BUT after my experience with the Kogi tribe and my love for a good western. I´m really keen to do a good movie or limited series about Sitting Bull.

There hasen’t been a good one, a true portrayal of the man. Done with real natives in their own language told through his conversations when he had become a circus act to his only friend Annie Oakley as he is reminiscing of his life. That’s a good foundation.

I think it has to be done by an outsider, there is to much pride and things at stake for a native director to tell that story and too much stigma and bad blood for a US director. I think I could make an interesting objective portrayal and find the man behind the legend and sprinkle it with some movie magic and poetry.

I’d like that. I just make movie I want to see that doesn’t exist, always as a fan of film.

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

I´m in post on Fear of the Woods, a film about bear hunters in Alaska set in the 90s. A monster movie in the sprit on Spielberg. You know when there is a story and characters that are so interesting the film would be good even if you take out the beast crashing the party.

I’ve been wanting to make this film since I saw the anime Silver Fang for the first time when I was like 6. So 30 year later here we are, staying true to the kid.

Follow us on FACEBOOK

Nick Powell [Interview]

Hello, Folks! And welcome back to another week of wonderful showcases here at Trainwreck’d Society. We kicked off the weekend last Friday with a great interview from an absolute legend in the world of stunts. And, well, we enjoyed it so much, I thought why not have at it again? That’s right Folks, we have yet another legendary figure from the world of stunts, and a cat who happens to be a filmmaker in his own right, as the evolution seems to happen. It’s Nick Powell, Everyone!

There has been quite a bit of talk over the years about the fact that stunt work is not celebrated at all in regards to the film world’s highest “honor”, which would be the Oscars. The art of creating realistic and appealing stunts is just that – an art. And it’s absolutely criminal that it is not showcasing to those outside of the world itself as to show just how important of an art it truly is. And it is suffice to say that should the Academy retroactively celebrate one pioneer of the industry, it would be Nick Powell. Not only has Nick worked on some of the finest action/adventure films of all time, he has worked on some of the finest FILMS of all time. This includes Best Picture winners like Braveheart and Gladiator. These films were celebrated for their cinematic achievement. Well, what was one of the most compelling aspects of these films? That’s right, the stunt work. So what is the deal?

Beyond the world of stunts, Powell is also an accomplished filmmaker. As we discuss below, thanks to some incredible research by our friend Chris Eaves which we will be sharing soon, Powell holds the distinction of being only 1 of 2 filmmakers who have worked with screen legend Nicolas Cage on more than one occasion. Check out his wonderful responses below for more details.

So Folks, please enjoy some wonderful words from the legendary Nick Powell!

******

What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment? Was it something that you had yearned to do since your youth, or did you just happen to find yourself in this world one day?

I was actually more into sports as a kid and played for a couple of 1st division schoolboy sides so I was very interested in becoming a footballer upon leaving school (soccer if you’re not from England) but was persuaded by careers teachers that I should get a ’solid career’ to fall back on in case it didn’t work out. As a naive 16 year old and maybe not being quite as skilled as I’d like to think I was, I  went to engineering college for two years where I trained and qualified as a design engineer.

At 18, engineering qualification in hand and not really having been active enough as a footballer to get scouted for a pro team, I had a place lined up to study for a masters in engineering at Sheffield University but really couldn’t see myself doing that for the rest of my life. One of the things I’d always loved the idea of was acting but where I came from it wasn’t really something you’d ever tell anyone about, at least not without risking being called a lot of very unflattering names. Anyway, having my university place already guaranteed I took the risk and, without telling anyone at home, I went down to London and auditioned at a couple of Drama Schools hoping that I could learn to be an actor. Maybe I could do well enough to get roles that would pay the bills whilst at the same time inspiring people or at least moving them emotionally the same way I was moved whilst watching a lot of movies as a kid. As I write this I realize just how naive it all sounds and what a long shot it really was.

Anyway, I was lucky enough to get accepted at a Drama school and studied acting for a couple of years. I did everything I could to get work after graduating and whilst I was actually one of the lucky ones and managed to find enough work in theatre and TV to pay the bills, just, it was always a hard slog. Whilst I was doing a theatre job I met a guy who was training to become a stunt man and he explained the requirements to get accepted on the British Stunt Register, it sounded like a lot of fun and even if I didn’t succeed I figured I’d learn a lot of things that might help in my acting career. After a couple of years of hard training I qualified as a probationary stunt man and what was intended to be the extra string to the acting bow gradually, over the next 6 or 7 years became the main string.

Stunt work was exciting and well paid, at least in comparison to a lot of the small theatre jobs I’d been doing so I’d take the stunt work over the acting and after being asked to choreograph all the fights and sword work on Braveheart, I figured I’d found what I was meant to do.

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any sort of lessons learned from this experience that still affects your work to date?

To be completely honest, I can’t recall the first few extremely minor jobs I had as an actor after graduation, I think they were in profit share theatre but the first real acting job I do remember was a small role in a BBC TV show The Diary of Anne Frank where I played ‘NSB Man’ with a few lines of dialogue (I think it was a year after I graduated) and I was extremely excited and happy to have gotten the role. I also played the role of Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island in theatre at the Edinburgh Playhouse around the same time and recall one of the actors in the show was a friend from the same drama school I went to and who I and everyone else thought was probably the most likely to succeed, he was a standout at the school and I followed his career which didn’t go very far which was a real shame as he was so talented. I learned from that that it’s not always the most talented people that are successful.

Early in your career, you worked on the stunts for one of my favorite films of all time, which would be the incredible Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. I am such a fan boy of this film, and I have to ask how your experience was working on this project. And while you were making it, did you have any idea that you were making the finest depiction of Robin Hood that would ever exist?

When I was working on it, Robin Hood was just another job that I really enjoyed doing when I was starting out. I only had a few weeks work on it as a general stunt man, running around, climbing trees, sword fighting, shooting arrows, that kind of thing. So, no, I didn’t really know what we were making at that point but it was a real pleasure to be working in close proximity to Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman and it was around that time that I began thinking I was becoming a real stunt man. I’d done some work on the Tim Burton Batman movie a year or so before and I was doing a lot of television so things were starting to work out nicely for me at this point. Having the acting background was really helpful as I got a lot of work where directors wanted a stuntman that could act or an actor that could do his own stunts. It kind of kept the dream of one day going back to the theatre alive but unfortunately I never did get back there.

Whilst scrolling through your IMDb credits, I noticed that your first “credit” as a director is with the Nicolas Cage fronted action film Outcast, although you did quite a bit of work beyond the world of stunts prior to it. I am curious to know how this project changed things for you? How was your experience in taking on a project like this as your first role in the director’s chair?

Prior to Outcast I’d been approached to direct a few things – features and TV – but I’d had a lot of bad luck, either because of financing, timing or casting, none of them happened, although they had taken up a lot of time that I could have spent doing other jobs. That’s one of the things about directing, especially in the smaller independent world, you need to commit a lot of time prior to the movie actually happening so that takes you out of the running for things in the field you are already in, at least in my case anyhow. In fact, Outcast took over a year from when I agreed to direct it to actually going into pre production and lot’s of things changed dramatically from the time I said yes to when we started shooting including producer changes, script being rewritten, cast changes etc., etc., etc.

It was not exactly the experience I had hoped it would be as we started out making a movie for the world market and ended up making what was essentially a Chinese movie. I worked as hard as I could to maintain the initial vision that myself and the western producers had but it was essentially taken out of our hands. The main benefit I got from the project was that I realized I worked well with all the cast and I learned how to produce, direct and do a lot of other people’s jobs on the most insanely pressurized project I’ve ever been involved with.

Our dear friend, and resident film historian Chris Eaves, has noted that very few filmmakers have worked with Nicolas Cage more than once. You actually have, you did Outcast, more recently the film Primal. In fact, you are one of two. I am curious to know what you feel as though it is about your working relationship that led to a second outing? And what was it like meeting up with Cage for a second project as a director?

Continuing on from the response to your previous question, none of the western cast and crew had too great an experience on Outcast (for a variety of reasons) but I had developed relationships with the actors and crew whereby they all realized they could trust me and that given the right project and circumstances wanted to work with me again. Nick was especially supportive, and after we had finished on Outcast and realized it was not what we had hoped for he said he’d love to do something with me again under better circumstances. I was sent the script to Primal and immediately thought that Nick would be great for the lead. I reached out to him and within a few days he was onboard. As seems normal from my experience on these sort of projects, depending on producers I’m sure, once again it took a long time to get the project realized. From when Nick said yes it took almost a year before we started shooting. The benefit of working together for a second time is that the sense of trust between us has grown and Nick and I get on even better than before, he is a consummate professional and we have chatted about doing something else together at some point in the future.

If you were handed the opportunity to create the biopic of any legendary figure in world history, in any period, who would it be?

Of course, in the vein of Gladiator and Braveheart etc I’d love to helm a large scale battle pic such as a Genghis Khan movie. Especially since, having done quite a bit of study on the man, there are so many fascinating aspects to his general life story besides the battle elements. I think there are great stories to be told from some of the rock and roll legends such as Mick Jagger, David Bowie and the like whilst I’d love to take on more cerebral characters such as Freud or Jung as well.

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

I’m in the process of putting together a vampire love story very much influenced by Shakespeare with a lot of anachronistic steampunk type visual references that I’m hoping to shoot in Cuba later this year. Things are coming together as I write and if all goes well I hope we will have a complete picture ready for festivals next spring. I’ve also been approached to shoot a strong female led action project early next year that I’m really looking forward to as well.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My daughter a few minutes ago who is having trouble with her braces, now, in the middle of the coronavirus shut down I can’t get her an appointment and might have to have a go at adjusting her braces myself, not something I have a clue how to do. you’ve got to laugh!

Lauro David Chartrand-DelValle [Interview]

Hello Everyone! And a happy Friday to you all. For those who are still looking forward to it…it’s the weekend! So, that can be exciting. Speaking of exciting, today’s guest is an absolute legend in the world of excitement in the world of cinema. It’s Lauro David Chartland-DelValle! Lauro is a filmmaker and legendary stuntman. And when I say legendary, I really mean it. He has worked on some of the biggest projects that you know and love. We get into many of them in the questions below, as well has in a truly fascinating photo gallery that Lauro was kind enough to share with us.

But, some of the projects that aren’t mentioned happen to also involved some close friends of ours here at TWS. For example: 2018’s Predator (co-written by Fred Dekker), I’ll Be Home For Christmas (co-written by Harris Goldberg), Mr. Magoo (co-written by Pat Proft), and Masterminds (directed by Roger Christian). And that is just me scrolling through IMDb taking mental note! Seriously Folks, from Jackie Chan flicks to the Indiana Jones franchise, to horror/thriller films from the greats like Tobe Hooper or Christopher Nolan, there is hardly a genre that Lauro hasn’t performed his magic in. He became a full on director a couple of years ago, which he will discuss below, and has some wonderful stuff in the works that we are all very excited about.

And as I alluded to earlier, Lauro was so kind to let us showcase and wonderful collection of behind the scenes shots he has done over the years. And we are oh so grateful that he did. Check them out at the end of the interview! Enjoy!

So without any further babbling on, please enjoy some wonderful words from legendary stunt man and filmmaker Lauro David Charland-DelValle!

******

JT Barnett [Interview]

Hello Everyone! If this is your first time stopping by to check out our digital pages, welcome! And welcome back to all of you fine regular readers. Today we have a pretty incredible interview to share with you all! If you have Netflix and/or eyes, you are probably already pretty familiar with the global phenomenon that has taken the internet by storm over the last couple of months. Which would be a little documentary series entitled The Tiger King. It’s a series that certainly didn’t escape our fascination, and I was personally excited about the prospect of gaining even just a bit more insight into the events that took place during the timeframe depicted in the series. And Folks, I feel like we have been given a wonderful opportunity to do just that. Our guest today is a creator who was highly involved in all things involving Joe Exotic and the GW Zoo. It’s producer JT Barnett, Everyone!

Barnett worked for a great deal of time on the original reality series based around the wild and fascinating times of Joe Exotic, creating some of the content that was featured in the Netflix series. He has also continued to work within the Tiger King world since the series was released. JT recently worked on a TMZ/Fox Tiger King investigative special. It aired on primetime this last Monday and is available on the Fox Now app. He gave us some wonderful insight into his time working at the GW zoo, the impact of The Tiger King since its release, and of course we talk a bit about his other work outside of the TK world, which includes an almost decade long stint working in the early days of reality television on the popular series Cheaters.

So Folks, I know you are all eager to get right into these questions, so how about we just jump right into it? Please enjoy some wonderful words from producer JT Barnett!

******

What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment? Was it something that you have wanted to do since your youth, or did you happen to find yourself in this world one day?

From a young age I was inspired to write. I became interested in photography later in life, another passion of mine. My father is a welder and his father was a watchmaker. I think that’s where I get the appeal to the technical side of camera work. I find comparisons in our craft as in a finely tuned watch. While I dabbled as a youth, I did found myself working at the age of 18 on what was a then new concept show, Cheaters.

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any sort of lessons learned from this experience that still affect your work to date?

My first gig was on the show Cheaters. I was introduced to Bobby Goldstein, the series EP, thru my friend Harold Helm. Back then, other than The Real World, there wasn’t any type of reality TV. Bobby Goldstein and Tommy Habeeb were the original founders of this concept. I started out as a PA, I got coffee and ran errands. I moved on to camera after awhile, then to field producing. I was trained by a great set of professionals. The lessons I learned from these men is invaluable. I learned the values of teamwork as well as how to work under pressure. The high stress, rapid production style of shooting this series would prove to be an excellent learning platform. The most valuable lesson I carry to this day is…. Filmmaking is a collaborative art, you are only as good as your team. 

You worked on Cheaters for close to a decade. I am curious to know what this experience was like? The show feels sort of dangerous in a way, so how was your experience getting this footage?

Some of the best days of my life were spent field producing this program. I will always be thankful for this time as it set me on my journey to today. While the show is reality TV, there were many instances when we were in dangerous situations. Anytime you’re dealing with people’s significant others or their emotions… it can get volatile. From busting people cheating in night clubs, to the street races and at fight nights… shooting this program was always an adventure. 

Now, I understand that you were a part of a recent phenomenon that the world can’t stop talking about, which would be The Tiger King. Can you tell our readers a bit about your experience working as a producer & photographer for the GW zoo and Joe Exotic’s original reality series? And making the infamous “I Saw a Tiger” video? How did you come to land this gig? And what was your takeaway from this experience?

I left Cheaters in 2009 to explore personal projects. A few years later I would meet Joe Exotic through a friend. He was working on a reality TV concept. I helped him develop this reality show and my role from the beginning was as a producer. In 2013 Jason Carbone’s production company, Good Clean Fun, took an interest in our show. I started working with GCF producers Matt Wrablik and Nick Lee on the concept. I field produced and directed the sizzle reel to Joe Exotic – The Tiger King. At the same time Danny Cotton started working with us as a producer and in marketing. He broke dozens of viral clips with millions of views. The sizzle pushed into pilot with A&E that summer. Tragically we were filming the pilot when Saf had the accident in October of 2013. This accident coupled with pressure from radical animal rights groups caused the network to back off. I continued on for many years after this, working as a consulting producer. I worked remotely and on site for a week or so at a time. I will always cherish this time. I also shot a lot of still & motion photography over the years with The Tiger King. I’m glad I was able to be at this place, during this time in the world, to capture these moments. 

In your opinion, as somebody who has been involved in the Tiger King world, how accurate would you say the series got it? Would you say that this is an accurate depiction?

I think Eric Goode, Rebecca Chaiklin and Chris Smith did a tremendous job on the docuseries. It paints a fair picture and brings some shocking discoveries to light. Although, everything the series does get right there are some discrepancies with the truth. Joe was not an animal abuser, I do not support or condone that. If he had exhibited that type of behavior, I wouldn’t have worked with him then, nor would I support him today. One big thing the series gets right is that Joe was setup. He was led down a path by con artists, railroaded by a biased judge and convicted in a failure of justice. I applaud the producers of the series for having the courage to present the facts they did. One massive inaccuracy in the series, is the story of the internet show producer. Rick’s story is largely fabricated and highly dramatized. He takes credit for trying to do something, we successfully did years before. In the end lots of great things in the series outweigh the inconsistencies. I’m happy the two main takeaways from the docuseries are: Joe was setup and Carole did it. 

Are you at all surprised by the reactions that people are having to Tiger King? Is it surreal to you, or does it all make sense? 

It has been a little surreal with all the attention. While we knew it was a hit when we were shooting the pilot 7 years ago, I don’t think we could have ever anticipated this concept would go on to be a #1 Netflix sensation. I think the program grew into something larger than anyone expected. While The Tiger King is an entertaining hit, I also think it’s the perfect storm of the world being quarantined and this program you can’t look away from.

Whilst scrolling through IMDb, I came cross a project you have in the works entitled Bound that is very intriguing, and will feature our dear friend of the site Tina Parker. Can you tell us a bit about this project? What should we be excited to see upon its release?

I haven’t been working with this team lately, although I did work with Guillermo years ago. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the pleasure of working with Tina Parker during this project.

Instead might I recommend the TMZ/Fox Tiger King investigative special. It aired on primetime this last Monday and is available on the Fox Now app. I was a consulting producer on this project and got the opportunity to work with Harvey Levin. (Thank you Danny Cotton for introducing me.) Harvey did an awesome job being fair and unbiased. If you liked Netflix’s Tiger King you should definitely check it out.

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

While I had my tenure in non-scripted, my passion lies in scripted works. I have a lot of great partners from New York to Texas. In NYC I’ve been working closely with veteran producer and partner Mark Lipsky. He’s producing my first feature film, The Scarecrow Bandits. We are also working on several other reasonably budgeted, independent films at WOF Entertainment. The Scarecrow Bandits is based loosely on actual events and written in conjunction with my longtime friend and collaborator Chris Pettie. The film currently stars Jason Mitchell as well as some other well-known talent. Back in Texas, I work with an excellent production team. I am partnered with executive producer Radio Rajeem on the Never Satisfied Studios in Dallas. Readers can follow me on all social platforms as @jtbarnett45. 

What was the last thing that made you smile?

I have several dogs and love animals. While my German Shepards brought a smile to my face today. The thing that makes me smile everyday is my son. I feel truly blessed to have him in my life and to be able to chase my dreams by doing something I love.

Check out some of JT’s original content via his own YouTube channel: