If
you've ever engaged in a heated
debate about the level of acting
(or non-acting) in low budget
horror just pop in the DVD of
Christopher Alan Broadstone's
work and you will see three
performances that will positively
knock your knickers to your
knees. Tony Simmons stars in all
three of Mr. Broadstone's short
horror masterpieces - 'My Skin' ,
'Scream For Me' , and 'Human No
More'. The films are amazing and
a large part of that is the
result of Simmons' completely
believability in these three
divergent roles. He's simply one
of the finest and most mercurial
actors in horror (and I'm
assuming anywhere) that you'll
see. You've gotta wonder why this
guy isn't flooded with mainstream
offers - is he part of the
witness protection program and
eager to remain anonymous? Is he
shy? Does his agent suck? Is
Hollywood run by morons (no
comment)? I'm convinced it's only
a matter of time until this guy
busts through the fame membrane
and once he does back off Freddy
Krueger and Sir John Gielgud.
Tony is GRRRRRRRREAT. (For the
youngsters reading this that was
a reference to a Frosted Flakes
ad back in the dark ages!)
Anyway, the really GRRRRRRREAT
part is Tony Simmons is here for
an exclusive www.racksandrazors.com
interview. Hi Tony,
hope you are doing well. Can you
start everyone off at www.racksandrazors.com with a
quick visual and describe the
room where you are answering
these questions?
Whereas
my usual abode involves lounging
about a personal sized cell with
simply upholstered walls
(padded), smartly attired in a
tasteful, canvas, wraparound
blazer (strait-jacket), donning
iron ankle bracelets a little too
closely attached; today I find
myself sitting naked in a glass
house with a big pile of rocks at
my side.
I
am so impressed - I saw your
amazing acting in the 3
Christopher Alan Broadstone
shorts 'My Skin',
'Scream For Me', and 'Human
No More'. All are
horror, but all 3 are such
divergent roles - what part of a
character is the first thing you
put in place when it comes to
wrapping yourself around a role?
What
acting? Christopher Adam
Broadstone simply came by
wherever I was living at the time
and brought his camera and crew.
It was all improvisation based on
my temperament that day. That
said; please know that almost
everything I say is a lie, so
it's going to be difficult to get
a good interview outta my ass. If
you think it's tough, try being
me; I can't believe a thing I
think!
Actually, thank you for the
compliment. It really depends on
the project about how the
character kinda evolves.
Sometimes, it comes externally as
in the case of Death in My Skin.
Christopher Alice Broadstone had
a very specific look he was going
for. The emaciation, and
hairlessness and tatteredness.
The bird mask also helped define
qualities in the character. As
far as Madman in Scream For Me
was concerned, it really was a
matter of who could say and do
the things he does that created
this guy. He really is pretty
much out there for all to see. I
think he really does speak his
mind and that mind is just a
little off center. And then for
Human No More, Nemo is really
kinda similar to me, I think. It
was the most intimate and least
theatrical role.
How
did you first hook up with
writer/director/editor
Christopher Alan Broadstone?
I
met Broadstone outside an
elementary school where he was
selling crack cocaine and heroin,
we hit it off immediately. (I
very simply submitted my
headshot-resume to a casting
notice found in theatrical
publication called Back Stage
West (formerly Dramalogue).
Christopher Albert Broadstone
thought I had that leading man
quality that he was looking for,
I suppose and...)
Have
any Hollywood powers that be seen
you in these films, noticed the
awards you've received for your
performances at various
festivals, recognized the sheer
horrific power of your
performances (for me especially 'My
Skin') and thrown offers
at your feet?
No
one has seen anything I've ever
done except for friends who dread
the possibility of me saying
something like "Hey, check
out this new thing I worked
on!" Even my agent seems not
to know my fucking phone number!
It's a sad state of affairs.
Luckily, Black CAB Productions
has gotten some really good press
and feedback from the horror
community.
You play
Madman so convincingly in 'Scream
for Me'. What was the
first thing you wanted to get
down when it came to portraying a
rapist who rapes the man who
kills the woman he was intent on
raping? Not quite sure if that
made sense, but you know what I
mean.
I
think Madman simply believes in
the motto about making lemonade
when life gives you lemons. As an
actor, I figured that since we
only had one actor to work with
and if I was going to actually
kill him, I'd have to at least
have my lines down so we could
try and do it in one take.
Gabriel Sigal was such a talented
actor it was a little sad to have
to kill him during the filming of
that movie. Of course, with all
the competition in Hollywood
among actors, I suppose it really
was kind of a good thing. But
offing Lora Cunning ham really
was a waste. I mean she and I
probably wouldn't have been in
competition for that many roles.
Oh, well. An actor does what an
actor must do. The show must go
on, ya know!
I've
read in a previous interview that
you are a gay man. Me too! I must
ask -- was the portrayal of gay
sex (or at least male sodomy) as
a horror element in the film a
concern of yours?
Whereas
the violence that occurs can be
viewed in the context of sex, I
see it more as an alpha male
teaching a smaller male a lesson,
while at the same time getting a
semblance of his original intent.
And without a pretty girl on his
arm, or his fancy car to show
off, or a pocket full of cash to
impress, and of course, being
just little emotionally touched,
Madman uses his own technique in
communicating. Sometimes,
touching someone with steel can
get a point across the way a
limited vocabulary just can't do.
Although one has to admit that
Madman does have an eloquence all
his own!
And
I must hear what was running
through your mind when it came to
your amazing work as The Grim
Reaper in 'My Skin'?
While
working on My Skin, my biggest
concern was whether the lights
were catching the glistening
pools of limpid delights that are
my eyes. An actor really must
develop a good relationship with
the Director of Photography and
the lighting designer (as well as
makeup and hair) or else they
came make you look pretty
unattractive. Luckily, my
connections with those talented
individuals, allowed for me to
come across as handsome and
charming as I truly am in my
regular life. It was actually
long hours, hard work and a lot
of fun working on that movie.
Broadstone uses a very active
camera in his stuff so it can be
quite methodically choreographed
and timed. It was very theatrical
and over-the-top and allowed for
a bit of a ham-fest. There's
nothing like a ham-fest to bring
out the worst in an actor! Thank
you Christopher Agnes Broadstone!
What
was the main thing about Death
you were hoping to convey?
I
think anger and unbridled fury
were key elements. If you've ever
seen an angry bird going after a
cat that's attacked its nest, you
can almost see the rage on the
bird's face. Of course, birds
have pretty expressionless faces,
so maybe I'm projecting a little
bit. Maybe I should talk to my
therapist about this and not you.
Maybe, JUST MAYBE, this in none
of your goddamn business, thank
you very much! Next fucking
question!
Congrats
on your various honors for acting
in 'Human No More'.
What was the toughest part about
making that long monologue of the
detective so convincing without
being overwrought or boring?
In
all honesty, the monologue really
was all about the writing. Plus,
there was the director there to
pull me back if I was too big and
broad and loud. The words were
there. If the words hadn't said
something, it would have really
sucked. I will take this moment
to say that Christopher Alfred
Broadstone's writing really is
some good shit. When I first read
the Madman stuff, I fell in love
with his writing. That said,
please feel free to edit out what
I just said since this interview
is supposed to be about me and
not about that fucking asshole
Christopher Alex Broadstone!
Mr.
Broadstone is so skilled at
creating mood in the films. Is
that creepy finished product we
see on film apparent in a certain
creepiness during filming?
When
shooting, at least from my
perspective, there's not much
creepy about it. It's all
technical. Can the sound guy hear
what's going on? Is the makeup
right? Do I know my lines? Am I
in focus? Is the light catching
the glistening pools of limpid
delights that are my eyes?
However, I do know that when we
were shooting Scream For Me,
there were a couple of people in
the other room hearing some of
the dialogue who were creeped out
by what they heard. I am assuming
that they were creeped out by the
lines and not the crazed raving
of Christopher Edna Broadstone.
I'll note here that editing is
extremely important in
filmmaking. It's one of the
skills that Broadstone excels at.
Bad editing can really make some
good shit look terrible and the
reverse is also true. The general
public doesn't realize the huge
influence editing has on the
final film. What he does in the
editing process really makes a
movie.
Why
do you think you are so adept at
playing horror? What about it
makes it a unique challenge for
an actor?
Until
I met Christopher Elmo
Broadstone, I never worked in
horror. It's not a genre I'm that
knowledgeable of. I do think that
a lot of horror is theatrical and
creates a reality different than
your standard melodrama. And
therefore, bigger, hammier
performances are often needed. In
the same way that a lot of those
Star Trekkish TV shows often rely
on Shakespearean actors, horror
is another world that demands a
certain suspension of disbelief,
not unlike a stage performance.
Do
you have any other projects in
the offing you would care to tell
the www.racksandrazors.com readers
about?
In
a few days, I'll be doing some
work on a movie called Carnies
directed by Brian Corder of
ToxicShockTV.com. I'm actually
going to be a victim instead of
the more demented character. But,
it's still a hammy part, so it'll
be lots of fun. As long as they
can make sure to capture the
glistening pools of...
Okay
- we're pulling the car into the
Tony Simmons Drive In. What three
horror movies are going to be on
the triple bill?
Assuming
that Lucille Ball's performance
in Mame, although a horrific
moment in cinematic history, does
not particularly fall into the
category of horror, I would have
to say that my faves are the
original Dracula with Bela
Lugosi, the Sixth Sense, and
Rosemary's Baby. Whatever
Happened To Baby Jane? While not
normally considered traditional
horror is without a doubt a great
movie on so very many levels.
What
makes you go psycho in real life?
People
who wear too much cologne, people
who have cute cat collections,
and fundamentalists of any
religious belief, drive me
fucking nuts!
What
scares you in real life?
What
really scares me are former
beauty queens without a wrinkle
on their faces, cat eyes, lips
that look like unnaturally
swollen labia, cheeks like golf
balls, eyebrows that can't move,
and talons instead of hands!
Especially ones who tout beauty
tips. I'm also very frightened by
born-again Christians and
recovering alcoholics or addicts.
Practicing alcoholics are usually
a lot more fun. I know! Also,
looking in the mirror is a
frightening experience. There is
only so much denial in which I
can wallow.
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