An aspiring actor in Detroit’s burgeoning entertainment community, Tynan has been hungrily seeking roles in local independent films as well as visiting productions from out of state since retiring from his duties as a full-time policeman.
Although a relative newcomer to the world of acting, Tynan has learned much in the last couple of years about the business of performing on screen. “It’s not all glamour and fanfare,” he laughs. “There’s a lot of hard work involved. It takes time to study your lines, come up with a character, and be prepared when you arrive on the set for shooting. Kids today think once you get a role on TV or in a movie, you’re done. But there’s a lot more to it.”
As the jaunty nightclub manager whose panache hides an agenda of his own in the upcoming “Midnight Hour” episode, “Mesmerized,” Tynan shows he has what it takes. “I play this good-time Charlie who is basically the host-wtih-the-most towards everybody, except the nightclub hypnotist. I give him a pretty hard time.” Tynan indeed comes across in the role, displaying a wide range of moods and effectively portraying his character in several memorable scenes.
One of the lessons Tynan has learned about performing is the value of good co-stars. In “Mesmerized,” he plays most of his scenes with noted character actor Jamie Wheatley. As murderous, drunken mesmerist “Droxton,” Wheatley’s Cagney-esque surliness gave Tynan plenty to work with. “He’s such a powerful actor,” Tynan says. “Very strong. I had my work cut out just keeping up with him!”
Filmed at Barnstormers in Whitmore Lake, “Mesmerized” provides Tynan with his second supporting role on “Midnight Hour.” Series fans may remember him as the sympathetic father in last summer’s smash hit, “June Bride.” “I’m glad they called me back,” he says. “If you want to get ahead in this business, you have to be there when they need you. And I was.”
Fans can enjoy John Tynan Jr.’s performance in “Mesmerized” Thursdays at midnight and Saturdays at 10:30pm on select Comcast and WOW! systems throughout March, 2010. See the Air Dates page for details.
BONUS: Watch the “FanZine” page for interviews with show-stopper Jamie Wheatley and others in the coming weeks.
Horror fans in metro Detroit are being “Mesmerized” this month on Thursday and Saturday nights. The latest episode of “Lee Martin’s The Midnight Hour” is the story of drunken, murderous former circus clown Droxton (Jamie Wheatley), who has obtained a new lease on life as a nightclub hypnotist while hiding from the law.
Camouflaged in startling black-and-white greasepaint, Droxton butts head with his nightclub manager boss (John Tynan, Jr), and various nightclub patrons (Curtis Lee Vest, Angela Roberts). But most of his antagonism is directed towards his sensuous assistant, Wan (Cindy Chu), who begins to suspect a connection between Droxton’s bizarre stage act and a series of brutal homicides in the towns where they play.
“We had so much fun shooting this,” says series creator Lee Martin. “Everyone did such a great job and morale on the set was very high.” Filmed at Lake Whitmore’s popular nightery, “Barnstormers,” the cast and crew had one of their most comfortable shoots.
“Filming a half-hour show in two days is a tall order for anyone,” continued Martin. “We shot ‘Mesmerized’ last December, and had to work fast on day two to make up for delays on day one. The hardest part was filming the opening murder scene with the saw. Orchestrating that whole sequence was a bear.”
Despite the delays, the team rallied on day two and got the production back on schedule. “Everyone brought their best game, and filming became a whirlwind,” says Martin.
Star Jamie Wheatley received top marks from his peers and crew on the set for a strong, vital performance. Tynan, Chu, Roberts, and Vest also shined and are enjoying the fruits of their labors while the episode cycles in re-runs throughout March.
“It’s a good show,” says Martin. “Because we have good people.”
“Midnight Hour” fans may remember an episode from the series’ first season involving a murderous, drunken clown who hacks the face of his employer off with a broken beer bottle—only to restore him to life with the aid of a mysterious carnival fortune teller.
“Die Laughing” was the episode, and Jamie Wheatley and Lauren Evans were the stars who brought it to life. Now Wheatley returns in a sequel episode entitled, “Mesmerized,” which airs this March. In it, Gus Evans has escaped from a mental institution and is traveling the nightclub circuit with a hypnosis act as “Droxton The Magnificent.” Despite the presence of his glamorous assistant, Wan (Cindy Chu), a former prostitute hiding from a murder wrap herself, success continues to elude this booze-swilling psycho. In “Mesmerized,” Droxton winds up with buckets of blood on his hands.
“When I saw ‘Die Laughing’ on TV I thought, ‘wow that turned out nice, maybe we can bring the character back,’” says Wheatley. “I love playing Gus/Droxton, regardless of how evil he is. Obviously both are the same person but Droxton represents Gus after he has spent time in a Psych Ward and has become this killer. In the first episode, Gus shows a human side after he kills his first victim. Droxton is numb to those feelings and is consumed with getting what he wants.”
Fans responded to Wheatley’s performance and a sequel was filmed in December. Currently in post production, early indicators are that Wheatley and “Midnight Hour” both have another hit on their hands. “I really think the dressing room scenes with John Tynan, Jr. and Cindy Chu came out well,” he says. “And I can’t wait to see the scene with myself and the DJ. That scene was added late in the process but it played really well.”
Although Wheatley’s performance in “Mesmerized” appears effortless, it was actually the result of heavy preparation and contemplation. “I love the character because I’ve known so many people in my life like that…alcohol brought about terrible depression and bitterness in them. The challenge was bringing that to life. I had the advantage of using sense memory from my experience with those people,” he says.
In “Mesmerized,” the gore factor has been increased, with a very graphic murder and other mayhem vividly portrayed by makeup guru Jason Hiltz, of Howling Mad Studios in Novi. Despite this, the episode stays faithful to the wicked, black comedy of its predecessor, “Die Laughing.” “I don’t ‘play’ comedy,” notes Wheatley. “Comedy comes out of the realistic interpretation of the actor and strong writing by the writer. The dark comedy in these stories comes from Lee Martin and his brilliant writing. My job was to live every moment as the reality we were creating on camera and that’s when the humor comes through.”
Although unquestionably Wheatley’s show, “Mesmerized” also features great performances by its supporting cast. “Cindy Chu is a popular actress right now around Metro Detroit and I was really happy when she was cast. I knew she would be excellent and she was. I hadn’t worked with Curtis Lee Vest before, but he brought great intensity to his performance. And of course John Tynan, Jr. was perfect as the nightclub manager. He’s like that in real life, too. The kind of guy you’d like to have a drink with and schmooze.”
Like everyone else, Jamie Wheatley will be watching “Mesmerized” in March with a keen eye. “I’m grateful to have had this opportunity,” he says. “I hope the fans enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed playing it!”
Fans of “Lee Martin’s Midnight Hour” have enjoyed a variety of graphic horrors during the macabre show’s first two seasons: Women with melting faces, housekeepers who gouge out their own eyes, chopstick-in-the-face murders and other treats. But what viewers may not realize is that these and other juicy effects come from the fiendish imagination of makeup guru Jason Hiltz, of Howling Mad Studios in Novi, Michigan.
“I became interested in FX makeup after I saw an FX stage show at Universal Studios in Florida when I was 12. When I saw the gunshot to the head effect, I was sold,” says Jason. “There was a store attached to the stage show that sold Woochie and Cinema Secrets make-up supplies. I spent all my money in there. When I got home I went to the library and checked out every book on makeup they had. Basically, I learned to do FX makeup on my own.”
As a child possessing the diabolical mind-set of an FX make-up artist, Jason wasted no time putting his new-found skills to practical use. “I used to do things to scare the adults. I’d make them think I was hurt with some kind of wound,” he laughs. As time went by and his expertise grew, Jason’s work became more elaborate. “The first thing I built that people really took notice of was a Halloween set up,” he says. “I made a prop table gag where it appeared that my body was on the table, with my stomach torn open, filled with candy. Kids had to reach into my ‘guts’ to get their treats.”
Since then, Jason has graduated to working on “Midnight Hour,” where his work fascinates and grosses out thousands of TV viewers. “I prepare for doing the makeup days in advance,” he says. “I pace the shop making sure I have everything I need. When the actor is finally in my chair, I try to prep them by making small talk and keeping things light to put them at ease. Sometimes it blows up in my face though, some actors start talking too much and they won’t hold still!”
As Jason’s effects have become more elaborate, so have the challenges. “I wouldn’t say that anything about FX is really easy. But it does get simpler to do things as you repeat processes. The hardest thing is waiting for a mold to cure, praying it all comes out good and you won’t need to start over from the beginning.”
Like all of Michigan’s aspiring talent, Jason has his eye on the future. “My dream project would be to do a zombie film with a good budget. Lots of bullet hits, gut munching and tons of principal zombies with full prosthetics,” he says. “Ultimately, I just want to make FX work pay the bills. I would like to move into a larger shop and start pulling projects with large budgets. I don’t need to be famous or rich, I just want to do what I love. FX is the kind of job you never want to retire from!”
With talent and drive like his, we don’t see how he can miss.
Watch for Jason’s gory work in the upcoming “Midnight Hour” episodes, “Harley Returns,” “Bed and Breakfast,” “Daddy’s Little Girl,” “Toby’s Room,” “Queen Bee” and the third season premiere episode, “Prisoner of Love.”
In Michigan’s limited pool of thespian talent, several names stand out as obvious, star-class performers: Vikki Gasko, Jamie Wheatley, Melissa Anschutz, Jeff Kotlarz, Jaclyn Wells and others. But most of the Wolverine state’s producers and directors haven’t heard of Curtis Lee Vest—yet!
Since late 2009, Curtis has hit the local film scene with both guns blazing. “I’ve always been intrigued with acting and the entertainment business,” he says. “I was a strange kid in that I was always doing character voices… I got in trouble in school for day dreaming about being the voice behind cartoons and recreating those characters I saw on TV!” Life took Curtis in other directions, but he never lost his fascination with show-biz. “I never realized that the resources to pursue this were available to me. Around the time the Michigan Tax Incentive deal went through, I started applying around town as a movie extra. I went to a couple of gigs, met a lot of great people, asked a ton of questions and went from there.”
In August of 2009, Curtis contacted Great Lakes Cinema and was given an appointment. Impressing “Midnight Hour” producers with his immediate understanding of dialogue and character, Curtis quickly out-distanced the competition and was given a significant supporting role in “Diary of a Mantis,” airing in February. As sex-starved, drunken sleazebag “Ervin,” Curtis became the quintessential protagonist and a perfect foil for star Jaclyn Wells. His energy onscreen is palpable: “I get an adrenaline rush when I know the camera is rolling, I feel like if I don’t give it my all then, I have wasted everyone’s time including the viewers. So I just go to a different place in my mind, its like the camera isn’t even there anymore.”
The show’s producers were so impressed with the “daily’s” they asked Curtis back the very next month—a rare occurrence on “Midnight Hour.” “I haven’t seen myself on TV yet. I am my own worst critic, so I don’t anticipate it much,” he laughs. “But I want to make people feel something.” Viewers are guaranteed to feel something in Curtis’s scenes in the show, some of which involved harrowing makeup effects created by Jason Hiltz, of Howling Mad Studios in Novi.
Since his two guest spots on “Midnight Hour,” Curtis has moved on to other shows, other films. “My main goal is to take care of my family, then to act in a major motion picture. I like to be surrounded by positive people, who keep life moving forward. I am not content unless I am busy. Satisfaction comes from progress,” he says. With his eye on the future, Curtis has found a new world of possibility opening up before him. Of the people who support his quest, he says: “My wife is a huge morale booster. My Father has also been a great help. He was very stern when I was a child, making sure I knew the world wasn’t perfect, so I wouldn’t let setbacks get me down. He taught me to work hard for whatever it is that you want.”
In Curtis’ case, the hard work is already beginning to pay off.
Enjoy Curtis Lee Vest and other top talent in “Diary of a Mantis” every Thursday at midnight and Saturday at 10:30pm throughout February on select Comcast and WOW! systems. See the Air Dates page for details.
Michigan native Jaclyn Wells shines in February’s new episode, “Diary of a Mantis.” As unlucky Anita, Jaclyn vividly portrays one woman’s descent into blood-drenched tragedy. While her fist (but not last, we hope) gig on “Lee Martin’s Midnight Hour” brings Jaclyn to a new audience, she is in fact a veteran of many local productions.
“I started as a techie in high school drama and my senior year I got involved in monologue forensics,” says Jaclyn. “I took several college classes and did a couple plays, acting and crew. Soon after I got a job on a children’s television show, filming two seasons for PBS and TBN in 75 live performances. In January, 2009, I started taking acting workshops and got involved in several film shorts, doing both acting and crew.”
Like so many rising stars, Jaclyn credits hard work and the support of family and friends with her success. “My mom has been my biggest supporter my whole life, with my husband backing me since we met…they are my best friends,” she says. “Mom has no problem helping me out and also telling me where I need to improve, she is my sound board and we have a super close bond. My husband, Michael and I do everything we can to help each take on projects and achieve what we each want out of life together.”
For the engrossing “Diary of a Mantis,” Jaclyn spent months developing her portrayal of “Anita.” Once on set, she relied on the show’s production team for support. “Working on ‘Mantis’ was SOOO much fun,” she laughs. “It was such a comfortable environment and we all got along great, really having fun. Lee Martin was calm, compassionate and encouraging; he gave me a lot of freedom to express how I felt I should be as Anita, and worked with me on character to further along each scene. He is an amazing director AND writer, and is just as intense and intriguing as his scripts.
Dazzling the crew with their excellent character portrayals, Jaclyn and Vikki Gasko were greeted with a burst of applause from crew members when wrapping their scenes. As Jaclyn remembers, “Vikki Gasko was marvelous to play off of in each scene with her straight forward, no-nonsense charm. She really did give me someone to look up to as Anita and as an actor.”
As is always the case, locations donated by local homeowners and businesses made all the difference to the shoot. “Eric Tuchelske spent a lot of time preparing his house for us. And the Dawghouse Bar in Clinton Township allowed the production to come in on a Sunday to film. The extras (including John and Ryan Tynan) were all great. We had so much fun laughing and teasing, it was so hard to be ‘offended’ by them!”
Those who have seen “Diary of a Mantis” all agree that Jaclyn did a terrific job. “I love acting and performing, and when I have a solid grasp on who I am I don’t even see the camera or anything else that isn’t real to my characters world. I don’t feel nervous at all and really enjoying acting,” she says.
For Jaclyn Wells, the love of acting certainly makes a difference. You can see the “love” yourself Thursdays at midnight and Saturdays at 10:30pm throughout February on select Comcast and WOW! stations. See the Air Dates page for details.
Between takes on this month’s episode, “Curse of Willow Lake,” we spent a few minutes chatting with actress Francesca Omilian, who co-stars as the bipolar wife of lecherous serial killer Cliff Crawford. A realist who combines down-to-earth sensibility with idealism, Francesca effectively portrayed “Katrina” in the episode.
“Growing up as a child I used to love to make everyone laugh. Then in high school, I took a drama class and really got the acting bug. I guess I loved being the center of attention,” she laughs. “When Hollywood ‘discovered’ Michigan, I decided to make this a full-time career.”
A full time wife and mother, Francesca had a unique perspective on her character’s motives, and the show’s storyline in general. “I have learned you CAN be a teenager’s friend without pulling out the ‘parental advice’ card. Talking and listening are the key factors in any relationship and more so in the foster parent relationship. It can easily become a power struggle if one side doesn’t LISTEN to what the other side is trying to explain or request,” she says. “I took this role hoping that what comes out this show will help a mother and step-daughter in this situation some how, some way.”
While on the “Midnight Hour” set, Francesca earned top marks for her professionalism. Despite hours of shooting in freezing temperatures in a venue that denied the production access to heat, water or bathroom facilities, Francesca stayed positive. She credits her co-stars with giving her the strength to stick it out. “Robert Maples is a great actor and was a huge support aid. We met several times to do read-throughs which helped me understand my character better. ‘Katrina’ lives in her own little bubble and is not aware of what is happening around her. For me the challenge was showing her bubble blow up they way it did. Alice Gandee is beautiful and talented. She made it so easy to fight and yell at her!”
With “Curse of Willow Lake” under her belt, Francesca is ready to take on the next challenge. “A lot of great things are coming up in 2010, like feature films and commercials. I’m also working with a lot of great actors in study groups and soon I will be trying my hand in improve!”
You can watch Francesca’s bubble burst for yourself Thursdays at midnight and Saturdays at 10:30pm on greater Detroit Comcast & WOW! stations throughout January. See the Air Dates page for details.
Fans of Michigan’s first homegrown dramatic TV series have enjoyed a succession of “scream queens” during the show’s first two seasons. One of the newest is Alice Gandee, star of January’s “Curse of Willow Lake.” A veteran of several local independent shorts and features, Alice brings a sharp, natural talent and methodical preparation to her screen performances.
“I’ve been acting all my life,” she says. “When I was a little girl I would pretend to be the characters from my favorite movies. I even memorized the whole scene when donkey first meets Shrek from the movie ’Shrek.’ I still know it to this day!” A college student by day with an avid interest in photography, Alice attributes her vivid characterizations to hard work and study. “There’s no substitute for repetition and empathy when you’re getting ready to play someone in a film,” she says. “You just have to put your time in. But it shows onscreen, so it’s worth it.”
As a teenage foster child without a friend in “Willow Lake,” Alice’s character is torn between the sleazy advances of her foster father and telling the truth to her foster mother. “The scenes are really creepy,” she laughs. “You never think of yourself being in that situation. That’s why I played ’Nikki’ as such a strong character. You would need to be strong to deal with that.”
In the true spirit of thespian camraderie, Alice credits her co-stars in the episode with some great support. “Robert (Maples) and Francesca (Omilian) are very good actors. When you work with people that are that prepared, it makes things go a lot smoother. Plus, we had a lot of fun between takes. I was actually cracking up with Robert around a bonfire during the last night of the shoot. He is so funny and a great guy.”
As will happen with top talent, Alice has been invited back by the show’s producers to make additional appearances, most notably in the upcoming second-season finale, “Queen Bee.” “Keep watching,“ she says, “Tell everyone about this great show. The best is yet to come!”
With its a great cast headed by horror diva Gandee, “Willow Lake” showcases Maples talent as a character actor.
“A dear friend of mine got me started in modeling,” he says. “She helped me find a photographer, agent, and then got me my first audition. What I wasn’t aware of was that the audition was going to be filmed and I choked in front of the camera! So, I started taking acting lessons and it just grew from there.”
As serial killer Crawford, Maples is nothing if not disturbing. “It took me almost three months of preparation to pull off that character. It was simply a mind set I had to find to make it work,” he says.
The story chronicles the Crawford’s dysfunctional family life, as portrayed vividly in several sequences. One of these included Crawford’s inappropriate advances towards his foster daughter. “I prefer to develop a relationship with my co-stars before hand when doing tough scenes, but we didn’t have the chance. We were shooting the kitchen scene and Alice (Gandee) was totally in character. When she snapped at Cliff, it was REAL for her,” Maples laughs.
Like all character stories, the relationships and mutual respect between the cast are all-important. Maples recalls, “Franseca was great. We’d actually met a few times before the shoot and completely dove into the script. Alice was brought in at the last minute, so she and I didn’t have that opportunity. It really says a lot about her talent, that she could play her part so well, with so little time to prepare.”
As one of Michigan’s up-and-coming stars in the making, Robert W. Maples is keeping busy with film and television work in the coming months. “We are shooting the sequal to “The Deveils Locket” In January. I’ll also be doing some runway work and shooting a feature film around the end of the month. My goal is to continue to expand upon my character type and grow in my art,” he says.
You can enjoy the talented cast of “Curse of Willow Lake” Thursdays at midnight and Saturdays at 10:30pm on select Comcast and WOW! systems in January. See the Air Dates page for details.
GLC: Natalie, you’ve become one of Michigan’s most reliable “scream queens.” What kind of character do you play in your latest “Midnight Hour” episode?
NB: I had the amazing opportunity to play the role of Jennifer…a complete change from the roles I’ve done before on the show. Previously, my characters were quiet, kind-hearted victims. But Jennifer is nothing like that. She’s the selfish, mean-spirited, sarcastic, manipulative bee-yatch of the episode. She’s determined to get what she wants, and will stop at nothing to get it, even if it means committing a horrendous deed.
GLC: Sounds like fun! Did you identify with her at any point, or did you feel she was a total alien?
NB: Although Jennifer is one of the protagonists in this story—and I’m sure quite a few people will walk away hating her—I actually had some empathy for her. She’s intensely pained by the end of her relationship with Scott. I was able to relate with Jennifer in terms of her broken heart and the jealousy of seeing an ex with their new girlfriend. I think a lot of people can relate to these universal emotions. Of course, I would never take it to the next level, as Jennifer does, and stalk my ex or anything else she does in attempt to get him back! Her vindictive nature is definitely one of the differences between us. Also, Jennifer uses a lot of sarcasm and humor as a defense mechanism, to hide her pain, which I’m guilty of as well. I’ve never enjoyed showing emotion in front of others (other than in front of the camera), so I normally cover it up with jokes.
One interesting thing is, Jennifer is a nurse and believe it or not, so am I. Well, almost. I’m in my last year of a nursing program in college, which helped me understand some of her personality traits, such as her determination and stubbornness.
GLC: Wow, a real-life nurse playing a nurse. That’s what we call “reality TV!” So what was it like shooting this episode?
NB: This was definitely one of the best times I’ve had on set. The cast and crew were very friendly and so helpful. I think we all bonded through this unbelievable battle we had with the mosquitoes. We were filming in a wooded area with a beautiful river nearby, which turned out to be a mosquito-incubator. We were spraying ourselves and each other down with bug-spray constantly, but nothing could stop those little buggers! Still, everyone had such a great attitude and got along very well. In between scenes, there was a lot of laughing. It was very surprising though, because although we all joked around and had fun, everyone was still very professional. We all knew when it was time to buckle down and get serious. It was nice to be around people who knew how to balance work with play so well. One of my favorite moments was just before Amy (Richelle Leigh Walsh) sees the devil-worshipping father. I had to run up to Scott (Luke Richmond) and Richelle and was told just to improvise a conversation with him, so Richelle could fall behind. Once, I ran up absent-mindedly yelling, “Luke, Luke wait up! Luke!” He turned to me and said, “my NAME is Scott!” So, I started rambling on about how I had so many guys in my life, it was hard to keep track of all their names. I’m sure that would be a funny outtake!
GLC: That’s great. It seems like there’s always a lot of camaraderie on “Midnight Hour” sets. So what were your proudest moments shooting “Blood Sacrifice?”
NB: While we were filming the fight scene, people were telling Richelle and I that while Lee Martin, the director, was watching our scene in the monitor, he had a huge smile on his face. You know you’re doing something right, if the director is smiling at your footage! I’m very excited to see how that scene turns out.
GLC: Very cool! You said you really bonded well with your cast mates. What were they like to work with?
NB: The cast was so amazing! I had such a great time getting to know them and working with them all! Luke was hilarious. He was definitely the comedic relief during filming, playing pranks on set. At one point, we were filming in the woods in the middle of the night. It was pitch dark, to the point where you could barely see where you were stepping. And Luke decided to hide behind some bushes and while I was walking back to set, he jumped out at me and almost gave me a coronary! I know he also did that to Richelle. But I’ll get him back one of these days! Speaking of Richelle she is really sweet. She’s an amazing actress too, and I really enjoyed watching her scenes. She’s also incredibly brave. I’m pretty sure I almost hit her with the shovel a couple times while we were filming the fight scene. But she just kept on going, like a pro. Then there was Jeffrey Hart Peterson…I was so surprised to hear that he had just recently started film acting. He’s such a natural. He, as well as the rest of the crew, were also very patient with me. There’s this one scene where Jeff’s character opens up to Jennifer about his feelings towards her. We shot the scene towards the end of the day, and then everyone else went to work on one last scene before calling it a day. I wasn’t very pleased with my performance of the scene, and Jeff agreed to stay and shoot it once more. He was very generous about it, even though I’m sure he wanted to go home after a long day of filming. But, I really wanted the audience to see a different side of Jennifer, a softer side, which I thought this scene illustrated. It also involved a kiss, so of course the cast (mostly Luke) teased us the next day about really wanting to redo the scene, just because of the smooching involved.
GLC: Sounds like a great team you worked with! So now that “Blood Sacrifice” is in the can and on the air, what’s next for Natalie Baxter?
NB: Right now, I’m focused on graduating from nursing school! I’m also currently working on a short web series called “Vampirism Bites.” I’m hoping to start auditioning more in the future as well. I really miss it. Acting is just one of those things in my life, where after so long, I can barely stand not being in front of the camera. It’s definitely an addiction of mine!
GLC: Good for you! Well our time is just about up. Any final words for the fans watching you this December in “Blood Sacrifice?”
NB: Yes! Thank you for watching! I hope you enjoy the show as much as we enjoyed making it! And have a wonderful and safe holiday season!
You can see more of Natalie Baxter, including her notorious “cheese grater-in-the-face” scene, in other Midnight Hour episodes available on the DVD page.
Dork got the opportunity when he signed on with “Lee Martin’s The Midnight Hour” in September, 2008. “They were shooting an episode called, ‘Adam and Evil,’” he recalls. “They were looking for a farmhouse with a barn and plenty of woods, so I suggested my family’s place in Whitmore Lake. The rest is history.”
Dork’s story is typical of “Midnight Hour” production team members. “You’d be surprised how many of our most loyal volunteers just bumped into us,” says series creator Lee Martin. “We meet people through our castings and location searches and they wind up staying on as crew.”
Since joining the “family,” Dork has, like most of the show’s team members, worn many hats. “I started out as boom operator, then worked on continuity, as stage manager and finally alternate co-producer. Yeah it’s work, but it’s also fun. And it’s creative. Way more interesting than plugging away at your day job just to make ends meet,” he says.
“We have an open door policy here,” agrees Martin. “We love to give opportunities to people who really want them. We’ve learned that those are the most serious and tenacious of the bunch, which is what it takes to be successful.”
Opportunities certainly abound on the “Midnight Hour.” The show is currently recruiting additional editors, cinematographers, gaffers, and sound recordists to support the existing team. “We had a production meeting recently and decided that filming and the post-production process would move along faster with additional help. So we’ve opened the doors and are talking to anyone who’s interested,” Martin says.
Meanwhile, Dork balances his “Midnight Hour” work with a busy personal life—as a husband, father of three and full-time salesman. “Life’s just too short not to do what you love,” he says. “We have a blast every month filming each episode. And then having something to show for it, knowing thousands of people are watching and enjoying it…that’s a great feeling.”
You can enjoy Dave Dork’s work on the hit episode, “Portrait of Jadine,” as well as the upcoming “Curse of Willow Lake.” See the Air Dates page for details.
JP: Greg is a sad guy. I feel sorry for him. He wants Jennifer so much, but he is blinded by the fact that she still loves his brother Scott. I can relate to Greg when I think about the first girl I dated. I was blind to most things around me. I lost friends and ignored certain truths. Greg gets angry and jealous really quick. He snaps at his brother when the validity of his relationship to Jennifer comes up. He yells and runs away when Jennifer runs after Scott. That is definitely NOT me. I am usually mellow and easygoing.
Melissa Anschutz and Jeff Kotlarz in "Portrait of Jadine"
GLC: Melissa, what kind of a woman is “Jadine?”
MA: Oh my God…she is totally self-serving. Jadine is a woman who knows what she wants, gets it, and then purges the rest. She’s ruthless!
GLC: Did you identify with her in any particular way or did she remind you of anyone you know?
MA: Believe me, I’m nothing like Jadine in real life! But there were moments when I definitely understood her, especially in the sense that I too have been frantic to “fix” something. To be honest, there are a few real-life people that she reminded me of, which really helped me flesh out the character.
GLC: So what are the key differences between you and Jadine?
MA: Ha! There are a lot of them. For one thing, I don’t find my husband to be irritating…we’re happily married and fortunately don’t experience situations like the one that got Wallace and Jadine into so much trouble. I think the real problem with Jadine is she had the inability to look beyond herself. I hope I’m not like that!
GLC: What do you think of people who “can’t let go” of a spouse that is divorcing them?
MA: Honestly, I feel sorry for them. In the story you have poor Wallace creating all this havoc because he thinks he can hang on to somebody that has moved on. But of course it just never works like that.
GLC: “Wallace” is pretty vindictive and cruel in the show…how would you handle him in real life?
MA: With counseling and a good pharmacist! No, seriously, I most likely would have never married Wallace had I not been in love with him, which was where most of their issues arrived. Jadine was this bitchy gold-digger, totally different from my motives. I would have been more considerate of his love, even if it was misguided. That said, I wouldn’t necessarily have stayed in our loveless marriage.
GLC: “Wallace” was played by “Midnight Hour” vet Jeff Kotlarz. What was he like as a co-star?
MA: Wonderful!!! Jeff is an excellent actor, very considerate, and very professional. We played off each other so well, that was one of the pleasures of shooting this. We laughed a lot between takes too, which people would probably find weird…here we’re trying to kill each other on camera, then after we’d sit down with our coffee and crack up. He’s a great guy and I would be honored to work with him again.
GLC: What was the hardest part of filming the episode?
MA: Oh my God, the make-up, the make-up! Really, it was extensive. If you watch the show, you’ll see there were actually three different make-ups used, and some of them were incredibly involved. The prosthetics took a very long time to apply, and were difficult to maneuver around—you know, like trying to be expressive with your face while wearing a paper bag over your head. The real torture started with the final makeup. There was some chemical in the latex I was allergic to, and my face and eyes felt like they were on fire. But once it was on, it was on—we had to do the scene—so I hope the fans enjoy it, because a lot of that pain in the end was real!
GLC: Any message(s) for the fans watching you this weekend and in November on TV?
MA: Yes, I hope they have a happy and safe Halloween…and a huge “thank you” to them for watching! And be ready to be afraid—the writing in these tales will send shivers up your spine!
GLC: Renee, what type of woman do you play in “My Dreams of Blood?”
RM: I play Jennifer, the bitchy, self-centered, manipulative wife and mom – you know, the person you love to hate.
GLC: How did you come by the opportunity?
RM: I auditioned for the Midnight Hour back in February of 2009. They first cast me as an extra and then in June they asked if I would be interested in playing Jennifer in the “My Dreams of Blood” Episode. I was so pumped.
GLC: How did you feel about playing “Jennifer?” Did you identify with anything in particular?
RM: Gosh, it sounds awful to say that you identify with a self-centered manipulative individual; but truth be told I did identify with her to some extent. The show touches on some economic realities that many are facing now. My family and I did come close to personally experiencing what Jennifer and her family went through. While she may not be a good role model, Jennifer is pretty easy to understand: She tries to be strong, but just can’t shake loose of her resentment of how her other family members are making her life difficult. Her self-centeredness makes it difficult for her to see things from another’s perspective. In good times she is probably a fun person to be around but in bad she makes herself out to be the victim.
GLC: What were some of the challenges in preparing for and filming this episode?
RM: Honestly, trying to figure out what to wear!! I mean she is camping, but she is also a bit of a Diva and I didn’t visualize her getting her hands dirty…but then again she isn’t dizzy so she won’t be wearing a dress and high heels while camping. Finally, I just figured jeans and a T-shirt with a big purse that would look a little out of place camping would work. Another issue related to what to wear was the weather. It was amazing – the extreme change in weather over two days of shooting. The first day it was cold, cloudy and rained for hours; the second day was sunny and very hot.
GLC: What was it like on set? Did you have any particular support from anyone?
RM: I was very impressed with the professionalism of the cast and crew. Everyone worked well together and kicked out an episode faster than anything I have ever seen before. Each person was supportive in their own fashion.
GLC: What are your future goals? Are you pursuing acting full-time?
RM: I would love to be able to act full-time but at this juncture I would starve if it was all I did. Since the economy took its toll on our family business I am returning to school to learn Ultrasound Technology because it is portable and flexible. Meaning, I can do it in just about any city in the United States and there are various shifts available. This will allow me to continue working as an actor and still make ends meet – I don’t do the starving artist thing very well.
GLC: What did you learn from your guest spot on the show?
RM: That a well-oiled machine like “Lee Martin’s Midnight Hour” can put together a great episode in just two days. Prior to working with Lee’s team I had believed it took weeks to get a half hour worth of footage!
GLC: What advice do you have for novices who are considering acting as a profession?
RM: Research your dream and follow it because you love acting, not because you want to be rich and famous. A great statistic: the average PAID actor makes only $17,000 per year. If you can live well on $17,000 then by all means just act. However, if you are smart you will always have a plan B that involves college and a second career. Because at some point, even if you are the “star” who becomes rich and famous, there will be a time when you are no longer in demand – and the bills keep coming. That being said, I would suggest that novices audition every opportunity they get, act in some well-written Indie stuff for experience and treat everyone they meet with respect and kindness. It is a very small fledgling industry here in Michigan and a bad reputation can hurt your chances at success.
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We chatted briefly with Michael E. Kurowski, star of “My Dreams of Blood,” airing this month on “Lee Martin’s The Midnight Hour.” Here’s what he had to say about his experience on the show:
GLC: Michael, tell us about the role you played in the current episode of MH.
MK: I played a 15-year old boy named Jerry, who has been having these creepy dreams about a vampire-woman. Later, his dreams begin to come true.
GLC: How did you come by the opportunity?
MK: Well, my mother’s friend, Jamie Wheatley, was in a previous episode and he got me a reading with Lee Martin, the Director. I didn’t get that part. It was for an episode called, “Die Laughing,” but I think he might have liked my performance. Later, Lee said that there was an opening for a new part, and if I wanted it, I could have it.
GLC: How did you feel about the character, “Jerry?” Did you identify with anything about him in particular?
MK: I think “Jerry” was basically a younger version of myself; more innocent, curious, and kind-hearted. I felt that “Jerry” was basically a good kid who had some incredibly bad luck—being haunted.
GLC: What were some of the challenges in preparing for and filming this episode?
MK: Before filming, I was a little nervous. I thought that maybe I shouldn’t do it because I was doubting my acting—but luckily I went for it anyway. Then, during filming, there were other challenges—terrible rainstorms, fewer crew than they’d wanted, dogs barking in the background right in the middle of a scene….that was really annoying. And, of course, the mosquitos…I went through a ton of bugspray! While we were rained out I read books, and worked lines with the other actors, getting to know them a bit more—they were very interesting.
GLC: Speaking of the cast, what were they like to work with? Did you have any particular support from anyone?
MK: It was actually my mother who really pushed me through it! I was really tired half the time, it had been a busy summer. The rest of the cast was very fun to work with. I enjoyed working with them, they were easy to play off. I learned a lot about the business of being an actor, just by shmoozing with the cast between scenes.
GLC: What are your future goals? Are you pursuing acting full-time?
MK: I don’t expect to pursue it full time, but I hope to minor in theater in college, while majoring in something like business or communications. I’m not really sure yet—I’m only 15!
GLC: What did you learn from your experience on “Lee Martin’s Midnight Hour?”
MK: I learned a lot about the challenges and triumphs of acting in a horror show, especially one with a small cast. It was the first time that I got to do a lot of physical action on a set. I really enjoyed that part. Besides, I’d never had such a large role in a television production. Sometimes I would have to stay in a particular mood an entire day if I wanted to truly show a particular feeling. I’d have to practice it, think about it and live it, basically. I’d have to live this person’s feelings and emotions most of the time. That was very new for me. It was also great to see more of what really goes on behind the scenes in a TV show.
GLC: What advice do you have for novices who are considering acting as a profession?
MK: Well, I would say “Don’t lose hope!” I have many times. It’s not worth it if you do, because, well…it’s a downer. There are many auditions where I didn’t get the role and it made me feel as if I wasn’t a good actor, or wasn’t meant to do this. But you never know. Now I try not to dwell over auditions. I just go there, enjoy it, and hope for the best. I guess that would be my advice!
“My Dreams of Blood” airs every Thursday night at midnight and Saturday night at 10:30pm throughout October. Check the “Air Dates” page for details. If unavailable in your community, contact your local affiliate or cable company and ask for the show by name.
We sat down with Angela shortly after filming wrapped on the second-season premiere, “June Bride,” to talk about her experiences on set. Here’s what she had to say:
GLC: Angela, tell us about the role you played in “June Bride.”
AR: I played “Vanessa,” the prostitute girlfriend that just won’t go away. She was tough and sassy. I liked her.
GLC: What was it like shooting this episode and playing such a bad girl with such a vengeful heart?
AR: On the first day, we were shooting the murder scene. We thought the place was somewhat secluded, but half way into the shoot we discovered that there a was semi-truck tire repair wharehouse close by. Every time we would start filming, this very loud air compressor would start up. So we had to postpone filming until the next day. Which I was bit happy about, because I didn’t think I was on my A game that day. It gave me time regroup, come back the next day and KICK ASS!
GLC: Todd Malnar did another great makeup job on this episode. What was it like wearing the appliances all day?
AR: I’ve never worn latex prostherics before…so I didn’t know that I was allergic to them until it was too late. When you’re watching the third act, you’ll see that my eyes are all red & glassy. That’s not acting—that’s my eyes burning from the glue!
GLC: What kind of support did you have playing Vanessa?
AR: Lee was a huge help. He’s definitely an actor’s director. He knows what he wants & explains it vividly without being condescending. I would love to work with him again.
GLC: What are your long-term goals? What are you working on next?
AR: I just want to act. It’s what I love. In fact, it’s the reason I left my small town in Alabama. On the side, I host a rock music video countdown show, “Adrenaline” on spunetwork.com. Also, I have two feature films that will start production during late fall & winter this year.
GLC: That’s great! So what is your advice to show-biz newbies?
AR: This is an industry with LOTS of rejections. You have to have a thick skin and never take it personally. If you love this as much as I do, NEVER give up!
Michigan-based actor Jeff Kotlarz starred in two episodes of “Midnight Hour” (one yet to air) and sat down with Great Lakes Cinema to chat about his experiences on the show:
Jeff Kotlarz
GLC: How did you get bitten by the acting bug?
JK: My older brother took a drama class in school and it looked like fun. I’ve been involved with acting off and on since High School.
GLC: Tell us about the role(s) you’ve played on the show.
JK: I’ve actually been in two episodes. In the first, I played an indifferent father in an episode called “Nightmare at Blood Manor.” The only challenge was shooting some scenes during bad weather. Other than that, I was lucky to work with three experienced actors named Vikki Gasko, Natalie Baxter, and Linda Crowder. We had a good crew and talented cast who came prepared.
GLC: Tell us about the “bad weather” challenges!
JK: “Nightmare at Blood Manor” was scheduled to shoot during the winter, and as luck would have it, there was a blizzard while we shot the episode. We filmed an interior car scene with the cast and crew jammed into an SUV that only had two-wheel drive. I was the driver who had the responsibility of keeping everyone alive while delivering my lines. It was a piece of cake!
GLC: You said you also did a second episode as well. Which one was that?
JK: Yes, I worked on another Midnight Hour episode entitled “Portrait of Jadine,” which will air during the month of October. The special effects in this episode are very good. It was another good experience for me working with a great crew and co-star Melissa Anschutz.
GLC: Jeff, there’s been a lot of press in Detroit recently about Michigan’s entertainment-industry aspirations. What’s your advice to local talent?
JK: I would encourage seasoned actors to consider getting involved with “The Midnight Hour.” Lee Martin is a terrific person to be around and he’s always looking for dedicated actors.
GLC: Any final thoughts for the fans?
JK: Glad you like the show and thanks for watching!
You can contact Jeff directly by visiting our “Guest Stars” page and logging in or registering for access.
We recently spoke with Phillip Hughes, star of “Night Winds” and the upcoming season-two premiere, “June Bride.” Here’s what he had to say about his experiences on the show and the acting scene in Michigan:
GLC: Phil, there are very few actors in Michigan. How did you get hooked?
PH: I was actually a singer long before I was ever an actor. Though I fancied myself able to act, I didn’t find myself doing too much of it until high school and then it was mostly in musicals. In my last year at Oakland University I finally auditioned for a play, which happened to be Romeo & Juliet. I loved it. After graduation I sought out opportunities in various community theater productions across Oakland county. Then for 14 years I stopped performing in public. Only since leaving Chrysler in 2008 have I now begun to act again, but now in front of a camera instead of on stage.
GLC: Tell us about your gigs on the “Midnight Hour” show.
PH: I first played the part of an abusive farmer husband whose wife serves up his just desserts in “Night Winds”. I’m not normally an angry kind of guy, so it was fun and at the same time challenging to play such a “bad guy”. Aside from that I found it a challenging task to tailor my performance for a camera rather than a live audience. And most recently, I just finished doing “June Bride”. I felt much more used to the cameras and was better able to focus on performance and getting into a more creative mindset, character and story-wise.
GLC: What was it like on the set of the show?
PH: Working with Midnight Hour was essentially my first experience acting on camera and a great one at that. I have to say I would welcome any opportunity to work with this crew — they’re so much fun! Personally, I found the sets to be professional yet relaxed, which I liked. I had fun meeting and working with all who were a part of it. In Night Winds, I was quite grateful to have actresses Anne Damman and Natalie Baxter around who were both already alumni of earlier Midnight Hour productions to learn from. And I was truly impressed with Natalie who actually physically dragged my 220 pound carcass across linoleum and gravel with greater ease than I would ever have imagined possible. In June Bride, we had a group of actors who were having their first Midnight Hour experience, so I felt grateful to be in a position to share my knowledge with them from working on the first one.
GLC: What other gigs have you been working on recently?
PH: Throughout May and June of 2009 I was lucky enough to be the stand in for Ray Stevenson for a major motion picture being filmed in Detroit called The Irishman. I worked for 31 days on this project and feel great about it. Though I was not required to act, per se, I found it inspiring and educational to be in close proximity to such great actors as Ray, Val Kilmer, Christopher Walken, and Vincent D’Onofrio. Just watching them gave me a greater appreciation of the work required to produce great drama and hopefully I learned a skill or two that I will retain for use in future acting opportunities.
GLC: As a veteran of Detroit’s first and only dramatic TV series, what advice do you have for Michigan actors?
PH: One opinion I might offer them is that while it is important to learn your lines, recitation is not acting. All scripted dialogue is conversation that needs to be real in the moment. It’s give and take between actors. Listening and responding to the actor(s) you work with can open unsuspected creative doors. In the moments in front of a camera you can truly explore a scene and create something fun, new and different.
GLC: What would you like to say to the fans who watch you on TV or on DVD?
PH: I’m glad you have enjoyed The Midnight Hour. Please support this Detroit production and others by your continued viewership and by spreading a positive word about the great things you’ve seen. The hard-working folks who labor to produce creative and entertaining local programs thank you.
You can contact Phil by visiting our “Guest Stars” page and logging in or registering for access.
We recently spoke with the cast of “The Devil’s Locket,” the July episode of “Midnight Hour,” currently airing on Comcast 52 & WOW! 18 in greater Detroit . Robert W. Maples, Caitlyn Jan Megel Stone and Chloe McDole (“Kelly”) had this to say:
GLC: “The Devil’s Locket” is one of the most heavily viewed episodes of the series to date. What was it like creating this in just two days?
CJMS: The hardest part for me was being so mean to “Kelly.” I’m not like that in real life, especially to kids!
RWM: Yeah, that was hard for me, too, especially where I was supposed to threaten to hit her in the car. Chloe, the actress who played Kelly, and I rehearsed that scene beforehand—hours, in fact—but we had fun and between takes we laughed a lot.
CM: That car scene was hardest. I was supposed to cry but I couldn’t because we kept laughing when we weren’t filming.
GLC: Chloe, what was it like working with the doll? Did it scare you?
CM: It was creepy but fun. Getting chased around by the doll took a long time. We went all over the house and up & down the stairs. I thought it would be easy but I got really tired! Then I had to fight the doll at the top of the stairs and throw him off me. I was afraid of breaking it, ‘cause it was so old. But I wasn’t afraid. Everyone was really nice to me between takes.
GLC: This is a scary, harrowing episode to watch. Was it scary when you were filming it?
CJMS: We actually had some pretty funny moments between takes. When we were filming the part where I’m breaking up the ice with the pick, we tried to do a low-angle through a piece of glass. When we started shooting, the ice went flying everywhere like confetti!
RWM: There was another part, where I drag “Kelly” out of the house. Caitlyn and I worked something out but forgot to tell Chloe, the actress. When I slammed the door in her face and then yanked her out by the arm, the look she gave me was priceless.
GLC: What have you each got planned for the near future?
CM: I want to keep acting in really good stories. I like being an extra also, but don’t like to miss school to act.
CJMS: I’m currently involved in a feature film project and advanced classes that keep me busy. But I’m taking it one day at a time.
RWM: I want to continue to grow and learn. I enjoy playing the bad guy, or villain, but also am looking forward to showing my “nicer” side on screen!
GLC: You three have achieved something many local actors hope for but never get—the chance to star in a popular TV show. What would you like to say to your fans this month?
CJMS: I would just say, “thank you so much and I hope you enjoy it!”
RWM: Same here. The viewers are the customers and we actors have to deliver. So I welcome people’s feedback.
CM: Yeah, thank you! Keep watching “Lee Martin’s Midnight Hour,” and don’t do anything at home we do on TV. It’s fake!
You can enjoy Chloe, Robert and Caitlyn’s performance every Thursday at midnight and Saturday at 10:30pm on Comcast 52 & WOW! 18 during the month of July.
Alecia McGill
GLC: Alecia, you play the lead in MH’s season-one finale, “Daughter of the Damned,” airing this August. How did you happen to find yourself on this TV show?
AM: I saw a posting for the audition at Specs Howard and was super excited about going. I was almost last in line and they were just about to close up shop and they let me in. Of course, I was jazzed when they said I’d be the lead in an upcoming episode. I’m so glad I went!
GLC: What other work have you done in this area?
AM: Well, as far as thriller/horror I worked on a Twizted video earlier this year (Psychopathic records) and had a bloody good time! I’m the bloody dead girl in the bed with Twizted! As far as acting, I’ve worked on one feature film as the lead character and three students films as leads or principle roles.
GLC: What was it like working on the first-season finale episode?
AM: It was truly AMAZING! The crew was so professional, everyone from Lee himself to the PA’s. I had such a blast and hope to do it again in season two!
GLC: What is the next step in your career? Any future plans?
AM: Well I’m working on getting my name out there and putting together a DEMO reel of clips from productions I’ve been blessed to be a part in. I’m currently working with a few agencies and am patiently waiting for that big break. All these baby steps are setting me up for what I know will happen for me one day. In the meantime, I’m having fun day by day!
GLC: What advice do you have for actors who are just staring out in Michigan?
AM: The most important aspect of your career is proper training and education. If you aren’t prepared at being the best you can, don’t waste your time going to an audition. If you put yourself out there unprepared, people will not take you seriously in the future. There are many acting studios popping up with Michigan’s tax incentive, so there’s no excuse for not signing up with an acting school. In my opinion, the Dramatic Arts Studio in Ferndale with Christopher Bondy is a GREAT place to start.
GLC: What would you like to say to the fans who will be watching the episode on TV this August?
AM: Well, I learned a new word—novena—which is a series of prayers. And we are the most diverse Midnight Hour cast so far, with people from five continents represented! Also, look for a surprise when I meet my biological father. All I can say is that it will be a very short reunion! Finally, I hope you enjoy the season finale of Lee Martin’s Midnight Hour as much as I did!
You can see Alecia and her co-stars Thursdays at midnight and Saturdays at 10:30pm this August.
Ken Schrader
GLC: Ken, you’ve been with MH since February, 2009. What brought you to the show?
KS: I saw the posting for the editor position on Craig’s List and I applied for it. Although I didn’t get the job, I had talked quite a bit with Lee and I had gotten a good look at the show on the My Space page (The Website wasn’t up at this point). I saw some really good things happening there and I really wanted to be a part of it.
GLC: What other work have you done in this area?
KS: I worked for a while as the Videographer for a local all rescue dog agility and flyball team. I also worked for a local television show called “Flix&Pix” that aired on WB20 here in Detroit.
GLC: What was it like working on the first-season finale episode?
KS: It was pretty funny, the pace at which the schedule runs, I wasn’t even aware that it was the first season Finale until the second day into the shoot. At that time it was still just business as usual. We’ve got a show to do and its got to be the best damn thing we can put in the can. It’s like that every time because you’re only as good as your last show. Afterwards via emails we were all like “Wow, that’s a wrap on the first season…Amazing.”
GLC: What is the next step in your career? Any future plans?
KS: I’d like to transition to doing films, docs, and television full time. I’m also writing a feature of my own that I’d love to make happen.
GLC: As a veteran of the midwest’s only dramatic TV series, what is your advice to others with aspirations like yours?
KS: This is going to sound so cliché but here goes: “Get up. Get out and do something. Anything. Just get out there. No one is going to come to you. School is nice but it’s a controlled environment. I graduated from both Specs-Howard and Eastern Michigan University and in neither place did they teach me how to shoot in the dark…in the rain…in a cramped space with barely enough room for the camera let alone anyone operating it, hanging out the back of a moving truck, ankle deep in what might be poison ivy. Get outdoors and pay attention to things like the wind and the position of the sun. The real world isn’t just a metaphor for the business…it is all those little things that will impact (for both good or ill) your finished product. Get used to dealing with them. Better yet, anticipate them and position yourself to either maximize or minimize their impact. That’s the real education, and when you can handle yourself well in situations like that…the folks you’re working with will both appreciate it and remember it…and then maybe people will start coming to you…but don’t rely on it. Always keep honing your skills and looking for the next project that will let your push yourself.
GLC: What would you like to say to the fans who will be watching the episode on TV this August?
KS: I really hope you enjoy the show. That’s my take on it. At the end of the day, all I really want to hear is that people had a great time watching.
You can reach Ken by visiting our “About Us” page and logging in or registering.
Cindy Chu
GLC: What brought you to “The Midnight Hour” TV show?
CC: I’ve always loved shows like “Tales from the Crypt,” “Monsters” and “The Twilight Zone,” and I had always wanted to be a part of a project like this, so it was a no-brainer. When I saw the audition postings, I made sure I was there! And who wouldn’t want to play a vampire at least once in their life?
GLC: What other work have you done in this area?
CC: I was lucky enough to be picked as one of 10 women to be Derby Hopefuls in “Whip It!” From that 10, 2 of us were picked to also be Hot Tamales, a background derby team who wins a match against the Hurl Scouts, the team that includes Ellen Page’s character. I’ve also grown up doing theater in Grosse Pointe, including a one-act play that went to the International Thespian Festival in 2001. I’ve trained with Second City comedians. I played a Queen in Ionesco’s “Exit the King” last fall for the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, as part of their studio series. And the most recent project aside from the finale episode for MH was an independent short film based on “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe. My director, Bryan Hopkins, is a graduate of Michigan’s Motion Picture Institute (MPI) and he got an amazing team together to shoot this story. The short, titled “Qing Lou Nu”, will premiere also in August, the same month as this finale episode, so August will be an exciting month for me.
GLC: What was it like working on the first-season finale episode?
CC: It was an awesome experience. Everyone was so nice and dedicated, and I always love meeting more people in the industry who share the same passion for it. We were all there because we wanted to be. The shooting went pretty smoothly, for the most part. There were some dents that needed to be punched out of a car at one point, and as the set vampire I stepped up—heh heh.
GLC: What is the next step in your career? Any future plans?
CC: I really want to make this my career path. I’ve always known I wanted to be in the performance arts, and I’m so glad I have been able to work on some amazing independent projects. My next step is to get a good reel put together. Perhaps one day soon you’ll see me on the big-screen and be proud to say you’ve known me or worked with me!
GLC: As a veteran of the midwest’s only dramatic TV series, what is your advice to others with aspirations like yours?
CC: Always follow your dreams, listen to your heart. Don’t settle for less! Even if you can make it a hobby, always keep your passions in your life. If you are doing something you love, it’ll make your life so much better. I’m so glad I decided to apply to be an extra for “Whip It!” I hadn’t done any major performing since high school, and it really reawakened the dream within me and gave me a goal to strive for. After that gig, I auditioned for the play, then did the short film and this. I haven’t had so much fun since high school, when performing was an every day part of my life with theater and show choir. I’m glad to have it back in my life, and I can only hope that I still have far to go in this field, and that I will be able to make a living doing this.
GLC: What would you like to say to the fans who will be watching the episode on TV this August?
CC: I hope you all enjoy our episode and please don’t be scared of me! I’m really nice in real life, I promise I don’t bite!
You can see Cindy’s fang-tastic performance every week in August (see Air Dates page for details). To send fan e-mail, visit the “Guest Stars” page and sign in or register for access.
Natalie Baxter
GLC: Natalie, how did you get interested in acting and how long have you been performing in Michigan?
NB: I got interested in acting in 4th or 5th grade, when a friend and I would grab my parents’ video camera and shoot short movies with my Barbie’s and pretend to do our own talk shows. I’ve been in love with performing ever since. I started performing in front of an actual crowd though in high school. I was a total theater geek! The school theater was my home away from home. And my theater teacher was a second mom to me. I was about 15 when I started the switch from theater to films.
GLC: What kind of role did you play on the “Midnight Hour” show? What were the challenges?
NB: My first role was in the episode “Nightmare at Blood Manor.” I played Patty, the daughter. One of the challenges for me, was that I came onto the cast a week before shooting. So it was definitely a challenge to prepare. But thankfully, “Blood Manor” was the script that was provided for the audition I attended for the show. When I read the character before the audition, I loved her! So, thankfully I had a pretty good idea of the character already and some of the lines still memorized. It was definitely a prayer answered when Lee called me to ask me to fill in.
GLC: Do you have any funny or interesting anecdotes from the shoot?
NB: I have so many great memories of every shoot I’ve done with Lee. The cast and crew were a blast to work with each time. But, I would say one of my all-time favorite memories would be during the “Night Winds” shoot. Lee and Dave were trying to figure a way to safely have me pull Phil (who played my husband) across the yard. Me being the tom-boy that I am who likes to play it tough, decided to show my Hulk-like-strength by pulling him all by myself! So we shot the scene that way. Thankfully when it was Phil’s turn to have his close up, Lee was helping me pull him. But by the time we got to the barn, I thought I was going to pass out! It was a great time though. I got to enjoy some compliments about my “strength” from the cast and crew for awhile!
GLC: What shows or films are you working on now or in the near future?
NB: Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to audition lately, because of school. I’m studying to be a registered nurse, and nursing school does not give you a lot of time for anything but studying! However, I’m looking forward to starting the audition process again, now that I have some time off for summer, and I’ve heard the second year of the program is not as time-consuming as the first.
GLC: As a veteran of Detroit’s first and only dramatic TV series, what advice do you have for Michigan actors?
NB: Practice, practice, practice! Acting is no different from any other skill. Even if you’re not working on preparing for an audition or project at the moment; work on lines from movies or TV shows in front of your mirror. Or even better, grab a video camera and hold mock auditions for yourself.
GLC: What would you like to say to the fans who watch you on TV or on DVD?
NB: Thanks for watching!
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