D.J. PERRY

D.J. PERRY: IN THE MOVIES
1-Can you give me some history on you as an actor.
A-I guess like most want to be actors, I was struck at an early age with the desire to tell stories on screen. I was a somewhat shy kid and the make believe world provided an easy release. STAR WARS is what started it all out in 1977. I wanted to be Han Solo more than anything in this world. Soon after that MAD MAX created another role model for me and I have to say that those two actors (Ford & Gibson) along with the likes of Kurt Russell made up my childhood actors. Not a bad choice for a youngster and another note was that Tom Hanks was my favorite comedic tv actor. Again, not a bad choice. I use to make little camcorder movies in High School in place of book reports and final exams. Later at the community college I got involved with acting for tv and film and for 5 long years I suffered and landed only a few commercials, such as being the CHEVY S-10 SUPERTRUCK GUY, YEAH BUDDY! I also did industrials films almost always playing the bad guys. At 25 I got cast in my 1st movie and it has been one after another since then but I must say that I worked and continue to work my ass off! Not bad for a former party animal with little to no ambition. Ha! PS: Jack Daniels is NOT a good partner! :-)
2-Just a boy who followed his dream, eh?
A-Following has been no easy task. It is more like a crazed quest that seems like both a blessing and a curse. Don't let me fool ya, I love what I do.
3-Please tell us about your character in IN THE WOODS.
A-Good ole Alex Kerwood. I've had many discussions about Alex over the past few years. I really hate where the characters in a movie are all freaked out one moment and then perfectly normal the next. Alex is an everyday person like any one of us, who is dealing with normal everyday problems. IN THE WOODS doesn't even seem like a horror movie at first and I like that. Suddenly, everything turns on a dime and Alex is quite confused and his sanity degrades throughout the movie. I had someone say to me, "Do you feel that you ever overplayed the role?" My response is simple, how would you deal with encountering a 7 foot tall humanoid velosaraptor or a man eating devil dog? Alex is scared and confused and when the audience is confused so is Alex. The whole movie has the feeling of "how did I end up in this mess?" It is like Alex woke up and found himself in a horror movie. A few of the creature effects few slightly short but I acted as if Industrial Light & Magic or Rick Baker had constructed them because that was my job. I see Alex as an EVERYMAN thrown into a day where things just keep getting worse and worse. Most people may have wanted just a campy lead dancing through a bunch of scares and I think there is more there then that.
4-You bring up a good point. Some actors might have been inclined to go for a more "campy" angle. Was the decision to play it straight made from the very beginning?
A-I like humor that comes from the situation itself. It was a decision to play it straight and I decided to play it as if it was all real and taking place to an everyman. As if it had happen to someone sitting out there in tv land. That is how I tried to play it. Some people got it maybe some didn't but either way I think but the humor is there as well as the straight horror.
5-How did you prepare for the role?
A-I trained with the PORTAGE fire department and did a few ride alongs. Even Lynn Drzick, the director climbed a few ladders and carried a couple fire hoses up and down stairs. It was great fun and I learned a whole lot about life as a fireman. I had to do some deep thinking on marriage and drinking (field study) and aspects of the character that were different from myself.
6-How much of the character is you?
A- I would have to say about 50/50 maybe a bit more. Alex is a hot head and kinda rash. I'm a bit more ZEN in my actions. Alex is a go doer and so am I so maybe we meet there. Being married in the movie was something new since I've never been married before.
7-Did you take any of the character away with you?
A- I took away with me a collection of bruises, bumps, scratches and a few brain cells less. I did my own stunts and it was a very taxing role but I get off on that stuff!
8-How much of your input did the director allow?
A-Lynn was great about listening to input and sometimes we would use something and sometimes he would tell me that he would consider something. The latter meant no way, Jose! We are good friends and we would have many sessions of talking things through over coffee. We both LOVE coffee and he learned never to try to trick me with Decaf! I can TELL the difference! It is my only star demand, coffee. Although I usually bring my own to sets now, just in case! :-)
9-That's funny. Give it some time and you'll be asking for your wardrobe. You touch on something interesting, star demands. Many actors require that certain demands are met while on the set. Do you think they go over board on this?
A-Yes, as a producer as well I do think that demands can get a little bit out of hand. I mean I do like where I'm getting and some of the perks but like while we were shooting I slept on director Lynn Drzick's couch for 26 days plus. Everyone else had rooms and my wake up call was the caterers. It was great fun and I wouldn't change any of it. I also am a very non picky eater and very low key guy. Most directors like that about me, I'm an everyday Joe doing a job which happens to be making movies.
10-What was the production like?
A-It was a tough schedule and we really worked hard. It was like planning a 20-some day wedding and we really learned a whole lot! Four years of film school packed into one Summer month! The people were all great and that made everyday fun. The town gave us lots of P.R. on tv and in the papers so it made it fun to be about town. I'll always remember getting recognized at breakfast from being on the news. It is those little things that make it all worth while. NOTE: It is even cooler when strippers and the local establishment recognize you. Jim Gruelich (My Co-Star) and I had a blast! We had a pool to hang out by and all together it was a just a great Summer. I was doing what I always wanted to do. ACT!!
11-So you are now a local celebrity who strippers adore, I think you just motivated a few of my readers to take up acting. Did you expect that sort of notoriety on such a small film?
A- No, they say you can't be a prophet in your own town and even to this day in my home town I have trouble getting coverage but everywhere else has been great. We shot in the directors home town of Kalamazoo, Michigan. I did not expect the notoriety but I get stopped at least once a month by fans of the movie. It really is great fun!
12-How important is it to bond with your fellow cast and crew?
A- I believe it is very important to bond with your fellow cast and crew.. You are like a tribe on this storytelling quest. You become very close to these people over a very short span of time. It is very intense, very. Many have become great friends.
13-What can a director do to make the job easier for the actor?
A-Really get in there and give some direction. Just give good direction as to who & what is motivating a scene. Actors crave input so go ahead and give it. Actors will respect a director more who knows exactly what he wants before he steps on set so make sure that you know what you want to see before you get there. Actors do thier homework and so should directors!
14-What sort of input works best for you?
A- I'm really good at getting into the character's head. More now then even when i did "In The Woods" which was my 2nd film (I've done 20 now). I like the breakdown of what the camera is going to be doing. Blocking seems to help my the most along with a quick talk on how the director thinks the character is feeling at this point in the story and then you hash that about until you come up with a final answer, yes, that is my final answer.
15-What do you have instore for us in the future?
A-I have 8 movies coming out this year and I'm starting to shoot several more this year for next year. KNIGHT CHILLS, a horror/thriller www.knightchills.com will be heading to video stores very soon. FROM VENUS, a SciFi horror film, www.fromvenus-themovie.com , A Civil War story WICKED SPRING, www.wickedspring.com and www.lionheartfilmworks.com A wacky Mexican adventure with myself as the bad guy in TANGY GUACAMOLE, www.tangyguac.com, A couple of dramas HEAVEN'S NEIGHBOR'S, www.heavensneighbors.com and LOSING GRACE, www.losinggrace.com A pair of shorts, one a Korean War flick THE NEST and a 60's spy flick FLOCK are at some sites and festivals and will be coming out on DVD this year! I'm missing a few I know but my mind is slipping. This year I'm doing a couple of thrillers and even a romantic comedy, sorry horror fans. I've got several scripts I'm looking at and I'm being considered for a couple of studio projects as well. I will keep everybody informed.
17-Any idea on the release dates?
A- We have just started shopping for a distributor on KNIGHTCHILLS and TANGY GUACAMOLE I hear may premiere in L.A. on April 1st, watch the website. FROM VENUS, HEAVEN'S NEIGHBOR'S, LOSING GRACE and WICKED SPRING should make it out later this year.(2001)
17-Busy man. I take it you've made the leap to full time, professional actor as opposed to many struggling actors who are just part of the weekend only crowd. How hard for you was it before you got that first break? What was the Dues Paying like?
A- It took my 5 LONG years to get that first break and I've been lucky as the roles have come one after another since then. I'm still paying dues to get to the next level. I'm up for a few studio pictures and I have to keep struggling to try and rise above the indie pack. Not that indies are bad at all but getting into the larger indies is nice.
18-What advice can you give to struggling actors?
A-Be persistent and treat it as a business. A work ethic is what it is all about. It can be fun but it is no easy ride. Work begets work so get out there and earn those first few roles. Learn to take rejection because many times it isn't even your acting that gets you booted. The look, the age, politics, ect..ect...just keep at it if you really want it!
19-I agree completely. There was a recent interview with Juaquen Phoenix where he says that you can't take being turned down for a role personally. The director has a certain vision and not every actor meets that vision.
A- Yes, you can't take it personally. Sometimes you're too tall, short, fat, thin or you look too much like a brother then boyfriend. Any number of reasons to meet rejection. I just go with the flow, if I was meant to do a part, I'll get the part.