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Wayne Alan Harold
Killing with Comedy: An Interview with Wayne Alan Harold
by Allen RichardsWayne Alan Harold is a filmmaker who lives in northeastern Ohio. In the 90s, he co-created the cult flicks "Killer Nerd," "Bride of Killer Nerd" and "Girlfriends," produced most of Toby Radloff's MTV segments and churned out over 300 local television commercials. In the new millennium, he resurfaced with “Townies,” a critically-acclaimed, self-described “Magnum Opus of CineTrash.”
Wayne has just completed a documentary called “Genuine Nerd” which profiles his friend and “cult movie muse” Toby Radloff (of “American Splendor” fame). He is currently working on another documentary—this one on acclaimed comics illustrator P. Craig Russell—and gearing up to finish off another dark comedy called “Aberration Boulevard.” He and Toby are currently podcasting a weekly talk/comedy show called The Lurid Lounge.
Allen R. - The stock question, "why film"?
Wayne H. - It can't be matched for sheer appeal. I could hand someone a novel that I wrote and they''d say, "Cool," then chuck it away after reading a few pages. You hand someone a movie that you made, and they''re gonna watch it--even if it sucks!
AR - I'm not so sure of that. Personally, I'm quick to turn things off before the 10 minute mark, even movies make by good friends. How do you keep the people interested even if they don't like the movie?
WH - If you make it like a car wreck, then they have to peek!
AR - How did you get started making movies?
WH - When I was a kid I did the standard playing around with the Super 8 movie camera. Nothing too much in the way of anything narrative. I mainly shot footage of my dogs and pet chickens! In my senior year of high school, only three people signed up for the last period art class. The art teacher was a nice, but naive, guy. Me and a buddy talked him out of canceling the class (that would have meant study hall) and into letting us do an ""Individual Investigation"" into filmmaking. We both had Super 8 cameras and it basically gave us an excuse to run around for an hour a day, shooting mannequin legs sticking out of the boys' restroom toilet. I kid you not. Those Super 8 cameras were great "hall passes."
I majored in Telecommunications at Kent State, but took Filmmaking as a "Field of Concentration." The professor was Richard Myers, who has a good rep as an underground/art filmmaker. He wasn't all that into narrative film styes and at the time I didn't think that I was learning anything, but looking back, he taught me some very important things. Whenever I'm editing, I still hear his voice in my head saying "When in doubt--cut it out!" It's the best advice that a film editor can get.
After college, my high school filmmaking buddy (he had a degree in Business) and I started a video production company. We gave it a go for six years, doing umpteen local cable commercials and industrial videos. Along the way, we met Toby Radloff the ""Genuine Nerd"", did some segments for MTV and drifted into "Z" filmmaking with KILLER NERD, BRIDE OF KILLER NERD and GIRLFRIENDS.
AR - Is GIRLFRIENDS feminist cinema or pure exploitation?
WH - It's an unholy combo of both!
AR - What themes were you trying to convey with the movie?
WH - Slasher/serial killer movies are generally pretty misogynist - just wanted to do a comedic flip side of that.
AR - How do you think the movie works as a whole?
WH - I'd like to reshoot it, but Lori (Scarlett) and Nina (Angeloff) are pretty irreplacable. A few scenes - like the hillbilly on the toilet - still shock even me.
AR - You had a production partner during the filming of GIRLFRIENDS, how did that work out for you?
WH - We got on well, but I don't think it's a good idea to do it. Too many Chiefs and not enough Indians.
AR - How did you end up working with Toby Radloff?
I met Toby at a comic book convention in Cleveland in the late 80s. I remembered seeing him on MTV. He told me that MTV wanted to do more segments with him, but was having trouble justifying the cost of flying a video crew down from New York to shoot them. I was fresh out of Kent State and had the video production company, so it was good timing for both of us. We shot a sample segment with Toby talking about the decline of the drive-in movie theater, edited it and sent it off to MTV. They loved it and put it on the WEEK IN ROCK.
After that, we did a number of Toby segments that aired on MTV on a semi-monthly basis. They basically consisted of Toby discussing different topics, all filtered through his uniquely nerdy perspective. Some folks thought that he had an "act" going--ala Pee Wee Herman, but that's not the case. People meet him in person and say, "Wow--he really is a nerd!"
AR - How did your professional relationship grow into a personal one?
WH - He's just a great guy! Eccentric, but then again, so am I, so we hit it off. We've been traveling a bit, doing a dual lecture and screenings at various colleges - we know each other so well that we''re like an old married couple! LOL
AR - Could you expand upon the lectures?
WH - Toby and I have done a few "dual lectures"--he talks about his life as the "Genuine Nerd," AMERICAN SPLENDOR, MTV, KILLER NERD and TOWNIES, etc., then I talk about making low-budget flicks, being "too dumb to die" in regards to the cancer, etc. We talk about our friendship and working relationship and Toby sings a few songs. Then we screen TOWNIES and the GENUINE NERD documentary. General wackiness. Again, our "schtick" from The Lurid Lounge podcast has helped lead to these--folks seem to like our weird dynamic. We're available for appearances and we put on a good show. We'll also wash your car for you if it really needs it.
AR - How did the KILLER NERD series come about?
WH - Add the desire to make a flick, the realization that horror genre was the easiest way to break in and the fact that Toby was our greatest asset . . . and you get KILLER NERD.
AR - Could you have done it without Toby?
WH - Not all all. In fact, we never would have even thought of it without Toby being there first.
AR - What is Toby like to work with?
WH - I like nothing better than it just being, me, Toby and the video camera.
AR - How well does he take direction?
WH - Very well, because he trusts me. I keep things light and relaxed and that's how he likes it. I''m also quick, so he doesn't have to wait around, which keeps him from getting fatigued. He knows that I look out for him and that I'd never put him in harms' way. I would also never let anyone fuck with him.
AR - How many boxes of White Castle do you need to purchase before Toby will show up on set?
WH - Actually, we usually do pizzas! I spent $20 on our White Castle shoot for the documentary, though. Toby and I pigged out and it made me kind of sick. Unfortunately, I don''t share his enthusiasm for White Castle.
AR - Jokes aside, I once asked you how your friendship/working relationship with Toby works, whether you used him as a tool/gimick the way John Waters or Ed Wood Jr. used unusal people or whether it's a genuine friendship. Your sometimes gonzo portrayal of the man leaves one to wonder.
WH - Privately, we're very close--he considers me to be one of his best friends and I feel the same way about him. Publically, we have a certain "schtick' that we have to do. I'm the "Nerd Wrangler" and I know exactly how to get Toby wound up. I know what to ask him and where to steer him to entertain folks. We''re totally comfortable with one another. I "get" everything about him and know how he thinks. He is an eccentric, but that's something to be celebrated. I'm an eccentric, too.
AR - Troma is notorious for undermining the filmmaker during the distribution process. What were your experiences with them like?
WH - They get the flicks out there, but you're probably not going to get rich. However, they are very up front about that. I've hung out with Lloyd at conventions and he's a great guy. Most low-budget filmmakers think they're going to get rich overnight then blame folks like Troma when it doesn't happen. There are a lot of unrealistic expectations from the folks at this level.
AR - Why so long between BRIDE OF THE KILLER NERD and TOWNIES?
WH - Basically, I wanted to wait until the technology was there so that it was possible to do the flicks without pouring a ton of dough into things. As soon as Apple came out with their blue & white G3 with built-in FireWire, I was ready for Freddie. I remember the days of analog video editing and I don''t miss them a bit. The Filmlook process alone for the KILLER NERD flicks was about seven grand apiece. Now it can be done on the computer or even right in the camera if you''ve got one of those swanky 24p numbers.
AR - TOWNIES expands upon your need to reveal unusual and odd characters on screen. Where does this need come from?
WH - I'm just not interested in well-adjusted, handsome folks. I'm fairly well-known for taking things over the line, even in my personal life. I like to disturb folks and gross them out. I'm all about inappropriateness and poking fun at convention. Hard to believe that I turn 40 in November--it's so sad. LOL
AR - TOWNIES has a different vibe then your previous work, it's much looser but at the same time it's much stronger narratively. What caused you to change your directorial style? Or do you feel that you have?
WH - Well, it was my first solo flick, so that would explain the difference. It's also probably a little TOO loose. ABERRATION BOULEVARD is in the same style, but the main characters have closer ties, so everything should hold together a bit better. And all three storylines collide in the end. And I mean that literally.
AR - Will we see the TOWNIES again?
TOWNIES RETURN is in the works, featuring "Dickie," "William" and "The Clapper" all living together at Aunt Sally's Boarding House. The story starts when they find Aunt Sally dead in her bed. It features a pulse-pounding action sequence where the Townies engage in a push-up contest . . . and none of them can even do one push-up. Take that, Jerry Bruckheimer!
AR - ABBERATION BLVD sounds like a continuation of previous themes dealing with social outcasts. What other themes do you try to convey with your work?
WH - The need to belong. The search for love. And squirrels.
AR- What can we expect from ABBERATION?
P. Craig Russell sniffing Lori Scarlett's feet, Jay Geldhoff wearing a pillowcase over his head and Toby Radloff getting "oral" from a mule. I smell Oscar!
AR - Why the shift to documentary filmmaking?
WH - Just for a change of pace. Also, since I'm friends with both of the subjects, both flicks seem to be a naturals. In Toby''s case I also have quite a bit of behind-the-scenes footage "in the can."
AR - Your two current documentaries center on men you have working relationships with, Toby and comicbook artist P. Craig Russel. Does knowing your subjects so intimately help or hinder the documentary process?
WH - It only helps. I'm not afraid to ask ‘em anything since I''m a real fucker. In turn, I''m not some "outsider" probing into their lives. We''re all comfortable.
AR - Can you remain objective?
WH - Usually--and if I can''t, I have a few folks around me whose opinion I respect. PCR, Jay Geldhof, Will Pfeifer and Mark Ricketts. These guys are all writers, artists and creators in addition to being drinking buddies and Lurid Pals.
AR - Has being a cancer survivor changed your outlook on moviemaking?
WH - Yeah--I want to make even more grim and disturbing movies! I've been through Hell but it hasn't tamed me. Before all of last year's crap I was an agnostic. Now, I'm an atheist.
I''m a three-time Cancer survivor. Twice from Lymphoma, once from Skin Cancer. I''m currently taking requests for a third Cancer.
AR - What can we expect from you in the future?
WH - GIRLFRIENDS on DVD, GENUINE NERD, THE ART OF P. CRAIG RUSSELL and ABERRATION BOULEVARD in 2005. MONSTER NERD in 2006. TOWNIES RETURN in 2007. I have a few novels and comics in me, too.
AR - J.R. Bookwalter once told me that he was envious of you and the freedom to go off and make whatever movie interests you. How would you respond to that?
WH - He should do the same--he''s one talented mo-fo!
AR - What advice can you give up and coming moviemakers?
WH - Don''t quit your day job!
Visit Wayne Harold at the official Lurid Films website.