Greetings
valued Dan's Movie Report readers, today I have the distinct pleasure
of chatting with legendary actor William Forsythe. From working with
Sean Connery on 'The Rock' to independent films such as 'The Devil's
Rejects' and the upcoming 'Check Point', and a variety of high profile TV series,
Forsythe has carved out an amazing body of work full of unique and
interesting characters. Often truculent and unforgiving on screen,
William is a kind-hearted soul off screen, and takes time out of his
busy schedule to conduct this exclusive interview. Enough of my
babbling, time to go in hard and heavy Forsythe style!
DMR-Chat
about the changes in the audition process since when you just started
out and the rise of new media like Netflix, changing the landscape
for actors now.
WF-The
whole game has changed, me, I am kind of a dinosaur, it is a change
that I am not so crazy about. I feel the business as a whole, has
become a lot more impersonal, as in send me a demo tape on your
phone, and I don't own one of those phones. The entertainment world
has be come a self serve place, such as emailing you a script and
expecting you to print it out The business is somewhat less
efficient. It has taken away a little bit of the edge of the
industry.
WF-As
far as Netflix and those services, the product they are putting out
is phenomenal, I went and did the guest star last year on Daredevil,
which was a great time. I also did a guest promo spot for Netflix,
which was great. They were gracious wonderful people, and the series
and things they are putting out are absolutely top notch.
DMR-Have
you watched Daredevil series? Thoughts?
WF-It
is excellent, I had seen a few episodes prior to being cast, but I
did catch up to it before I went on it. The main reason I caught up
to it was Charlie (Cox). Charlie and I were friends when we did
'Boardwalk Empire'. I know Charlie, Vincent (D'Onofrio), it is great
to see such a top notch show. You go in and do one episode, you never
know how it is going to be, but the people (on Daredevil) were great
so I had a great time.
DMR-It
is nice to see Netflix put out great programming, what are your
thoughts, on new media in general?
WF-I
think the world is in a transitional phase when it comes to media and
computer streaming, we are an experimental generation.
DMR-Changing
the discussion to a couple of past projects, chat about your role as
Sheriff Wydell in 'The Devils Rejects'.
WF-We
were in the worse locations it was hot, we were out in this god awful
desert, but the experience was phenomenal, great family, great group
of people, Rob (Zombie) is a really strong director. At a time when
it comes to yes or no, Rob is really strong and a lot of fun, and he
puts a lot of trust in his people, I had a blast doing it, and it
doesn't surprise me that people are still talking about the movie,
because it was an unusual and different kind of film, and I loved
working on it. Rob let me go, I told him in the Elvis scene scene
Rob, The guy is knocking Elvis, I am not going to put up with that
and he told me "Do whatever you want to do." So if you ever
see that film again and look at the film critic's face he has no idea
where I am going. When I stood up and threw him, the look of shock on
his face. To this day I laugh about that. I think the Devil's Rejects
is the greatest film Rob made, I hope he gets back to that kind of
material it just kicks ass on so many levels!
DMR-Another
fantastic older project, chat about working with Sean Connery in 'The
Rock'
WF-That
was a highlight for me, I always followed Sean Connery, I grew up
with James Bond, he has such a passion. When I got to cross swords
with him on ('The Rock') I was so happy. To be honest with you I took
a couple of chances and I did some things, like I cracked Sean in the
back of the head as I went by him, and I did do things where he could
of just turned around and said "If you touch me again"
instead you see this gleam in his eyes, you see this great actor. I
also said “why don't you help us while you have little left...”,
once again I ad libbed that, it is phenomenal just to see where he
went with it. I had a great time, moments like that are dreams come
true, to work with someone like Sean, to have a real quality piece of
footage. I am not usually a big fan of huge action movies, but that
film had some of the best cast that had ever participated in any film
in history.
DMR-Going
forward in time to more recent projects, chat about 'Check Point'.
The film has a very serious topic of homegrown terrorism, I feel the
concept is not really a fantasy, but a slowly evolving reality. I am
curious of your thoughts on the topic of homegrown terrorism.
WF-I
don't think it is anything like we are experiencing now, but at the
same time, you see violence throughout the world, you see no one can
have a conversation any more without it turning into an argument.
There was a time when people could sit down and strum though it and
figure something out. I think that portion of ('Check Point') is very
realistic. I said to Tom (Thomas J Churchill director of 'Check
Point'), If you dig a tunnel, you would send the tunnel south? Would
not the tunnel have come out in Massachusetts somewhere, haha? You
buy into the ideas as it is an entertainment film. Discussing the
actual time we live in, I hate the way the world is full of terror, I
feel bad for the young kids. I traveled all over Europe as a
youngster, and now all the places I used to go are the targets.
DMR-Focusing
in on 'Check Point', do you have any behind the scenes production
stories, interesting tidbits you can share?
WF-Fred
(Williamson) and I laughed our heads off, all the time, we laughed
constantly on the set, they had Fred and I in a trailer, we were have
a great time. Movies are not so easy to make, especially on a tight
budget, there is varying levels of experience, so the comradery and
being able to laugh and have a good time, and to be able to put forth
a good product is really so important. I had the most fun with Fred,
I love the actors, Kenny (Johnson), I love Kenny, he is a phenomenal
actor, a genius, he really put it together. There was a moment when
they were running out of time due to the budget where they were about
to cut the scene, and we discussed it and it was re-shot properly.
People do not realize you think it is OK. to walk away from
something, but I know, if we do not get this right now we will all
suffer later on. Everybody is friends, on ('Check Point') and I feel
we were allowed to be honest with our feelings during the production
of 'Check Point'.
DMR-Can
you talk about your character what motivates him, is he driven by
honor, revenge? How much of yourself do you see in him.
WF-I
read the script and I got about 60 pages in and I said this is great
me and Fred, and these guys are going to kick ass, things change when
I get to page 63... (Ed Note- William revealed his character nature
in the remainder of his answer, and will include film spoilers, I
will add into the interview upon release of Check Point! Keep Reading
for more!)
DMR-Thanks
for the insight into 'Check Point', we will chat more about the film upon release, focusing on independent films in
general, do you feel when you do smaller budget films you have a
certain mindset going in that is separate from doing a big budget
film. Do you change your method of acting?
WF-For
me it stays the same, I won't compromise no matter what the budget
is. If the budget is lower, you have to be more prepared, more
together, you really have to reach inside. I am experienced in all
levels of film, I will not step off, it is so easy for people to turn
around just say oh OK just go with that and make it happen. I hate it
when that happens, I just say park your ass somewhere else if that is
your attitude. Everyone needs to do their best, the job is the same
job, regardless. I love independent film, I have always loved
independent film.
Above Photo Credit- Home page for fighter Jake LaMotta
DMR-I
agree no matter what it is a proper standard to uphold. Chat about
'The Bronx Bull', new film that just came out, with you as Jake
LaMotta.
WF-With
that film I feel we shot a really good movie, it was two years ago we
shot it, I am actually going to a screening of it that will benefit
the National Guard, in St Augustine. I have known Jake, and he was
the only person I cared about. they gave me 67 days to prepare and
get into the ring, I joked if I was 27 they would have given me 120
days. I had my fight trainer, Steve Fleming (The Bronx Bull fight
Choreographer). He is a friend of mine, he literally moved in with me
and we were at it 8 hours a day. We studied Jake, and we talked about
his fighting style, and the fight game as well. I am looking forward
to the premiere, and hope it is successful, as I know the original
film('Raging Bull') is a lot to live up to.
DMR-William
thanks for taking time to conduct this interview for Dan's Movie
Report. One final question, any advice for the younger generation of
actors, advice you know now you wish you knew when you were starting
out?
WF-We
all grow. I learned to fight for the things I believe in. I have
learned a lot more about humanity I have learned now no matter how
many years you have been in film you need to reach inside to always
respect yourself, refine yourself, never run out of the dramatic
feeling and ideas, and never stop growing.
Special thanks to Samera Entertainment, Jelly Magazine, and Michelle C. Lee for their help in obtaining this amazing interview. Keep reading Dan's Movie Report, don't share the news, make your own! Watch for more 'Check Point' Exclusives later in 2016!
