A Hectic Films Interview with Darin Juarez (2017)

Sometimes fate has a way of bringing two people together. That is exactly what I told the cops when I was recently arrested for allegedly “kidnapping” one of the actors from Hectic Films upcoming short Descensus. In reality, all I did was stalk him to a local warehouse outlet store and corner him behind the produce section so I could throw some fast paced questions at him and hold a banana towards his face.

He was a little startled and had that wide-eyed look of appreciation in his eyes when I first shoved him back against the tomato bin and fired off the first question, “Sometimes film sets can be a little intimidating for cast and crew on the first day. You have an uncanny ability to break right through that awkwardness and make everyone feel at home. Is this part of being an actor or just the natural way of Darin Juarez?”

Naturally, my charming good looks and smooth way with people set his mind at ease once he realized I just wanted to ask about his acting and he replied by screaming, “Help!”

Realizing that this was going to be a short interview I repeated the question as security swarmed down on me. Once I was handcuffed Darin answered, “I gotta say, thanks for those kind words. I had no idea that was happening. I know how stressful being on set is for everybody so, I guess I just try to keep that in mind and be nice. Plus, if there's one thing I hate it's that barrier between us all when we first meet! I make a pretty strong effort to be open and obliterate that mama jamma!”

I asked if that meant I could be freed and he shot a look towards the security guards and shook his head back and forth real quick.

Security was already talking into their shoulder microphones and asking for police to be called so I blurted out the most important question I had, “If a fan wanted to buy you a present, should they go with a snow globe or stuffed animal?”

Darin’s eyes darted to the snow globe that was embedded in the front of my pants and I gyrated my hips a little to make the snow swirl for him. “Stuffed animal!” he answered.

I tried to hide my disappointment as a tear came to my eye, and swallowed my hope as I said, “It’s clear you can act, but I heard you also like to write. Any writer credits in the works that we should keep an eye out for?”

As the sound of loud police radios came from the front of the store, Darin answered, “I've got a sci-fi about a fighter pilot being recruited for a top secret project to fuse his consciousness with a combat A.I., two series pilots about musicians coming up from nothing--one about a metal-head, the other about rappers. Then there's some sketches, a scene about a spy couple, and that YouTube series I was writing called The Death of William Draper.”

As the police arrived, they changed out my handcuffs I guess so security could keep theirs and asked me if I had any identification. I ignored them and asked Darin, “How would you describe acting if you could only use two words?” I think the cops said something but I only had ears for Darin and waited for him to reply. Finally, he shook his head and grinned, “Damn... I thought this was going to be an easy test. I am to consolidate the whole of what acting means to me, has been to me and where I hope it will continue to lead me, into two magnificent words? Okay. ‘Soul Threshing’.”

I may have gotten a little dreamy eyed at that and as the police dragged me away, I yelled out one last question, “Where can people go to find out more about Darin Juarez?”

Even the cops stopped dragging me at that point and turned to wait for an answer. Darin said, “If you really want more... I'm on:
Instagram @darinjuarez

Facebook @Darin S. Juarez

Snapchat @quincy_sauce

Twitter @laced_human

I'm only ever on Instagram and Facebook though...I can't lie about it. Also, there's my website!!”

https://spideruberjew.wixsite.com/darinjuarez

Descensus Is Under Way!

Principle photography is underway on Hectic Films newest production, Descensus! This dramatic little Indie Film based on a poem by Terry McGhee will star Rickey Bird Jr. as Cole Weir, the normal everyday suburban husband who begins his day in mundane normalcy but who quickly stumbles onto the path less traveled and always feared.

With Jason Mitchell and Rickey Bird Jr. both handling the reins of the Directors chair and Justin Cummings donning the Director of Photography hat, you can expect a thrilling spiral down into the depths of the darkest parts of our hearts, where shadows dance, and regrets are only a step behind.

Joining and often times helping Cole along on his journey is an all star supporting cast of both old and new Hectic Films alumni. From the always impressive and towering on screen presence of DT Carny, the always welcoming personalities of Jason Sanders and Ernesto Gomez, to the new and beautiful April Marion King, Descensus is sure to set both your heart and your mind on heightened alert.

Check back often as we hope to bring you a more in depth look into the crew and production of Descensus as it unfolds.

Descensus Begins!

Hectic Films has begun script break down and casting on an upcoming short film project titled "Descensus" which will take us on a journey to find just how far a man can fall in a single day. 

The Bakersfield Clown (Breaking News)

The Bakersfield Police Department has confirmed that one person was killed Monday night in Bakersfield, California. The murder was unknowingly broadcast live by local radio station KNZR. While neither the DJ (Tony Lee) nor his station manager (Jason Sanders) were available for comment, KNZR released a statement that read, “We are all shocked and surprised by this unfortunate event and are doing everything we can to cooperate with the investigation. We apologize to our listeners as well as the community and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim.”

Bakersfield Police Detectives turned down a request for an interview stating that it was an ongoing investigation at this time.

We do know however that the victim was apparently stabbed. Authorities know who the victim is but are waiting to release it, pending notification of loved ones, we do know that no arrests have been made and that the search is on for at least one male suspect. There are no descriptive details at this time.

Please continue to check back for updates.

UPDATE:

Detective Jesse Najera with the Bakersfield Police Department has released more details about the murder that took place late last night. The victim has been identified as local Bakersfield resident Erica Rey who was twenty-something years young at the time of her death. Erica worked with kids and had made it her goal to reach out to organizations such as Make a Wish to fulfill her lifelong dream of making children smile.

A description of the murderer has also been released. Police believe he is a white male, in his late twenties, five foot nine inches tall, with a dadbod physique, with unknown colored facial hair, and possibly wearing grease paint to hide his features. The local community has dubbed him, “The Bakersfield Clown” after audio of his call to local talk radio station KNZR was leaked to media earlier. 

To see the video without having the sides cut off (What the heck blogger?) click the link found here: The Bakersfield Clown






Please don't call the real cops, this post is just a fictional introduction to our latest short film from Hectic Films. No people were harmed in the making of this film, we pinky promise. 

Chelsea Newman Interview (2016)

Chelsea Newman̤ has a long list of film and TV credits including "My Dad's Tapes" (2011), "Bad Behavior" (2013), "Red Light Diaries" (TV 2014) and the IMDB list is growing. Which film or television role are you most proud of? 

I take each role very seriously and each character is quite different so it is hard to say which one I'm most proud of. I did work on a movie called “At Long Last” where I portrayed a young woman that was stuck in her ways. It was really a treat to dive right in. Some people know a huge inspiration for me is Juliette Lewis. I really enjoy her work, especially the work in her younger years. I love her in “Kalifornia” and “The Other Sister.” Roles like the ones she had in those movies are ones I aspire to portray. 

You have a contributing writing credit for "At Long Last" (2015). Any plans to get more involved behind the camera? Do you have an interest in directing?

I appreciate all aspects of creating but I really love playing pretend and that is the sandbox I belong in. 

Making your mark on the film scene as a respected female actor can be a challenging journey. In this regard, can you share with us any obstacles you have faced, and what advice you would give your younger self and/or aspiring actresses/filmmakers?

To be honest, I believe my biggest obstacle I have faced would be myself. Actors constantly hear “no” and as a person, it’s easy to self-doubt and break down. As cliche as this sounds, I would tell people that it is really important to believe in yourself, no matter how hard it can be. If you have a passion, whatever it may be, go for it. You only live once.

Your Facebook cover photo is a still of Barry Corbin and yourself from a clip of you two, performing in a scene. What can you tell us about acting with him?

Barry is such a doll and a delight to work with. I admire his respect and passion for the craft. It was easy to forget we were in a scene together even before the camera started rolling.

"A FAMILIAR SPIRIT" was your first time on a Hectic Films Productions movie. 

How was your experience with the cast, crew, and the director Rickey Bird?

Amazing! No joke, it was such an exciting film set to be on. Everyone was super welcoming and extremely professional. Rickey is just one of the coolest guys. It was so easy to be in front of the camera with him on the other side. I really enjoyed his opinions and appreciated all his hard work.

In the Hectic Films movie AFS, there is a scene, where you collapse in fear. As a viewer, we feel the breathlessness of terror. What can you tell us about your character and what was your motivation for your look of fear?

I was scared! There was some crazy monster coming for me. What else would I possibly feel? I had to survive!

Your character, Cynthia, feels terrified, saddened and angry throughout the movie. If you were in the same situation as your character, trapped in a haunted house, how would you react? Would you take action against whatever you thought was there?

I’d like to think I’d be a hero but honestly, if there is some crazy demon man after me, I’m going to run like hell.

Do you have any personal experiences with ghosts or spirits yourself? How would you describe your beliefs on that subject?

I don't have any personal experience with ghosts or spirits but I’d like to believe there is something else out there.

On your social media pages, there are images of you with children in Sierra Leone, Africa. Why were you there?

I was there teaching drama to children at a school named Benmat along with tutoring, learning and spending time with the locals. I went through this amazing organization called Young Vision Africa. This group has literally built and started up a school in Sierra Leone. It was an unforgettable experience. I believe it is so important to travel to experience how the other parts of the world live.

Let's look to the future. What are your long-term goals regarding acting? 

Eventually, it would be great to act full time. I have like 17 jobs and would trade all of them to do film or theater. I’m in it for the long hall. “The turtle wins the race.”

What are you working on now and where can fans of ̤Chelsea Newman̤ go to learn more about what you're doing?

I wrapped on the film “Darkness on the Edge of Town” this past weekend. I have a few projects in the works and always looking for my next one. Fans can stay up to date on my Facebook fan page or my IMDB. I’m in the middle of getting together a new website so stay tuned!

Terry McGhee (Crew) Interview

Terry McGhee was able to corner himself in a padded room and ask some hard hitting questions about his involvement with Hectic Films. After a little probing, both orally and [Enhanced Interrogation Techniques Redacted for National Security] he was also able to learn what exciting side project Terry has been working on.

So Mr. McGhee, is it okay if we call you, “Terry” for the purposes of this interview?

Sure. I mean that’s what most people call me.

Most people? What else do they call you, and who are ‘They’?

It’s just a saying, and I didn’t say anything about ‘they’, you did. What the hell is going on here?

I’m asking the [expletive] questions here, Twisted Nipple! You got that?!

Twisted…what?

Tell us about your involvement with Hectic Films!

Right, I met Rickey Bird in 2011 or maybe it was 2012 when I worked at a local movie theater. We had mutual friends in the art scene in Bakersfield, CA and ended up bumping elbows somehow and started talking. I mentioned I was interested in what he and the rest of Hectic Films were doing and the rest is history.

History, you say? Why don’t we talk about this so-called ”history” for a second, when was your first on-set experience?

That was in July of 2012 for Naked Zombie Girl. Rickey had messaged me and asked if I wanted to come out and help while they filmed. I honestly had zero experience and told him as much, but he was adamant about getting me involved and told me to come out anyway. I remember he said the only rule that I needed to follow was not to stare at Meghan Chadeayne as if I had never seen a naked woman before.

Had you seen a naked woman before?

Of course.

In real life?

Look, I’m not gonna-

Fine, so you went to the shoot that day, what did you learn from that experience as a filmmaker?

I learned that 5pm call times were more of a suggestion than a requirement at first. Over the years, Rachel (Rickey’s wife) has shaped us all into better time managers. NZG was an amazing on set experience. One of the most inspiring things I saw was that even with a crew of guys and one nearly naked female actress, everyone managed to not be creepy. As part of the crew, we pretty much sat and stood around talking about our favorite movies and counting heads to see who had snuck off to sleep in their car at any given time. We were on set from 5pm until well after 8am the next morning, so there was more of a “that lucky bastard” mentality about it than a judgmental one. 

What did you bring to the set in the way of contributions to the film itself?

I oversaw the building of the set-

So you had a management role?

No, no. I just showed up with two of the grips and then sat my ass on an ice chest and watched them build the set.

Any actual filmmaking contributions?

I loaned my pocket knife to cut gels for the lights and also brought some water for the crew. Oh yeah, I also went and picked up pizza for everyone!

That was nice of you.

I didn’t actually pay for it.

I see. So, do you actually contribute anything to Hectic Films?

Yes, I do, and I don’t find your condescending attitude very productive to this interview process.

Whatever, it’s your brain dumb ass.

Anyway, I write reviews, help with the Facebook page management, have dabbled in skit writing, wrote a spec script for a short film idea, and post the Hectic Films Blog posts. As well as handle the craft table on film shoots and help out when needed on set.

Oh, so you are the one who comes up with the questions for the cool interview posts on the blog?

Well no, that is usually Jesse Najera and Sara Carey, I just copy and paste them onto the blog and edit them a little if needed.

Must be tough work and long hours, did you major in English at a community college?

No, I actually never finished high school. I got my GED-

That’s boring, no one cares. What have you written?

I’ve self-published four books and am currently working on my fifth right now. I’ve also been included in a handful of poetry anthologies over the years, and a couple Project Oh! Magazine issues. 

Any current writing projects for Hectic Films?

I have a couple ideas in my head, yeah.

That’s great, ideas really pay the bills. So where can people learn more about you?

People can find me on Facebook and they can actually help publish Souvenir of Nowhere by going to the campaign on Indiegogo and donating or just sharing it with friends, family, and strangers. 

Chris Kovacs Interview (2016)

With the special screening of Hectic Films' "A Familiar Spirit" coming up on September 10th at Heroes & Horror Con III in Bakersfield, CA, Jesse Najera collaborated with Sara Carey to interview one of the stars, Chris Kovacs.

You've attended San Diego State and NY Film Academy; how do you think these schools influenced your life regarding film?

The New York Film Academy forced me to look at movies and performances completely differently. I now see tiny details in movies, and the choices actors make in their performances. Method acting allowed me to take my raw skills and concentrate them in a more meaningful way. Meisner was one of the main classical methods I learned and having an absolute belief under imaginary circumstances has been invaluable to my acting. San Diego State helped broaden my thinking and help grow as a person. I actually went back to college to get my bachelors degree in Political Science and minored in Journalism. Acting takes dedication and years of study and practice; that is probably the closest relation to being a student at San Diego State. I have always wanted to graduate college because I like challenging myself.

Tell us about your first acting role and how you got started. What drew you to acting as a career choice? How did you become involved with hectic films?

My first acting role that I auditioned for was a play in my hometown. I played Officer Brophy in "Arsenic and Old Lace". It wasn’t a large role, but I remember preparing for it as if I were the lead on Broadway. I’ve always loved to play “make believe” and acting always came naturally. I first became interested in acting, (believe it or not) when I saw "The Lion King". As soon as I found out that Jonathan Taylor Thomas played young Simba, I remember thinking, why the heck couldn’t I do that too? I became involved with Hectic Films through my friendship with Rachel Bird. We worked together in Burbank, CA and I got to know her husband Rickey Bird through Facebook. Very quickly we became friends. We had planned to work together much sooner although conflicts in scheduling never worked out. Recently Rickey asked me if I would be interested in auditioning for Jim in A Familiar Spirit, jumping at the chance, I of course said, “Yes!”

Is there a type of role that you feel drawn to, or wish you could play more?

I consider myself a nice, all-American type guy, so the thought of playing someone twisted with something wrong with them always intrigued me. I enjoy playing “the hero” but dramatic roles that challenge me as an actor are the most fun to play. For example, I would love to play someone like the Joker or Patrick Bateman in "American Psycho".

What movies do you feel were formative for you? Do you have a favorite movie genre or theme?

A few films that I felt were formative for me were: "Saving Private Ryan", "Braveheart", and "American Beauty". I think my jaw was on the floor after watching each of those films. Every single one left a lasting impression on me. I absolutely love all types of films, but if I had to choose one movie genre or theme it’d have to be true-life stories. I appreciate great writing as much as the next person and I think writers deserve every bit of credit as the actors, but sometimes the most amazing stories come from actual events.

Tell us about your character, Jim, in "A Familiar Spirit". What was it like to play him? Your character has a hard time believing in the paranormal. Do you feel the same way? How would you react if you were told, or thought, your house was haunted?

There is definitely more to Jim than meets the eye. He is full of confidence and truly believes he can take on the world, but his lack of success in the entertainment industry is what’s keeping him back. He loves his girlfriend and wants to provide for her in every way he can, but like most struggling actors, money isn’t falling from the sky. He also passionately denies any possibility of there being ghosts in the house despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. 

 It was great playing Jim, some of his offbeat humorous remarks are something I could see myself saying. Yes, Jim does have a hard time in believing in the paranormal, but I’m less skeptical than he is. I’m of the school of thought that you shouldn’t mess with stuff like that. Who knows if there is a “door you can’t close.” I’m not anxious to contact the paranormal. I’ve had some weird things happen and that’s about as close as I ever want to get. If someone told me my house was haunted, I would stay with family or friends and sell the house immediately. Now that I’m thinking about it, I’d also probably sue the realtor and previous owner for not disclosing the fact that the house was haunted!

 You only get to watch one actor for the rest of your life, you can't see any other movies if they don't play a role in them. Who would you choose and why?

Wow, that’s a tough one! I have so many people that I look up to, but if I could only watch one person for the rest of my life, I’d choose Robin Williams. His talent truly blows me away and he was one of the most diverse actors around. His stand-up comedy had me in stitches laughing, and his dramatic roles were truly heartbreaking. One of my favorite things to do was to act out his standup to friends and family. His passing was absolutely devastating. It was one of the few times I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach when I heard that he had passed away. 

And finally, what would your advice be to budding actors?

My advice to budding actors is to follow your heart. Don’t compromise your character or integrity for the sake of a role. Stay true to yourself and know your worth. Another tip is to be kind to everyone! Even if you are having a terrible day, you don’t want to be known as a difficult actor to work with. I would also say it’s important to act as much as you can. Audition for plays, read scripts and truly become an expert. Lastly, one of the best pieces of advice I have ever been given was, set a time limit on how long you are willing to pursue acting with no real success. If after 7 years, or however long you choose, you are not happy with where you are at, do something else and move on with your life. I believe one of the saddest things is wasting your entire life on something that may never happen. Some people are perfectly fine taking that chance. But that is something that you have figure out for yourself.

D.T. Carney Interview (2016)

Tracking down the ever elusive and always on the go Dana (D.T.) Carney is no easy feat, but Jesse Najera managed to do just that. Hectic Films is proud and honored to offer that interview to the masses. We truly love this man!

D.T. Carney was born in Boston, MA in 1965. A New Englander through and through, D.T. is known for his sharp wit as well as his huge presence in life and on the screen. D.T. is the father of four and lives in the Fresno, CA area with his wife Georgia. With many experiences in life, growing up in Boston, being a champion boxer, hockey player, and accomplished musician, D.T.’s vast list of talents lend themselves well to his many Acting ventures. 

How did Dana Carney discover his interest in film acting?

I was a kid in Boston and was fortunate enough to go to the movies and get into any of them, rated R or not. I saw Jaws, Night of the Living Dead, The Omega Man, etc. I remember my dad taking me to Halloween and that movie made me want to get into acting. I liked the idea of playing a monster or the like.

You have the ability to utilize a very distinct American accent and personality in the performance of some of the characters you've played. Where were you raised and how has your upbringing influenced your performances?

Boston and the east coast in general, have a ton to do with how you act. I never liked taking shit from anyone. Who does? So you got to have an attitude that lets others know it. I wouldn't change growing up over there for anything. We grew up pretty poor. You learn to adapt to it and be thankful for things.

You have a long list of acting film credits with some notable, fellow, actors. Can you talk about the first film that you were in and what that experience was like?

The first film I did was playing a killer scarecrow in an indie film called Nightwalkers. It was directed by a friend of mine Steve Haack. It was a great experience because Scream Queen Brinke Stevens was also in it. She is the kindest person you could ever meet. We've been friends for over ten years now. I have had the pleasure of working with some awesome people like Felissa Rose, Deron Miller, Lynn Lowry, Reggie Bannister, Vernon Wells, and Joe Estevez. I just worked with Brinke again in Hectic Films’ Machine Gun Baby. I also worked with amazing talents Jin N Tonic & George the Giant in that same film.

You have worked on a number of Hectic Films Productions projects, playing a variety of roles in a variety of film genres. Can you tell us a little about working with the Hectic Films cast and crew, as well as some of the Hectic Films projects you have been involved in?

I LOVE HECTIC! Plain and Simple. Rachel & Rickey Bird have always treated me so kindly. I am a little rough around the edges and they both manage to look the other way for me. They have given me nothing but awesome roles in their films. Rachel and Rickey have put me up in a helicopter shooting at a speeding car. They made me the leader of a homeless camp, a drunken detective, a kid eating zombie. How can you go wrong? I love the people they have surrounded themselves with. They use the same people on crew, f/x, etc. over and over. We have become a tight family. I love being on the set with all of them.

In the new Hectic Films project; Machine Gun Baby, you play a character in the "medical field". Can you tell us a little bit about your role and how you prepared for that character?

It’s an awesome role for me, as I get to be a little comedic. I play Dr. Spurlock, an abortion doctor. His only care in the world is money and getting more of it. He is quite a character as he is a drinking, whoring, golfing, ego maniac. I will tell you this, MACHINE GUN BABY will open your eyes one way or the other. I've never worked on anything like it before. I prepared for this character by actually watching Dabney Coleman's portrayal of Doctor Prang in Young Doctors in Love. This film is going to upset the apple cart no matter what your views on abortion are. I got to work with such a fun talented cast on this, from Brinke Stevens to Jared Rice, George the Giant, and a trooper of an actress Jin N Tonic.

Where can fans go to follow and learn about future projects from DT Carney?

It's none of their damn business. I'll let them know. GOD BLESS...

Did I mention that we love this man? Let me show you just how much...