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Hi DJ, thanks for taking the time to do a interview with us at DVD Resurrections.
Firstly can you tell us a little bit about yourself for those who don't know who you are?
I'm a full time actor, producer and writer who basically clawed my way to the middle starting at ground zero. I'm
an artist who for over a decade has been story telling via motion picture with other like minded individuals. I
truly love what I do and encourage all people to follow their dreams. Life is too short not follow your passion.
What made you wanna become a actor?
I've always loved stories and mythology and seeing characters onscreen like Han Solo, Jose Wales, Mad Max,
Indiana Jones and Jack Burton journeying on these grand movie adventures made me want to continue that
great tradition. I was inspired by these tales both in film and in books and I hope that I might inspire a new
generation. It takes persistence in any profession and the entertainment industry is no different.
Your latest film you have been casted in is called G.P.S, what exactly is this film about?
GPS, is actually the next film that will be released if all stays on course. It is a action/thriller about a group
of GPS treasure hunters that uncover just a little too much. GPS stands for global positioning system or
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something like that. I'm horrible with directions so maybe some company will donate one for my car. The film is a good mix of comedy and dark
suspense. It is a cool ride and has a different twist to the story telling. I don't want to give too much away but Eric Colley directed a good first
feature.
Can you tell us a little bit about your role in G.P.S?
I play SAM the rival treasure hunter. I'm the asshole antagonist along with my girlfriend side kick Frankie played by Hallie Shepherd. I love the chemistry
between the two characters. They have a vibe that reminds be of Edith and Archie Bunker in "All in the Family."
When can we expect to see G.P.S released?
I would say 2007 for sure but I don't have an exact date. I would say watch that www.gpsthemovie.com website. It may play a few festivals first.
What was your overall impression of G.P.S?
First class! From the cast to the crew and just the overall telling of the story was done with a lot of care and it shows onscreen. Oh yeah! The music
rocks as well. I think Blind Melon plays on the soundtrack.
Before G.P.S, you acted in a film called The 8th Plague and played a character called Mason. Can you tell us a little bit about that film?
GORY! GORY! Frickin' GORY! Demonic possession, old prison, axe mayhem. Two For Flinching Productions will establish itself as an entity to be reckoned
with in the horror genre. John Whalen took awards for his camera work, Eric Williford wrote and produced a simple yet classic horror tale and Frankie
Guerrero directed and edited one hell of a scary movie. It delivers without allowing the modest budget to hold it back in any way. Great acting by Leslie
and the whole gang of fellow actors. I love that film. www.the8thplague.com
You truly done a awesome job capturing a character like Mason. What inspires you to get into character before shooting the movie?
Mason was actually quite complex of a character. A version of the reluctant hero who has to face his past and the demons who lurk there within. In this
case it becomes a literal case of facing ones demons. Me personal, I've got a long fuse and that long fuse is connected to a big powder keg, so that also
belongs to Mason. And so when Mason's fuse goes off it goes OFF!. Mason accepts what he is facing but takes on a "BRING IT" attitude. I think Mason
should rank up there with the top horror film axe swingers. Some run and some fight. No reason going down like a bitch so ...Madman versus
Demons....GAME ON!
What were your thoughts on the death scene of Mason in The 8th Plague?
SPOILER ALERT BELOW
Honestly there are several additional fight scenes that got cut to enhance the pacing of the film. I would have liked to see even more action...it was a cool
exit though. I had to lay in MUCHO BLOOD for several hours with actual animal guts on me. I remember an animal heart rolling across my neck during
the shoot. Funny stuff!
How did you feel shooting a film in a old abandon prison?
I'm happy as shit that I didn't ever get busted for any of the stupid stuff I did in my youth. Prison would really be shitty and it made me happy that I
turned out all right. Screw the demons I think 300 lb guy named Bubba in the showers with happy eyes on you would be scarier then any demon.
Did anything weird or strange happened offset to you, or anyone else while shooting The 8th Plague in the old prison?
Nothing supernatural happened on that set to me but hey I was the guy with the axe. Strange was driving home after a very bloody shoot. I looked like I
had been in a bad car accident and they were driving me back to the condo and people at the stop lights just gawked. That was funny and strange for
other people.
What would you consider your favorite role in your acting career?
I would have to say Will Burnett in the movie "Ghost Town" that I just finished shooting in N.C.. I think playing that character was wonderful but I've
been blessed to have played some greatly written characters.
You have been recently been casted in Horror films lately, but in the past you have also done work in comedy films and even western films.
What film genre do you prefer to be casted in and why?
I really like the epic journey, heroic pieces. The human spirit that experiences tragedy and victory and everything else in between. I think that is why I so
enjoyed "Ghost Town" that we just filmed. It is a western set in the epic Smokey Mountains. It has a love story (Myself and Princess Lucaj) and also has
some really dark moments as well. Bill McKinney and Herbert Cowboy Coward Co-star with me as the two men going head to head. They were voted by
Maxim Magazine in 2005 to be "The Top Screen Villains of all Time" for their roles in "Deliverance" as the Mountain Men. They both give powerful
performances in "Ghost Town" that will be worth watching!
I've only had a few chances to do comedy and would like to explore that a bit more in the future.
What can we expect to see from DJ Perry in the future?
GPS www.gpsthemovie.com will be released soon. I had a great part in a comedy directed by Nathaniel Quinn called "Unconventional the movie"
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEO7w1) that is about two dorks and a bet to get an interview from Brent Spiner (Data from Star Trek TNG),
Our companies "Ghost Town" will be out later this year as will the Nathaniel Nose/Jeff Burton horror film I'm shooting as we speak. It is called "Murder at
Hollow's Pointe" and has a great cast that includes Jason Carter from (Babylon 5) He is a cool guy that really seems to enjoy the craft.
If you like the low budget cheese buy the new 6 pack called "Vicious Vixon's" (Good title) featuring "From Venus" which I highly recommend. By that I
mean that I recommend that you are high when you watch it. High on life:) Hahaha...The set is $10 at Amazon.com or at Best Buy starting Jan. 16th,
2007. BUY IT! IF YOU DARE! MUHAAAAA!....Scared? You should be:)
You are casted in a lot of post/pre productions film according to imdb.com, apart from G.P.S. Would you like to talk about the other films
you are about to appear in?
I had a small part in Producer Thadd Turner's "Miracle at Sage Creek" (Released May 2006) working with David carradine, Wes Studi, Tim Abel, Irene
Bedard and just an awesome cast. I'm now also cast in Talmarc Productions next two (2007) projects "Buttermilk Sky" and then as Wild Bill's killer Jack
McCall in "The Hard Ride" which is a Talmarc/Universal Pictures Deadwood movie.
I'm also very excited about Steven Smith's "The Book" the second feature by this upcoming UK director. His first film is called "Time of Her Life" and is a
very stylized ghost story. He will bring the intensity with "The Book" set to be shot in Sept. 2007. A few films like "Nightfall," "Wild Michigan," and
"Crossing the King's Highway" almost have all the pieces in place so we'll just have to see.
You are not just an actor in the film industry, but you are also a producer, and a writer of several other films. What do you enjoy doing the
most acting/producer or writer and why?
I love acting first but being a writer and a producer allows me to tell a story that I really want to tell. That way I'm not just at the total mercy of someone
else for casting but I do love just acting. I also love the idea of one day slowing down the acting/producing and just doing some writing from some exotic
location. That seems like a nice way to downshift later in life and still be part of the entertainment world I love.
A lot of actors have a goal in mind for there acting career and then there are some just plan to take any job they can get just for the fun of
doing a movie. As a talented actor, what is it that you prefer doing in your career?
This is a good time in my career where I can actually be picky about what projects I want to do. Last year I turned down four feature films mainly
because of schedule. That is a good problem to have. I can take success with or without the critic awards but I truly want to make a few movies that
people really dig. I mean you will never capture all the audiences with one film because taste in films are subjective and player haters will always exist.
Much of what we do is subjective but it would be great to have that one film that everyone says "Yeah. That was cool."
Looking back on your acting career, is there any movies you kinda regret ever doing?
You know, that is a good question. I can honestly say that in the beginning we were all desperate to make/act in a film. It was much harder to make a
film 10 years ago then it is now with cheap high end HD cameras and editing software, PRO TOOLS etc... It was a quest just to find a group of crazy
individuals willing to even try to make a film. It was a very rare thing back then to find such people. To actually shoot a film was even rarer. To finish a
damn movie...! I had so much fun and learned so much on this step by step journey. Often this consisted of me jumping in with two feet right into the
deep end.
I get a good laugh occasionally looking at reviews of early films that I did almost 10 years ago. Acting sucks, probably. Script bad. Maybe? What did these
people do to speak of 10 years ago. So maybe Yes. I have done a bad film or two. They still represent a group of renegade artists that bonded together to
create a story.I enjoy watching them because they remind me of where we came from. It is as much about where all these artist's were in their lives
then the script coming to life on the screen.
You can have the most rewarded experience making a bad film. Not that I think people intend to make a bad film but it happens and most of the reason
why revolves around money or the lack of. I think as people keep moving forward headlong tackling daily problems and taking the stone throwing of
others, they grow strong where others stagnate. EXAMPLE: "Knight Chills" an OK film made for $20,000. The camera work by Dave Isern...amateurish?
Maybe at one time. I know he has recently ran camera for Robin Williams and many A-List Stars before coming back to reunite with us on "Ghost Town."
BOTTOM LINE: People grow by doing! So I'll always shake my head and smile when I see those occasional barbs on the Internet because I keep learning
and growing with our teams of filmmaker artists and the same old guys throw the same stones angry at others who move ahead while they are
stagnate. They should dare to try something that they might fail or fall short of...it builds character. At the end of the day I consider them all fans. They
pay more attention then the average fan and they have put money in my pockets so I thank them. Honestly! Keep throwing:)
What does a actor look for in a movie script, to make them wanna do that particular movie?
A script that takes a different approach to often common situations and then also takes the time to develop ALL the characters not just the leads. I also
like scripts that paint a nice picture in the readers mind. A good script will do that and you won't be able to set it down.
Is their anything that you would refuse to do in a film?
Yes. No. homosexual stuff. I just don't think I need to push art or myself to some uncomfortably level. I would not like that personally and so story or no
story, I'm just not into men so I'm not the guy to do that job. I just don't think I could do justice to that kind of role unless it was a goofy comedy. I give
a lot of credit to the "Brokeback Mountain" actors. I haven't seen the film but I think I can push the line with others things like ripping my eyes out or
hitting someone in the face with an axe.
Given the chance, which actor would you love to star in a film with?
Male actor Harrison Ford. Female Selma Hayek. I don't know either personally and so I guess that would depend upon them having good attitudes. It is
hard to know until you have met or you're working alongside someone.
If acting didn't worked out for you, what do you think you would of done instead?
I think I could have been a fireman or maybe one of those cops that deal with animal abusers. I love animals often more then people and so it would take
very little to make me into the Dirty Harry Pet Cop!
Whats one thing that people do not know about DJ Perry, and that you'll like to share with us?
My favorite holiday is Halloween and October (fall) in my favorite time of year.
What are DJ Perry's Top 3 movies of all time, and not including your films you been casted in?
1) Star Wars (The 1977 classic)
2) Raider's of the Lost Ark
3) Gladiator
4) Runner up- Conan the Barbarian (Music ROCKS)
Do you have any advice or tips for aspiring young actors out there?
Actors, writers or filmmakers...JUST DO IT! Your first picture or performance may be crap but then...you are in the club. That is what I liked about ROCKY
BALBOA with Rocky throwing down the facts of life to his son. It is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. Don't be discouraged by
your parents, friends, family, critics, etc...live your life for you. Every person will reach a scary point one day flat on their back. Your mouth will be dry and
the muscles in your jaw too weak to hold your mouth shut...so it droops pathetic. Your eyes are glassy as death starts to creep into your cooling shell. In
those final moments I hope that you can say you did exactly what you had to do. You told the stories you had to tell. You lived and embraced being alive
and didn't live a bitter regretful life. Because...If in those final moments you think, "I might have tried but so and so..." then you will have done yourself
wrong. What if ole' Luke Skywalker had stayed on that farm?
What is the one thing you would like DJ Perry fans to think of, when they hear your name?
"That guy. Yeah I've seen some of his stuff. I dug that scene in The 8th Plague, man when he rips his eye's out...gnarly. Yeah. He's pretty good."
"Yeah. I dug that car he drove in "Judges" badass!"
That would be cool. I have overheard a few conversations like that and it is so rewarding.
Before we finished this interview bro, is there anything you would like to say to those who are reading this interview?
Thanks Man. Blessed be to all these guys out here with their review sites and their own love for film. It's web sites like this that help the next generation
of artists get their work out to new audiences and inspire the next generation behind us. I keep an ongoing journal at a website created by some Texas
fans www.djperryfanclub.com original name I know.
Thanks DJ for taking the time to do this interview, I personally really enjoyed The 8th Plague, and I hope to one day we at DVD Resurrections have
a honour to reviewing G.P.S. Keep up the awesome work bro and we all wish you the best of luck in the near future with your films.
No. Thank you. We'll do this again another day. I'm glad that you liked "The 8th Plague". You need to check out "An Ordinary Killer" and "Judges" part of
our distribution partnership with Anthem Pictures. Cheers.
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