Q&A with Brian O’Halloran

Actor Brian O’Halloran was kind enough to answer a few questions for us before his upcoming in-store appearance on July 22nd.

J&R: Tell us a bit about your new movie, “Brutal Massacre, A Comedy“.

Brian: It’s a hilarious “mock-u-mentary” about a film crew try to shoot a horror film called “Brutal Massacre.” You follow the trials and tribulations of each member of the crew and cast of the next great Harry Penderecki film.

J&R: There are quite a few horror veterans in this film (David Naughton, Gunnar Hansen, Ken Foree). What was it like working with such horror legends?

Brian: Being a fan of all the veterans it was great working with David and Gunner, Ken and Ellen and the rest. Hearing some of the stories of actual events that they all went through on their various horror film shoots was great fun and inspiring to the current film.

J&R: You’re well known as the Dante Hicks character in Kevin Smith’s movies, how did you meet Kevin?

Brian: I met Kevin when I auditioned as an extra in Clerks. He held the audition in a playhouse that I had performed out of before. He like my audition and called me back and I was then cast.

J&R: How did you get into acting and what was your inspiration?

Brian: Being the youngest of 3 boys I was always fighting for attention. So in high school I got involved in the drama club and in my early 20’s got back into acting on the encouraging push of my friends.

J&R: Kevin’s movies have made you a sort of icon–it’s hard not to think of you as Dante Hicks. Kevin seems to stick by his old friends, and the fans are very devoted and net-savvy. How has that helped you in your projects outside the View Askewniverse?

Brian: It has made it easier for producers to see that I can handle certain role with ease. They feel a certain comfort level in approaching me about projects. Plus a devoted and net savvy fan base doesn’t hurt.

J&R: Kevin obviously loves merchandising. What’s it like seeing yourself as an action figure, in cartoons & comic books, on t-shirts?

Brian: It’s a bit a thrill. Being made into an “in-action” figure is a mini dream come true. I’ve always been a fan of cartoons and Star Wars etc. so growing up with action figures it’s cool to see yourself as a figure. My next mini dream is to have a role in a Star Wars film and have a figure done of that.

J&R: A lot of your fans are also SF/horror fans. Ever want to be in a straight SF movie? If you could play a superhero, who would you be?

Brian: As stated in the above answer one of my dreams is to have a role in a Star Wars film. As far as a superhero to play I always like Doctor Strange.

J&R: You’ve become a sort of hero to retail workers everywhere. What’s it like making an appearance at a store and seeing Dantes and Randals everywhere?

Brian: Thankfully not everyone who works in retail has the personality quirks of Dante and Randal. If I do run into clerks that have their quirks then I have a bit of an edge on how to handle them. I also sympathize with their position.

This entry was posted by RNYK on Friday, July 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pm