Your new movie When
a Stranger Knocks - in a few words, what's it about, and what can
you tell us about your character in it?
I would be remiss if I told you what it's about. However, I will tell you
this... that girl, Sky, has issues!
Ya know, I've been saying this the entire time: The Ranger is completely
misunderstood. He's a people person. Just like every other living
creature, he just wants to be accepted. It's in our DNA to want this,
right? People are so judgmental. Ugh.
What did you draw upon to bring your character to life, and how much Steven Marlow can
we find in the Ranger? I really had to turn to a dark place to find the Ranger. I'll be honest, I
thought of some pretty grueling things while creating him. I wanted to see
what level of evil the Ranger was, what he was capable of. In the end, I
found a character who was somewhat of a smart-ass who enjoyed toying with
those he encountered. Oh... and a mouth fettish. Somewhere, somehow, the
Ranger developed this fettish with his own mouth. Damn weirdo.
Get rid of the evil and you actually have a lot of Steven Marlow in the
Ranger. Your typical "Alpha" personality who loves to be the
center of attention and cries when he doesn't get what he wants. Honestly,
those who know me will pick up a lot of Steven Marlow. It's there, trust
me. How did you get involved with the
project in the first place?
I have had the great honor of working with Javan [Javan
Garza interview - click here] and Dawn [Dawn
Hamil interview - click here] on various
projects. I often tell them that I will gladly work with them on anything
they put out there. I absolutely love Javan's creative mind and Dawn's
drive for success. The two of them are just great people. So, to answer
the question, Javan reached out to me and asked me to be a part of it. I
was extremely excited when Javan told me to imagine an evil version of
"the man in the yellow hat" from Curious George. This was so
exciting for me because I am often typecast. Make sure you print all that
good stuff I said about Javan and Dawn. I want them to see that. To what degree could you
identify with When
a Stranger Knocks' approach to horror? For
me, this film felt like a different type of horror. Perhaps a
horror/comedy? I'm not sure how the viewing audience would see it, but I
know in my head there was all kinds of comedy going on. Hell, if the
Ranger did something bad to someone (not saying he did...simply a
hypothetical "if". Remember, the Ranger is misunderstood),
he would find the comedic value in doing so. In the beginning, I was not
sure how I felt about shooting the entire film in black and white.
However, after speaking about it and seeing it... I feel it was the right
choice as I believe it adds a certain something. Do talk
about When a
Stranger Knocks' director Javan Garza, and what was your
collaboration like? Oh boy. I really should not answer this question. Javan and I mix very well.
You know, like oil and water. I'm joking. He and I create a lot of
laughing moments when we work together. Nothing he ever says fails to
amaze me and I'm pretty sure he would say the same about me. However, when
it comes down to business - it's go time. Javan has the ability to express
what he is thinking at a level which us dumb people can understand. Well,
I speak for myself. Not anyone else. Nobody else is dumb. Just me.
When
a Stranger Knocks wasn't the first time you've worked with Javan
Garza - so what can you tell us about previous collaborations, and how did
the two of you first meet even?
Everything I have ever done with Javan has been an experience. As I previously said,
he has an awesome way of putting his thoughts out there. One of my
favorite characters I have ever portrayed was Dr. Freeman in Melany
Rose. This dude was off the chain... talk about a loose cannon! I had a
lot of fun with him and Javan let me run with it. Another character I
absolutely loved was "Fats" in a remake of 5
Minutes. I wasn't able to speak for a couple of days after, but it was
FUN! Speaking of Melany Rose, we were shooting in
an old hospital and I thought it would be funny to... well, let's just say
I was left standing there in this dark and dreary room waiting for Javan
and the crew to see me. Yeah, they walked out the opposite end away from
me. It took me about ten minutes to realize I was all alone in this
forsaken place.
Javan and I met through Dawn on Melany Rose. I
will never forget the first time he saw me. I could tell he wanted to be
just like me. It was kind of creepy if I'm being honest. Weirdo.
Back to When
a Stranger Knocks: What can you tell us about the shoot
as such, and the on-set atmosphere? I'll tell
ya, working for Javan and Dawn is one of those situations where you think
to yourself, "self... what were you thinking?" Those two expect everything
to be perfect all of the time. "Well excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Perfect!
Sorry I don't live on your level!" Okay, I'm joking... again. When
a Stranger Knocks is probably the best set I
have ever been on. I love everyone who was involved with this project and
they love me. I mean... who doesn't? I'm a lovable kind of guy. I can say
that everything operated as it should have been. Sure, there were little
hiccups here and there (like the one time Javan disrespected me... one
time!), every project has hiccups and you just push through them. We all
had a great time! I say we all had a great time... that does not include
Dawn and Ty running in one-hundred plus degree weather (I sat in an air
conditioned room eating while they did that - just saying). They just kept
running. Nor does it include Ty not seeing anything for almost an entire
day. I'm fairly certain he did not have too much fun with that.

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Any future projects
you'd like to share? Spring
time is quickly approaching so I'll have to pressure wash the house and
get the lawn in shape. I'm a big lawn guy. My daughter's boyfriend spit on
my lawn one time and I almost went medieval on him. I had to attend
therapy after that. For realsies though, Javan has some things he's toying
around with that he has mentioned, but I really don't think I'm at liberty
to say. I'm always looking and hoping opportunities come my way. Ya know,
It only takes that one person to see what you are capable of and I think I
have that connection with Javan. What got you into acting in the
first place, and did you receive any formal training on the subject? I
was part of theatre my senior year in high school and I loved it. I was
more of a crew guy and never got any big roles, but I really enjoyed it.
We actually placed first my senior year in Texas' UIL One-Act (5A) in
Austin, Texas. Several years ago, while at work, I saw a sign that said
"Open Auditions". So I dropped what I was doing and walked into
this little building. This is when I met Mrs. Ann Marie Crouch! Through
her and Mrs. Darla Briganti Kain I began attending coaching lessons, along
with other venues they offer. A little side note - about seven years
before meeting Mrs. Crouch, I was in the military. One day, I was sitting
in my dorm room watching television and this Miller Lite commercial came
on. Well, I absolutely fell in love with the female in this commercial. I
didn't know her and she didn't know me... but... just wow! As it turns out,
during a coaching session with Mrs. Crouch, she began telling the class
about this Miller Lite commercial she did while in Los Angeles. Yes, Sir!
It was her. What are the chances! What
can you tell us about your filmwork prior to When
a Stranger Knocks? Prior
to When
a Stranger Knocks, I've worked on a few feature films. I would say, my biggest role prior to this would be in Atlantic
Rim... no, not Pacific Rim,
this is Atlantic Rim. Mrs. Crouch got me this audition. I enjoyed shooting this. I got
to hang out with Graham Greene and Anthony Shawn Criss (AKA:
"Treach" from Naughty By Nature). Both of these gentlemen were
great to be around. Oh, and there was that time I got kneed in my face by
Nicolas Cage while going over a scene. He was also very down to earth.

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How would you describe yourself as an actor, and some of your techniques to bring your
characters to life?
I'm pretty hard on myself. Of course, I think we all do it... but I'm always
looking back and thinking "I should have done this", "I
should have done that." In the end, it's what the director wants to
see. What is going to catch the attention of the viewing audience? I rely
a lot on things I have seen in life, either good or bad. Unfortunately, we
all know there is plenty of bad. Actors (and indeed actresses) who
inspire you? Easy. Denzel Washington, Joaquin Phoenix, Matthew McConaughey, Charlize
Theron, and Melissa McCarthy. Your favourite movies? Oh
wow. Hmmm. Okay, Shawshank Redemption is
certainly on this list. I would also say The
Outsiders, Saving Private Ryan, Goodfellas, Over
the Edge, and John Q. There really are so many. ...
and of course, films you really deplore?
I'm not really one to knock things others have done, but I will say one movie
comes to mind when I read this question: Little Nicky. BUT... I guarantee you I would have jumped all over this if I was given the
opportunity! I just felt it wasn't Adam Sandler material. Your website,
social media, whatever else? Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ActorStevenMarlow Anything else you're dying
to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? Just
that I really appreciate you taking the time to speak with all of us. Keep
up the great work, Sir and be safe! Thanks
for the interview!
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