Your webseries Whitey - in a few words, what is it about?
The authentic story of Whitey Bulger and the ethics and
morality issues involved. The complicated character he was and what web of
corruption he spun with his brother. What
got you interested in the story of Whitey Bulger in the first place,
and
how true do you stick to the facts? My growing up in Boston
and knowing friends of friends that worked with him or Weeks or Winter.
The characters are trues to fact with embellishments. Other sources of
inspiration when writing Whitey? I use my life
experiences with court, the law and Boston court system to draw the reality
and stresses of corruption you find in any small city with corruption. My
divorce in Cambridge court system and Framingham court. What can you
tell us about the series' look and feel? The look and feel
should be my vision of characters that truly existed in James Bulger's
world based on good research with a fictional creative license to create
back stories of true characters with actor's flavor. For example ,
"Henna" being an itch in everybody's side with a sarcastic
frustration with the corruption. You also play
one of the leads of Whitey - so what can you tell us about your
character, what did you draw upon to bring him to life, and how much of
yourself can we find in "Agent Hennessy"?
John Savage, Jeff, Donald Watson |
My character is Jeff Hennessy - given his life experiences in Boston and
my own frustration I experienced in probate court in a divorce coupled
with the bad boy period of my life and the law. I am sarcastic and have
lived through a lot of death and tragedy myself and add that to my
character.
What
can you tell us about the rest of your cast, and why exactly these people? There
are plenty of people to justify, Kevin Weeks will be introduced, Howie
Winter, and more. Character back stories of Henna, Whitey, Maria, Henna's
girlfriend and Catherine (Whitey's love interest). There is in addition
California mayhem to discover. Finish? Maybe never, the story can go on
and on. We have Vito D'Ambrosio coming in, Jason Oliver from, Stand By
Me and John Savage. Maybe no end in sight. We have challenged, or I
have challenged, Jack Nicholson to compare his work on Departed to Donald
Watson's on this Whitey project!!!! A few words about
audience and critical reception of the series so far?
Surprisingly the audience has few complaints, great reception.
The
$64-question of course: Where can Whitey be seen? So
far, view it at
https://www.youtube.com/user/WhiteyWebSeries
Any
future projects beyond Whitey? Yes, future project
will be my life story, my mother being a famous model and television
personality and dying in plane crash at the same time as my father in 1971.
My journey after that. What got you into
acting and filmmaking in the first place, and did you receive any formal
education on either subject? My formal education was in
Boston with Ted Kazanoff and various other teachers for 17 years, filming,
producing and writing come naturally. I have a degree in philosophy from
the University of New Hampshire.
What can you tell us about
your filmwork prior to Whitey, in whichever position? My
filmwork prior to Whitey was about 15 features and 7 Indies, as an
actor. I have produced a horror once as well. I always liked to write. I
have been writing my whole life. I wrote a book about my life experience
just never published it. I will draw from that for next project. I love
acting the most. How
would you describe yourself as an actor, as a writer and as a director? I
would say fairly good writer, good director and accomplished actor. Filmmakers,
writers, actors, whoever else who inspire you? Pacino,
Vincent D'Onofrio are my favorite actors right now! Your
favourite movies?
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Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned) |
The links below will take you just there!!!
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Deer Hunter, Scent of A Woman, Rightous
Kill, Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Boyhood, Blue Velvet.
... and of course, films you really
deplore? Worst movie--I don't think like that. Your/your series'
website, Facebook, whatever
else?
https://www.youtube.com/user/WhiteyWebSeries
Anything else you are dying to tell us and I have
merely forgotten to ask? I'd like to say, movie, film and
television in my opinion produce quality when people concentrate on the
character, and immerse themselves in doing their homework on the
character. Location, props come secondarily. I am focusing on true organic
acting based on raw feeling from the cast. Donald Watson can not be
touched by Jack Nicholson as Whitey Bulger. I, Jeff Hennessy, challenge Jack
Nicholson to compare his role in Departed to Donald Watson's in Whitey.
Thanks for the interview!
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