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Your new movie Blood
Covered Chocolate - in a few words, what is it about, and what can
you tell us about your character in it?
It's a character drama, mixed up in a vampire horror flick. And
for good measure, some family dysfunction, addiction and mental
illness. Massimo is a very damaged person, really trying to get
his life and love into order, so he can have a normal existence.
But there are so many demons pulling him in different directions, and
let's just say that he's very open to suggestion. What did you
draw upon to bring your character to life, and how much Michael Klug can
we find in Massimo? Fortunately, I've not had any addiction issues in my own life,
to fully understand that side of Massimo. But in his quieter
moments with Tien, that's when you'll see a little bit of the real me.
I'm a softee at heart, so those more intimate moments were reasonably
easy to access. On the other hand, in real life, I'm a
tightly-wound ball of anxiety, so tapping into that for Massimo -- and
to give him the oomph of stress and anxiety he's up against -- that
was also an easy path to find. How did you get involved with the
project in the first place? I offered feedback on an early draft of the script, then joined
in a virtual table read of the piece several months later. There
was no plan for me to be in the film, but at the last minute, an actor
had to drop out of the project and I came on... with six days to
prepare. The timing for my arrival on the project is nothing
short of kismet. We shot in early 2021, and when I got the call,
I was only two days past full vaccination status. Had it been a
week or two before, I would have had to turn it down. Now that's
timing!
To what extent can you
identify with Blood
Covered Chocolate's approach to the horror genre? I appreciate character-driven horror overall. In my own
screenwriting, I've always found it more interesting to stick
characters with rough histories and overwhelming problems into these
surreal situations. The scares are great and the horror is
important, but making those things almost incidental to the plight of
the characters, makes the experience more engaging. I think with
Massimo, he's just so messed-up in so many ways. Putting him
into this insane situation only heightens the problems he has as a
person. And isn't that depth and difficult character journey
what draws in and keeps an audience's attention? What
can you tell us about Blood
Covered Chocolate's director Monte Light [Monte
Light interview - click here], and what was your collaboration
like? Monte's a dear friend and a gifted collaborator. We've
worked on multiple projects as actor/director and we've also helped
out one another with honest feedback on countless script swaps.
I have a small group of folks who get first dibs on any of my new
scripts (to offer notes), and Monte is one of them. He's
incredibly intelligent in life, and also in his film knowledge, so
it's rare that I've not taken his insights, or in the case of being on
set, his instructions as a director, to heart. He knows his
stuff and he knows what he wants, so I trust him implicitly. And
that's not to say that he doesn't make way for other opinions. I
think if you're confident enough in what you want, and have a solid
vision, there's no weirdness or resentment when someone offers other
options which might be counter to your own ideas. Ultimately,
he's down for whatever is going to make the project better. A few words about the shoot as such, and the
on-set atmosphere? It was pretty quick pace. As I mentioned, I had about a
week to prepare, so for me, it was simply about finding fast focus.
It was a good environment overall, but I feel like I was somewhat
detached from "the fun", since I just needed to be
"on" for the entire shoot. Massimo's on virtually ever
page. Any future projects you'd like to
share? Nothing on the acting front, but I am working on my first novel
(What the House Saw) which I hope to complete by the end
of 2022. It's a semi-autobiographical, supernatural horror
story. Once done, then the real work begins, as I start the
search for publishers. And as is the norm, I've got multiple
scripts in various stages of development/completion.
What got you into acting in the first place, and
did you receive any formal training on the subject? I started acting when I was eight years old, in a stage
production of Pinocchio (as a candlestick). And it's been a part
of my life ever since. I was trained as a stage actor in
college, receiving a BA in Theatre Arts as both an actor and a
director. It's a cliché, but getting outside of my own problems,
anxieties and triggers to deal with someone else's, is certainly
freeing. While different, of course -- writing offers that same
escape. Acting and writing are forms of therapy for me. Every
now and again, you can also be found on the other side of the camera - so
what can you tell us about your behind-the-camera work, and which side do
you actually prefer? I love being on the other side of the camera, mostly as a
writer. I picked up writing when I was ten (just a short time
after my first acting gig), and that's now taken center stage in my
creative work. I'm still relatively inexperienced in the
director and producer positions, but those are definitely skills I'd
like to continue to refine. At the moment, I would say I prefer
to be an actor. It's an important piece of the filmmaking
puzzle, but you're not juggling eight hundred other things (wardrobe,
shot lists, makeup). You can focus on doing your character
proper justice and that's basically it. What can you tell us about your
filmwork prior to Blood
Covered Chocolate, in whatever position? I've produced three of my own short films, which was
challenging, but that's ultimately where I'd like to head. As an
actor I've done four features and countless shorts. I also did
one of those "real" courtroom television shows, which most
scoff at, but it was a very fun experience, and it was ALL improv --
which for me, is quite daunting -- but I feel I pulled it off.
How
would you describe yourself as an actor, and some of your techniques to
bring your character to life? I think I benefit from being a writer. I understand
dialogue from both sides, so I feel it makes it easier to interpret
the writer's intentions, because I am a writer. I also try
to be a good listener, since -- as you know, acting is reacting, so
you gotta keep your ears open and accept what the other actors are
offering and respond appropriately.
Actors (and indeed
actresses) who inspire you? I'm a big fan of the GOAT, Meryl Streep. The way she
inhabits any and all of her characters with seeming ease. I've
never once seen her phone it in and to be that consistently good is
just mind-blowing and inspiring. I've also had a lifelong love
affair with all things Sigourney Weaver. I am also a devoted fan
of the late, great John Candy. His ability to make you laugh and
then a moment later, make you cry, is a rare gift. He is so
sorely missed. Oh and anything with Lily Tomlin is an automatic
win! Your favourite movies? I'm a horror fan through and through! That being said,
about a decade ago, I sat down and hashed out my Top 40 favorite
films. Top Five: 5) Aliens 4) A Nightmare on Elm Street
(1984) 3) Poltergeist (1982) 2) Murphy's Romance 1) Day of the
Dead (1985). I'm a die-hard Romero fan. You'll also notice
the oddball small town romantic comedy in spot #2. What can I
say, I love all things grotesque and horrific, but still find time in
my movie-obsessed life to enjoy a Sally Field/James Garner character
romance. ...
and of course, films you really deplore? Anything that doesn't give the audience respect. I don't
like to be spoonfed. And torture porn horror -- you really,
really gotta earn the use of that particular brand of insanity for me
to accept or tolerate it. If the story couldn't be told without
it, then you're good. If you're doing it for a cheap thrill,
that's a firm "no". Your website,
social media, whatever else?
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My personal website is www.notmymess.com. And
I have a screenplay consulting business called Klugula Screenplay
Consulting (www.klugulascreenplayconsulting.com). My Twitter and
IG handle is klugula. Facebook: Michael Klug Anything else you're dying
to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? I'm
so proud of what Monte and his team have accomplished with Blood
Covered Chocolate. A character piece mixed in with a little
romance, a little crime drama, a little family dysfunction and a good deal
of horror. It looks fantastic, and I'm so happy that it fell into my
lap! And thanks for your time! Thanks
for the interview!
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