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An Interview with Glen Cook, Star of Hamlet for the Fireys

by Mike Haberfelner

February 2022

Films starring Glen Cook on (re)Search my Trash

 

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Your new movie Hamlet for the Fireys - in a few words, what is it about, and what can you tell us about your character?

 

Hamlet for the Fireys is basically a modern day take on take on the classic Shakespeare play Hamlet. In this case it is centred around a and Aussie fire fighter who is taking a break from fighting the horrific bushfires we had in late 2019, early 2020, and while sitting alone with a drink, is pondering the meaning of life.

 

What did you draw upon to bring your character to life, and being a firefighter yourself, did that inform your performance in any way?

 

I was a fire fighter for the best part of 20 years, and so in that time have faced things that most only see on TV, and really, hopefully that’s the only way they experience these things, but I know all too well, the feeling of exhaustion, the energy sapping heat, the horrific sight of a wall of fire, all those experiences, and what it takes to face off against such odds. These things never leave you. Fire fighters really are heroes in the truest sense, when they must deal with such formidable foes with such deadly possible consequences. Most of the bush fire fighting teams are “volunteer” fire fighters too, so they really are just normal people, put in extreme extraordinary situations. All of these things I can relate toothrough my life experience, and so it was reasonably easy to sit and put myself in a situation mentally for what emotion or delivery that was needed to suit.

 

How did you get involved with the project in the first place, and what drew you to it?

 

It was really director David Black [David Black interview - click here] who approached me with the idea. We had experienced 4 months of the most horrific fires the country had seen, and these events affected a lot of people. Not necessarily just people who lost homes and property from these fires, but people hearing day in and out the continuing heartache of what was going on. It really affected the psyche of the nation and drew people together to raise funds, and do things to help each other in tough times. So I'm fairly sure Dave was affected, and influenced to write this short film, and the emotion in it is evident, and personally for me, I think it's one of his most poignant and deep films to date. So it really was a case of him coming to me and saying “hey you were a fire fighter, would you like to do this?” I thought about it and said yes. It was as simple as that, and it was a chance to pull out the old fire fighting gear again.

 

As Hamlet for the Fireys is a Shakespeare-adaptation of sorts, what do the writings of the bard mean to you personally?

 

I think Shakespeare really evolved the English language in ways that are still with us today. There is such a beautiful flow and depth to what was written, and it was utterly ground breaking for the time, be it a tragedy or a comedy, and we can even today relate to the various themes that were addressed, such as love, betrayal, redemption etc. Trying to use the mode of speech on the other hand is another matter. It at times feels like a tongue twister for the brain, and it was a real challenge for me to learn the dialogue for this short film too. I really feel Shakespeare’s writings is one of those things that will continue to influence us for years to come.

 

What can you tell us about Hamlet for the Fireys' director David Black [David Black interview - click here], and what was your collaboration like?

 

I have worked with David many times previously, and he is quite an interesting guy. He is always thinking about story ideas, and it just doesn’t stop. Some of these ideas are hit and some are miss, but his mind is always just going and going, and he always comes up with something. He is one of those filmmakers who is just consumed with making films, and that’s all he wants to do, and tell his story as best as he knows how. There is a passion that doesn’t seem to end, and he really invests in his ideas too. I really respect that. Working with Dave as director for this film, and also Gerrado who was the DOP for the film, was a very easy experience. Dave respected me in doing the job and giving life to his creation, and I had that space to think and get into the zone of what was needed for tho role. The most difficult part was remembering the lines, but it wasn’t really an issue, because Dave read them out for each part, and I thought for a bit and then really tapped into the feeling of what was needed.

 

Do talk about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere!

 

It honestly was one of the best shoots I have been part of. It was a very small crew, but that was all that was needed for this shoot, and really there was an atmosphere of ... respect I guess is the word I’m looking for, but it doesn’t quite describe it. We obviously were all in shock from the fires, and in some cases they were still burning in some areas at time of filming. So that certainly was with everyone, but it was when I climbed back into my old uniform, that all of a sudden, I felt like I had stepped back in time, and all of a sudden it was everyone was working with a “real” fire fighter. Maybe the word I am looking for is reverence, but I wasn’t just as an actor, but as someone who has seen and done this for a living. It was a bit surreal.

 

Any future projects you'd like to share?

 

Well besides acting I’m a writer and director also, and I do have a few projects on the go for the future in terms of short film and even a feature I am currently writing or working on, but those are all under wraps for the moment. I know Dave has a few more wonderful scripts coming up that I will be part of, and I can tell some of them are going to be a riot. Once such film is called Game of Groans and its totally off the wall and hilarious. Should be a lot of fun.

 

What got you into acting to begin with, and did you receive any formal training on the subject?

 

Well that’s the funny thing. I really just accidentally fell into it, in regards to modern times. For those who are looking for a deeper answer, way back when I was young, my first foray into acting was in Christmas concerts at school. I had the lead role in Twas the Night Before Christmas playing “Dad” who comes down and discovers Santa, and while I enjoyed the art of acting etc, I never studied it or did any high school dramas or anything like that. I think some of my early films I was an extra. I couldn’t tell you what films they were off hand, and it was a case of they were short of extras to fill roles, so I stepped in. This has happened often enough that I have been an extra, or even a body double on some reasonably high profile feature films. It's been a lot of fun.

 

Game of Groans

What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to Hamlet for the Fireys?

 

A lot of my acting has been on Dave’s films, but as I mentioned before I have been on a few feature films as well. One of those is a feature film about the Australian bush ranger (highway man) Ben Hall, titled The Legend of Ben Hall. I body-doubled for actor Andy McPhee who was playing the character “Old Man Gordon”, and accomplice of Ben Hall. One of the things Andy couldn’t do was run through the bush due to injury, and so I was dressed up as the character, fake beard and all, to do all the running that Andy couldn’t do. I had taken the time to watch how Andy moved, his gait, and general mannerisms, so once I was finished in makeup, and was ready to fill in for Andy, I stepped out and started doing an Andy impersonation, and when I looked up, to my surprise everyone was looking at me. They were a little way from where I was, but they were all staring, director included. It was a great laugh. 

 

There was another film where I played a truckie. It really was a small bit part, to make the protagonist really detest his job. So I thought about what was required and what character this person was likely to be. I based my mode of speech on an old diesel mechanic I knew when I was a fire fighter, Geoff Page, and this character had seen to world in his time as a mechanic, and he was incredible matter of fact, no punches pulled type of guy, but loved a good yarn and sharing his adventures. He served as a wonderful and colourful inspiration for the character I played. I added other things like pulling my pants down for a bit of “plumber's crack”, and I just adlibbed all that I said on any knowledge I had about trucks. It was great fun, and for some reason while filming, the take actually went longer than I expected, so I just kept talking and talking, and interacting with the protagonist. It was all off the cuff, and a little rough around the edges in terms of polite conversation but all well meaning etc… and as soon as the director called cut, the entire set just burst into laughter.

 

How would you describe yourself as an actor, and some of your techniques to bring your characters to life?

 

I honestly feel I’m a bit of an every man. I’m not a fully trained actor, so I just rely on myself, life experience etc to give the emotion depending on the situation of the role. Everything I bring to a role, is really based on life experience and then asking myself, what would this situation bring out of the character in question. Sometimes the director has something in mind already for what he wants, and as an actor I can add to that, but with the limited amount of work I have done, I have been given generally a free reign of what I can do or bring to a character.

 

Actors (and indeed actresses) who inspire you?

 

Oh there are so many! Where do I start? Fay Wray, the original blonde (she actually wasn’t blonde) bombshell. Donna Reed always had a lovely innocence about her. Humphrey Bogart, and in his footsteps Peter Falk. I really love that hard boiled egg character, though Peter's portrayal in Murder by Death is a hoot! I enjoyed how Sean Connery evolved over his career, from Bond to Henry Jones, Christopher Lee has an amazing presence. Christopher Plummer as well for that matter, and he had subtle mannerisms I quite like. Of course these guys are all classic era stars and I have really brushed over that list, and could add a whole lot more. More current day actors, Samuel L. Jackson has easily won his right to being a star, no doubt. The guy can be anything and you just feel it, and I get the vibe he is a hell of a cool guy too. Tom Hanks is great, loved him in Castaway. Hugo Weaving is one of those actors who has done so many iconic roles, and again seems to be one of those down to earth people, and he is an Aussie too. Talking of Aussies, Cate Blanchett would be utterly wonderful, would be Hugo Weaving are top of my list. They are just brilliant.

 

Your favourite movies?

 

I was inspired by Star Wars when it came out, so the original trilogy. Lord of the Rings also, it's truly breathtaking. I love the original 1933 King Kong, Citizen Kane is a masterpiece, Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Taxi Driver. I'm a fan of Spielberg, his early films capture that inner child and that wonder.

 

... and of course, films you really deplore?

 

Certainly the Disney Star Wars Trilogy. Proof that you can have all the money in the world and still screw it up.

 

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Your website, social media, whatever else?

 

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www.instagram.com/lone_viking1

 

Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?

 

Thanks for the interview! I hope everyone enjoys the film Shakespeare for the Firies, and thank you so much for interviewing me, its been a lot of fun J

 

Thanks for the interview!

 

© by Mike Haberfelner


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directed by
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written by
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produced by
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