Interviews

Interviews: Bruce Campbell

This interview was conducted by Jesse on Feb. 5th and all questions were answered by Bruce Campbell. Bruce has starred in the movies Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, in addition to the Brisco County Jr. Television series that used to air on Fox.

Q - What sort of music are you listening to these days?
70's usually and crooners - Frank, Dean, Sammy, etc.

Q - What was your first experience with filmaking?
Super-8mm films back in the early 70's.

Q - What do you think of your legions of fans?
I'm very happy to have a fan base. It isn't large, but they're pretty loyal.

Q - That story about the fox and the hat was funny, but do you have any involving lemurs?
I'm working on one now...

Q - Is Lucy Lawless a good kisser (from all your experiences)?
I've never had to kiss her on screen. She's gotta be, right?

Q - What's the deal with your 'soul patch' as Autolycus?
It's a "Three Muskateers" thing.

Q - In descending order, what are the three most hated things that people ask you for?
1. Another sequel to Evil Dead.

2. An autograph - don't get me wrong about this...(see attached)

You know, for years I've gotten lefty cramps scrawling my name on all of your pictures, 3"x5" cards, hand made objects and fleshy foreheads and I've done this without thinking.

But, now that '98 is upon us and we are obligated to reflect at least ONE DAY a year - I have given the whole "autograph" thing some serious consideration. What I have come up with is this: I don't think it's a good thing.

Now quit cursing and hear me out. When you really get right down to it, what we're talking about is the value of a carbon scribble (or ink, or paint pen) on a piece of squashed, dead tree, am I right? What value does it really have?

Is it worth money? Only an autograph collector knows for sure. Will it help me communicate better to you? No. I really just put my illegible scrawl (take my word for it, folks) on a postcard or whatever and move on to the next. I don't "know" you as a result. In the flurry of things, I barely catch the return address (hey, I could lie to ya...).

Will it help you know me? Sorry, a hasty signature isn't gonna do it. Ask yourself this: Will it make you be a better parent? Will it help you get straight A's? Will it make you cool? Sure you can show it to all your friends and family, but come on, you and I know that the answer to ALL of the above is...no.

What I propose is this: If you want a picture, no sweat - I'll send you one (on my dime) and you can frame it, use it as a dartboard, or make the darn thing into a beer coaster if you'd like. But, as far as personally scribbling my name on your picture, or mine, I'd hate to further encourage you to buy in to the whole "Hollywood" thing.

Look, no matter what you may have heard to the contrary, I'm just the poor slob next door. I may not be YOUR neighbor, but I just want to be treated like one. Help me poke big fat holes in all of those phony-baloney Hollywood mystiques about fame and fortune, will you? I hate to break it to you, but us cheezeball actor types are no better than you. Heck, most of us can't even change the oil in our cars...

Please make no mistake - this decision is not because of any disdain I have toward you - it's simply a combination of time issues and a larger matter of why the heck my autograph should be worth one red cent more than yours. Are you any less VALUABLE? I think not, and that's really my whole point.

Besides all that philosophical stuff, with work taking the time that it does, I have been falling horribly behind with the current stack of autographs and would hate to continue leaving you good folks needlessly dangling in the wind. I don't want to continue this non-service to you, the dutiful fan.

What I would prefer is that we keep a basic unspoken agreement. I will respect you as fans by working as hard as I can to entertain you to the best of my abilities. For your part, you can "value" me by simply doing what you have always done - watch the stuff I'm in. I know that sounds pretty darn simplistic, but I think it's a purer way to go. You've always supported me in the past, so I'm asking you to support me in this.

But Bruce, does this mean you'll NEVER sign another autograph? No, life is not that simple. Hey, if we should meet in line at Carl's Jr., I'll sign that coffee-stained napkin - no prob.

What about conventions, you ask? Absolutely - I'll sign whatever the convention folks allow me to do - that's what they're all about and there is at least a little more to the autograph when I can put my clammy hand in yours for a nanosecond. There's also DESIGNATED time and space allotted for that type of thing. Granted, I don't do that many conventions these days, but any appearances are listed on my web site: WWW.BRUCE-CAMPBELL.COM

I do like to communicate with you folks. Those of you that are on line can e- mail me. My e-mail address has been the WORST kept secret on the web for several years now (bcact@aol.com). My answers are short and sarcastic, sure, but I'll respond to any non-ludicrous query.
3. I don't have a #3.

Q - Any advice for aspiring actors who have an 8mm video camera and some friends who want to make a bad horror movie?
Yes - read the following:

THE PRACTICAL SIDE

1. Compile any "footage" you have of yourself into a 3-5 minute "demo reel" that shows scenes of your best stuff - or any stuff. The finished format should be on 1/2" VHS video tape format. Be prepared to make several dozen "dupes" of these.

If you don't have anything that you worked on - create it! Get your hands on a video camera at the local access cable station and record some prepared scenes - anything is better than nothing. Start saving your pennies now!

2. Get an 8"x10" "head shot" taken of you in black and white - I would recommend one lighter in tone, one serious - about 250 of each. Don't print your resume on the back. You can staple an 8x10" resume on the back - this will allow you to change it often without affecting the pictures.

The picture/s should be current and it should look exactly like you - the same as if you walked into that director/producer/casting director's office.

3. If you move to LA:

A. Be prepared to get a non-movie job and support yourself (in a job that has flexible hours) and have a 5 year plan - yes, five years.

You will rapidly find that Hollywood is not "waiting" for you to arrive, and that you will need to learn the ropes for a while.

Some of you will find a fast track out here, and others will have to pack it up and turn the truck back to Oklahoma - no big deal - it's not brain surgery.

B. Become as familiar with the city as fast as you can and pick an area where you'd be comfortable living. Don't live in a crappy neighborhood just because it's where you think the "action" is. You can't stop living while you wait for your ship to come in.

These are the basic necessities. Beyond that, the process you follow to "get in the door" can be almost anything.

OPTIONS

Bear in mind, most talent agents will not meet with you if you just "show up" at their door. However, in some cities, like New York and Hollywood, there are showcases where you can present prepared scenes to people in the industry (i.e. Casting directors and talent agents/managers).

You can also enroll in acting classes in LA/New York that will allow you to meet other actors and swap ideas/plans.

Other than that, you can dig up every actor trade magazine and get ready for those cattle calls. You can also find industry-related temp jobs by applying for production work (as a runner, for example - behind the scenes), or as an extra, or stand-in. Use your imagination - you'll need it!

Personally, I simply became one of the producers on the first film I was in ("Evil Dead") - and gave myself the part. Granted, this was a 4 year long commitment to seeing the first film through, but it may be something to consider - especially if you live in a city far away from LA or New York and don't fancy the relocation just yet.

Remember, you can always write your own material and try to find some money to get it made. It's America after all, use it to your advantage.

Most of all, be patient, diligent and hard working. Only lazy actors complain about not finding work.

A NOTE ABOUT "FAME" AND FORTUNE

Fame is a word I have come to loathe. It is relative at best and can be a dangerous and destructive pursuit. If you seek fame and fortune as an actor, turn that Honda Civic around and head back to Phoenix.

Let's not forget, there are plenty of "famous" people out there. Timothy McVeigh is famous. Adolph Hitler is famous. There are also a lot of rich folks too. That doesn't immediately give you a one way ticket to happiness. Just ask Donald Trump, J. Paul Getty, the Kennedys. Try not to get sucked into all that.

As far as money goes, yes you can make a good living as an actor. You can run the gamut of grossly overpaid to barely scraping by. Most actors wind up closer to the latter.

We are sometimes raised with the desire for better, bigger, faster - more! I suggest you re-think this brainwashing and concentrate on being a happy person first. If you get rich, good for you. If you become famous, hey as long as you haven't blown up a federal building, more power to you. But, if you think the "F" words will fill the void that you may find within yourselves, you are gravely mistaken.

If, on the other hand, you possess a sincere desire to express, then you can do that at the Boot Lick Wyoming community theater as easily as Hollywood. You can also do it in commercials, industrial films, student films, or in the confines of your own living room. In short, if you want to be an actor - act. Geography doesn't mean anything.

Heck, in this day and age, not nearly as much is filmed in Los Angeles anyway. In the past 3 years, I have done easily 70% of my work OUTSIDE of LA. I've recently worked in Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, New Zealand and France. Even within the US, I've worked in Portland, Austin, Detroit, Baltimore and Wilmington. It's a big world - movies are made everywhere.

Now that I have thoroughly depressed you, read further. If this is a dream that you simply MUST follow, then at least do it hard and long enough so that you can decide for yourself whether this entertainment thing is for you. Who knows? You might become bored, you might quickly realize that it's simply not for you. Or, quite possibly, you might just find that there is no question about it - show biz is your life!

However, if you "dabble" in it, you will never find out what it's all about. This business is not for the feint of heart or for the thin-skinned. Self- esteem is greatly needed in "H" land. Keep that always and have fun, for heaven's sake...

Q - If you met a kid who was, in actuality, named Carbomb, what would your first impression be?
Dear God, help that person!

Q - Final Question: Are you going to be in Virginia any time soon?
My web site posts all my appearances...