Blind Item #6 - A Reader Blind Item
A few years ago, I was working on a movie, a low budget horror movie. don't bother looking it up -- it never finished filming, let alone got released,and any reference to it has been scrubbed away. My friends were making it, and I was there just to help, P.A.-ing and stuff like that. Unfortunately, my friend, the lead actor/producer (don't bother looking him up; he's not famous) got a huge ego and started taking control of the project, abusing two of the actresses (two C-list scream queens who work consistently on direct to VOD type stuff; one has actually directed three of her own films so far) with the help of another actress, ex-Playboy model (not centerfold or cover) turned C list scream queen. None of these people are really famous.
The one person who was, however, was a B movie legend we had for two days. This legend, who we will call, DR, began his career in earnest three decades ago. He got a couple parts in sequels to horror franchises from back in the day, with two different characters that had similar deformities. He disappeared into a bit player wilderness for a while before being rediscovered by a A-/B+ list director who was briefly A- list in another type of entertainment.
The director cast him in another franchise, the one that made him the B movie legend he is today. DR worked a couple times with the director before calling it quits, and he told us why. Now DR is genuinely nice guy -- a complete gentleman. He told us why he stopped working with the director and why it took so long for the director to make another film in the franchise that made his name. The director was an abusive jerk. Manipulation, verbal abuse, bullying -- you name it, he did it to almost anyone within earshot. The director pushed away everyone except his wife and FX man. He was one of the biggest, meanest jerks DR said he met.
Maybe the director has calmed down, or maybe DR is smart to not let a good money thing go, but he's reunited with the director for a new film. Hopefully, the director has gotten better. But if you ever watch whatever the director made, or consume his prior artistic output, do so knowing he was probably an abusive a******e to whomever he was collaborating with at the time of making it.
The one person who was, however, was a B movie legend we had for two days. This legend, who we will call, DR, began his career in earnest three decades ago. He got a couple parts in sequels to horror franchises from back in the day, with two different characters that had similar deformities. He disappeared into a bit player wilderness for a while before being rediscovered by a A-/B+ list director who was briefly A- list in another type of entertainment.
The director cast him in another franchise, the one that made him the B movie legend he is today. DR worked a couple times with the director before calling it quits, and he told us why. Now DR is genuinely nice guy -- a complete gentleman. He told us why he stopped working with the director and why it took so long for the director to make another film in the franchise that made his name. The director was an abusive jerk. Manipulation, verbal abuse, bullying -- you name it, he did it to almost anyone within earshot. The director pushed away everyone except his wife and FX man. He was one of the biggest, meanest jerks DR said he met.
Maybe the director has calmed down, or maybe DR is smart to not let a good money thing go, but he's reunited with the director for a new film. Hopefully, the director has gotten better. But if you ever watch whatever the director made, or consume his prior artistic output, do so knowing he was probably an abusive a******e to whomever he was collaborating with at the time of making it.
Kane Hodder?
ReplyDeleteFX man is Tom savini
ReplyDeleteDR = Devil's Rejects so probably Micheal Barryman from The Hills Have Eyes
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing the director is Rob Zombie, wife Sherry Moon Zombie, his FX guy is Wayne Toth
Makes sense @a dumb idiot.
ReplyDeleteI heard Micheal berryman was a great guy. Same with kane too tho!
Bill Moseley works as well, he first was in Texas Chainsaw 2 as Chop Top. He's credited in Zombie's upcoming 3 from Hell.
ReplyDeleteMichael Berryman is the shiznit. Love him!
ReplyDeleteMichael Berryman came to mind first!
ReplyDeleteNo idea, I hate these reader blinds. Just wanted to say Tom Savini is the nicest guy ever.
ReplyDeleteThe worst thing about Zombie is that he's actually a pretty good film director, so his deviant horror films are really effective and soul-ennervating. If this is him, it doesn't surprise me at all--his artistic expression suggests a severely damaged (yet gifted) mind. I hope he gets the help he needs, he'd be a formidable ally on the side of good.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, astute post DDonna.
DeleteThe worst thing about Zombie is his brother's music career
DeleteI don't know these people. 😕
ReplyDeleteLook him up. You'll recognize him for sure!
Delete@Sarah, Making It Work
DeleteThank you!
I recognize Michael Berryman. I thought his appearance was due to makeup/prosthetics. I am happy he is emotionally stable & able to make a living off his appearance. I hope that sentence makes sense.
Michael Berryman is probably the classiest, nicest guy in the industry.
ReplyDeleteAgree! Tom Savini is the best, he is friends with my old boss in Pittsburgh and heard my brother was/is a huge fan, came to my work and talked forever and took photos, was so nice. It was when he was filming Django unchained. I wish I would’ve got a Tarantino blind...
ReplyDelete@TW Me neither!
ReplyDelete@jessorella
DeleteI looked up Michael Berryman. If you have seen The Goonies then you have seen him.
I think I remember the low budget horror film and who the harasser was. I can’t remember the name of the movie was though. Wasn’t it the guy from breaking Amish?
ReplyDeleteChildren of the Cornhole 3?
DeleteHannah Fierman as one of the scream queens?
ReplyDeleteJust as an aside, off topic-but inspired by this blind: I had some extended interaction with "Jaws" actor Richard Kiel (RIP). Just the sweetest, gentlest most real and straightforward guy you could ever hope for.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that Michael Berrymen is a complete gentleman, having met him, neither is he working with Zombie nor is Hills Have Eyes three decades old -- it is four.
ReplyDeleteAlso, fun fact about Savini: not only did I catch hi m checking out my friend's ass, about a half hour later my girlfriend mentioned thay she caught him checking out her breasts.
This is a shit RB. Not only is it painfully uninteresting, there's an attitude about it that put me right off from the start.
ReplyDeleteManipulation, verbal abuse, bullying?
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world of having a job.
Sounds like many of the jobs I've had over the years in different fields.
Assholes are everywhere.
Some of the biggest assholes were servers
who would inspect my salt & pepper shakers at the end of the night.
They bullied me over those f+cking salt and pepper shakers.
Tortured me in fact.
Next time you're in a restaurant, and see the salt and pepper shakers,
remember, it's likely someone was abused over those salt and pepper shakers.
:)
Sid Haig.
ReplyDeleteMicheal berryman was not in Goonies
ReplyDeleteBut I think the answer is bill Moseley... The rumour mill is going on about devils rejects sequel being discussed, and Rob would want Bill to play Otis again. Micheal only really played a bit part...
Well then. At least I recognized the guy.
ReplyDeleteAs a Director your films scream you are. Zombie's movies scream pure garbage, and lack of talent. We did at one point have Jacques Tourneur making Horror, now we have a Rob Zombie
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely Bill Moseley - Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and Silent Night Deadly Night 3. Also worked as a journalist, I believe.
ReplyDeleteScream Queen turned director is probably Debbie Rochon. A true angel on Earth. A real sweetheart.
ReplyDeleteBill Mosely is morr likely, the major clue being that his career started 3 odd decades ago in 1986. Michael Berryman has been around since the late 70's.
ReplyDelete