Welcome to a new column of ours, this one deals with following up with various interviews conducted in the past with industry folks; this time I shall give further in-depth of who they are, the interview that was conducted and where they are now. Graham Skipper, has worn many hats in filmmaking, covering shorts, TV-movies, episodes, and a few features, which started with his first film a comedy and drama film Late Bloomers (1996). This was a brief 10-minute interview conducted 2015/2016 which covered his work on director’s Joe Begos’ The Mind’s Eye [2014] he had previously worked on Joe’s other film Almost Human [2013].
BC: What was the most challenging aspect you encountered on The Mind’s Eye?
GS: It was very cold & frigid. One night they were filming outside & without the wind chill it was -22 degrees. It was challenging to work in those conditions, but he welcomed the challenge. It forces you as an actor to endure despite the conditions.
BC: What attracted you to the project?
GS: I’m a big fan of horror and sci-fi movies, namely the Scanners franchise, and watched The Fury [1978] which I enjoy and truly love, as it delivers a different kind of telekinetic powers that are in fiction, or some people believe. I mean think about this, amazed at the wide varieties of abilities – moving stuff around, mind reading, using fire… Wow if people can really do this, so I try to build a skill set for the film, with the emotions for it.
BC: In previous interviews you mentioned roles by Lee, Cushing, Price needs to be core study for actors so in the world of remakes which one role would you step into and why?
GS: For me it would be Peter Lorre, because some people say I looks a lot like him plus I like his big bug eyes. I thoroughly really like him as an actor and the mysteries that surrounded him plus, he had a big over-the-top persona. I think it would be fun to try to become him for a role.
BC: You have a hot streak of horror films – 6 in 2 years what film hooked you into the horror genre?
GS: When I was about 13 years old, I watched The Exorcist for the first time, never so scared watching a movie before I was up all night and couldn’t sleep. I was thinking a lot about the special effects but was wondering why this movie was overpowering to me, I mean logically it had to be the filmmaking techniques. The next morning, I woke up and watched it three more times in a row, was just trying to figure out why this grabbed me so very much, it made me start devouring horror movies in a different way and appreciate the artistry and all aspects of making a horror movie.
BC: He has worn many hats in making a horror movie – do they assist you in your performance in your acting abilities?
GS: Yes, understanding what helps the director, editor, and what can I do as an actor to contribute to the role and help in all aspects of the film
BC: Do you communicate closely with the cinematographer & other actors & was there a lot of rehearsal time for the film?
GS: There wasn’t a whole lot of time to sit down and go over a lot with Joe on the phone before starting to film. We did run through some scenes in Rhode Island most of the time. But really, there just wasn’t a lot of time for rehearsal, yet I kinda like the spontaneity of it; there are pluses and minuses to a lot of rehearsal. Frankly, I like to be spontaneous!
BC: Lastly, was there any improv at any time – going off script?
GS: There is always some sort of improv if something doesn’t sound quite right … just say how I feel and working with Joe in performing how he wants it.
BC: Well, we are out of time, thanks for the interview.
Graham had a breakout year in 2015 with features being released from this movie discussed above, there was Betamax, Dementia, and Tales of Halloween of which he starred in them all, while working in almost every genre possible the Horror Genre is his mainstay as an actor, although overall comedy definitely has his calling. He has stepped into the director’s chair for two features first Space Clown [2016] which also was a comedy and had him taking on the most individual jobs for it (10-jobs) for one picture hence clearly an indie project and one needs to reflect that while Graham work on his directorial debut in that same year he starred in three more productions The Devil Dolls, Beyond the Gates, and Carnage Park. By 2017 he was ready for another go-around as director with Sequence Break [2017], and in 2018 it became another banner year of roles in three films, among them was Bad Apples and All the Creatures Were Stirring; then a guest appearance in a documentary horror flick entitled Wolfman’s Got Nards, which is about incredible fun movie The Monster Squad [1987]. He would reunite with director Joe Begos’ again in 2019 for two movies VFW and then Bliss. It is here that we conclude our Where Are They Now, noting Skipper is proceeding forward with his career by starring in Eric Pennycoff’s The Leech Horror Genre is his mainstay.
We at The Horror Times and Baron’s Crypt look forward to seeing more of his productions, catching up with him in the future, but overall, the wish is for him to a long and healthy career.
If you like to follow Graham:
https://www.instagram.com/skipstagraham/
https://twitter.com/GrahamSkipper
https://www.facebook.com/graham.skipper.3