|
Tom Nagel
 Tom: "I believe you have to believe in yourself".
|
Conducted by Phil
Davies Brown July 12th, 2006
Tom Nagel is a welcome fresh face
in the sometimes stifling world of straight to vid horror flicks. No
matter how bad the film is, Tom draws you in with his bright eyed
enthusiasm and zest for life approach to acting.
I caught up with the rising star ahead of his latest
movie The Butcher's DVD release on July 11th.
Read on to see what Tom had to say about the trials and
tribulations of shooting a low budget horror movie at 3 a.m. when it's
cold and dark and the props refuse to work.
What made you choose to become
an actor and did you train formally?
I started acting when I was a kid back in Cleveland Ohio doing commercials
and modeling. I didn’t know I really wanted to act until my first feature
film called Telling Lies in America which stared Kevin Bacon. I started as
an extra and became a day player. It was one of the greatest weeks of my
life and after that I knew I wanted to act. I really haven’t trained
formally though. My aunt and uncle are actors and they taught me
everything I knew before coming to Los Angeles.
You started out by working on
student films and as a day player. Did you learn a lot of valuable info
about the industry during that time?
I can’t even tell you how much you learn from doing student films, shorts,
indies, whatever. You learn so much just being on a set and getting in
front of a camera. I always tell new actors to go out and do student
films, get in front of a camera.
 Tom:
"And there are countless roles I would love to play".
|
You soon advanced from
supporting parts to lead roles in bigger features. Was this as a result
of your training and hard work, or do you feel that you were always ready
but were just waiting to be discovered?
Well, that’s a funny question. I believe you have to believe in yourself.
If you don’t, you’ll never make it in this business. It takes an amazing
amount of work to be an actor. You are always studying. I am always
working. Always watching TV or films, reading...whatever I can do to
better myself as an actor. So I think to answer your question it’s a
little of both.
Many of your recent roles have
been in horror movies. Are you a fan of the horror genre?
Definitely, I grew up watching A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the
13th. I have always loved horror films but as an actor I always look at
the role first. That really is the first attraction to a film. And there
are countless roles I would love to play.
The Asylum is known for
putting out movies quickly. What is your schedule usually like when
working on a movie for The Asylum?
WOW!! That pretty much sums it up...It’s crazy. It really is. I haven’t
worked with another production that crazy. I really don’t know how they do
it. But they do and it’s pretty amazing. There isn’t much prep time for
the actors which I personally don’t like, but they are a great group of
people and I love working with them.
Do you enjoy seeing how the
special effects are created and implemented on shoots?
Yeah, I’m the type of actor who loves to be on set. When I’m not in a
scene I love to sit with the director and watch how it’s all done. It’s a
lot of fun.
 Tom:
"It’s always fun to do a pirate film".
|
Are the movies you’ve worked
on as much fun to make, as they are to watch?
In my eyes they are more fun to work on, but I love what I do and I wouldn’t
trade it for anything.
What do you look for when
choosing a role?
That’s a tough one. It really depends. So much goes into the decision.
Besides the actual role and story, it depends on who I will be working
with and who’s directing and so forth. The main thing though I guess is,
am I going to have fun playing this character.
Do you have any funny stories
you could share with us about shooting a horror movie?
There are lots...um...It’s always funny when the props and costumes aren’t
working right. Especially at 3am... we all get a little silly.
Which of your horror movies
has been your favorite to make so far?
Pirates of Treasure Island. It was just released in the United States and
I co-stared with Lance Henriksen. It was a blast! Plus I learned so much
from him. He’s a great actor and a great person. Plus it’s always fun to
do a pirate film.
You have worked with some
really good people in the horror industry. Who has been great fun to work
with, and is there anyone you would like to work with in
future?
Well I must say there a lot of people I have had a great time with; Lance
Henriksen, Jeff Denton, Tom Downey, Rhett Giles, and Leigh Scott are just
a few. I would love to work with Tom Hanks or Johnny Depp. I think they
are brilliant actors and it would be wonderful to be in a film with them
and learn from them.
What advice would you have for
any struggling actors out there?
What I always tell people is that in this business it almost comes down to
2 words Patience and Persistence. Keep working at it!!
What’s next for
you?
I have a Lionsgate film coming out July 11th called The Butcher and I
start filming a comedy called Frat House mid July.
"Thank you ever so much for taking part in this interview
Tom. And we wish you the very best of luck in the future."
|