What
are your earliest recollections of the horror genre? Were you
a fan?
My earliest recollections of the horror was when I was a child
at summer camp in Maine. We watched in a big auditorium a film
entitled "THE FLY". Very scary and rocked my peaceful
world at the camp. From then on the night was scary. I later became
a fan of Alfred Hitchcock growing up. The shower scene in PSYCHO
was of course a life long startling memory. |
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You played the
first stalker version of Jason in Friday The 13th Part 2.
How did you land that role? Didn't you initially audition
for a different part?
I landed the role through a submission from agent Rosanne Gates
at the Michael Thomas Agency. I did audition for the counselor
role that John Furrey played. One doesn't actually audition for
a slasher role like JASON. Keep in mind JASON was an unknown entity
at that time. |
Overall, what were the working conditions
like on the set for Friday The 13th Part 2? The movies tended
to come out rather fast. Was it a rushed production or did everything
run fairly smoothly?
The working conditions were excellent. They gave us all the cabins at
a summer camp. CAMP CRYSTAL LAKE, it was fun being part of something
exciting like a horror film. As far I can remember everything ran quite
smoothly.
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Where did the idea
of Jason's first mask come from? Was it scripted for him to
wear the sac or was it something either you or the producers/director
came up with?
I have no idea where the idea came from for the JASON face. The
special effects artist Carl Fullerton created the demonic look and
brought it to reality on my face. The sac idea most likely came
from the producer/ director team. |
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What
was your favorite scene (or kill) in Friday The 13th Part 2?
My favorite scene of course in the movie was the grand finale scare
scene where JASON jumps through the window and attacks Amy Steel.
Quite a shock to the audience when everyone thought JASON was dead!
A most memorable experience in my life that I will never forget. |
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Friday The 13th was Steve Miner's first film as a director. What were
your working experiences like with him for that movie?
My
experiences with Steve Miner were all good. I never knew it was
his first film.
Were there any scenes as Jason that were difficult to shoot?
The only scene as JASON that was difficult to shoot was the final
jump through the window. We shot many takes and it was not so easy. |
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You had said previously that the make-up for Jason was very uncomfortable.
Considering you only see Jason's face toward the end of the film, were
you in make-up for the whole shoot or just for those end sequences? |
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I was only in make
up for the final scene in the movie which took a few days, for
the ending sequences.. Each session Carl Fullerton needed approximately
7 hours to put it on which was of course uncomfortable. The most
annoying element was closing off one of my eyes for about 20 hours
at a time. You loose all depth perception with having only one
eye functioning. The dental implants were annoying as hell. When
the final scene took place, I was absolutely in the frame of mind
to kill my final victim. |
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A
lot of other actor's who played Jason have admitted to keeping their
distance from the other actors to instill some fear into them for
when they shot their scenes together. How did you get along
with the rest of the cast on Friday The 13th Part 2?
I think that was a great idea from the other JASON'S to distance
themselves from the cast to instill fear. Since my character was
in the beginning no one know what to expect. As far as I remember
I got along well with the rest of the cast and have only fond memories
of everyone. |
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Were you able to keep in contact
with any of the other people involved in the production of Friday 2?
Unfortunately I wasn't able to remain in touch with anyone as our lives
went in many different directions. I hope the notoriety of this film
and the place it has in horror history could bring us back together.
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Did
you get to keep any soviniers? The mask or any of the props?
Unfortunately I wasn't able to keep any souvenirs from the film.
I couldn't keep the " mask " because it was made up
of many different components. In reality it was not a " mask
", it was a creation of art that when complete had to be
destroyed. I kept the dental plates for many years but they eventually
got lost. I did manage to keep my original script though. Fans
can get a copy of one on my JASON2KILLS.com
web site.
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How'd
you enjoy seeing the movie for the first time on the big screen?
Did the 'jump thru the window' at the end scare the crap
out of your friends with you?
I saw the movie for the first time on the big screen at our premiere
on 86th Street Loews East Side , NYC. I took a big crew, including
Andy Warhol. Had a big after party with friends at a restaurant
and then off to Studio 54! Those were the days. Yes, the jump the
window scared the crap out of everyone. I do remember my Grandmother
not being too impressed with the film. She is 100 today and is a
classic grand dame, I hope I can work in something one day that
she will like. |
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you contacted at all about reprising Jason for Friday The 13th Part
3? |
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Unfortunately I was not contacted again to work as JASON. The director/
producers were moving on the bigger more powerful JASON'S more suited
for the role. I was a young guy. They need a big strong tough guy as the
character evolved into this maniacal killing machine. That was not me.
Did you follow any of the Friday The 13th series after the film you
did? (if so) Which has been your favorite?
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No
I was so mad they moved on without me, I didn't really pay any mind
to JASON.
Are you involved at all in the upcoming Friday The 13th special
edition DVD box set that Paramount plans on releasing later
in the year?
Yes I was filmed at the Fangoria convention, held at the Meadowlands,
in 2004, on the stage with all the JASON'S. My son was sitting with
me so it was fun. They later interviewed me for the DVD special.
As I said to them I was just happy to a part of something that has
become so successful. |
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Fangoria's
Weekend Of Horrors convention recently hosted a Friday The 13th
reunion. What was the convention experience like from your
point of view & how'd you feel about finally meeting a lot
of the fans? Was it your first convention appearance?
I thought it was great to meet the Friday the 13th fans. I never
realized they existed, and I was flattered that someone wanted
my autograph and so many were willing to pay for it ! My son exclaimed
" Daddy ...they love you...you are a star ! " Well...it
was fun to be a star for one fleeting moment in time. Great for
the ego and fun for your son to see. It was my first convention
experience and I am looking forward to attending the next one
, COMICON in SanDiego this July. |
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What were your experiences like on 'Time Walker'?
Time Walker was another fun experience growing up. I was quite a young
man. I knew I loved the industry and was just trying to figure it all
out and find my place. I wish I had a bigger part but I was grateful for
what I had. A great experience. Being part of a film is very exciting
no matter what you are doing. I was just overwhelmed to be part of it.
An old friend, Dimitri Villard, produced it, with AK., so it was fun to
work together with him on a project and I am forever grateful that he
gave me the opportunity. |
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You're producing
a television show called Equestrian Lifestyles. What can you
tell us about that?
I produced a pilot for a proposed TV Reality Show named , THE EQ
SHOW , that was modeled after the many different lifestyles within
the equestrian industry. This ranged from Racing- Showing - Polo-
Recreation - to the wild west. I flew around the world filming people
and the scene and put it all together in a presentation pilot. I
flew from Dubai to Saratoga interviewing people in the EQ scene.
I am looking for a cable show or network to buy the concept as I
feel it could generate a big following. www.EQSHOW.com.
I have a couple of cable networks that want the show , so I need
to bring in a partner/ sponsor to help us put the show in production. |
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We'd heard you were interested in making your own horror film tentatively
titled 'Bloody Social'. Can you tell us about that project?
I am producing my own horror film to be entitled "BLOODY SOCIAL"
It will be a compelling horror saga to be set in Palm Beach, Florida
that is modeled after factual events. On the "13th of May 2002"
, my father mysteriously dropped dead after lunch when he was in
excellent heath. After reviewing all the facts surrounding the death
and the behavior of my evil step mother most everyone concluded
she killed him to protect her massive wealth and to move on with
her new paramour. She made certain she inherited 100 % of his estate,
showing greed beyond comprehension, and shortly thereafter moved
her new lover into the Palm Beach mansion. Her behavior was abominable
clearing showing her guilt and hatred for her husband and his family.
This movie will resurrect my character and send him on a NEW mission
with a NEW name and NEW motivation. He will be seeking revenge over
the death of his father in the racist, anti-semetic, cash capital
of America , PALM BEACH. The JASON fans are invited to participate
in this quest for revenge & justice by joining the "BLOODY
SOCIAL LLC" partnership that will own the film. www.BloodySocial.com
will soon be visible for more information. This is the first time
fans can be part of the film! |
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Available
thru your site is the official Jason 2 mask made by Bump In The
Night Productions. How'd you hook up with them to design this
mask? Did you approach Bump In The Night productions with
the mask idea or did they contact you?
My associate , horror film buff, John Gray , owner of Pit Full of
Horrors web site, introduced me to Bump in the Night Productions
who are making the mask. They contacted me with the idea and I cooperated
with their proposals and am delighted to hear of their major success
with the mask. |
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Wow.
Thank you for talking to us and giving us such a great interview. Best
of luck on all your future projects!!!
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Visit the following websites
to catch up with Warrington Gillette!!!
www.Jason2Kills.com
www.BloodySocial.com
www.EQshow.com
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