Robert MacNaughton points the finger

5 Elliots, 2 Gerties, a Mary and about 12 E.T.'s... But was I ever going to get a Michael???

I ripped open another pack of stickers, maybe this time? It was all I needed to complete the whole set, but I just wasn't lucky enough I guess... I'd tried swapsies, I tried offering cash... I'd even tried bribery.. But no 3 in the set... The picture of Michael on his own eluded me... Was I ever going to finish and complete my set???

Hold on? It was only 6... That late night comic book store was open for ages yet and they sold E.T. stickers. It wasn't far, I could walk it.

I grabbed my coat and scarf and made my way out into the cold evening, this quest of mine may have seemed ridiculous to some, but to me it was my mission... and like Elliot getting E.T. home, so I needed to finish my sticker album!

The store was just a couple of blocks down from my place, it was a cool hangout, they had everything, comics, - obviously - figurines, pencil toppers, posters, Pez and, of course, Panini stickers.

The bell tinkled as I walked in, the place always had an air of cool about it, I could stay for hours, just perusing the merchandise, flicking through the comics, or dreaming of the day I would have enough cash to buy that life-size E.T. figure... Now that would look good in my room!

I rushed to the desk and grabbed 5 packs of stickers, flinging them on the desk and handing the guy a handful of crumpled notes and ignoring my change I feverishly ripped open the paper wrapping and eagerly flicked through the cards... Nothing... I opened the next... again nothing... and another.. and another... There was only one left now, I held it nervously, as if it were a chocolate bar that may contain a golden ticket and tentatively tore the little packet open... E.T. with Gertie... Keys and Elliot... E.T.s finger... but then... oh but then... my hands started to shake and my brow beaded with sweat... Oh my god... Oh my lord... Oh my... Oh my... Here it was... No.3 Michael!... After months of searching, my collection was complete!

I held it aloft in disbelief and started to laugh to myself... I thought nothing could beat this moment, but I was wrong... As I slowly lowered the sticker I noticed something... Or someone behind it... There standing in front of me, waiting to get to the desk was Michael... I mean Robert MacNaughon... I was dumb struck...

Robert MacNaughton (born in New York City December 19, 1966) is an American actor, best known for his role as Elliott's brother Michael in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, for which he won a 1982 Young Artist Award as Best Young Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. Robert also played the lead role of Adam Farmer in the 1983 film I Am the Cheese, based on the young adult novel by Robert Cormier.

This was my chance, would I dare to ask him a few questions? You bet I would!!

So, I've got to talk about ET... I just have to! How did you get the part? "I was doing an off-Broadway play, The Diviners, at Circle Repertory Company and a casting director 
Barbara Claman saw it and wanted to cast me in a role in "The Entity" with Barbara Hershey. I wasn't old enough for the part so when that fell through she said I hear there's something going on over there with Spielberg you might be right for so she made a few phone calls and got me in late in the audition process." Did you go to drama clubs as a small child? "No. I started going to acting classes at South Coast Repertory when I was 11 and started working professionally when I was 12." Now, you were only 12 when you got your first role, how did it feel to go for auditions at such a young age? "I was eager to audition because it was a chance to act. The only auditions I didn't like doing were for commercials."

And so when did you get your first agent? "When I was 13 in New York City. Nancy Carson at the Carson/Adler Agency who was great." What did your friends think about your acting? "Friends?"

I'm guessing that was a joke...
Now my parents wanted me to be a doctor, or a vet and were never really encouraging of my sticker collections, or my film memorabelia... But i'd show them, all this rubbish would be worth something one day... So I wondered if his parents encouraged him... Or was it his idea to become an actor? "I was the one who dragged them into it."

But did you want to be anything else?
"I started out wanting to be a writer." Back to E.T....

At 14 you got the part in ET. Do you remember the audition?
"The first interview with Spielberg was very memorable. It was the day President Reagan was shot and it was a very informal meeting with my biggest hero ("CE3K" was my all time favorite film). He asked what my interests were and I said I played Dungeons & Dragons and he laughed and said "That's actually in the movie." I said I also liked to ride bikes and he said "That's in the movie too" so it went well."

I interupted him... Asking hopefully... Do you still play?
"No, I haven't played D&D in years.
The next audition they had me improvise the scene where I first see E.T. with several of the potential Elliots. My favorite audition was actually at Harrison Ford's house with the other guys that played our friends in the movie and Harrison Ford's kids playing

Dungeons & Dragons with Steven, Kathleen Kennedy (the producer), & Melissa Mathison (screenwriter) watching us. The reason we were at Harrison Ford's house was because he and the screenwriter of E.T.,

Melissa, were a couple. It was cool because we played D&D at a table Harrison had made because he has also been a carpenter which impressed me, not to mention he was Han Solo and Indiana Jones! And this was when the first "Raiders" had just come out."

Harison Ford... Cool

What was it like to act with ET? "It was just like working with another actor because it could do just about everything you could see on the screen. And Steven read E.T.'s lines during filming. When I see the movie, and I know it's the same for Henry and Drew, we sometimes hear Steven's voice in our heads when E.T. is talking." I heard horrible rumours that Drew Barrymore was drinking alcohol during filming... "Absolutely not true. That's ludicrous. There were child welfare workers on the set at all times along with Kathleen, Melissa, etc. I was with her constantly and she was like a daughter to Steven. There is no way that would have gone unnoticed or been allowed."

What was she like?

"She was adorable. She's exactly like you see in the movie times ten. Every day one of us was her pretend boyfriend. One day it would be me or C. Thomas Howell, or Henry. She rode on my shoulders everywhere. I was her primary means of transportation on the set. She had a very active imagination. She would tell us she had a punk band, the "Purple People Eaters" and that she was the drummer. But that might have been the alcohol talking--just kidding. Of course I'm forever indebted to Drew because she set me up on a blind date with my beautiful wife, Bianca."

There was a lot of talk surrounding ET and Michael Jackson... Do you know anything about this? Did you ever meet him? "I never met him. He contributed a song to the E.T. storybook album and Steven was so grateful that he gave him one of the life sized E.T.s that was used in the movie. I heard Michael kept it in his home right next to the front door at the Neverland Ranch opposite a life sized Mickey Mouse."

What was Michaels surname? Do you know? There were none in the script. 

"We didn't have one. When the movie was coming out a publicity guy at Universal added the name Taylor in a press kit. I think because he thought it would be cute for Elliot's initials to be E. T. In the script it was Gertie, Michael, Elliot, Mary, and Peter Coyote's character was called "Keys.""

What was Spielberg like to work for/with? "He was enthusiastic and fun, like a teenager himself. Sometimes he would give directions I didn't understand because he's seen so many movies and he thinks everybody's seen them. One example is the scene where I'm getting ready to steal the van and I'm wearing the hazmat suit. Steven told me to pull my hood off just like Richard Basehart did in some 1950s film I'd never heard of. I wanted to say to him "Steven, I'm only 14.""

What was Dee Wallace like as a mum? "She was also a lot of fun. Dee is great. She's gregarious and lovely and a damn fine actress. Her performance in E.T. is so underrated. She was very protective of Henry and Drew especially. When E.T. died she was very comforting because Drew believed it was real." Was it true that you all found it hard to look ET in the eye as they were too far apart? "No."


Note to self... Stop listening to rumours!

But I do know both Corey Feldman and Harrison Ford were due a part in the film, but their scenes were cut, do you think the film dynamics would have changed with them in it?

"Corey might have tried out for it, but he was not in the movie orcut out. He wasn't even an extra. Harrison, on the other hand, was in the movie and cut out. He played the school principal, Principal Harold Solo, and had a very funny scene with Henry. Ithink Steven felt it interrupted the flow of the movie right after E.T. and Elliot get drunk. Or maybe the fact that it was Harrison distracted from the plot. The whole cast was relatively unknown which was good. You can see that scene on YouTube."

Now there was something that I had always held out hope for... But, I wondered, did Robert ever think there might be an ET 2?  "It was never a real possibility." Ah.. Shame...

What did it feel like to be catapulted to fame with the release of the film? "Awesome and bizarre. I went back to high school after the movie came out and all the sudden I was invited to all the football parties with the popular kids and I was being offered roles instead of having to audition for them."

And, I apart from me, I asked, do you still get recognised much?

"Yes. More so in the UK for some reason."

Now, the first half of the film was filmed from kid height, how did this seem on set? "We never took notice of the angle of the cameras. It made no difference to our performance."

And with so many kids on set, you must have some great stories...

"I usually hung out with Henry and Matt Demerrit, who did the stunts for E.T. and we used to get into some trouble playing around the lot. Just being rambunctious kids. One day we pretended Drew was invisible the whole day which drove her crazy. And we had school on the set with the 3 kids from Poltergeist. Dominique Dunne and I hit it off. Dominique was my same age, Oliver Robins was Henry's age, and Heather O'Rourke was Drew's age too (both 6). I was stunned when Dominique was murdered right after Poltergeist came out. I was really impressed by her poise and dedication to her craft. And of course I was deeply saddened when Heather died so tragically at such a young age. Drew had tried out for her role in Poltergeist and that's how she got the role in E. T. Her and Drew were complete opposites. Drew had to be the center of attention and Heather was this beautiful, quiet, calm child."
Any romances? "Not that I knew of although I had a major crush on Drew's Mom and I know some of the other guys who played my friends had crushes on Dee."

Did you hang out off set?

"I hung out with Henry all the time. We would play D&D when were on location in the Redwoods in the motel, and Steven dropped by to join in one time but his character got killed by a giant snail which made me nervous because I was the dungeon master."

And what was it like to meet the Princess of Wales?
"It was an enormous thrill to be invited to the Royal Premiere with the Prince and Princess of Wales and to be able to attend with my grandmother who was born in Reading. I was so nervous that I attempted to shave the night of the premiere for the first time and nicked my face. When I was in the ceremonial greeting line, Steven told me to stand up straight and Henry to take his hands out of his pockets. Then he said to me, "Just watch Harrison, he's done this a lot before." When I shook Princess Diana's hand I can't remember ever having seen anyone so beautiful up close before.
Toward the end of the screening, we were tapped on the shoulder and told that Charles and Diana wanted to meet us in private. She left before the credits rolled to fix her makeup because she'd been crying and Charles told me he had laughed so much he cried. I found him to be very amiable and not stuffy, as I had expected. He did all the talking. That was a very special moment I'll never forget.

I was still 14 when I met her, 10 days shy of my 15th birthday.

NO! Sorry got that wrong!!! I was 15 when I met her, 10 days shy of my 16 th birthday

Quite a guy's sweet 16 bday to meet Princess Di, huh?"

Better than mine, my mom, dad and nanna, in the livingroom with a small glass of sherry and a Bert and Ernie cake...

"Well for what I did on my actual 16th bday, only 10 days later when I was back in California, I have no idea. Can't remember for the life of me. I'm sure it wasn't much!"

Now, I remeber the first time I saw the film... I had dogged my parents to take me... Eventually, after clearing out the basement and doing all my summer homework early, my mom had taken me... It was as good as I had imagined and blew my tiny mind! But how did Robert feel?
"I saw it without music initially and I was amazed at how skillful Steven's direction was. And then absolutely floored when I saw the version with music." And how do you feel about the films phenomenal success? "Incredibly lucky to have been a part of something that means so much to so many people."

I clocked the life-sized E.T. and wondered if he had kept any memorabilia? 
Yes we do have some of the old memorabilia. When I met my wife I only had the Michael interactive action figure and my dog had chewed the nose and hands up, but she started buying anything she could find that had me on it like the lunchbox that comes with a thermos. We have the E.T. bedding, which looks nothing like me, a dish set, a coloring book. She's found some items I've never seen before. But we really don't have that much compared to the E.T. fans that send pictures of their incredible collections. I'm just happy to have the set of action figures of everyone: Drew, Henry, Dee, Peter, and myself. And how could I forget! E.T. of course.



Now, apart from E.T. he'd done so much more... I had to ask...

You've also acted with the fabulous Bob Newhart, can you tell me something about that? "He's an amazing pro who effortlessly makes comedy appear so simple when it's the hardest thing to do. The show I was on, we barely rehearsed and then suddenly we were in front of a live audience." And lately you've been in some less lighthearted films, what do you prefer? "I prefer stage, which is how I started and what I've mostly done throughout my career."


Robert politely checked his watch, he was patient and kind enough to talk to me... But I couldn't keep him here forever, I must let him get off... And I said I'd only be away for 15minutes... My wife was going to kill me... She indulged my passion for retro movies and memorabilia and I know she would forgive me once I explained, but I had promised to pick up Chinese food on the way home... So maybe just one last question,




So, Robert, what do you think the family and ET would be up to today - you know, if they were real! - I'm a fan, but I'm not crazy... 
"I always thought Elliot's character would go on to work with Keys in some way. There's a funny sequel trailer on YouTube called E. T. X which shows a picture of me now and says Michael's been abducted. It's pretty funny.

Perfect I thought and exited Coopers Retro Comicbooks with a story to tell, some questions answered, a memory that would stay with me forever and ofcourse my completed sticker album....  

This was too exciting... I had to tell someone... Yes, this was my moment to phone home....





For more information on Robert Visit IMDB, Wikipedia or just Google him!

The Frog Prince and the Vampire - An interview with Jamison Newlander

The Night was hot, the air heavy, It was the kind of night that you should be at home, safe in your bed... But not me, no... I stood in a door way and watched the people walking up and down the Santa Carla beach front. This was a sleepy old town, nothing really happened.... apart from the Vampires that is.

I was here to meet with a vampire hunter of the highest repute, he and his partner had slayed these blood sucking vermin for years, the knew all the tricks to catch and kill these bastards and they knew Santa Carla like the back of their hands.

The man I was to meet, the hard ass that was to assist me with these nightmarish bloodsuckers was Jamison Newlander and I couldn't be happier with that...

Jamison Newlander (born April 2, 1970) is an American actor who attended New York University. He starred in the 1987 horror film The Lost Boys, playing Alan Frog.

Newlander's best known for his role as Alan Frog in the 1987 film The Lost Boys. He also played the part of Anthony in the 1988 remake of The Blob. In 2003, Newlander wrote, directed and starred in an independent film titled Rooster. In 2008 he was to reprise his role as Alan Frog along with Corey Feldman as Edgar Frog in Lost Boys: The Tribe. However, upon DVD release, Newlander's character can only be seen in the alternate ending bonus features of the DVD (and then only momentarily), having not made the movie's final cut. Both he and Corey Haim are however listed in the acting credits for their minor roles.

Newlander starred in a third Lost Boys film, titled Lost Boys: The Thirst,alongside Corey Feldman and Tanit Phoenix. [Wikipedia]

I checked my watch, it was a quarter after 11pm, I was right on time... I walked into the dark comic book store, this is where I was to meet him, and there at the back standing in the shadows was Jamison, he was unmistakable and looked like he was ready for some killin'... But first I wanted to get some low-down on his credentials... 

So I started with my questions...

On The lost boys, you were so lucky to work with such a great cast! Jason Patric, KieferSutherland, Edward Hermann, Alex Winter, Diane West and of course the two Corey's  Any divas? Any good stories? 

"Yes, some amazing people to work with. I felt very lucky and even more so looking back. At the time, Corey Haim was one of the actors who I was particularly amazed to be working with. I’d seen him in Lucas not too long before and there were a couple of times up in Santa Cruz where I stopped and was like, “Wow, here I am working with this kid. That’s awesome!”"

What were they all like?

"The only one of the cast that I didn’t really get to work with a lot in the filming was Kiefer. We really only had that one scene together where he grabs Haim’s foot as we’re running out of the cave after we killed Marko (Alex Winter). Everyone else, I had either a few scenes together or we found ourselves on set together a lot and we became pretty tight."

Did you make any life long mates?

"By far, the ones I grew to really love as friends the most were the Coreys. We were

together all the time that summer – on set and off. It was also a pretty big summer for us in our lives. We all had our first real girlfriends. And we often went out or hung out all six of us. They were both hilarious and really genuinely good guys. It’s hard to think about those times and not get a bit sad that the Haimster isn’t with us anymore. My girlfriend and Ialso went to see Jason Patrick and Jamie Gertz in a play together in Hollywood. They were kind of amazed to see us because the world of film and the world of live theatre didn’t always mix back then. But they were so awesome. And both of them were so great to know. I’ll even admit to a crush on Jamie – not that I was alone in that." 

That was all well and good, I thought, but where did he get his training, how did Jamison Newlander become Alan Frog? I asked...

How did you land the part?

"I just auditioned, really. A few things aligned. Marianne Dougherty was pretty well-known casting director at Warner Brothers. She was known for finding new talent – she’s credited with discovering a lot of actors/actresses who went on to be really famous and do amazing movies. I had seen her a few times and she was looking to put me in something. At the same time, I’d met Joel at an acting class. He knew my acting teacher and came to speak about St. Elmos Fire. I talk about this a little bit in the Special Features on the 20th Anniversary edition of Lost Boys. So, that part was luck. And also lucky that I used to wear my dad’s army clothes a lot. He saw me and we clicked.

There’s also the my connection with Corey F. He and I met at the audition and we really got along. We had good chemistry. I didn’t have the experience he had, so it took a little longer for them to trust me with the part. A couple of (very loooong) months went by after I auditioned where I thought they went another way. Then, I think Feldman was the one who said he liked me the best. And that tipped the scales. The rest is “film history.”"

What was it like with the two Corey's on set, did you ever feel like a third cog?

"To their credit, they never made me feel like a third cog. They were great friends in that way. Even when we went to industry parties, where we’d hang with their friends like Drew Barrymore and Jason Hervey and stuff, they were always just good friends who wouldn’t let me feel left out. I naturally felt like a bit of an outsider at first because I was really mostly a regular kid who loved acting and got some good breaks in the film biz. Whereas most of the others were real industry kids. And later, as they started developing their “Two Coreys thing” I’ll admit that I began to feel left out. But honestly, it was more my fault for turning back toward school and going off to college. If I had to do it over again, I would’ve leached off their fame a bit more and I think they would’ve been fine with that."

Obviously Corey Feldman is quite a character...

"I get a huge kick out of Corey. Yes, he can be a character in his public persona (and privately too, actually). But most people I know are totally nuts in one way or other, myself included. So, I give him as much leeway as anybody else I know. He’s a good friend – always warm and welcoming. Always supportive."

And hanging out with him, did you ever meet Michael Jackson? 

"So, the funny thing is that … I don’t know if I met him. Corey had this party in Hollywood around 1987/88. And I looked up, and there, riding up in the elevator with me was none other than the King of Pop himself. It seemed like him. It easily could’ve been him. But then I heard that Michael used to send impersonators places. So, now I don’t know. It was stunning, is all I could say. I’m not easily star struck. But it felt pretty amazing to be standing there with him. The only thing he said was, “Corey invited me.” I’ve thought about those words a lot in the years since then, and I just can’t say whether it was really him or not."

As he was talking I scanned the shop, there was more than just comics in here, posters records and books... I noticed a copy of 'Murders in the Rue Morgue', it got me thinking...

So, when did you realise that the names of the Frog brothers, Edgar and Alan, are a

reference to Edgar Allan Poe, the well-known writer of horror fiction?

"I realized it pretty quick. I just thought it was a kind of bizarre inside joke among the writers."

I'd heard that originally with the Frog Brothers were going to be "chubby 8 year old cub scouts", how do you think this would have changed the dynamics of the film?

"Well, as the story goes, Joel wanted that stuff changed from the very beginning. That would’ve been a completely different film. After he signed on to direct, the project changed to align with his vision – which is what it became. By the time I got the script and read for him, the idea of the Frogs as these paramilitary pseudo tough guys was already in there. I don’t think the film would’ve been anywhere near as epic, and I don’t think it would’ve been such a fresh take on vampires if he hadn’t insisted on those kinds of changes."

Suddenly we heard a noise behind us... A sort of hissing, I looked but there was nothing, Jamison caught my eye, I could tell he had heard the same and that he had felt the same chill up his spine that I had... I cleared my throat, I couldn't show this guy that I was worried... I continued with my questions. 

I haven't counted but I've heard that the characters in the movie say the name

'Michael'approximately 118 times, is it hard to use that name without saying it with a Kiefer Sutherland lilt? (I know I can't!) Do you remember how many times you had to say it?

"To tell you the truth, I don’t think I ever said Michael. I think, upon reflection, that my interpretation of Alan Frog is that he never even knew his name or cared. He was thinking in much more basic terms: Kill vampires regardless of who they were."

For a second there I felt a stupid, I should have done my homework better... dumb... But I knew my next question was well researched...

Now, I heard that Richard Donner was originally meant to be directing the movie, but passed it onto Joel Schumacher to make Lethal weapon. How do you think the movie might have differed, if at all, with another director? Also I heard that Mary Lambert was going to take it on to?

"I think that even Richard Donner will admit that he could never have made Lost Boys so awesome as Joel did. Donner was still Exec. Producer. The one time I really got to hang with him was at his office at Warner Brothers for a few minutes during filming. Bit of trivia, we actually used his office to shower after we got covered in slime during shooting. It was a big office. He was so happy with what Joel was doing with the movie. I don’t think there’s anybody who could’ve nailed it the way Joel did."

And what was he like to work for? 

"It’s always great to work with someone in any situation who is serving a strong vision. Joel was so in tune with what he was looking for. And he had/has such respect for actors that it was so frickin fun to go there with him. Now, having said that, he was a guy who also had a real temper. When things weren't going right on set, you saw the gates of hell open up and it wasn’t pretty. Corey Feldman was a recipient of that wrath on more than one occasion. I’ve talked to Corey about it recently and he was saying that his wardrobe was so complex that it always felt like they were waiting for him, so he would get the brunt of Joel’s dark side. And I buy that … I think. Truth be known, I’m going to go out on a limb and risk the Felddog being mad at me, but I think he was a bit of a trouble maker (Corey, if you’re reading this … I don’t know … feel free to tell me I’m wrong).

Another funny thing about Joel is that he was always joking “We’re making film history here!” He really was joking, but as it turned out he was right."

The shop bell tinkled and in walked a group of young men, handsome, young and rugged, they paced the room like they owned it... Their eyes and piercing gaze seem to follow us as they picked up and discarded comics and laughed wildly at the terrified customers hiding themselves in the shadows, or making a quick exit... Their good looks and obvious charisma led me on to my next question.

Do you think 'The Lost Boys' helped launch the trend of 'Sexy vampires'?... I'm thinking about modern films like Twilight, that my daughter is obsessed with! - What do you think of Twilight for that matter?

"I think vampires have always been a little sexy. First thing that comes to mind is Interview with a Vampire. That book was published in the 70s. I definitely think it played off the sex and romance of vampires. In fact, Sting did song off that book, right? It’s part of the genre, I think. And it’s part of an overall love of the bad boy. But, Lost Boys took that to a whole new level, definitely – where it was just oozing with sex.

Haven’t gotten into Twilight. I guess there’s a whole backlash against it by Lost Boys fans, who feel like it just goes too far. I’ve heard on more than one occasion from fans, “Vampires don’t sparkle” or “glitter” or something like that. I probably should see it just once, but I haven’t."

And talking of sparkle...  Did the blood really have glitter in it?

"Yes. Actual glitter."

As they passed us one of the men, obviously their leader caught my eye, he gave me a long drawn out gaze... sensing my fear he lurched forward as if ready to bite, but then abruptly stopped... Teasing me he laughed and walked on. After I had caught my breath and composed myself I scanned my note pad and still shaking a little read out my next question... Jamison, as calm as ever answered as if they were nothing more than naughty  ... And talking of naughty school children...

With so many 'kids' in the production, were there any pranks pulled or funny goofs you remember?

"There were a lot of things that the older kids were up to on location in Santa Cruz that the younger kids weren’t privy to, I think. We got into some trouble, like sneaking into the pool and other fun stuff like that at the hotel. But nothing else I remember."

And so, do you know the answer? did David die?

"No one’s ever asked me that before. The best answer I can think of is that this is Hollywood we’re talking about. If Kiefer said, “I’d like to do another Lost Boys movie,” they would find some way to justify that he’s still alive in some realm of the multiverse or something."

You went on to make 'Lost Boys - The Thirst' in 2010, how were the dynamics with the cast after all those years?

"Feldman and I have been in touch off and on, and in the last 10 years we’ve gotten somewhat close again. So, working with him was just great. Being back together as the Frog Brothers was awesome. We found we were able to tap into a lot of the same chemistry. What a thrill for both of us. But nobody else from the original cast was involved. Of course, it would’ve been great to work with others. But that’s show biz, as they say."

Now this guy was more than just Alan Frog, I wanted to hear more about the real Jamison Newlander. 

You were in the remake of 'The Blob' how do you think it compares to the original?

"I actually really liked The Blob that I was in. I think it was pretty different than the original. And I’ll have to give kudos to the original because it was part of the birth of that genre. But I think our version held up nicely. I wish it did better in the theaters. The director, Chuck Russell, was another guy who had some strong vision."

Do you prefer writing, acting or directing?

"I have come to the realization that I cannot direct to save my life.  I’m not saying I don’t have some bit of talent at it. I think I possibly do have some natural ability. But I’m pretty horrible at being the boss, I think. I get all insecure and try to make everybody happy. Those are my issues. But those issues work much better as a writer or actor. It’s a natural fit for those professions. So, directing is a distant last on that list.

And at this point in my life, I would say that I’m really a writer. I love acting. I think I’m a good actor. I’m proud of the work I’ve done. And I hope to do more. But in terms of what I’m am in my core, I’m a writer. It’s what I do for a living now."

The men started to leave the shop, they had achieved what they had come in for, to scare the b'Jesus out of the local folks. Jamison indicated for us to follow them, I was nervous, but I was sure I could trust him... I made small talk as we neared to neon exit sign...

So... um...Jamison, what is your favourite Vampire movie?

"Um … Lost Boys. I also have a real love of Buffy (the TV show)."

Lastly, I know you made The thirst, but that was a couple of years ago... But what do think the Frog brothers would be up to now?

"I think the Frogs would be heavily into technology, finding new ways to seek out the undead … and kill them. I see them running a boutique vampire hunting agency, parachuting into unknown territories where there seems to be evidence of vampire activity."

We left the shop and stood in the once bustling street, this street that had seemed so friendly not one hour ago, now felt like the inside of a coffin, cold and damp and claustrophobic...  I looked at Jamison, he was already prepared brandishing a stake and scanning the street in front of us...He was already to fight for his mortal soul if he had to...

...But unfortunately my new friend here was looking the wrong way... I smiled as I felt my teeth pull and grow, my blood lust calling to me, I was hungry and with intense pleasure I sank my teeth into Jamisons neck... I could feel the warm liquid run down my throat... No glitter in this blood I thought... No special effects... And for poor old Jamison Newlander, no boutique vampire agency...

For more information on Jamison go to http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0627961/