I’ve been acting for 20 plus years. I started in college back in the mid 90’s, in theater, doing plays and really learning about character development. I never finished college but proceeded to take lessons elsewhere. A buddy of mine took me under his wing and I learned a lot from him. I learned about film acting, and that it wasn’t as “big” as it was in theater. You had to bring it way down and keep it all in the eyes.
That’s what Robert Rodriguez told me when he booked me for Machete, which was the film to bring me into the limelight and launch my career. He said you have to show it in the eyes, and man he wasn’t lying. From there I would book more films with Robert and other movies like Jonah Hex, The Last Stand and many others. I also booked some big TV series, which are great to get, especially if you’re a recurring character in a series. That’s where the money’s at.
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Billy Blair (BB): It depends on the character I get booked for. If my character has an accent, whether it’s British or Spanish or even a deep southern accent, I’ll stay in character the whole time; method acting. Even if the character is really odd, like a Tom Waits kind of character, you have to keep in that mode so you play it just right for each day you’re on set. You don’t want to lose that or your character will be off.
Watch the trailer for Whitetail
You started out one way then your character changes its demeanor towards the end of the movie. It’ll seem like another guy jumped in your body and took control. A lot of times I just use sense memory. I say to myself, “How would I feel doing this”, or “How would I say this in this way”. I put a lot of thought into it and try to play it really naturally. That’s why I like actors like Robert Downy Jr and Mel Gibson, they’re really comfortable in front of the camera and so natural when you see them.
How did you become involved with WHITETAIL? Did you have to audition?
Billy Blair (BB): My buddy/fellow actor in the movie, Tom Zembrod, introduced me to director Derek Presley. We’re big fans of one another, Tom and I, and he really thought I’d be perfect for the role. Thankfully Derek agreed and I was on board. I didn’t have to audition. I’m guessing he knew I would play the role just right and had that trust in me. Lo and behold I would find one of the best teams here in the DFW area and we would make more movies together.
How did you prepare for the role of Jesse Arceniux in WHITETAIL; the cast, the physicality, the terrain, the climate, weather and the demands of the project?
Billy Blair (BB): I just showed up, haha. They had my outfit ready for me. This is one of the movies where I showed up and just went for it. I used a lot of sense memory. There were certain areas where I had to really think about, “How would my character react to this?”, and “How would he say it?”. I usually just figure out what I’m trying to say and I’ll say it like I would in real time, but I wanted to get it down as it was written.
Do you enjoy portraying antagonists? Are there any special challenges that come along with that or differences/unique preparations compared to portraying a protagonist?
Billy Blair (BB): Oh yea, I love it. Those kinds of characters you can have fun with. You can use hills and valleys with those characters. Why do you think The Joker was an interesting character to watch in The Dark Knight Rises? He put a lot of hills and valleys to that role. And Batman was just…well I guess Batman, haha. Even Christian Bale said he couldn’t do anything else with that character and Heath stole the show.
There were challenges I guess I can say for my role, I mean I had to be menacing. I wanted to show that this guy is a pretty scary dude. And like I said before, I had to show it all in the eyes. Less is big! A protagonist just has to be normal, I guess. Like a regular kind of guy. I mean you can put some mystery to him but the antagonists you can really have fun with. And that’s what I did.
How do you create the character from a script into a person?
Billy Blair (BB): I think it’s the Johnny Depp technique, where he brings other characters into one role. I’ll look at the role I get booked for and usually feel like I should play it kind of like this iconic role from this movie or some iconic figure who has some charismatic vibe to him, like Christopher Walken. I mean he’s always like that! It’s great! And the results are great when I do that. It’s a lot of fun. And what’s even better is when everyone else loves it. It’s that gratitude of achievement.
What part of the story challenged you when you read it? What drove you to join the project?
Billy Blair (BB): When I read it it wasn’t really challenging. I was excited about it. First off because it was a great script. So since I was already on board, I was pumped to get started. That’s what we live for. Right? We want to do movies! The challenging ones are the ones that have pages of monologue. I freak out on those because that involves memorization. I’ll sometimes break when I’m under pressure to memorize 7 pages of a monologue. I’ll be honest, I’ve been on sets where I’ll ask the director if I can cheat and have the script right in front of me. Thankfully they’ve let me.
What, if anything, do you think the story has to say about masculinity and “manhood”?
BB: Well it’s all over the place for sure. The survival, the Alpha Beta male, having to go out and hunt for your food. The father of Donnie (Dash Melrose), Tom Zembrod’s character wants to make a man out of him by taking him out hunting and killing his first deer. So right there it’s saying you’re not a man till you kill your first kill. I have to say he does more than that at the end of the movie (another spoiler alert).
Explain one creative choice you took on the set of this production?
BB: They were minor parts here and there. Like making a noise with my mouth referring to the book Ted Ferguson’s character was reading. Also the offering of the can of beans on the dinner table. Stuff like that. Bringing it all to life.
Are you drawn to dark stories? You’ve appeared in quite a few projects that are dark in tone “3 From Hell”, “Sin City”, “Machete” to name a few. You are also a distant relative of Edgar Allen Poe, do you think these types of stories are “in your DNA” and if so, why are you attracted to them?
BB: I would say yes, and I’ve said that before, haha. I said it’s all in my DNA to have such a dark tone in my career because of my family tree. I come from entertainers. My great grandfather was in a band back in his time. He’s played for historical figures like Pancho Villa. His band was hired to play at one of his parties. I’ve also had uncles and cousins that were in bands. And they were the big band era. So that’s where my musical part comes from since I play in a band as well. But it’s fun doing it. It makes you mysterious.
You’re not new to indie films. What do you enjoy about the work that keeps coming back?
BB: The indie films are more in play. They’re rolling with those left and right. And they’re more raw and real. A good analogy would be like a big national band like Slipknot would say, playing the amphitheaters and arenas are great, but you’re more intimate with the fans on the smaller venues. You’re up close with them; in their face. That’s how I see the indie world. And I love doing them. Plus I get bigger roles that way. The bigger movies only use the big stars for the bigger roles. I’m not there yet
Give an example of a direction you received from Director Derek Presley during the production?
BB: He wanted me to be menacing but fun. Like you kinda feel sorry for the guy but he’s scary as hell, haha. I softened him up in certain areas, but when I wanted him bad, I made it really bad and scary.
How did you collaborate with your cast members from scene to scene?
BB: Working with Tom Zembrod is always fun. I’ve worked with that dude multiple times. We have an on screen chemistry that’s impeccable I’ll say. Dash Melrose is another one. I’ve done a couple with that kid. He’s great. The one I really wanted to collaborate with was Jason Coviello. The only scene we had together was when…whoops. I almost gave away a major spoiler alert. Well…you’ll just have to wait and see. But that guy is great in this film. Now Ted Ferguson and I had a really good few scenes together. We didn’t really have to plan anything out, we just went for it when they said action. It’s great to work with those kinds of actors that have the chops like he does, you can really bring the scene to life. That’s what we did.
As a lead in the film, describe the feeling of responsibility that you shouldered. What scenes were difficult to shoot?
BB: Well like I said earlier, the scene where I have Tom Zembrod’s character lead me to the money. That was supposed to be a long one-take shot but I couldn’t get the lines memorized enough to do it. It really aggravated me but it’s that thing you have to just continue with the alternative. Derek was cool with shooting it in segments. I think I wasn’t fully prepared for that shot when it was ready to shoot. It’s a big responsibility for the lead guy to carry his/her weight. You have to steal the show. And you have to be extraordinary. You want the main focus on you. Not to one up everybody but…yeah ok, steal the show. And know your damn lines! Haha.
What do you like most about working with Director Derek Presley and his collaboration on set?
BB: I liked how good we were with communication. We were on the same page about my character. He was open to me bringing ideas to the table, spicing up the scene a little bit. I love directors that let you do that. And even if he’s not 100% of my idea and we try it and it fails…well, at least we tried it and we go with what he originally had in mind. He’s just a cool freaking guy to work with!
What advice do you give actors regarding what you learned on WHITETAIL, or any other production?
BB: Stay calm. Don’t let the nerves get the best of you. Study the character and know what you want to bring to the table if you really want to give a performance. Know your lines! And just be cool on set. No one likes a%@holes.
What is next for you?
BB: Me and the same team from Whitetail have another movie coming out, it’s called, Red Stone! I do something a little different with this character. A little funnier and menacing of course, and entertaining. It’ll be released in December in select theaters and all major platforms. So watch for it!
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