Hellter Interviews Rob Moretti (Truth, Crutch, Out To Kill)!!
Hello Grue-Lings,
We have a man today who is very popular in the LGBT community. He makes Gay films and these films are amazing. Rob Moretti. Rob has been acting since 14 years old and got his start in the movie world by co starring in a film called House on Tombstone Hill, from there he went on to star in films such as Quiet Winter, Scenes from a Mall, and The Beat. In 1994, he created his own production company called HP Productions LLC where he made numerous short films and some feature films. In 2004, he made his director debut in Crutch. In 2013, he made an amazing thriller film that I loved, that he wrote, directed, and starred in called Truth. The movie starred the very talented famous Adult Performer Brent Corrigan (Sean Paul Lockhart). Brent nailed this performance. Please welcome Rob Moretti:
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HELLTER: What made you want to be become an actor, then later a producer and director?
ROB: I’ve always wanted to be an actor for as long as I can remember. I recall my parents not taking me seriously but I was determined to make it happen. While doing films here and there, I thought to myself, why wait for another acting gig – let me create my own work. That’s when I decided to do both – acting and producing/directing. I think a great director needs to experience both sides to get the performances and vision they desire. I love doing it all.
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HELLTER: Were you excited to land your first feature role in House on Tombstone Hill and how did that come about?
ROB: I was 15 at the time and it was my first audition ever! I was thrilled to be in a horror film as it is my favorite genre of film. Who at 15 wouldn’t love to play in a horror movie? I heard about the casting call and went to NYC to audition. Within a few days, they offered me the job and that’s when I started to take off.
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HELLTER: You created HP Productions LLC. Do you still own that company and how are you doing with it?
ROB: I still have a production company, although I’ve had a few name changes. I created the business to work on films and to raise money for my projects. Each film I do actually has its own company associated with it for accounting purposes, etc. I do, however, have an overall company that everything kind of falls under.
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HELLTER: Do you prefer being an actor or being behind the director’s chair?
ROB: When I want to take a break from directing, because it’s a long process, I go back to acting, which was my original passion. I’ve gotten to the point where I when I decide to direct, it takes a good two years to get a project off the ground and completed, so it’s a big commitment. I’ll always do both, however!
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HELLTER: Besides Truth, your known for Crutch and Out to Kill, Can you describe what both movies are about?
ROB: Crutch was my first film I wrote and directed. It’s about my experiences growing up the child of an alcoholic and my own battle with addition. I am not one that is worried about what people think of my sobriety. One thing I learned is that whatever people think of me is none of my business. I can honestly say that without being sober, none of my work would exist. All of the films I make have something personal about me in them. As for Out to Kill, it was a break for me to just act in a fellow filmmaker’s movie. I needed that break coming off making Truth. That was a hard two years and I was looking for something lighter. Out to Kill was just a fun project to do and I am happy I finally got to work with Rob Williams.
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HELLTER: Truth is an amazing gay thriller. I love this movie. What inspired you to make this movie?
ROB: Actually, I was recovering from surgery and I had this concept of using the horror/thriller genre to tell a story that is more prevalent than you think. I also was reading an article on the career of Sean Lockhart and I knew I wanted to work with him. I actually wrote the film with him in mind since we come from similar backgrounds as far as being used and abused. I felt like I could relate to him personally and I reached out to him about the role. It took some convincing, but he finally said yes. The real inspiration for me was about Truth itself, and not being ashamed of who we are as people. There is no difference between me and the next man. It just happens to be that I am a gay man. That doesn’t define me as a human being. I am just me.
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HELLTER: I love Sean. Such an amazing guy and performer. Sean Paul Lockhart aka Brent Corrigan did an amazing job as Caleb. I loved Sean in this film. Was it fun working with Sean and how was it like working on those very intense scenes with him? Did you two bond at all filming this movie since its basically just the two of you?
ROB: Sean and I have a bond that most people don’t. As I mentioned, we share a lot of common things that happened to us growing up in entertainment. Although I never did porn, it was Sean the person that I connected with. Sean did an amazing job as Caleb. It was a deep soul searching process for him and he gave me everything I was looking for. The intense scenes I think came somewhat naturally as we both were drawing on our true past to find the characters we created together. Sean is someone I will always have in my life in one shape or another. He’s a good soul. A private person. Like most celebrities, people only see you as an image, and what they see on TV or the movies. We are both more that that.
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HELLTER: Sean seems so chill and down to earth, it’s a shame alot of people don’t see him like the way me and you see him. Out of all actors to pick to be Caleb, what made you decide to go with Sean?
ROB: Because Sean is known for his Adult film work and was fairly new to the mainstream acting world till this role. I met and got to know Sean – not Brent Corrigan. That is just another side to him. I knew from day one that I wanted to work with him. I had a few other actors in mind and audition, but Sean added something that I knew in my gut would come across as genuine and that’s exactly what I got. When I saw his potential in Judas Kiss, I knew that there was something there that needed to be seen and explored. I do not regret for one second that I chose Sean for the role. Many people shunned that at first, and we’ve even lost investors because of his other works, but I said who cares. He is no different than any other working actor.
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HELLTER: I am really glad you gave me a chance. After Sean did your movie Truth, he did a couple others but went back mainly into adult films again. I really like Sean as a mainstream actor and hope he gets back into mainstream films again. Do you think Sean is a good actor and good adult star as well and do you think being an adult star hurts his chances at mainstream films?
ROB: First of all, I cannot watch Sean in porn since I know him. It’s weird to me for some reason. He does his thing as he is a free spirit. I think if something came along mainstream he would definitely consider it. I would gladly work with him again. We spoke not that long ago and he didn’t do much of the adult stuff after Truth. He’s completely happy now with his horse and life. I think he’s more focused on his book now than anything else.
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HELLTER: Do you still talk to Sean and are you still close to him yet?
ROB: I do still talk and text Sean. Again, he is someone I will always have in my life. Meeting and working with him has had a huge impact on my life the last several years. Although we are not as close as we were while shooting, we can still pick up the phone and pick up where things left off. I admire him for that. That’s what friends do.
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HELLTER: When did you come out? and what advice would you give to young gay people everywhere who are still scared to come out and not feel accepted in this world?
ROB: I knew that I was different from a very young age. Fortunately for me, I have a what-the-fuck attitude so I didn’t have an issue with coming out. My mother said, “OK, whatever. I knew anyway” and my dad said “Do you really think that would make me love you any less?” I think it’s just the fear we hold onto that makes coming out hard. It’s such a different world then it was 30 years ago when I came out. Today we finally have some sort of equality and it’s easier. The advice I would say to someone young coming out is just be true to who you are. Time is too short. As I mentioned earlier, my attitude is that what other people think of me is none of my business. I have found recently that people really don’t think too much of it. “Oh, you’re gay…and”.
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HELLTER: I agree. I’m happy to see that you bring LGBT films to the mainstream. Do you think being an openly gay actor and director ever hurt your chances in film?
ROB: I am sure it has, but that’s not on me. I don’t subscribe to the Hollywood bullshit, which is why I make my own films. I also don’t subscribe to the whole stereotype that a gay man or woman has to act or be a certain way. We are who we are and are no different from anyone else. The last time I checked, I have two arms and legs like you or anyone else. I also have feelings and a soul like anyone else. I will continue to create work that shows the LGBT community in a normal light. I have been called homophobic for some of my work and to that I say WTF! I am the last person to judge anyone. Again, if I’ve lost work or whatever for being who I am has nothing to do with me.
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HELLTER: Its ok to show tits and a woman totally naked. But the only nude scenes they can show on a guy are his butt. That is so wrong. I’m glad to see you showed Sean’s Penis in Truth. Were you scared that you would get criticized for showing Sean’s penis in the film?
ROB: No. It wasn’t done in a gratuitous way. I do recall Sean saying to me that only one peen in the movie, so why not his! I think as time moves on things will change, but it’s up to the filmmaker and how they approach nudity on film. Like I said, what you see in Truth is natural. Yes, I pushed the envelope a bit, but it’s truth. We all have sex and get naked. Alanis Morissette has a line in her song “You Learn” that says “I recommend walking around naked in your living room.” Try it sometime, it’s fun!
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HELLTER: (laughs) Being naked is fun. Do you have any projects coming up or anything else you want to discuss?
ROB: Yes, I am working on another film which I hope to shoot this fall called “As Sick as Our Secrets”. It’s a drama based on where things are at in my life right now. There is a great storyline that again is true and shows the LGBT community in a “normal” light. We are all just here for the same thing. Mine happens to be making films with pure honesty.
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HELLTER: Thank you so much for joining me today. I had fun. Tell Sean to keep up the good work.
ROB: Your welcome. I’ll pass the message along. Take care.
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