Hellter interviews Thomas Dekker (Laid to Rest, Jack Goes Home, Chromeskull)!!
Today I had the honor of interviewing such an amazing talent. Someone that I have been a fan of for years. Love his films. His name is Thomas Dekker. Besides being handsome and hot, he is also very talented.
Thomas came from a family of entertainers. No wonder why he is so good at what he does. His mother is an acting coach, actress, singer and concert pianist, while his father was an artist, set designer, opera singer and actor. His maternal grandfather was famed Welsh radio actor Alun Williams.
He got his first role, a minor role on The Young and the Restless (1973). A year later he was in Star Trek: Generations (1994), playing Thomas Picard. He also had guest roles on tv series such as: The Nanny, Seinfeld, Star Trek: Voyager, and Caroline in the City. He then landed his first major role as a main character in Disney Channel’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show as Nick Szalinkski. He also did voice acting in The Land Before Time and An American Tale.
He had a recurring role on 7th Heaven. He was cast as Zach in the first season of the popular tv series Heroes. He then was offered the role of John Connor in Fox’s Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
He played the role of Aidan in the horror flick From Within. He wrote, directed and starred in Whore, a film about a group of teenagers who travel to Hollywood to pursue their dreams but discover a much darker side to fame. He was also in numerous horror films including: Village of the Damned, Nightmare on Elm Street (2010), Laid to Rest, All About Evil, Elvira’s Movie Macabre, ChromeSkull: Laid to Rest 2, The Secret Circle tv series, and Fear Clinic. He also does his own music. His new album Into the Night drops on December 15th and has a great 80’s vibe to it. Let’s get to it. My interview with the amazing Thomas Dekker:
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HELLTER: How did you get involved with Fear Clinic and how was it like working with horror icon Robert Englund?
THOMAS: Fear Clinic came about because of the writer/director Rob Hall. He had been the head of special effects make up on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and we became instant friends due to our shared love of the horror genre. From then on, he asked me to play roles in all his films and I always said yes. It was a really fun time shooting in the dead of winter in Ohio with a small cast and crew. Robert Englund is one of the most electric people I’ve ever met. I would just sit, keep my mouth shut and listen to him speak all day long. I can now call him a dear friend and supporter, which is a true honor.
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HELLTER: Wow, Yeah. That really is a honor to learn from the great Robert Englund and be his friend to. Were you a big Nightmare on Elm Street before you starred in the Nightmare on Elm Street remake?
THOMAS: Absolutely! I grew up with Freddy and the Nightmare series. Dream Warriors is my favorite.
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HELLTER: Dream Warriors is actually my favorite too. I interviewed a few cast members from Dream Warriors as well. What are your thoughts on remake? Alot of horror fans didn’t give that movie a chance because Robert Englund wasn’t Freddy Krueger. But I think the actor they had playing Freddy didn’t do a bad job. It didn’t get a warm reception from the fans, How did that make you feel? Would love to hear your thoughts about it and being in the remake?
THOMAS: You know, the flaws of the Nightmare on Elm Street remake are more indicative of the flaws of remakes in general. In order to give a remake a surface purpose and meaning, the usual consensus from the powers that be is to just turn things that were a certain way in the original in the complete opposite direction in the hopes of justifying the remake’s existence. The reality is, however, the things that are a certain way in the originals are a certain way because they are better and stronger choices. That’s WHY they were done the way they were the first time around. So for instance, the original Nightmare is a one on one battle between Nancy and Freddy, giving us a great heroin to root for and stand behind. So what’s the opposite of that? Focus on the kids as a group and subvert singular focus on Nancy. Yes, that’s the opposite of the original but it doesn’t work. So in a nutshell, I don’t believe that the Nightmare on Elm Street remake is a bad film. I just don’t think it should necessarily exist. That said, what a gift to be in the Nightmare universe in some shape or form!
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HELLTER: I am glad you were involved in the Nightmare Universe to. How do you mentally and physically prepare yourself when doing a horror film? You been in horror films that mentally take a tole on someone from Elm Street to Laid to Rest, Fear Clinic, etc.?
THOMAS: My one rule about being a male character in a horror film is that I will not play the character consistently fearless or unequivocally strong. I feel it’s a ridiculous notion that just because a character is male, he should show no fear or emotion or vulnerability in the face of evil and impending death. But it happens a lot in horror films that the men are the picture of bravery and machismo and the female characters are sniveling hysterical messes. So all I do to prepare for scenes of horror is take an emotional deep dive and get to a rattled and vulnerable place. Music is my main tool. I’ve always got my headphones on on set.
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HELLTER: Yeah, I agree. Music does help with the mood your in. You play Blake in Fear Clinic, was it difficult for you to play a character in a wheelchair?
THOMAS: Being in the wheelchair was absolutely fine. What was difficult was the arc of him getting his mind and speech back, slowly, little by little throughout the film. It’s always a challenge when a character has to go from A to Z over the course of a story when the film is being shot completely out of order. It’s a lot of memory focus.
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HELLTER: Oh wow. How was it like being in The Secret Circle, having supernatural powers? Did you study or learn any witchcraft while filming a series like that?
THOMAS: Creatively, The Secret Circle was not the most challenging or thrilling project character wise as my role was very much a pillar of strength and did not posses much emotional range. However, personally, it was one of the best times I’ve ever had as the cast and I became instant best friends. In fact, we are having a reunion dinner in just a few days!
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HELLTER: That is so awesome that you had such an amazing time on set of Secret Circle and made lifelong friends. Have a good dinner with them. In Secret Circle you work with Species star Natasha Henstridge. I read you were a really big fan of hers. How was it like working with someone that you been a big fan of?
THOMAS: Natasha was my first and biggest crush growing up. And I also have always thought she is a fantastic and underrated actress. I was so nervous to meet her but Natasha is so incredibly lovely, my butterflies quickly departed and we have subsequently become very close over the years.
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HELLTER: Natasha is a cool person, we interviewed her on the site. Very sweet person. How was it like playing a iconic character John Connor in the Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles? and where you happy on how it ended? No Arnold in the series (laughs).
THOMAS: Playing John Connor was one of the greatest honors of my career. He and the Terminator universe are so iconic and I grew up idolizing him. So it was terrifyingly stressful and wonderfully exciting all at once to embody him every day for two years. I miss him and the show to this day. I was devastated when the series ended to be honest. I feel like I learned who I really was during the shoot of that show and I never wanted it to end.
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HELLTER: Sounded like you had a really fun time on set for John Connor. Sucks that it had to end. I read that you are big prankster on set. What was your best prank you ever did on set and who was on the receiving end of it?
THOMAS: Lena Headey and I used to go out of our way to terrify each new director on Terminator by playing our characters in terrible/ridiculous/over the top/bizarre ways during rehearsal. And then of course do it for real when we would shoot. That was always really fun.
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HELLTER: (Laughs). Alot of horror fans or general fans don’t know this. You were the little boy David McGowan in 1995’s Village of the Damned. You were so young when you film that horror film, did filming a horror film at that age affect you in any way or give you nightmares? and how was it like to meet and work for the icon John Carpenter?
THOMAS: Quite the opposite of giving me nightmares. It was the most fun EVER. And while it may sound strange, considering I was six years old, I have very very clear and distinct memories of doing the film and working with John. He has subsequently become one of my all time favorite directors and musicians. I remember that he was wonderful with all of us kids and I consider being a part of his filmography an absolute honor that I will hold in high regard for the rest of my life.
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HELLTER: Working with John Carpenter has to be amazing, a huge highlight, no matter what the age of the actor is. You wrote and directed the thriller Jack Goes Home. Can you tell us about the film and working with both Rory Culkin and Lin Shaye?
THOMAS: I wrote Jack Goes Home as a kind of escape from my resulting depression after my father died so the whole project is a very personal and honest expression. The film is kind of like a fever dream of my deepest and darkest emotions and I’m proud that thanks to the cast and crew, I was able to express those feelings with dignity and grace. I wrote the role of Jack with Rory in mind as I had been a fan of his work for years and Lin Shaye is just one of the greatest working actresses around in my opinion. I had never met or even spoken to either of them when they accepted the roles and it was a genuine privilege watching them bring my characters and intended world to life. I learned so much from both of them, as a director and as an actor. They are also just true professionals to a T and an absolute joy to work with. I am extremely proud of the film and all its swirling insanity.
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HELLTER: You should be proud of the film. And working with the great Lin Shaye is a honor. What was your favorite scene and favorite kill from both Laid to Rest movies?
THOMAS: Ooooh…that’s tough. I think my favorite kill is the one with my roommate in Laid to Rest 2. It was a one shot trick that was pulled off with my best friends Jade and Nikita Ramsey (twin sisters) The whole idea of it was just a brilliant piece of in camera trickery and so well done.
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HELLTER: That is a great scene. What are your thoughts on Chromeskull and being in the same category as Freddy, Jason, Michael, etc.?
THOMAS: He can dream!
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HELLTER: Elvira The Mistress of the Dark is such a huge horror Icon. She is also a very sweet lady. We had the pleasure of interviewing her and working with her on other projects for the site as well. Awesome person. What are your thoughts on working with Elvira for a episode of her tv series called Lady Frankenstein, where you play her son?
THOMAS: Funny funny timing with this question…I hung out with her last night!!! Cassandra played my mom in Peaches Christ’s cult film All About Evil and while of course I always have and always will be a huge fan of Elvira, Cassandra is just the sweetest woman in the world and we instantly loved each other. So when she asked me to play her son, I couldn’t believe it!!! It was one fun and easy day of filming here in LA that I will never forget.
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HELLTER: Yeah, Cassandra is such an amazing sweet person. What an experience, to play her son. In Kaboom, your character is very horny and gets with both guys and girls. Your character’s roommate played by Chris Zylka was always shirtless or naked. How was it like doing those scenes with Chris and then later working with him again on Secret Circle?
THOMAS: (Laughs). All the sex scenes were just hilarious to shoot on that movie. Believe me when I say there is nothing sexy about shooting something sexual. It’s awkward and weird and stupid and funny as hell. So Chris and I definitely had a good humorous bond from Kaboom and I was thrilled when he ended up joining The Secret Circle.
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HELLTER: I was happy to see you two reunite in Secret Circle. You two had great chemistry in Kaboom. Besides being an amazing actor, you are a musician as well. Can you tell us about your music and forming Zero Times Zero and your new album your about to drop soon?
THOMAS: Music was always very present in my life as my father was an opera singer and my mother is a concert pianist. So after I discovered electronic music at around 13, I began writing and composing my own pieces on janky old synthesizers and computer programs. To me, music and directing are very much the same thing. It’s all just making art to express something. Sometimes a certain thing is stronger through pictures and sometimes it’s stronger through sound. The only thing that makes music so singular for me is that I can do it 100 per cent alone. It becomes a very private little universe that I can dive into and stay in when the real world loses its sheen.
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HELLTER: I can tell your very passionate about your music. The new album is called Into the Night. I heard a clip of a song from the album on your Instagram and I loved it. It has a nice 80’s music vibe to it. Reminds me alot of the music from The Lost Boys movie. What can you tell us about your new album and what is your favorite song of the album?
THOMAS: I have so much to say about this record that it’s hard to know where to start. Since I’d been busy developing other non musical projects, I suddenly realized I hadn’t made music in almost five years and I hit the panic button. I got out the old collection of synths and sounds out and just started recording. Anything and everything that I wanted to hear. It was quite selfish in a way because I paid no mind to an intended audience or a plan for an album this time. I just wanted to play and record and sing and mix. And I also didn’t want to fight my inspirations and influences. I wanted to embrace them. So as genre scores of the 1980s and the Goth driven synth pop bands of that period are my most beloved styles of music, it seemed natural to go in that direction. Narratively, the record is really about who I am now and where I’ve been and how I’ve ended up here. It’s the first piece of art I’ve made as an out gay man of 30 and the project began pretty immediately after my decision to live in sobriety. So themes of escaping fear and pain in favor of owning your true identity are very strong in every song for me. As far as a favorite? That’s tough. But I’d have to go with a top three of “Lightstorm”, “Boys in Eyeliner” and “Shadowman” at the moment.
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HELLTER: I can’t wait to listen to the album Into the Night on December 15th. Were you a big fan of 80’s music and 80’s horror?
THOMAS: Well, I made a whole record as a love letter to both so I think it would be fair to say YES!
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HELLTER: Yeah true. That was a dumb question (laughs). You were outed by Bryan Fuller on a interview. How did that make you feel and when do you think you would have came out if he never outed you?
THOMAS: By the time I was out in my personal life, I wasn’t really in the public eye so I didn’t feel the urge or need to do it publicly until Bryan said what he said. Frankly, I find it a bit baffling that he was apparently so upset about a situation that occurred when I was 18 , that he felt it necessary to invade his award acceptance speech with falsified claims about me ten years after the fact but in the end, I am immensely grateful. It pushed me to speak openly to the world. I have never been ashamed of being queer and so when the opportunity presented itself, albeit in a bizarre fashion, I leapt at the chance to alleviate my life from any secrecy or shadow. Who I love and have sex with does not define me but it is an important part of me and I’m honored to live in an era where one can present a true self in its entirety to the world without shame.
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HELLTER: You are a very strong person. I am happy that you are happy being who you are. You are a really cool guy. Since coming out, you have helped out the LGBT community alot by representing them. You are a inspiration to young LGBT people everywhere. What advice would you give to the LGBT community who wants to make it in film or music?
THOMAS: Honestly, I won’t offer my own advice, but rather the advice of my good friend Natasha Lyonne. Years ago, when I was struggling with embracing or denying my true self as a queer being (because we all know being gay does not just mean you are attracted to the same sex, it shapes the symbols and legacy of your existence), she said “why are you fighting everything that makes you YOU? Because YOU is interesting and different and special. Be that.” And I couldn’t agree more. Don’t deny your perspective or you true life story. Imbue your work with it. Use yourself in all of its glories and flaws. And the world will follow.
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HELLTER: Very good advice. Anything else you would like to discuss or promote?
THOMAS: “Into the Night” comes out December 15th and I can’t wait to share it with you. As of that day, it is no longer mine. It is ours.
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HELLTER: Thank you so much for being a guest on Gruemonkey today.
THOMAS: Your welcome!!
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CLICK HERE AND HERE FOR CLIPS OF THOMAS IN A COUPLE FILMS!!
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