Acclaimed actor Jeff Daniel Phillips chatted about playing Herman in the film “The Munsters,” directed by Rob Zombie, and being a part of the digital age.
From Rob Zombie comes the strangest love story ever told as Herman and Lily’s crazy courtship takes “The Munsters” on a hauntingly hilarious trip from Transylvania to Hollywood.
On being a part of “The Munsters” experience, Phillips said, “Making any film during the pandemic has had so many challenges and obstacles but we managed to do it with our small group of artists and producers because we believed in the filmmaker and loved our source material.”
“Rob Zombie has been trying to make this film for 20 years and all of us wanted nothing more than to help him do so and honor the show we all loved growing up,” he added.
He opened up about his character Heman. “Herman has a wide-eyed, childlike quality at this particular time or rather birth of his being. In our origin story, the audience is able to witness his wonderment, finding his voice, and who he becomes after falling in love. It’s a sweet story,” he explained.
“Our film is a love letter to the original show and the characters in it,” he said. “We’re not looking to replace the iconic series but rather honor the show and share it with those who grew up watching it and also a young audience that’s now discovering our beloved, mad-capped family of horror.”
Regarding his daily inspirations as an actor, Phillips said, “Delving into a new role’s character and making discoveries about the person I’m portraying. It sometimes can be a way of losing yourself and finding out more about yourself at the same time.”
On being an actor in the digital age, Phillips said, “I’m hopeful that digital filmmaking continues to make more opportunities for a vast array of stories to be told. Making projects digitally often help give more Indies, including documentaries, a chance of finding funds because of the efficiency and professional quality it allows at a low budget.”
For young and aspiring actors, he said, “Try to get involved in productions, theatre, and readings of new material. Search out opportunities in student films and with young filmmakers or create your own projects and search out young crews to support you.”
“The more experience you gain the more confidence you’ll bring to each new production. Everyone has to start some place and often these early relationships evolve into more opportunities down the line,” he added.
On his dream acting partners, he responded, “I cannot think of one particular actor. I think I’m more focused on the filmmakers who inspire me and there are far too many to list because they widely vary from genre to genre and in many different countries.”
Regarding his definition of the word success, Phillips said, “Make a living storytelling; being involved in projects with artists that inspire and challenge me.”
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