Rex Sikes' Movie Beat

Actor Kenny Johnson Pt 2 made his feature debut in The Forbidden Dance, and then starred for five years as Detective Curtis “Lemonhead” Lemansky on the critically acclaimed FX show “The Shield”. This led to the part of spiky haired pilot Lt. Butch 'Burner' Barnes on the action/adventure series "Pensacola: Wings of Gold," and the recurring role as drug counselor Joseph on the crime drama "Cold Case." In the TNT series “Saving Grace”Kenny costars as Detective Ham Dewy opposite star Holly Hunter as Grace. He also made sitcom appearances on "Grace Under Fire," "Caroline in the City" and "Sliders" and has also guest-starred in such hit drama series as “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”, “Smallville” “Sons of Anarchy” “NCIS”and “Boomtown”. Johnson appeared in the the film “Desolation Canyon” opposite Stacy Keach. He starred in the indie thriller “Zzyzx”. Johnson also stars in the film The ‘Ungody’ with Wes Bentley. Other credits include “Blade”, opposite Wesley Snipes, and “Major League: Back the Minors”. He is currently developing a film based on the life of boxer Jerry “The Bellflower Bomber” Quarry. In addition, Johnson received a Silver Medal for Excellence award at the Park City Music and Film Festival for a short film, in which he directed and starred entitled “I Heard the Mermaids Singing”. He was born in Connecticut and raised on a 40-acre farm in Vermont. He attended Central Connecticut State University, where he played football and baseball. He started acting in plays locally in Vermont, most notably in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. He worked modeling and in commercials before getting his first television role. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com

Adam Rifkin is a writer/director/producer/actor whose eclectic career ranges from broad family comedies to cult classics to dark and gritty urban dramas.

As a writer, he made his mark with hit films like MOUSEHUNT, starring Nathan Lane and SMALL SOLDIERS, starring Tommy Lee Jones for Dreamworks. Recent credits include Sony’s ZOOM, starring Tim Allen and Disney's UNDERDOG, starring Jason Lee as the canine hero.

Rifkin earned cult status when his film THE DARK BACKWARD, which he wrote and directed, was named one of the top ten films of its year by The New York Post. He would then be immortalized as the director responsible for New Line Cinema’s DETROIT ROCK CITY, a bona fide cult classic that introduced a whole new generation of fans to the “hottest band in the world…KISS!!!”

Rifkin gained critical recognition for NIGHT AT THE GOLDEN EAGLE, a film which he not only wrote and directed, but also produced. The film was an official selection of the London Film Festival and opened to rave reviews.

In 2008, Rifkin traveled back to Neolithic times when he starred opposite Ali Larter as an idealistic caveman searching for love and life beyond cave in National Lampoon’s HOMO ERECTUS. Rifkin, who also wrote and directed the film, wanted to capture the essence of early Woody Allen movies like LOVE AND DEATH, SLEEPER, and BANANAS. The prehistoric comedy was recently released on DVD following a theatrical release.

Most recently Rifkin wrote, directed and executive produced (along with Barry Schuler and Brad Wyman) all 11 episodes of LOOK the series for Showtime. Based on his critically acclaimed and award winning film of the same name, LOOK is a controversial drama that takes us into the foreboding world of hidden cameras. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com

Lance Kawas, director, has a passion for writing screenplays and directing. Lance spent the last ten years writing 30 screenplays which earned him 19 national screenplay competition awards and opened the door for him to direct indie films.

His first horror feature Silent Scream gave him a taste of the reality of indie film and was picked up by Lions Gate Films. His second was based on a true story. It is the mob film Street Boss. It was picked up by Maverick. His third, a children’s movie called The Deported was picked up by Green Apple. Lance is in post on his forth film the drama/action Restitution due out later this year.

Lance has directed actors such as, Tom Arnold, Mena Suvari, C Thomas Howell, William Sadler, Talia Shire, Michael Rappaport, Paul Rodriguez, Vincent Pastore, Carmen Argenziano, and Nick Turturro to name a few.

He also has two best feature film awards and one nomination for best director.

Currently, Lance is in development on several projects and looking for partners who love film and want to embark on a great journey with him.

He has signed a deal with (Rex Sikes' Movie Beat guest) producer Scott Rosenfelt (Home Alone) to Direct the film The Violinist. He is also hired to write scripts for producers and has inked four such writing deals.

He resides in Farmington Hills Michigan, and heads to LA five times a year. He is Managed by Bettina Vaviano of Accelerate Entertainment in Beverly Hills California.

He holds a BA in Finance & Banking from The University of Michigan. His finance background helps him prepare film budgets.

Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com

Uwe Boll PT 2 is certainly a larger than life character. An intelligent, tough individual who dares to challenge the system at all levels. He is a true film maverick. Dr. Boll studied film directing at HFF in Munich, Germany and the University for Music and Acting in Vienna, Austria. He also pursued German Literature and Economics at the Universities of Cologne and Siegen, Germany and by 1995 Uwe obtained his doctorate in German Literature. He became the Chief Executive of BOLU Film Production and Distribution, Schweinfurt, Germany and BOLL KG, Burscheid, Germany in 1992. By 1995 Uwe began working with Taunus Film-Production GmbH, Wiesbaden, Germany as a producer and director.He embarked upon his directing career, completing over 15 feature films. In 2005, Uwe directed BLOODRAYNE in Romania and IN THE NAME OF KING: A DUNGEON SIEGE TALE, in Vancouver, BC. The Bloodrayne cast included Sir Ben Kingsley (Gandhi) and Kristanna Loken (Terminator III). During the production of Bloodrayne, Uwe rescued and adopted his second dog. Uwe has a great love for animals and actively works with special interest groups for animal welfare. The passionate jogger and workaholic presently splits his time between Vancouver, Canada and Germany.In 2006 Dr. Boll finished shooting a horror film called SEED. This film features some of the most extreme violence ever explored in cinema. Following SEED, Uwe embarked on a film version of the computer game, POSTAL. This entertaining black satire effectively challenges the rules of political correctness. Uwe has even decided to incorporate and satirize himself in the film, personifying his reputation as a highly criticized and controversial director. Uwe ended 2006 directing his Vampire meets the Old Wild West feature, BloodRayne II: Deliverance, which stars Natassia Malthe & Zack Ward. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com

Jane Jenkins & Janet Hirshenson PT 2 of The Casting Company have cast over 100 feature films, including the Academy Award winning "A Beautiful Mind" “Something’s Gotta Give” “The Da Vinci Code” “Angels & Demons” Oscar nominated “Frost/Nixon” "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" "Something's Gotta Give" " Airforce One" "Jurassic Park" "The American President""Apollo 13" " The Lost World" "A Few Good Men" "Backdraft" "Misery" "Ghost" "When Harry Met Sally" "Mystic Pizza" "Beetlejuice" "Stand By Me" "Home Alone" "The Outsiders" to name a few. Jane began her career in entertainment as an actress in New York City. She entered the casting profession while working in film production. Her first project was "On The Nickel" an independent film written, produced and starring her friend Ralph Waite. She soon began working with other casting directors, including Jennifer Shull, who would later connect her with Janet Hirshenson. Janet Hirshenson was introduced to casting while working as a temporary secretary for the casting office of Ray Stark's, Rastar Productions. It was there that Jenkins joined Janet and Jennifer. When Shull moved to head the casting department at Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope Studios in Hollywood, she brought both Janet and Jane with her. With the closing of Zoetrope Hollywood Jane and Janet joined forces and formed The Casting Company. Today, they are established as two of the premier casting directors in the entertainment industry and this year are celebrating 29 years in business together. Their book A STAR IS FOUND: Our Adventures Casting some of Hollywood’s Biggest Movies is enjoying continued success. They cast the recently released Rob Reiner film “Flipped”, and Chris Columbus’ “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightening Thief”. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com

Harry E. Northup has made a living as an actor for over thirty years, acting in thirty-seven films, including "Mean Streets," "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," "Taxi Driver" (1976 Palme d'Or winner at Cannes), "Blue Collar," "Citizens Band," "Used Cars,""Over the Edge" (starring role) and "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991 Oscar winner for Best Picture) Philadelphia, Bad Girls, Beloved, and a remake of The Manchurian Candidate.

Director Jonathan Demme said of Harry, "Harry Northup is one of the actors I have worked with many times. I've worked with him for thirty years. He's a wonderful guy and a beautiful poet and a gifted actor." — "Latino Review" 2004

Harry has acted in 43 television shows, including "ER", "The Court" (recurring role), "In Cold Blood" (CBS mini-series), The Deliberate Stranger, The Day the Bubble Burst, and "Knots Landing" (recurring role).

Harry has been a member of the Academy of Motion Picture

He received his B.A. in English from C.S.U.N., where he studied verse with Ann Stanford.  New Alliance Records has released his "Personal Crime," new and selected poems from 1966-1991, on CD and cassette audio recording, and "Homes" on CD.  

Lewis MacAdams of the L.A. WEEKLY,wrote, "Northup is the poet laureate of east Hollywood."  Harry is

Stay tuned to Rex Sikes' Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com

Sheri Candler, PT 2 a marketing & publicity specialist helps independent filmmakers gather an audience for their work. As the Marketing & Sponsorship Manager for the Santa Clarita Valley Film Festival, she encountered numerous talented filmmakers who possessed expert knowledge in storytelling & film production, yet lacked the knowledge of how to promote & distribute their films. It was painful for Sheri to see how opportunities were being missed & filmmakers being abused by the distribution process. Sheri helps independent filmmakers devise successful marketing & promotional strategies by identifying & connecting with their audience early in the production process by utilizing blogs, social media, online radio, forums, online publications & finding influential recommenders. Building connections continues well into the release of the film. She was involved with promoting 2009 NFB Cannes Short Film Corner winner "Sebastian's Voodoo"; "Butterflies," one of the first films to utilize the YouTube rental program; Sundance Channel pick "Beyond Biba"; 2010 Slamdance official selection "YELLOWBRICKROAD" & the Roadside Attractions film "Princess Kaiulani." She is collaborates with Jon Reiss, author of "Think Outside the Box Office," & participates in his TOTBO workshop series; consults with non profit film distribution, marketing & filmmaker education organization The Film Collaborative; & is a featured expert in the new Guerilla FilmmakersPocketbook by Chris Jones, Genevieve Jolliffe & Andrew Zinnes. She holds a BA in Broadcasting & Film from the University of Alabama & an LCCI Diploma in Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She spent 4 years in Russia as news announcer & six years in London as a EMEA Marketing Manager for For-A Corporation. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com

Derrel Maury PT 2 Actor, & Rex Sikes remember the making of the cult classic Massacre at Central High. Derrel Maury joined SAG and AFTRA over 40 years ago. He was so young when he started; his first roles were “crawl-on’s”. He has appeared as a series regular on Norman Lear’s “One Day at a Time” & “Apple Pie”, also Gary Marshal’s “Happy Days” & “Joanie Loves Chachi”. He played Jughead in James Komack’s “The Archie Show” and starred as the teen killer in the 70’s cult classic feature “Massacre at Central High”. Some other credits include guest starring roles in “Murder She Wrote”, WKRP in Cincinnati”, “Barney Miller”, “Highway to Heaven”, & “The Partridge Family”. He has just completed work on a number of features including, “Blood of the Cross”, “Mexican Hat”, “Wasteland” & the “Tramp”. He has won numerous awards for his stage and film work including his recent best actor award at the New York Short Film Festival for his lead role in the film “Wither”. An acting coach for over twenty years, he has taught for Estelle Harman, Tracy Roberts, and many top agencies around town. He also runs his own acting studio, Derrel Maury’s Young Actor’s Workshop. He was recently highlighted on CNN in a special report on acting classes for kids. Derrel’s extensive list of plays directed at theatres in and around Los Angeles include “Grease”, “Oliver”, “Once Upon A Mattress”, “The Music Man”, “Fiddler On The Roof”, “The Wizard Of Oz”, “Guys And Dolls”, “Bye Bye Birdie”, “Damn Yankees”, “Joseph”, ”High School Musical”, “South Pacific”, “Willy Wonka”, “Annie”, and “Answer the Call”. Every year Derrel also participates in the Secret Roses’ Mini Musical Festival. His directing work there has won awards three years in a row for his productions of “Blenderman”, “Change of Plans” and “Climb the Smallest Mountain”. Stay tuned to Rex Sikes Movie Beat for other great archived interviews, cast and crew listings, events, festivals, premieres, and more at http://www.rexsikes.com