Canadian actor and producer Adam Rodness, known for his roles on Netflix series “Hemlock Grove” and “Taken” brings horror back to its ‘80s roots with the frighteningly fun new release “Scarecrows” – on VOD this December from Uncork’d Entertainment!
“Scarecrows” which Rodness co-wrote with producing partner Stu Stone, sees teenagers captured and turning into living scarecrows!
Adam discussed this film and more via an exclusive interview on November 5, 2018..
Producing, acting, and Netflix
Meagan Meehan (MM): What inspired you to become a producer, Adam?
I imagine all those years on the sets of other people’s Movies and TV series might have served as stimulus?
Adam Rodness (AR): These days you to thrive in all aspects of the business to sustain success. Yes, there comes the point when you want to be calling the shots and making creative decisions of your own. However, my first love will always be acting, but learning a practical tool like producing allows you to create and manage your own opportunities.
MM: When did you begin acting?
AR: I began acting professionally at the age of 19. My first on-screen job was a host for Canadian music (MTV type) network called BPM: TV.
MM: You’ve done a lot of work. Is there one part that audiences recognize you from the most?
AR: I was a part of a Netflix series called “Hemlock Grove”, that show was the most received around the world. So, I guess that one gets me the most attention.
MM: Can you talk about the experience of working on Hemlock Grove? I imagine that must have opened doors for you as an actor?
AR: The story behind me and the show is probably 1 in a million for any actor.
My character Trevor was only supposed to appear in one episode in Season 2. It turned out they enjoyed my company and wrote him in for the remainder of the season as well as season 3. That same casting director has been responsible for multiple roles after. So yes, I guess being on the show helped, but it continues to be a grind for the next one.
MM: When did you and Stu Stone form your production company?
AR: Though Stu and I have been writing and pitching networks for about 15 years, 5’7 Films was officially launched in the summer of 2015.
MM: Was the idea to also star in the films you and Stone produce?
AR: Ultimately the plan for Stu and I is/was to write and produce a few projects under the 5’7 banner without us acting in them. We wanted to perfect the machine before we took a ride in it. But yes, the end goal is to create our vehicles to star in.
MM: What about “Scarecrows”; are you in that one?
AR: Well you will have to watch and find out! There could be an Easter egg hidden somewhere!
Screenplays, horror, and the 1980s
MM: The film is a real love letter to the horror films of the 1980s.
Were there any that particularly influenced the screenplay?
AR: Happy you got that message. My father is a writer and film geek, so I grew up on watching films from that era. Films like Nightmare and Elm Street and The Fly were always quotable in our house. But what we really liked to watch were films like “Young Frankenstein” and “Transylvania 65000”. The ones with a horror/comedy twist!
MM: Career-wise, where do you see yourself in ten years, what’s coming up next, and what advice have you for young filmmakers and/or actors?
AR: In ten years, 5’7 Films will have multiple TV shows in the can as well as movies with wide theatrical releases. We are rapidly growing already with a full development slate and production team!
5’7 Films next project will be announced this Christmas and revolve around a real crime investigation. On the acting front, I will be part of a major movie I am shooting now that will be released spring 2019. I can’t say too much at the moment, but it involves a DC Comics Superhero!
To the aspiring producers, ALWAYS have 12 projects on the go. Out of the 12, 6 of those will be of interest to a partner, out of those 6, 3 of them may move to the next level and out of those 3, 1 or 2 might actually see the light of day. It’s a game of numbers. For the actors out there, I was told this by a seasoned actor: “if there is anything else that will make you happy then go do that. The process of being an actor won’t be worth it.”
Always have a supplementary income and most importantly learn the production side of things.
Not only will it serve better to work behind the scenes, but you will gain more respect and understanding for the process of filmmaking. Lastly, everything is hard in life; no one is going to hand anything over. Work hard and stay positive.
