Michael Berryman, a familiar face and famous film star was honored Friday night, August 27th at the 2010 Horrific Film Fest in San Antonio. (See slide show below)
“For his hard work in the industry of horror” engraved in the chainsaw shaped trophy, Berryman was presented the festival’s ultimate award by 'Absinthe', the 2010 Gothic Queen.
Berryman, renowned as the frightening “Pluto” of Wes Craven’s 1977 “The Hills Have Eyes,” humbly accepted the tribute.
Many remember Berryman in various roles in such movies as “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975), “Weird Science” (1985), “Star Trek IV” (1986), and “The Devil’s Rejects” (2005).
BELOW ZERO
The actor remains busy with many films in post or production, but is very excited about what he describes as his best performance yet; a serious role of a butcher in the drama “Below Zero.”
“Edward Furlong, plays a man name Frank, a screenwriter,” explained Berryman. “He’s going through writer’s block and having trouble meeting his deadlines.”
Berryman gets serious as he sets up the story.
“The deal is, his manager has him fly to an isolated area (filming was in Edson, Northern Alberta, Canada) and is picked up by a lady at the airport who drives him to my character’s slaughter house.”
“My role is a butcher, the owner of the slaughter house,” Berryman grins. “The manager works it out so that Frank has to be locked up in this meat locker freezer to complete his screenplay project before the deadline.”
“If not,” Berryman continues, “He get’s dropped by his manager.”
“I can’t really tell anything more, but this is just the beginning of an intriguing and very dramatic, and somewhat horrifying movie.”
"STUNNING PERFORMANCE"
“I received a call from my manager earlier today,” Berryman smiled. “He told me they are saying I gave a ‘stunning’ and ‘dramatic’ performance.”
“I made people cry; and people that were there, on the set, and who have seen the scene tell me it is my best acting yet,” beamed Berryman. “Even the cameramen were in tears. It was very a solemn moment.”
“I would love to tell you more but I can’t take away from the viewer’s experience that I am sure they will have,” the actor stated. “It will be a chiller, no pun intended.”
Berryman reflected on what he has learned over that last 35 years of acting, and offered this advice for young actors: “It’s important to just not learn your lines. You need to think about the medium being used to shoot you and understand the angles, the lighting and the technology behind it all so you can adjust to give the best look for the viewer.”
A camera and lens buff, Berryman says he “really knows my craft and the cinematographers will tell me how much they see and appreciate I know my stuff.”
“When it comes to focus, lighting, composition and all the detailed distinctions of a shot, I will know what it takes to maximize and be prepared for the scene,” Berryman explained.
Berryman said Edward Furlong (Terminator II, The Green Hornet, American History X) “had that attitude while we worked on Below Zero.”
“He really is a great actor and a joy to work with,” Berryman recalled. “I felt he was good about sharing our scenes and very good about making sure no one overshadowed or took away from the other.”
“I would work with him anytime,” commented Berryman. “He is a good examples for any young actor who wants to be successful in this business.”
“Speaking of professional, I was really impressed with Signe Olynyk, who is a producer for Below Zero,” Berryman recognized. “The movie industry should take notice of her.”
Berryman is playing in the upcoming “Scooby Doo movie and I am a zombie; a zombie who dances and sings.”
“We had to practice, rehearse and do a bit of choreography,” Berryman laughs. “But I have taken ball room dancing and only make sure my ball room shoes stay on the wooden floor.”
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Comments
Awesome work Jack! Thanks for this article!
I didn't realize he was in so many movies, but realized I have seen this actor for years....always curious about him in a strange way.
Did he say ANYTHING at all about working on one flew over the cukoos nest? Jack Nicholson? I would like to know more.
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