Today I have the happy pleasure of welcoming a very special guest, actor Doug McKeon, to CINEMATIC REVELATIONS for an interview. Doug has acted on television and in various motion pictures over the years since childhood, most notably in feature films ON GOLDEN POND, NIGHT CROSSING, COME AWAY HOME, MISCHIEF [my review of the film can be found here] and UNCLE JO SHANNON, to name a few examples. Doug today will be discussing his role in MISCHIEF, acting, and his role as film director.
Welcome
to CINEMATIC REVELATIONS Doug!
Athan:
When did you first realize that you wanted to be an actor?
Doug: Athan, thank you for inviting me here. I first realized I wanted to be an actor after my stint on a soap opera called The Edge of Night. I played the role of Timmy Faraday over a three year span from the age of eight to eleven. The soap opera was a great experience for me, and I started to care more about the craft.
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Athan:
Where did you study acting?
Doug: I never formally took any acting classes. Again, I credit The Edge of Night for challenging me as a young actor. My character, Timmy, was uniquely written at the time: His mother was mentally ill. After the parents got a divorce, she killed her husband and is sent to an insane asylum. Timmy is then adopted by friends of the family.
This narrative solicited many emotional scenes for my character, and it forced me to hone my ability as a thespian. The soap opera was an acting class in and of itself for me. I took much of what I learned at the time and applied it to other roles moving forward.
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Athan: You have been acting since childhood, making your debut on classic daytime suspense soap opera The Edge of Night. How did you balance acting and your school studies?
Doug: I was very fortunate to have the support of my school and faculty members. They understood my circumstance as a young actor was unique. I lived in New Jersey, but often worked in New York City. In the case of doing the Edge of Night, my teachers would provide me the homework assignments ahead of time and I would turn in the work a day later. However, if I had to leave school for an extended period of time (i.e. a month or two) in order to perform in a film, I would have a tutor with me and complete the lesson plans from my teachers during that time.
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Athan: Your performance as Jonathan in MISCHIEF was naturalistic and exuberant, a thoroughly convincing portrayal of a sympathetic teenager. How did you become involved in this project?
Doug: Even though I lived in New Jersey, I would occasionally fly out to California for a series of auditions. The same week I auditioned for Mischief I also auditioned for the film Mask (starring Cher). Actor Eric Stoltz and I landed up being considered for both movies. In the end, he was cast in Mask and Iwas cast in Mischief.
I remember actor Chris Nash was already cast in the role of Gene. I also knew the director, Mel Damski, from a short-lived television series I did called Big Shamus, Little Shamus with actor Brian Dennehy. Mel had directed our pilot episode. Both he and Chris were at my audition for the role of Jonathan. I flew back to New Jersey and was offered the job a week later.
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Athan: I was struck by the chemistry between Jonathan and Gene, and the sibling-like respect shared between Jonathan and Bunny in MISCHIEF. It felt as if I was watching real interactions in the film, and this was especially palpable during the final scenes with Jonathan, Gene and Bunny. What was the experience of working with Chris Nash and Catherine Mary Stewart?
Doug: Mischief was the most fun I’ve had making a movie. All the people involved, both cast and crew, were great to be around, and it felt like “one big family”. The camaraderie that all the actors shared during that time, in front of and behind the camera, was special. When we weren’t working, we enjoyed going to the movies together, shopping, dining, etc. The fact that I’m still close friends with Chris and Catherine is a testament to the bond we have after all these years.
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Athan:
What did you most enjoy about the experience of making MISCHIEF?
Doug: I turned 18 years of age towards the end of the production. Even though I was an emancipated minor before officially becoming an “adult”, it was still a unique time in my career and personal life. I appreciated being on my own for the first time while making a film.
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Athan: What for you were the most demanding, but emotionally satisfying moments of filming MISCHIEF?
Doug: There isn’t one particular scene that stands out for me. I spent most of my scenes working with Chris, and I’m glad audiences can see how our characters grow throughout the story.
I think one of the most demanding aspects of making ANY film are the odd hours actors sometimes work. When filming “night scenes” we often are working until 4 A.M. I remember how cold it was outside when we were shooting the “chicken” scene between Gene (Chis Nash) and Kenny (D.W. Brown). Mischief had it’s fair share of night scenes and it required us to work long hours.
However, for me, the most satisfying thing about Mischief is how it still resonates with audiences even today. When you’re making a comedy you never know how well it’s going to be received (i.e. Is the audience laughing at this moment, or in this scene, etc.) and I’m glad people still enjoy watching the movie.
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Athan: Shooting MISCHIEF in a recreation of 1950s Nelsonville, Ohio must have been a memorable experience. For me as a viewer, apart from the acting, locales, production design, costuming, and soundtrack added just the right touch without feeling overpowering. How did it feel going back in time with the filming of MISCHIEF?
Doug: I love recreating the 1950’s. For me, it feels like “Innocence” personified. I grew up watching and enjoying the TV show Happy Days. To be able to dress in those clothes, listen to 50’s music, drive the old classic cars… it was a special time in our culture, and it’s fun as an actor to get a little lost in it.
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Athan:
Have you kept in contact with any cast members and crew from MISCHIEF?
Doug: Yes. While we were all close shortly after making the film, I’ve stayed in touch with Chris Nash and Catherine Mary Stewart to this day. I understand Jamie Gertz and her husband are owners of the Atlanta Hawks basketball team and I couldn’t be happier for her. However, it was heartbreaking for me when I learned Kelly Preston had passed away. She was a beautiful person and actress. Unfortunately, I didn’t see Kelly very often over the years as she led a more private life, but it was nonetheless shocking for me when I heard the news.
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Athan: Noel Black did a wonderful job writing the screenplay for the film. Did you have the opportunity of meeting Mr Black, the screenwriter for MISCHIEF?
Doug: Yes, I met Noel during the filming of Mischief. He was wonderful, as were all the producers, John Davis, Jere Henshaw, Michael Nolan and Sam Manners. The group, along with director Mel Damski, made the making of the film so enjoyable for all of us.
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Athan: You mention on your website that your favourite movies are THE GODFATHER Part 1 and 2, something with which I definitely agree. Why do you love THE GODFATHER movies?
Doug: For me, the films that were produced in the 1970’s were incredible, and they “spoke” to me. They were visually interesting, entertaining, with great actors and directors attached to them. I was too young to see The Godfather in the movie theater, but my older sister snuck me in to see The Godfather II (it was a different time back then going to the movies). I can’t say I understood everything going on in the movie at the time, but I was hooked. Of course, years later, I re-visited watching both movies (over and over again), and I think they’re both classics.
Mario Puzo’s characters, Coppola’s direction, the incredible cast of quality actors, the cinematography, the ICONIC music (theme)…The Godfather and it’s narrative reflects a microcosm of Americana, warts and all. How audiences can root for the Corleone Family, a group firmly ensconced in organized crime, and side with their love of family, honor and duty is quite a feat.
Yes, if you close enough, there are flaws (i.e. James Caan beating up actor Gianni Russo throwing “phantom” punches), but the overall achievement is impressive, and it stands the test of time.
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Athan: Being a foodie, I was interested in seeing that you enjoy Italian food, especially veal parmigiana and lasagne. What is it about these delectable meals that give you great gourmet satisfaction?
Doug: Although I’m not Italian myself, my mother always made wonderful Italian meals growing up. In my house, every Sunday is “Italian Dinner”, and it’s a great way to always have the family gathered around to eat and catch up on things.
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Athan: You have directed two motion pictures so far, being THE BOYS OF SUNSET RIDGE (2001) and COME AWAY HOME (2005) in which you also acted. What led you to begin directing movies?
Doug: As a young actor I absorbed the filmmaking process. I understood the importance of storytelling in the hands of a talented director. The challenge of taking something from the written page and bring it “to life”, to communicate those things “visually”, working closely with the other artists (i.e. actors, cinematographers, etc.). I attended the University of Southern California as an English major with an emphasis on Creative Writing. I felt that if I was going to be a director, I needed to concentrate on writing first, and it has served me well.
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Athan:
Do you have any upcoming projects of which you would like to tell readers?
Doug: I wrote a screenplay, Silent Knights, about an All-Deaf college football team. It’s inspired by true events, largely based on Gallaudet University, the ONLY college deaf school that plays football in the NCAA. Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin is attached to star in the film. I have several other projects I’ve written that I hope to direct in the near future.
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Thank you so much today for your time Doug, and for the knowledge you have provided into acting, MISCHIEF, film directing and of course, delicious food. It has been a delight to have you on CINEMATIC REVELATIONS. You are welcome to return whenever you wish.
Doug.
My pleasure. Thank you for having me.
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Doug
McKeon links
