Caffeinated Clint
A familiar face from the world of television (“Melrose Place”, “Models Inc”, “The Last Don II”) and film (“The Coriolis Effect”, “Man of the Year”), James Wilder is a Hollywood mainstay that continues to evolve and impress. His latest venture, the crime-thriller “Three Holes and a Smoking Gun”, the actor plays an ex-Hollywood screenwriter turned teacher in a battle of wits with a devious student.
The film will play at the Garden State Film Festival in March, where James will also be honored with an Independent Spirit Award (Laura Dern won the award last year). “James Wilder embodies the independent spirit not just for his roles on film and television, but also for his passion for artistic creation,” states Diane Raver, Executive Director of the festival. “We are delighted that James is attending the festival with his film ‘Three Holes, Two Brads, and a Smoking Gun’ (now titled “3 Holes and a Smoking Gun”). His starring performance is outstanding and the film is terrific,” she adds.
“Three Holes and a Smoking Gun” opens in March in theaters in L.A and NY, and on VOD.
1. How did you meet Aaron Spelling and how did Models Inc. come about?
He called me from Vegas and asked me to come on and help the show get on track.
2. They brought Melrose back briefly a year or so ago, but it didn’t work. Why did you think it was such a success in the ‘90s but not now?
As I learned from my series “Route 66,” always best to leave the original alone.
3. Have your tastes changed since those days, too? Do you look for different types of roles now than you did then?
Absolutely. Interesting and controversial subject matters always make the best drama -kinda like in relationships.
4. How did you get involved in “Three Holes and a Smoking Gun”?
A writer approached me at a bar called Hemingway. The synchronicity of that moment SAID it all.
5. What makes Bobby Blue Day tick?
Trying to stay ahead of his addictions through survival, hard work, and the need of approval.
6. Have to ask, because he’s a real force on film, how did you like working with Joaquim de Almeida?
He was a real tour de force.
7. I’m not familiar with Hilarion Blanks work. How was he to work for? An actor’s director?
He was a great director. He works in a very Casavettes style.
8. When you’re working on such physical shoots, do you have to change your diet or workout much?
Shooting 12 hours a day, six days a week in the New York driven snow is all the work out I needed.
9. Any special skills you had to learn for the film? Weapons training or brushing up on fight skills….for instance?
Memorizing 76 pages of dialogue and be ‘off book’ prior to our first day.
10. And finally, did you base your performance on any Hollywood screenwriter in particular?
Yes, but I can’t say who.
