HNN Spotlight: Thomas J. O’Brien
What are your earliest memory movies? I remember growing up on a lot of classics, a mixture blend, such as the Hammer Films, Alfred Hitchcock flicks from the 1960s, 1970s cinema and some action packed Cannon Film Group movies from the 1980s, a lot steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, James Cameron movies.
What made you want to pursue a career in film? I’m not sure exactly when, I know it just didn’t come to me like getting bitten by the “acting bug” cliche. I think it came to the point where I had the time to pursue it.
What inspires your creativity? I think my sense of creativity, I think comes to, if “if I see myself doing the role” interpreting how I view the character should be portrayed as.
Do you have a favorite character that you’ve played? Yes, I do, I have a couple actually. One being as the leading role, portraying a less enthusiastic, dry sarcastic Hipster/ Realtor character named “Landry” in a horror/thriller short-film by Filmmaker/ Director Christopher Picone entitled (who is a very accomplished professional editor for “HBO”) “The Confined” (which was showcased, nominated and won multiple awards at various independent film festivals) written by Darren Wallach & Robert DiBella.
I enjoyed this role a lot, I enjoyed the character and giving it a personality, plus I knew what it was like being a Realtor, as I had experience in that field of work, so that helped, I was also given a bit of creative freedom to run with, which was great. Plus the film set was at The Paterson Art Studio in Paterson, New Jersey, which the environment was very beneficial, as there was much to work with.
My other favorite role was playing Lionel Cochran ( Supporting Lead) in an action/thriller feature entitled “Vicious Thunder” by Filmmaker/ Actor & Director Bradley Creanzo. I portrayed a rugged, serious toned security guard, aiding a small group of citizens/ survivors trying to find a way to escape a court house under siege by a psychotic, homicidal, maniac group with a vendetta, to bust out their cult leader Charles Reiner ( Bradley Creanzo). What I enjoyed about the role, it wasn’t just so much the dialogue, a lot of it was the mannerisms I got to portray as a “tough guy/ good guy” type, which I hadn’t played before. There was much staged and rehearsed choreography in a lot of the action sequences scenes. I enjoyed the pacing for my scenes, it was filmed in a very retro-styled way, which I thought was unique and fun. I gained a lot of experience, learned a lot as an actor working on this production.
What has been the toughest hurdle you’ve had to overcome? I guess like 98% or 99% of all actors, every day expenses, scheduling between gigs and regular work, the right role, right opportunity, timing is everything.
What is your connection with horror? I think my connection with horror started out, like everyone else, as being a fan at first, then I ended up auditioning for various upcoming films that were non horror related, than I guess word of mouth on my previous work, and got some notifications, invites on social media on some independent filmmakers auditioning for some horror movies, and I just navigated through that. Which, led to some auditions, managed to land some roles for numerous short-films and features.
Silent Night, Bloody Night 3: Descent
What is the best acting advice you’ve ever been given? Stay consistent, trust your gut instinct as in “stay in a realistic mindset”, pay no attention to the doubters, keep moving forward.
Do you have any tricks to getting into character? I think one of the key elements to getting into character is being able to configure the right or successful Interpretation on what a character should be like.
What types of roles do you enjoy the most? I enjoy roles that embody realism, roles that can be serious, comical or just flat out genuine.
What is the next stage in your acting career? Just to keep moving onward.