About the Movie

A nerdy high school senior (Steven J. Kaplan) waits until the last minute to find a prom date in independent comedy "Bart Got a Room." Lovingly based on writer-director Brian Hecker's own experiences, the film provides a fresh take on the age-old tale of raging male hormones, peer pressure, and other rites of passage. Cheryl Hines and William H. Macy also star, along with Brandon Hardesty as a know-it-all buddy. ("What other evening in your whole life is as big? Maybe your wedding. But odds are that will end in divorce.")

The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, where it received rave reviews, and heralded the arrival of a notable new talent in AFI-trained Hecker. Steven Kaplan and Brandon Hardesty also received outstanding reviews, and were dubbed as "ones to watch."

Making My First Film

I believe the way the producers found me had something to do with Joe Pesci. As I understand it, one of the producers knows him, and they were discussing how irritated Pesci was that so many people imitate him. So they searched on YouTube and found my "Goodfellas" re-enactment, freshly uploaded. From there, they e-mailed me a script, and asked me to read for a part. I put myself on tape, and that was that.

Acting wise, I really had to reel myself in. I had the urge to play the character a bit "louder," as in more hand gestures, saying words clearly, etc. However the director, Brian Hecker, just gave me the character summary in one phrase: "You just don't give a f***." From there, it was smooth sailing.

Also, I had to grow my hair out. Brian was adamant about the hair. It makes sense, because if you have more hair, it's easier to work with and make it what you want. He ended up using all of my hair. He's not one to waste hair.

From what you see in the film, Craig (my character) acts and sounds cool, but is probably part of the same nerd clique at school along with the main character, Danny. They are friends, but you would never guess how or why. In essence, Craig is just a fat, lazy guy who lays by the pool all school year getting a tan for the prom. To achieve this tan, I had my whole face painted brown; it was borderline blackface. After the shoot, Steven Kaplan, who plays Danny, invited me to go get some food. I didn't have time to wash off the make-up, so we went out to eat at this little Japanese place, and my face and hands are covered in tan make-up. We met up with the film's cinematographer there, and he kept laughing at me as I got strange looks from everyone. Fun times.

As far as funny scenes on set, there are too many to really mention, I would spoil the film if I did. I can say that [William H.] Macy has one of the funniest scenes, as well as Chad who plays the infamous Bart Beeber, whom the movie is titled after. You'll just have to watch it when it comes out to see them.