Acting in My Second Film

The second film I’ve acted in is an independently made, Christian-based film called "The Bill Collector," which was produced by Messenger Films. It was shot over a few weeks in the end of October and the beginning of November in Norfolk, VA.

This job actually came pretty easily; my Dad used to have his business office in the same building as one of the film’s producers, Doug Maddox. I met with him, auditioned for the part for the director, and was told I got the part immediately.

The basic plot of the film can be found IMDb:

Lorenzo Adams is in trouble. While working at a bill collection agency in Norfolk, VA an old debt of his own suddenly comes due when Frankie Gutierrez, an L.A. loan shark, shows up at his door. With less than three weeks to pay back $100,000 and Frankie's enforcer, Omar, shadowing his every move, Lorenzo cooks up a plan to pay his debt by scamming the collection agency and an inner-city mission. Neither Omar nor the people from the mission are what he expects and Lorenzo's scheme doesn't work quite as he plans.”

Here's the link to the IMDb profile :http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1305008/

My part is that of a worker in the bill collection agency named Ignatius Pendergast, or “Iggy” for short. It was a fun and easy part to play, because it’s not far of from my own personality: introverted, kind of nervous, etc.  My character is the main character’s right-hand man, so to speak.

The director of the film is Cristobal Krusen, an international film director. He’s made some feature films in South America and South Africa. He was really great to work with. I feel unique in the sense that I haven’t had a bad working experience yet. Then again, I’ve only acted in two films, but still: everyone on the set was incredibly nice.

Acting in this film really reaffirmed my decision to get into acting. The day just flies by. Sure, it’s hard work and the days can be up to 10 hours long or more, but I don’t mind. I’m doing what I love.

As far as a release date goes, I've heard the film is aiming for theatrical release in 2009 or 2010, so keep a look out for it. Altogether, it was a fun job, and it has prepared me for any future work I do.

- Brandon

Photos Courtesy of Messenger Films.
Photographer: Antony Platt

In the photos above, Brandon is featured with Gary Moore and Michael LeMelle (respectively)