ED- The Eerie Digest is very honored to introduce producer and actor Damian Chapa to all our readers. Damian, your career has spanned in all aspects of television and the silver screen. From acting, to directing, and producing you have done it all. How do you feel about all the great accomplishments that you have achieved?

DC-Really I think what I have achieved has nothing to do with film but what I have learned from the films I have made about myself and others as a human being. I actually use my films as away to find out more about who I am. To me its actually never been about the fame or the funds. It has always been away of understanding my psychology and about other aspects of subjects in the world that I am interested in knowing more about, such as secret societies.

ED- Your television roles have been many. Your early appearances were in such shows as ‘Saints and Sinners’, ‘Walker: Texas Ranger’, ‘The Rockford Files’, and ‘Dead Connection’ and lead to the TV special ‘Menendez: A killing in Beverly Hills’. How did these roles shape your career?

DC-I used to think that making films and TV really meant something in the sense of achievement however I feel the talent I wanted to express didn’t happen at all until I did ‘Polanski Unauthorized’, and ‘Bobby Fischer’. The only film I ever felt any sense of worth as an artist, and as a human being, in the “system “of “Hollywood” was ‘Blood In, Blood Out’. I think that film meant something and created actual feelings within people, and gave me a sense of understanding towards my partial Chicano roots. It also became a learning ground for people to understand many cultural things about the Mexican- American community that they might not have ever learned about without that film.

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ED- The Eerie Digest is very excited to present an actress that has appeared in genre movies that are close to our heart. Melissa Bacelar has not only had an acting career but has been a producer as well. Melissa, tell our readers about your early films ‘The Toxic Avenger’, ‘The Last Prediction’, and ‘Cornman’, and the roles that you played in them.

MB- I think every actress should learn from Lloyd Kaufman 🙂 He is a genius and has his own vision, and for me right out of college to work on a Toxic Avenger movie… .Well it opened my eyes to Independent Cinema. Meeting Lloyd opened up a world of fake blood, genre fans and horror conventions!!

ED- How was the effect of these films on your career?

MB- On my career??? Ya know, everyone knows ‘Trauma’ or worked on a ‘Trauma’ film at some point. I will say that no matter what caliber of producer or network executive I am in front of, they all appreciate Lloyd! (more…)

ED- The Eerie Digest is happy to present author Aura Imbarus to all our readers. Aura, you originally hail from Romania and moved to Los Angeles. Your book ‘Out of the Transylvania Night’ is about your epic journey from that land to ours. Tell us about your beginnings in Eastern Europe and the impact it has had on your life.

AI- I was born and raised in Transylvania, in Sibiu, a city that was named Cultural Capital of Europe in 2007, and was considered by Forbes the 8th most idyllic place to live in Europe. The architecture and the history of my homeland is more than intriguing, not necessarily due to Dracula or Vlad Dracul under his real name, but because of the Bran, Hunedoara, Peles, Rasnov, Fagaras castles and Sighisoara, Biertan, Sibiu, Brasov, medieval towns and citadels. The region of Transylvania has a rich historic heritage, from ancient fortresses and temples to medieval towns, churches and castles to renaissance and baroque palaces. Some of the castles and fortresses perished, many lie in ruins, and some have endured throughout the passing of time, witnesses of a glorious as well as turbulent history. Transylvania, which means the land beyond the forest, was first referred to in a Medieval Latin document in 1075 as ultra silvam. Surrounded by nature, legends and folktales, I grew up in a Romanian family of Greek roots, whose named was mentioned by prime ministers and famous historian in the annals of history. The Imbarus family was stripped of its properties, acres of arable land, green pastures and orchids, houses and money, their carriage transportation businesses, and order to join the Communist Party, like many other families. My Dad never yield while my uncles crossed the borders illegally, being caught and sent to Gherla, the most notorious prisons for political detainees. Our family was blacklisted for having ties with the west, Western Germany where my uncles, after a successful escape, settled down and talked against the regime on Free Europe Radio Station. Even if life during the Communist regime was harsh with rationed food, electricity and gas being monitored while the quota per family was cut down to the bare minimum, with the vision of long lines of people waiting as early as 3am to buy a litter of milk and a loaf of bread for their whole family, I was given an early education and care by my amazing grandparents and my parents. They taught me to be myself, no matter what, to believe in a brighter tomorrow and to educate myself to become “somebody.” I had their wholeheartedly support in being a rebel in the way I dressed myself, using my own creations, I dyed my hair in pink and green, and I thought and acted accordingly.

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ED- From across the ocean, and on the other side of the world, we’d like to introduce Indian filmmaker Devajit Chakraborty to all our readers. Devajit, how did you start in your filmmaking career?

DC- It’s almost 5 years before when I thought to become a filmmaker/producer and wanted to make some quality films one day. So I joined this industry as Executive Producer to learn the nuances of production. Then I realized that the most important thing a producer/filmmaker needs to establish himself is artist support so I also did during those times celebrity management also to become more closer to Bollywood Actors so I can approach in future easily Bollywood actors for my any future projects so now the time came that I should look forward to utilize my past efforts.

ED- We have also learned that you are very active in the Human Rights Organization in your country. Please tell us about this.

DC- Well yes I am deeply involved with Human Rights Organization in India. I was elected as “President” for ALL INDIA HUMAN RIGHTS & CITIZEN OPTION (An ISO 9001:2000 Certified Organization) for NATIONAL FILM & TELEVISION INDUSTRY Committee.

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ED- The Eerie Digest is happy to present actor Dave Colon to all our readers. Dave You have graced both the Silver Screen and television. What influenced you in the career of acting?

DC- When I was up in New York I had a friend of mine who was in the movie ”Jaws” I thought she was so great, and it always stuck with me and I used to say I wanna do that too.!! Especially after one of my first commercials it was a PSA “Better Man” it went National after Superbowl Sunday 2005. Friends and people who saw it would come up to me and say “Hey weren’t you in that commercial” Ok I was hooked then.

ED- Early on you had easily filled the role as a police officer in many of the productions that you have been involved with. Had you had police training to be able to perform these roles, or do you credit this to your physical attributes?

DC- Back in 1984 I started out in Gov’t service as a Police Officer out at Norfolk Naval Base and a member of the Emergency Response Team . I attended SWAT training at the FBI Academy, Quantico, VA. In 1988 I switched agencies and was with the U.S. Dept. of Energy as a Federal Agent doing classified shipments ,I also did Dignitary Protection for the Secretary of Energy especially when he traveled to NYC me being born and raised in Manhattan. Actually I think it’s the Command presence that gets them.

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ED- The Eerie Digest is proud to present another one of our favorite authors, Bill Crider, to all of our readers. Bill, you have been an author of so many fine novels that it is hard to know where to start. At present we understand that you are chair of the Division of English and Fine Arts at Alvin Community College in Alvin, Texas. Tell us about your work there.

BC- Thanks for the invitation to do this interview. That information on the dust jackets of my books is hard to get phased out. It’s now out of date. I retired from the college several years ago and am now a gentleman of leisure. Or at least a man of leisure. I went to ACC in 1983 as chair of the Department of English. I taught four classes, and since I was the chair, I could teach pretty much whatever I chose. I preferred American lit and developmental English classes, for some reason. The college had a big prison program, so for several years I taught in different prison units. I liked working with the prisoners, but I got tired of the drive to the prisons, so I stopped teaching there and stayed on campus. After a few years I moved up to become chair of the Division of English and Humanities, taught fewer classes, and attended more meetings. I got tired of the meetings and decided to retire. I don’t miss the meetings at all, but I do miss the students and the classroom interaction. (more…)

ED- The Eerie Digest is excited to introduce mystery author Michael Balkind to all our readers. Michael, your writing is the stuff that our readers really love to read. Mysteries are the mainstay of our publication. How did you get started writing, and what influenced you to choose this genre?

MB- First, I’d like to say thank you for the opportunity to speak with your readers. I enjoy the Eerie Digest and am proud to have been asked to share my story with you. Now in answer your question above – In past interviews when asked how long I’ve been writing or how long I have wanted to write, my answer has always been for the last 25 years. Well, recently I had an old friend (3rd grade) find me on facebook who congratulated me on living my lifelong dream. He said he remembered me telling him that I wanted to write a book back in the 3rd grade. With all my characters and books filling my head I can hardly remember my high school or college days no less my 3rd grade dreams. My true writing career began about 9 years ago when I had a business crisis and lost almost everything. It kept me up night after night and what does someone who has always wanted to write do when he can’t sleep night after night. Answer – He writes! While I have always loved reading mysteries and knew I wanted to write one, I didn’t know what topic to write about at first. Then, while doing some cathartic writing about my past business problems, I was watching a golf tournament on TV that went into a Sudden Death playoff, that’s when the concept for my first book hit me, hard. (more…)

ED- The Eerie Digest is honored to introduce actor Sean Michael Afable to all our readers. Sean, you started acting at a young age, and have already accomplished so much. How has this affected your life, and your career?

SMA- Thanks Eerie! It’s been an amazing journey and life experience to be a part of the entertainment industry and start at such a young age. I’ve been really blessed and have been privileged to meet and work with a lot of great people on some fantastic projects.

ED- What encouraged you into acting so early in life?

SMA- Well, my parents got my older brother into it first and I wanted to do whatever he did, haha… that’s the real truth! I really look up to him, so, that was my motivation at the time – that and the fact that as a 6 year old I had this idea I could literally do anything anyone else could… and why not better? I guess I was funny like that, haha… Anyway, a year later my brother ditched me and the acting scene, but I found I really enjoyed being a part of the excitement and craziness that we call the entertainment industry. There’s really nothing that compares to being a part of the television and filmmaking process and the creativity and freedom you have as an actor. A BIG Thank You to my mom, dad, and family who have supported me from the get-go.

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ED- The Eerie Digest is very happy to present actor Larry Guli to all our readers. Larry, what had inspired you to make your career in acting?

LG- I feel that I have been performing all my life. In school as a class officer and team captain I was in front of an audience. As an officer and company commander in the US Army I was leading 400 soldiers, and my every move and command was scrutinized and interpreted by those under my command. As a specialist member of the New York Stock Exchange I interacted with 100’s of brokers on a daily basis and I had to make each one feel that their interests were my main concern. Playing senior professional golf I was playing tournaments on local television and entertaining the local sponsors. Throughout my careers I have been on the boards of many diverse institutions, from educational and social to big business. In all these endeavors it was key that my performance enabled me to accomplish my objectives- thus, pursuing acting on a formal level was a natural transition.

ED- One of your earliest appearances on television was the project ‘Black Mass’. Tell us about this and any earlier works that you were involved with.

LG- ‘Black Mass’ was a documentary recreation of the Whitey Bulger story. Bulger was and is on the FBI’s ten most wanted list. The story revealed how Bulger manipulated a childhood friend and FBI agent into giving him protection for supposed inside information on Boston’s Mafia. Bulger disappeared and most of his information proved useless and nothing more than a cover for his own illicit operations. My first TV gig in Chicago was working with Kyle Chandler (star of ‘Friday Night Lights’) on ‘Early Edition’. He was a real pleasure to work with and made my introduction to the “set” a wonderful experience. You knew he would go on to a big success.

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ED – We would like to introduce David Spates to our readers. David, you are another Hollywood personality that has worn many hats in your career. Tell us about your early years and some of the many contributions that you have performed for the silver screen.

DS- I’ve wanted to act in movies and on television since I was a kid and always knew that I would some how because I was willing to do what it took to make it happen. The only role model I had for acting at that time was Eddie Murphy and since he started out doing stand-up comedy that’s what I did. I was 18, sneaking into comedy clubs and winning contest when one day an agent was watching and asked if I was interested in acting in movies. I said “HELL YEAH… I mean yes I am”. Where I grew up , Riviera Beach Florida, there were no acting opportunities so I spent many days driving two to four hours just to go on an audition or to play very small extra rolls on projects. Those experiences really helped me appreciate when I started to get principle roles. My first principle movie role was in the movie “The Substitute” and when I found out that I was given the role I think I peed on myself a little… I had a lot to drink that day. After that principle work started to come more regularly from television to other movies like “In Too Deep”‘, “Southside” , “Looking For Sunday” and other films.

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ED- The Eerie Digest is happy to provide our readers with an interview of an author that fully fits one of the genres that make this magazine so great. We’d like to introduce C.C. Guice to all our fans. C.C., what inspired you to become a writer?

C.C.- I think I simply wanted to be able to express my thoughts, with such precision and beauty that weather it be in be a poem or a story, my words would remain with you. I wanted mine to be the phrase that runs through your head and heart long after my work has left your hands. I wanted to impact others as so many great writers had me.

ED- Your genre style of books is one of the mainstays of all our readers here at The Eerie Digest. What made you choose this particular line of writing style?

C.C.- I believe everyone wants to believe there is something more. Science has become a cruel god requiring we sacrifice our dearest human attribute, imagination.  I wanted to provide a plausible foundation on which anyone could find and even rebuild that child-like hope- that moment of belief there was a giant bunny laying chocolate eggs once a year. A good book should transport you beyond the mundane to where anything is possible. (more…)