Ramona Milano

ED- The Eerie Digest is excited and honored to introduce the highly acclaimed actress, Ramona Milano, to all our readers. Ramona has been in some of the most popular television shows over the past ten years and is an icon in her own right in many prime time television series. Ramona, tell us about your early childhood, and what inspired you to take up acting as a career.

RM- As a child I had no idea about “careers” and what that really meant, I just knew that I loved singing, dancing, and acting and imitating people. My child hood was pretty event-less to be honest, nothing tragic or traumatic or dramatic happened but at the same time, I’m not one of those people who raves about his/her youth. Mine was pretty “normal.” There was a big age difference between me and my little brother, we’re 6 years apart, and I spent a lot of time looking after him. I was the oldest grandchild and the only girl, so I was often responsible for minding the boys and “keeping an eye” on them. I was handed a lot of domestic responsibility at a young age so I think the artistic world allowed me to step out of that and into a world of creative possibilities which allowed me to use my imagination to the fullest. (more…)

Ken Farmer

ED- It is with great pleasure that we introduce a great actor, and a familiar face to all our readers. Actor Ken Farmer has been on screen and television for a long time and is highly seen as a major asset for any film production. Ken, when did you begin your acting career, and what was your greatest influence to do so?

KF-I started professional acting in 1972 when I was talked into auditioning for a Dairy Queen commercial by Dallas agent Kim Dawson. They needed a cowboy, at least one that could ride a horse,  and I owned a working cattle/horse ranch at the time. I had been dating one of Kim’s models and would go into the agency with her on occasion. Kim had been after me for some time, saying I had a great ‘look’ (what ever that means) and she could get me a lot of work. Finally, I came in with my girl friend one day, wearing my normal garb, jeans, boots, cowboy hat, ect., and Kim came up to me and asked, “You ride horses, don’t you, Ken?” I replied, “Well, been thrown off of one or two, yes ma’am.” “We don’t have anyone in the agency that can ride and I need to someone to represent the agency for a new Dairy Queen commercial that can ride.” Well, I wasn’t doing anything special that day, so I said, okay. Long story short, I was cast and I introduced the Dairy Queen Beltbuster Hamburger. I got a check a few weeks later for around $1,700. I thought, “They’re gonna pay me this kind of money to sit on a horse and eat a hamburger? I can do this.” That was now thirty-nine years ago; quit counting commercials at 260, fifteen major features, over 50 episodic TV shows and MOWs and only God knows how many industrials and VOs. (more…)

Author Scott Nicholson

ED- The Eerie Digest has the genuine pleasure to present author Scott Nicholson to all of our readers. Scott, you write stories that our readers can only dream of and you have to be one of the most prolific writers that I have ever interviewed and have written well over fifty stories. What started your interest in writing, and who were some of your earliest influences in doing so?

SN- Hmm, Dr. Seuss really messed with my head, and then I got into comic books. We were poor so we had we to make our own entertainment. The smell of crayons still gives me a thrill, and blank white paper seems like sheer decadence, since as a kid I always had to use scraps to create art and stories.

ED- You are a journalist living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and have a deep interest in that area. Please explain some of those interests to our readership.

SN- Well, I just started exploring the local supernatural legends and fictionalizing them. The longer I wrote, the more I became interested in the issues here, especially of change. I live in one of the oldest geographic areas of the world and there are a lot of secrets tucked away in these hollows and valleys. (more…)

Brian Dragonuk

ED- The Eerie Digest occasionally runs into an individual who has many venues that they work in, but not so many as actor Brian Dragonuk. Brian, you currently wear more hats than anyone that I have met to date. Since 1999, you have been in over five-hundred projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic States, on projects as varied as a Film/Video Actor,

Print Model, Radio Personality, TV Show Host and as an Actor in the training of Federal Law Enforcement Agents, Medical Students, Lawyers, and Emergency 1^st Responders.. Please tell us about these aspects of your career.

BD- I started my Acting career very late in life (47) as an Extra on the set of “The Replacements. I worked daily for 43 days with from 300-500 other Extras (daily- Over 15,000 Different people over the 43 days) and that collective pool of experience taught me something (Very Basic) that I believe is still true today – If you want to make a Living as an Actor here – You must make yourself VALUABLE to as Many Employers as you can.

Some of the People I met on “The Replacements” worked “Other Markets” – (Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC and Richmond are all different markets with their own Agents, Casting Directors, Production Companies and Projects), By the end of my 1^st full year (2000), I had worked in and was “On File” with people in each of them.

Others on set felt the way to increase the Potential Employers (looking to hire you for Future projects) was to work different types of Venues in the Same Market. Each requires different Training & abilities, Different Resources and in most cases different Potential Employers. By the end of my 1^st year, I had broadened my Resume to include – My 1^st Commercial Modeling (Print) work, TV Commercials (Including my 1^st Speaking part), Public Service Announcements, 1^st Speaking part in a Film (a Student Film), and my 1^st Live Practical Training jobs. Hosting a TV Show, Radio Broadcasts & Voice over/Narration jobs were added my 2^nd year. (more…)

Author Sibel Hodge

ED- The Eerie Digest has fans from around the world, and at last count we had nearly sixty-thousand. We also interview many authors and celebrities from around the world for our reader’s interest. One such author is Sibel Hodge, from England. Sibel, please tell us something about where you live.

SH- I actually divide my time now between Hertfordshire, UK, and Cyprus. The weather’s much better in Cyprus! I have dual British/Turkish Cypriot nationality so it’s nice to mix and match! One of the good things about my heritage is that it’s given me the opportunity to add a unique cultural twist to my romantic comedies in the way that My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Bend It Like Beckham did.

ED- Aside from writing, what other qualifications do you possess?

SH- I’m a qualified fitness instructor, personal trainer, and sports and massage therapist, although the only time I have to practice this now is on family and friends who have an injury or want a massage. I wonder why I’ve got so many friends! (more…)

Actor Antonio D. Charity

ED- With the great number of students of the Arts studying our magazine we feel that it is a good idea to present to them an experienced actor from time-to-time. Experience lends to the education needed to become a success in that craft and actor Antonio D. Charity gives much credence to that saying. Antonio, what was the greatest influence for you in your career and what training did you undertake to make it such a success?

ADC- I suppose the greatest influence in my career was the earliest influence. My high school drama teacher, Wiley Powell, was the first to make me believe that I was a good actor. He gave me the courage to pursue a career as an actor. His initial support and encouragement served as the springboard for all of my subsequent success. I prepared for career success by fine-tuning my acting skills on stage. I have an extensive theatre background. I majored in Theatre at Howard University. I moved to New York after college and performed in Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway, regional, and community theatre productions. I have been a member of theatre companies in New York City, Virginia, and Los Angeles. The stage has been the birthplace of all my artistic growth. I usually do at least one stage production each year. I continue to get better at my craft with each play.

ED- In the mid-1990’s you first appeared in ‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ and ‘The Prosecutors’. This was quite an achievement for a beginner. How did this give you encouragement towards your career?

ADC- I was cast in “Homicide” while I was still enrolled in college. It is impossible to overstate how beneficial this was. I was hired as a guest star for a critically-acclaimed prime time TV show while I was still studying acting. My goals for life after school actually began manifesting while I was still in school. An acting career was no longer just a dream. It became reality. I was a professional actor, a member of the Screen Actors Guild. It was a wonderful opportunity and a foretaste of what was to come. I moved to New York (with my SAG card) after I graduated from Howard, and soon I was cast in the pilot “The Prosecutors”. I had only been in New York four months when I booked that job. In fact, “The Prosecutors” was my first audition with my first agent. Talk about exciting!! I thought I was destined to become rich and famous in no time. This was very encouraging. (more…)

Dan Fiehtner

ED- As an audience we sit and watch a film appear on the screen before us, and most of us wonder what goes on for the making of that production. For the most part we only bear witness to the final product. Daniel J. Fiehtner is one of those people that work off-camera to make that movie possible for our viewing pleasure. Daniel, how did you start your career on the movie set?

DJF- I left the IT industry as a senior programmer/analyst after 22 years and decided to follow a career path in the production world.  I have been a part time musician for over 20 years and have experience in the recording field.  I was drawn to the “industry” because I realized I could perform many tasks with my talents.  Computers, musicianship, audio recording and project management skills are a good fit.

ED- What training did you undertake to do the work that you do?

DJF- This industry relies on networking and word-of-mouth recommendations.  I worked with friends and made new friends that had experience in many different areas of production from acting to directing along the way.  As for training, I have taught myself by research, trial and error. (more…)

Video Journalist Skip Bolden

ED- There are many facets of the arts and entertainment industries, and sometimes they intertwine to create a relationship that becomes beneficial to each. One such a marriage is the combined talents of Video Journalist Skip Bolden. Skip tell our readers about your early education towards your career.

SB-My early education was in the public school system of New York City where I received a well rounded education but always gravitated towards the arts.  During that time, I was interested in acting and dance.  I was always involved in school plays with a particular interest in musical comedy though I couldn’t sing a note.  My college years were spent at the Leonard Davis Center for the Performing Arts at CCNY as a theatre major.  As part of the curriculum, I studied voice and diction to learn to speak in a general American dialect which has been a tremendous asset as I do the narration for some of  my projects.  It took me two years to get rid of my Bronx accent.

ED- What first influenced you to take up this lifetime ambition ?

SB-Being a Video Journalist or a journalist of any kind wasn’t always a lifetime ambition for me which came much later on in my life.   That interest was sparked by The Travel Channel Academy’s course in video production to create destination videos.  This was an ideal way for me to pursue my two passions of movies and travel. (more…)

Author Mel Comley

ED- Our true base for The Eerie Digest is mysteries. Our magazine has a large following of Mystery lovers from around the world, and our readership just not seem to get enough of it. There is nothing better to spark the imagination but to curl up in a chair and read a good book, and to let one’s mind uncover the written plot or follow the sleuth as they unravel sinister deeds. We, therefore, would like to present an extraordinary writer to our faithful fans. Author Mel Comley is a British writer now living in France and has produced several great novels for your reading pleasure. Mel, tell us about your days in England and your move to the Continent.

MC- I used to be a Store Manager with a large Supermarket chain in the UK. I got fed up with working 70-80 hours a week, sometimes 7 days a week. After running my own business I found working lengthy hours for someone else totally unacceptable. So we decided to pack up and leave England. I retired at thirty-five!

ED- Tell us about the property that you bought there and the labor of love that you performed on its renovation.

MC- We bought a run-down farmhouse that turned out to be haunted. It came with 5 acres of land and several barns. We turned two of the barns into a three-bedroom Gite or holiday home, for a much needed income. While the builders worked on that I decorated the main house, over the next six months I stripped, filled and decorated 22 rooms. (more…)