Tom Holland Interview

Tom Holland (born July 11, 1943), is an established and award-winning writer, director and actor who has brought to life some of the most memorable horror characters of our time. However, his path began at UCLA, where he earned his Law Degree before realizing his dream of working in the entertainment industry. He is most famous for writing and directing the iconic vampire movie “Fright Night” (1985), as well as the original “Child’s Play” (1988), which launched the successful franchise featuring Chucky the killer doll. His other works include Psycho II, “Tales from the Crypt” and the TV miniseries “The Langoliers.” In 2007 he directed an episode of Showtime’s Masters of Horror, which marked his return to showbiz after an extended hiatus. Since then, he has been busy writing, directing and even acting again!

How did Tom first become interested in working for the entertainment industry?

From a very young age, he had always loved movies. He began acting when he was 16 years old, at the Bucks County Playhouse in Pennsylvania. Even though he had more interest in working in film, there were no film schools in the 1960’s, only theater schools, so he had to make do with learning how to act in the theater. Eventually, this led to him writing for his first feature film “The Beast Within” (1982) and ultimately “Psycho II” (1982).

How did Tom get his role in Hatchet II?

With mutual friends in the business, Adam Green and Tom eventually became good friends. Familiar with Tom’s acting history, Green approached Tom about Hatchet II and Tom was thrilled to take on the part of Bob.

How did he feel acting with horror legends such as Kane Hodder and Tony Todd in Hatchet II?

Tom greatly enjoyed his time on Hatchet II. While his passion is writing and directing, he admits that sometimes acting can be more enjoyable. The freedom to hang with the other actors and not worry about steering the entire film is a welcoming change of pace.

How and when did he move from acting to writing and directing?

Since Tom started out acting, it took him 5 years to actually get into writing professionally. His first real production was a made-for-television movie called “The Initiation of Sarah” (1977), a film about a young, female college student who joins a sorority and uses telekinetic powers to beat a rival sorority. After that he broke into film writing with “The Beast Within” (1982), and Psycho II that same year. After those 2 films his career as a writer and director took off.

What inspired him to write the movie Fright Night?

While Tom was writing a movie called “Cloak and Dagger” (1984), a movie about a young boy who receives a video game cartridge containing military secrets, Tom thought about how no one in the movie believed the boy, since he was just considered and ordinary kid. It got Tom to thinking about what if the same thing happened to a young horror fan, where he suspects his neighbor of being a monster, but no one believes him. This led to Tom writing the story for “Fright Night” (1985), a movie that is still an iconic vampire movie to this day. Tom also said that “Fright Night” was his “love letter” to horror fans everywhere.

What made him cast Chris Sarandon in Child’s Play after he portrayed Jerry in Fright Night?

After working with Chris on “Fright Night,” Tom had a very high opinion of Chris. Tom recognized Chris as a brilliant actor who worked well with him, so he went on to use Chris in not only “Child’s Play” but also a TV movie called “The Stranger Within” (1990). Tom believes in casting actors that he’s made a good relationship with, establishing trust and a good bond.

How did his production company Dead Rabbit Films start?

Tom teamed up with longtime friend and collaborator David Chakler, a music supervisor he had worked with on numerous films over the years, and together they launched Dead Rabbit Films. The inspiration for their own film company came from a need for “creative freedom and control,” something that all artists in the industry struggle with when working with Studios and large production companies. Tom is now able to write and direct his own original works and continues to challenge himself. Dead Rabbit Films will be releasing their first series, “Tom Holland’s Twisted Tales” this summer on FearNet.

What are his plans for his website TwistedCurios.com?

Tom started Twisted Curios to sell movie memorabilia, such as screen-used props, signed photos, and t-shirts. Tom has always had a great appreciation for special effects artist’s so he believes in helping those who specialize in horror art to sell and promote their work. He hopes to sell props and memorabilia from “Twisted Tales” to help promote the series and raise funds for the second season.

What’s next for Tom Holland?

Tom is currently in pre-production on an adaptation of Stephen King’s short story, “The 10 O’Clock People,” which will be announced May 15th at the Cannes Film Festival. Also in the works is an original film he wrote and plans to direct called “Killing Frank,” a psychological thriller that Hollywood is already buzzing about. More information on that project will be released in 2014.