#would pay rosario dawson to step on me

[greensparty]

Talking with Brian O’Halloran and Jeff Anderson

Earlier this Fall I got to review Kevin Smith’s Clerks III (read my review here). His third and final film in his trilogy that began with 1994′s Clerks. When I was getting into filmmaking, seeing Clerks was highly influential. It was a full-on “you can do this too” moment for me. Shot on 16mm black and white, he made a clever and funny movie about a convenient store, shot at the convenient store he was working at. His characters have popped up in various View Askewniverse films, but he returned to the store in 2006 with Clerks II. Now the characters, now in their early 50s, returned for Clerks III. Brian O’Halloran’s Dante and Jeff Anderson’s Randal are the heart of this series. I noted in my review that “the core of this film is the friendship of Dante and Randal. It is two lifelong friends and co-workers who are now middle-aged and coming to grips with their own mortality. And yes, there are some big laughs if you just want to laugh!”. 

I have met O’Halloran many times over the years beginning at the 1998 Vulgarthon in Red Bank, NJ. Since then I’ve run into him and talked at many conventions over the years. In addition to films in Kevin Smith’s View Askewniverse, he has appeared in several indie films including last year’s Rushed. Anderson has not pursued acting as much, which is why it’s exciting to see him pop up in Smith’s films like Zach and Miri Make a Porno. I recently caught up with both O’Halloran and Anderson via Zoom to discuss Clerks III, which is being released on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand today.  

Clerks III movie poster featuring Anderson and O’Halloran

Me: It is now 2022, did either of you imagine when the first Clerks movie was released that 28 years later there would be two sequels, an animated series, a comic book, action figures and merchandise of these characters you did in a small black and white indie film in the early 90s?

BOH: Absolutely not. Still stunned people get fooled by this.

JA: It’s actually funny, when the contract came up for the original Clerks there was a thing in the contract that talked about merchandising and how much of the merchandising I was entitled to. I remember laughing at that and going “Merchandising? What are you talking about?” So yeah, I don’t think any of us saw this one coming. 

O’Halloran and Anderson in 1994′s Clerks

Me: Since 1994, Kevin Smith has directed numerous A-list actors. You think about Bruce Willis, Johnny Depp and of course Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who got their start with Kevin. What was it like for both of you that Kevin Smith said “I want Jeff Anderson and Brian O’Halloran to star in this, we’re going to film this in NJ and they are going to be on the movie poster and movie marquee of this film”?

JA: You’re somehow alluding that we’re not A-list and you know what - I’m done with this interview, it’s over! [Laughs] 

BOH: Well Jeff for the longest time was trying to get Anthony Michael Hall to step in for him and me would just be Charlie Sheen or someone like that. That would’ve been a totally different movie. It would’ve been the Brat Pack taking over. But, it’s definitely cool over the years being able to work with some really great people. I got to work opposite George Carlin when he was around, I got to chat with Alan Rickman over the years, it’s definitely cool to get to meet and hang out and portray characters opposite people like Rosario Dawson, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and people like that. It’s a testament to Kevin’s writing and his stories and his films that people want to be a part of these things. We’re not paying them generously that’s for sure, so it’s got to be something to lure them in and I think it’s the writing. 

JA: I think it’s also Kevin’s ability to create a fun set. Kevin as a director on set - it’s very laid back. He does this thing before filming where he gets the crew and everyone together, he sort of makes a speech and introduces himself and he tells everyone “listen, I don’t care if you’re a part of craft service, if you have a funny idea or a funny line, come to me with it and share it with me.” And I think that is one of the reasons he gets these people to come back. I think Ben Affleck certainly doesn’t have to come back and do anymore Kevin Smith films, but he does it because it’s not like work, there’s a lot of fun things that go into it and Kevin makes a very light and fun set. 

Me: Not to get into spoilers, but the film does deal with mortality. You are both now in your early 50s. Is that something you think about a lot as you’re getting older?

BOH: I literally just had blood drawn and a couple of medical tests I’m taking next week. So yes, as you get older there’s aches and pains and things you got to worry about. I have a history of heart disease in my own family, so it’s something that when you reach a certain age, you need to pay attention to it.

JA: I just finished my vegetable smoothie. You wouldn’t have caught me drinking this 10 years ago. 

Me: Again in trying to avoid spoilers, but the film does take some really dark turns. You both got to flex some dramatic muscles that some audiences maybe haven’t seen you do as much. Can you tell me about working with Kevin Smith to rise to the dramatic challenges that this film presented.

 JA: It’s no secret that I don’t pursue acting, I’m not an actor - and those things worry me going into it. I think on Clerks II we kind of touched on it, it was a little more of a dramatic scene, where Dante and Randal decide to buy the Quickstop. I think that was Kevin kind of dipping his toe in the water and testing our acting chops or to see how emotional stuff plays in this world. Then when we got this script you could definitely tell that he ratcheted up the emotional end of it. But for me as a non-actor, a lot of it was on the page and it wasn’t hard to figure out. I know these characters, I love these characters probably like fans love these characters. So a lot of it in knowing what’s coming and what’s about to happen, the emotion is kind of there. Just because I know we’re going to say goodbye to these guy, so Clerks III is kind of the wrapping up of it. So a lot of the emotion came from knowing we were going to say goodbye to this.

BOH: Yeah, Kevin loves it when Dante and Randal fight. The very first film we’re fighting. The second film we have the fight in the jail cell scene. Kevin has said this in multiple interviews that “man if I could capture that moment and make more of that moment” and I think that’s what this third film is. He obviously took his own real life story and weaved into the Radnal character. And also the real life story of how he made a film was something that he always wanted to do. It’s funny it was an idea we were going to do for the cartoon series back in 2000 and it just always stuck in the back of his head that Dante and Randal would make a film about their lives, which would in essence be the first Clerks film. So when he gave us the script and seeing this arc that these characters are going through now in the beginning of their 50s, it had some emotional gravitas to it. You had to give the words the meanings of these characters a decent kind of portrayal. At this age it deserves that level of performance, so to speak. 

O’Halloran and Anderson did the voices for Dante and Randal in 2000′s Clerks: The Animated Series

Me: At the heart of this film its about two lifelong friends who are able to acknowledge the role that the other has played in their lives. Is that in some way metaphorical of the two of you and the relationship you both have with Kevin Smith?

BOH: I mean when we see each other, we love hanging out with each other. This past year, we’ve been traveling every other weekend to these comic cons and different events. We have a blast together meeting these fans who enjoy what we do. We get to talk to them about not only Clerks and Kevin Smith stuff but we have interests as well, Jeff’s a huge Denver Broncos fan, I’m into hockey and things like that. So when you get to talk to these fans and talk to them about things beyond the View Askewnaverse it’s been a great joy and it's been fun traveling with Jeff and going out to dinner and seeing other friends like Jay [Jason Mewes] and Trevor [Fehrman] and other celebs that are at these cons as well. It’s been kind of a cool thing in visiting each city and seeing what each city offers. So this last Clerks movie has brought the circle that is the View Askewnaverse of Jay, Trevor, bringing Austin Zajur into it, seeing Rosario again - it’s been a real joy throughout all this. 

Anderson and O’Halloran in 2006′s Clerks II

Me: You have both acted in other roles in the View Askewnaverse before, but was there a real comfort for you both to return to these characters you have played before and working with Kevin Smith again and now able to speak a shorthand?

JA: Yeah, there’s definitely a comfort just working with these guys. As I’ve said I don’t pursue acting and as I’ve said in front of audiences before had it not been for Brian, I don’t know that we would have done three movies. Just because it’s not very comfortable for me to act. But Brian and I get along so well. He’s great on the set, never says a bad word to me or makes me feel uncomfortable. So for me it starts with Brian. I mean Kevin is a big part of it because he’s the director, but for me it’s my relationship with Brian that makes it very easy and comfortable to act. And this time around being back in the store - there was a comfort to just walking into the store. Granted we had a lot more people and a lot more people fitting into that store, but at the end of the day it really felt like shooting the original one. You take away all those people it’s really just Brian and I behind the counter shooting the shit. But without the rapport that Brian and I have there wouldn’t have been a 2 or a 3.

BOH: I highly agree. Without Jeff being that voice and bouncing back and forth there wouldn’t be a movie. And we both look out for each other too which is great. 

Me hanging in front of Quick Stop and RST Video in 2001!

Me: Clerks III is very meta in that it is about two guys making an indie film similar to the original Clerks. Both of you have produced films. Jeff, you have actually written and directed. Do either of you have plans to direct a film of your own?

JA: I do. You know, this past year was my first year doing cons and getting out and meeting the fans. As you said, many moons ago I wrote and directed a movie [2002′s Now You Know], but never really got out there and had interaction with the fans. So it was this past year meeting fans who had such nice things to say about Clerks and about the movie I directed that I have actually started writing something new. I hope to direct again, not act in it again, but direct again. 

BOH: I’ve been working on a script for a while so I will hopefully at some point be like “alright, that’s it I’m making this movie”.

JA: That’s the thing about Clerks, it makes us all think that we can do it!

For info on Clerks III: https://clerks3.movie/

[theotherlaser]

Because I’m bored and no one would actually ask me...

Spotify, SoundCloud, or Pandora? 

is your room messy or clean? currently, clean

what color are your eyes? brown

do you like your name? why? yeah, it’s simple

what is your relationship status? single life

describe your personality in 3 words or less chill, nerdy, genuine

what color hair do you have? black

what kind of car do you drive? color? don’t have one

where do you shop? anywhere that has what i need

how would you describe your style? laid back i guess?

favorite social media account twitter

what size bed do you have? full

any siblings? yes, 2 1/2

if you can live anywhere in the world where would it be? why? i’m fine in atlanta because it’s really becoming a cultural hub

favorite snapchat filter? don’t use them enough to have one

favorite makeup brand(s) N/A

how many times a week do you shower? the correct and only answer is at least 7...

favorite tv show? Avatar: The Last Airbender

shoe size? depends on the shoe

how tall are you? last i checked, 5′11

sandals or sneakers? sneakers

do you go to the gym? not as much as i should

describe your dream date anything that has us spending quality time, having our undivided attention and enjoying each other’s company

how much money do you have in your wallet at the moment? lol not enough

what color socks are you wearing? burgundy

how many pillows do you sleep with? four

do you have a job? what do you do? yes, i work at the bookstore on campus and i fulfill online orders

how many friends do you have? lol not enough

whats the worst thing you have ever done? be awkward?

whats your favorite candle scent? vanilla

3 favorite boy names idk

3 favorite girl names idk

favorite actor? Michael B Jordan...? idk

favorite actress? Rosario Dawson...? idk man

who is your celebrity crush? Lianne La Havas

favorite movie? The Dark Knight

do you read a lot? whats your favorite book? not as much as i used to; Small Steps by Louis Sachar (book series goes to A Series of Unfortunate Events

money or brains? why not both?

do you have a nickname? what is it? my last name lol

how many times have you been to the hospital? as a patient? never

top 10 favorite songs of all time? damn that’s a lot of pressure

do you take any medications daily? too healthy for all that

what is your skin type? (oily, dry, etc) idk i just have skin man

what is your biggest fear? cockroaches

how many kids do you want? at least 2, no more than 4

whats your go to hair style? shadow fade

what type of house do you live in? (big, small, etc) decent size...

who is your role model?  Pharrell Williams

what was the last compliment you received? how clean my room was

what was the last text you sent? “Where’d you go”

how old were you when you found out santa wasn’t real? i always assumed that my dad was santa

what is your dream car? A car

opinion on smoking? cigarettes? don’t do it. sucks for your lungs

do you go to college? unfortunately

what is your dream job? dream as in very slim chances of it actually happening? youtube celebrity

would you rather live in rural areas or the suburbs? suburbs

do you take shampoo and conditioner bottles from hotels? i should...but then again i don’t go to hotels that often

do you have freckles? lol no

do you smile for pictures? most of the time

how many pictures do you have on your phone? 173

have you ever peed in the woods? yes

do you still watch cartoons? of course

do you prefer chicken nuggets from Wendy’s or McDonalds? wendy’s i guess. mcdonalds isn’t food.

Favorite dipping sauce? polynesian sauce

what do you wear to bed? t-shirt and boxers

have you ever won a spelling bee? N-E-V-A-R

what are your hobbies? making music, watching and reviewing movies/tv shows

can you draw? nope

do you play an instrument? yes, 3 actually

what was the last concert you saw? Janelle Monae

tea or coffee? tea

Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts? uggghhhhhhh

do you want to get married? eventually

what is your crush’s first and last initial? ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

are you going to change your last name when you get married? lol no

what color looks best on you? black

do you miss anyone right now? YES

do you sleep with your door open or closed? closed

do you believe in ghosts? slick...not like the phantom, spooky kind, but the God tryna teach you a lesson and will use someone you know’s likeness kind 

what is your biggest pet peeve? asking/requesting/agreeing to watch something with me and then not pay attention and ask me questions about it later

last person you called` Ebonee

favorite ice cream flavor? vanilla

regular oreos or golden oreos? golden oreos

chocolate or rainbow sprinkles? rainbow

what shirt are you wearing? the flash

what is your phone background? the batcave from arkham knight

are you outgoing or shy? depends on the company

do you like it when people play with your hair? never

do you like your neighbors? don’t have any here

do you wash your face? at night? in the morning? in the morning yes

have you ever been high? no

have you ever been drunk? a lil

last thing you ate? cheez-its

favorite lyrics right now “one short day in the emerald city” has been stick in my head for a while now

summer or winter?

day or night? depends on my mood and who i’m with

dark, milk, or white chocolate? 

favorite month? December

what is your zodiac sign Sagittarius

who was the last person you cried in front of? Kyriea