Junior's Cave interviews Rising Actor/Writer/Producer Brendan Bradley who expounds on his career, ambitions, and his many accomplishments. We also speak with Bradley about growing up in Durham, North Carolina, being a southern boy, writing a One Act play, producing a web series, and receiving a Best Actor award. Our Webzine enjoys the fact that Bradley has had many great things happen to him through his hard word and tenacious attitude. What is particularly interesting is that Bradley has accomplished many great things that take many others in the entertainment business decades to achieve. This is not too bad for the Rising Actor/Writer/Producer only in his twenties. In this online conversation with Bradley, our Webzine gets the 411 on who is Brendan Bradley. Enjoy!
Isaac: Hi Brendan, I want to wish you a Happy New Year.
Brendan: You too Isaac! We're really minutes away from 2010, aren't we!?!
Isaac: Now that 2009 is coming to an end can you tell our readers what you are most thankful for in 2009?
Brendan: Wow, do I have to pick one? This year has been out of control! I was published, won my first award for my performance in September 12th and got to step into directing for the first time with my own webseries, Squatters. But, I'd have to say my greatest blessing is outside of work. Last month I was hit by a car while standing on the side of the road and I actually walked away to tell the tale! I feel so grateful it wasn't any worse and hope to really make the most of everything going into the New Year.
Isaac: That's an amazing story Brendan. I am glad you are ok.
Brendan: Thanks Isaac! Me too!!!
Isaac: You were born in Durham, North Carolina. What can you tell our readers about growing up in Durham? Describe one of your fondest memories while growing up in Durham.
Brendan: Durham is a small "city" in rural North Carolina that is most recognized by the airport it shares with the Capital, Raleigh-Durham-International-Airport...and an obnoxiously awesome college basketball team, Duke University [Go Devils!]. I am still incredibly fond of my hometown. As I've seen other parts of the country, I've come to really appreciate how perfect a place it was to grow up. You have southern charm, sports rivalry, great educational and medical centers, a strong arts community and four gorgeous, distinct seasons. The memories I cherish intertwine - following March Madness, enjoying watermelon and sweet tea summers, watching the leaves turn in the fall and getting just enough snow to cancel school in the winter.
Isaac: Ahh…that is why I enjoy being a southern boy myself.
Brendan: See, the rest of the world's missing out.
Isaac: I read on your online bio the Impetuous Theater Group commissioned you to write a One Act play for their revival of the Swim Shorts Festival in March of 2007. Elaborate a little about your experience of writing this play. What did you learn about yourself as a writer while writing this play that you think makes you a better writer?
Brendan Bradley
Brendan: Impetuous was my first artistic family outside of school. They challenged me to push my boundaries both on stage and off. The Swim Shorts Festival is one of the most unique one act festivals in the country. Ten plays are chosen to be produced in a rooftop swimming pool in midtown Manhattan. Crazy, right?!? The audience sits "in the round" around the pool and watches as the water becomes an intricate part of each piece. I had flirted with writing, but never anything polished or that I'd dare show to anyone. But when Impetuous asked if I would write a piece, I immediately said, "I want to see three dudes in a boat." That image fascinated and haunted me for a few days and then it all came pouring out. I learned to get out of my own way and let my characters speak on their own and make their own decisions. Any time I got lazy or tried to force something, it went nowhere. I had to trust my vision and characters no matter where it took me...in this case three actors in a small boat in a swimming pool arguing over a rabbit...as you do.
Isaac: Your first play, Jettison, opened July 18, 2007. Expound on how was it working on this play and seeing come to light. What have been some of the coolest things that have happened since this play has debuted?
Brendan: Well, in order for Jettison to open I had to actually build the boat and drive it cross country (I was working in Nebraska at the time). That was pretty cool. Now...when it sunk to the bottom of the pool during dress rehearsal; that was not so cool. But the production turned out amazingly and this year the play was published in ONE ACTS OF NOTE and produced in Miami as part of their Signature Shorts Program. As a first time playwright, it really doesn't get any better than that!
Isaac: You have also served as a producer for many new projects. Name a couple of your bigger projects that you have produced and what drew you to these projects.
Brendan: Well, this year I was approached by ABC radio sensations Frosty, Heidi & Frank to create their new commercial campaign. If you've heard their show, you know it's hard to say no to these three...and getting to see your work on the Jumbotron at the Dodgers game is the coolest thing ever for a big nerd like me! I also succumbed to the online epidemic and produced the sci-fi webseries, Apocalyptic Playground and my own comedic webseries, Squatters. Both these projects allowed me to work intimately with a small, dream team and be very hands on in shaping these stories and characters. They may be on a very small screen, but I grew exponentially in every creative facet bringing these worlds to life.
Isaac: You received your Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with Honors in Theater from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. How did receiving this degree and attending New York University's Tisch School of the Arts helped you professionally as an Actor, Writer, and Producer?
Brendan: You know, I think education is the most important thing in the entire world no matter what you want to do. Now, clearly a lot of artists skip this step and do fine for themselves, but I'm really glad I had the chance to make a lot of my mistakes in a classroom and not on a job - and so are my employers! NYU was the perfect match for me because there is no "campus" separating you from the city of New York. I got a taste very early on of the hard realities of this profession and I was exposed daily to performers who were at the top of their game. When we produced shows with our friends, we were literally competing against Broadway for audience. But when we got butts in the seats - they were agents, directors and writers working professionally in the city - mixed in of course with Moms and roommates - but really everything we were learning in class was being applied weekly in "the real world" instead of stored up for graduation.
Isaac: As an actor, how did it feel to be recognized (Best Actor Award) for your performance by the Methodfest Film Festival?
Brendan Bradley
Brendan: Well, gosh, it was just awful! No way, it was fantastic! I got to make a speech and everything! It was especially fulfilling because the film, September 12th, was the first job I booked in Los Angeles. It's one of those moments that you can check in and say, "I made the right decision."
Isaac: What is the one aspect about Theatre that you enjoy the most?
Brendan: Theater is so sexy! It's fresh, it's tactile, and it's palpable. It's like, I love watching sports, but when you're at an actual game and you can see the sweat and feel the crowd and there's no commercial breaks - you just can't beat it. I had not done theater in over a year and was so blessed to get back on stage in Jessica Kubzansky's Hamlet and a new play called Slasher. Like a roller coaster, you strap in and there's no stopping until the end of the ride. I know I'm geeking out a little bit, but theater is my first love so I get excited.
Isaac: Geek away…I am loving it man. One of your most recent roles is in David Lewis' romantic film Redwoods (2009). What was the most rewarding part about playing in this movie and what was one of the most challenging parts?
Brendan: The most rewarding part of Redwoods was working with David Lewis and Matthew Montgomery. David and I talked about the script literally for months before he even began casting and we rehearsed throughout pre-production. By the time we were filming, I really felt like I had a firm grasp on where David wanted to go with this story and character. As far as Matthew, I knew in the callback I wanted to work with him. He's a joy on set and brings a level of connectivity that allows every take to be new and different. The most challenging part was our resources. It sounds like a cliché, but so many independent films suffer in this department. David was literally breaking the bank to make this movie and shooting on the RED for the first time which has its own quirks and bugs. It is simply a miracle what he accomplished on his budget and schedule! Someone please finance this man's movies - he has so many more stories to tell!!!
Isaac: How much do you relate to the character of Everett Forster?
Brendan: It's funny; I don't know that I relate to Everett that much at all! He's a tense, shy introvert and I'm a ball of energy. It's hard to squeeze a sentence out of Everett while as you can tell from this interview I don't ever shut up! He has a kid, which I have not experienced. But I read the first five pages and I just immediately understood him. It's one of my favorite parts about this job - sometimes I read a script and it's like a sheet of music, I don't know how or why, but I can just play it...that and I get to spend a month up in the Russian River on someone else's dime.
Isaac: Ultimately, what is your overall goal that you want to achieve in the entertainment industry?
Brendan Bradley
Brendan: I want to tell amazing, beautiful stories. Either through acting, writing, directing, producing - you name it. I hope to become a powerful player in the industry - enough to have a comfortable life, but also to tackle more ambitious projects and reach out to filmmakers who don't have all the resources they need to fully realize their potential. I have always been an advocate for developing talent and I'd love to be in a position to promote and sponsor new work on a large scale.
Isaac: Why do you enjoy acting?
Brendan: Because I get to play for a living. To be honest, it simply makes me happy. It's a constant challenge, but at the same time I feel good when I'm doing it. I've never gotten bored playing a character and I learn something new every time the camera roles or the curtain rises.
Isaac: How can fans access more information about you online?
Brendan: I may regret saying this, but the simplest way is to Google me. I do have a website BrendanBradley.net and am listed on The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Also, my sister made me a Fan Page on Facebook that I try to keep updated. If you're looking for more of my films, I can recommend my newest Love Conquers Paul, The Last Harbor and Squatters coming out in the New Year!
Brendan: Wow! I don't know about ten years, but my five year plan is to have a dog and an apartment. I have not lived in the same place for more than three months in over three years - it would be nice to "settle down" a little. I've also not needed my passport in almost 5 years - it'd be great to book a gig outside the country!!!
Isaac: Final thoughts from Brendan Bradley...
Brendan: Thank you so much for the interview Isaac! I have been so humbled by the warm response to Redwoods and my other films that came out this year. Having so many encouraging fans absolutely inspires me and also turns on the pressure...now I gotta keep impressing all you guys! Thanks so much again and all my best in the New Year!
