Category: Pop Culture

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Yesterday evening, I had the honour and privilege of interviewing movie actor Michael Sirow, the spirited man portraying Tate in Lionsgate’s ‘Boneyard’. It draws inspiration from a true crime story involving the skeletal remains of eleven women and girls discovered in the New Mexico desert. The direction follows Police Chief Carter, portrayed by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Detective Ortega (Brian Van Holt) and Agent Petrovick (Mel Gibson). If you aren’t familiar with the storyline, watch the not-yet-rated trailer below to see a multi-agency effort to identify and apprehend the killer.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS5OoPsRkKs&h=315]

During our chat, Michael Sirow shared what it was like to work with such a legendary cast, the script, what made him take the role, where they shot the movie, and a bit about his work as a producer. Here it is.

GRUNGECAKE: When did you know you were going to take this role?

Michael Sirow: Right when I read… Well, I read it. I read the script. And then I reread it very quickly, again, for the reason that there was a separate draft and a later draft, which had been done right then. So I read that one after. So, the second time I read—because I read it twice in a row. So I just was like, “Yes, I want to do this!”

GRUNGECAKE: Was there anything specific about [the script] that spoke to you?

Michael Sirow: I, the character had a lot of scenes with girls. So… I’m being stumped. Okay… (He laughs)

GRUNGECAKE: (Then, I laughed, and I laughed really hard.)

Michael Sirow: I’m joking. (He laughed) And I get to, I get to say some… I get to behave naughty. I get to be very… and I don’t get to… I don’t get to get away with that at home. I get in a lot of trouble, so… (He laughs)

GRUNGECAKE: Got you.

Michael Sirow: So no, no, look… I think that and I like this question because it’s something that I felt would make me uncomfortable to do and say and perform certain things.

GRUNGECAKE: Okay. (Nodding)

Michael Sirow: And so in on a serious note, and just like, you know, if I didn’t feel like this was a character where it was just a one dimensional—you get up there and you just say a bunch of stuff and look really, you know, act really nasty. It’s just there’s more more to this guy, I thought, then that.

GRUNGECAKE: Definitely! He had some some depth to him.

Michael Sirow: Yeah, [it] was fun, so…

GRUNGECAKE: Yes, indeed. How was it working with your cast members? And do you have any teaching moments from working with the cast?

Michael Sirow: Oh, boy, um, first of all, they were some of the best I’ve ever encountered. If not, like top top tier, like it was just just the overall experience. Not because you know, Curtis (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson”) is who Curtis, and Mel (Mel Gibson) is Mel, or Brian and Nora, are who are who they are, but they were just so… and that’s the thing I really have been stressing on a lot of today is just they’re, they’re so easy going and down to earth. And when you’re there past the first couple hours and you realising “Okay, they’re great conversationalist,” you know, like, it just you’re talking about everything else, but the work while you’re waiting around, because there’s so much waiting around.

GRUNGECAKE: Got you.

Michael Sirow: But then, when we start getting into it, it’s just like, “Okay, well, let’s just do what we know how to do.” And then, there’s always a little extra coddling to Michael because I need the hand holding. (He smiled and I laughed.) It was… listen, the rehearsals were you know, it was like Summer camp. This to me was what I identify as just really loving what you do. It’s just the perfect version of that because you do… I didn’t want it to… I didn’t want to wrap. I wanted to keep going. I could have shot another three weeks. The only thing I would have changed was I mean, you can’t really do anything about it, but the scorching desert heat is something that…

GRUNGECAKE: Okay (nodding and smiling).

Michael Sirow: We shot it in Vegas, so it was no joke over there.

GRUNGECAKE: Yeah, it’s not a game. I was living over there for three years, so I know what you mean. Okay.

Michael Sirow: Yeah.

GRUNGECAKE: Because of that heat, were there any scenes that you found difficult to shoot?

Michael Sirow: Um, man, we… the raid. There was a raid that we shot. We jumped out of a van and I… may call you Richardine? Right, that’s your name?

GRUNGECAKE: Yeah.

Michael Sirow: Richardine…

GRUNGECAKE: Yeah…

Michael Sirow: The amount of sweat the amount of faints that just the overall (I laugh) but it was great though. It was like, “Why does this turn me on?” (I laughed) You know, it was kind of like one of those things where it was like we were really enjoying it because we really getting into it.

GRUNGECAKE: Yeah.

Michael Sirow: But we were disgusting because we’re so filthy (We laugh). And I, you seen the film so you know what scene I’m talking about.

GRUNGECAKE: Yes.

Michael Sirow: That day in particular, people were dropping. I’m not ashamed to say it but it was like we were dropping. No, not in the way where we were fainting, but it was so hot. Like, they just when we would finish, you know, an 18 pack of water. So, the poor PAs would go and they’d come back and it was it was a lot. It was a lot, you know, but you feel like “Well, I don’t have to go to you know any gym for the for the next two months or anything.” (I laugh) It’s really just, sweating out all my body weight.

GRUNGECAKE: You got your cardio in and everything thing else.

Michael Sirow: Oh my God! Yeah, yeah, but it was… in that van before we got out that was, you know, it’s like, okay, you know, [sound’s people] “We’re rolling! “Oh, wait! Hold on, hold on!” You know, and it’s like, “No, no, we’re gonna die! Someone’s gonna die!” And so, and I felt bad because those guys… those guys because I had short sleeves on I think.

GRUNGECAKE: Okay.

Michael Sirow: But those guys were all in SWAT gear. So I was just like, “Somebody’s going to pass out and we’re going to have to get an IV into into somebody with a bag of sodium sodium chloride. But it was yeah, it was very fulfilling. It was just a great time, you know?

GRUNGECAKE: So, it says in your bio, that you worked as a producer, also…

Michael Sirow: Yeah, I started getting into that. And, you know, what’s interesting is like, I got some… An actor friend of mine years ago, was sort of like, “Look, you know, these days of waiting by the phone, you know, going very, just, you go in, you go home, you go and you go home, you know, as far as just auditioning, and then you leave it at the door. And that’s that, and you’re waiting for a phone call.” He’s like, “Those kinds of, you know, those days are coming to a close. And, you know, everyone’s out there trying to create their own opportunities.

GRUNGECAKE: Yes.

Michael Sirow: And he was right! He was right. And this was a person of note, and he’s someone that someone’s… you know, everyone’s very familiar with, but he’s like, “Look, I got a lot of my own shit that I’m, you know, I’m passionate about and this and this.” And I said to him, “Yeah, but, you know, you’re you!” (He laughs). So, and I appreciate… but he’s like, “Look, look, it starts off with, you know, the producing, which is a whole separate conversation entirely. But producing can just be is something like where you’re going and just as simple as making an introduction between two sides. It’s, it’s, you know, but then you have, you know, all the other mechanics that come with it, which, you know, that’s for… That’s for smart people. (He jokes and I laugh).

GRUNGECAKE: What’s the name of your production company?

Michael Sirow: Oh, I don’t… I don’t it… That’s just me. That’s just…

GRUNGECAKE Oh, that’s just you!

Michael Sirow: Yeah, yeah. I just go where I’m told… You know, just… I show up!

GRUNGECAKE: Good, good. Okay, my last one for you. Because it says online that your birthday is November 15th. Is that accurate?

Michael Sirow: It is! It is.

GRUNGECAKE: That’s my birthday, so that’s… crazy!

Michael Sirow: No, it’s not!

GRUNGECAKE: Yeah!

Michael Sirow: That’s why this has been my favorite interview so far! I knew there was a reason that you didn’t… And listen, I felt so bad because I had to punt all the the calls from from last week to this week. But I… there’s a reason you kept me. You didn’t you didn’t throw me out. So I wouldn’t have known! Are you going to do anything special for this birthday?

GRUNGECAKE: Yeah, I might be in Cape Town (South Africa) this year.

Michael Sirow Oh my God. That’s crazy!

Michael Sirow: That’s why this has been my favourite interview so far! I knew there was a reason that you didn’t. And listen, I felt so bad because I had to punt all the the calls from from last week to this week. But there’s a reason you kept me you didn’t you didn’t throw me out. So, I wouldn’t have known so there’s that’s crazy special. Are you going to do anything special for this birthday? Yeah, I might be in Cape Town this year.

Michael Sirow: Oh my God. That’s crazy!

Michael Sirow, the New York City-born actor, whom I awesomely share a birthday (November 15), was one of the best interviews I had in a very long time. He was funny, cool and welcoming. The chilling action/thriller is available on-demand nationwide and will be in theatres in the United States on July 5. If you’re into this genre of film/movie, check it out with a friend or many. Let’s discuss how you feel about it in the comments.

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