The Horror Revolution: Hey, thanks so much for taking the time to chat! I really enjoyed your performance in the film.
Charlie Saxon: No no, thank YOU. We’re so psyched that you watched the film, and wanted to chat about it. Your kind words are sincerely appreciated!
THR: First off, what’s your favorite horror movie? What movie scared you the most?
CS: My all-time favorite horror movie is Shaun of the Dead. The perfect blend of comedy and horror with such smart directing and editing. A very close second is Scream. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Evil Dead. Mostly because what initially drew me to it was learning the backstory of a young, scrappy Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell using whatever resources that they had and casting their friends to make a movie. Much like the ethos of Art of a Hit. As far as what scared me the most; I’d like to add a little disclaimer that I was a huge fraidy-cat when I was a kid. I couldn’t even go into Halloween stores. Hell, I used to be too scared to go into a Hot Topic. So when I was about 9, my friend and I were at a video store and he suggested we rent a movie called Evil Ed. He said “This isn’t scary, it’s a comedy. Get it? It’s like Evil Dead, but Evil Ed” and I looked at him naively and just said “What’s Evil Dead?” Anyway- Evil Ed was not funny to me at ALL and it traumatized me. I’ve still yet to finish it.
THR: I really enjoyed your role in Art of the Hit, you gave me total Zach Galifianakis vibes and brought a good bit of humor to an otherwise serious film. What inspired your performance in the role?
CS: That’s truly awesome, thank you! I’ve gotten the Zach Galifianakis comparison a couple times now and I’m not mad about it. I’m sure the beard has something to do with it. I was inspired by an amalgamation of people. A combination of actors, directors, and producers I’ve encountered, and horror stories I’ve heard from my musician friends about egos they’ve dealt with. I’m always fascinated by people who have to hold this false sense of superiority about themselves. They think they’re a creative genius, but they’re actually just a fraud, and kind of a jerk!
THR: You co-wrote the film as well. How much of what you had envisioned eventually made it on-screen, and what gave you guys the idea for the film as a whole?
CS: Because we were such a small production on an even smaller budget, we knew we had to keep the movie as self-contained as possible. Which was great, because I’m a huge fan of films that take place mostly in one setting. Like Black Bear was a big inspiration for us. Because of that, pretty much everything we envisioned made it on screen! In fact, when we got to the castle, which was owned by music legend Miles Copeland III, we were so inspired by a lot of backdrops that we rewrote entire scenes and set pieces in different settings around the compound. Like the Cher tower; Cher ACTUALLY recorded in that tower. And the pigeonry was not in the original script, but we just had to use it. It’s so creepy! The idea of the movie as a whole came from Gaelan and I both being depressed! Haha During the year of lockdown and beyond, we would have weekly zoom meetings just kind of catching up with what we were watching, listening to, etc. By 2022 Gaelan had moved to France, and I was living in LA, we were both going through some life stuff. We got on a call one day and Gaelan was like “We gotta make a movie out here. I’m surrounded by castles, what can we do in a castle?” In real life, I’m in a band with Tim Jo (who plays Timmy) and I had always wanted to do a movie about our band. So I just pitched a band in a castle and we hammered out the barebones story in like a week. Somewhere along the way I got kicked out of the movie’s band and became the ornery antagonistic music producer. Way more fitting, if you ask me.
THR: Your character in Art of the Hit provides sort of a gateway to fame and stardom for the struggling band in the film. How much of being an artist depends on the actual talent in the performer, and how much depends on knowing the right people to help move you forward?
CS: It’s definitely a bit of column A and column B! What I’d say is most important is building a community with those who inspire you and you can trust. Sometimes the people who help you “move forward” are the ones who will abandon you in the middle of the road when the going gets tough. To me, one of the most beautiful aspects of our movie is our cast are all my friends I’ve made from various points in my career as an actor, and Gaelan pulled together an incredible crew from people he’s worked with the last decade in the commercial world. Everyone is ridiculously talented AND we all united to push one another to make something we’re all really proud of.
THR: I’m a big music fan, so Art of the Hit was right up my alley. Were there any songs or bands in particular that inspired the direction of the band in the film?
CS: Oh hell yes! I’m absolutely one of those actors who really wishes they were a rockstar. (Did I mention I’m in a band? With Tim? Check out Much Better on Spotify) Gaelan and I have both respectively had several music projects since we were in high school and pulled a lot of inspiration to build the authenticity of what it’s like being in a band. I just opened up our script inspo playlist and it’s over four hours long! For the sake of brevity I’ll definitely say Jets to Brazil, Ben Kweller, Oasis, The Smashing Pumpkins, Pavement, The Dandy Warhols, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. The fact that we were able to get Jets to Brazil and Ben Kweller on the soundtrack is a dream come true.
THR: If you could work with anyone in the industry, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
CS: Gosh there are so many! Rob Reiner has made some of the greatest movies of all time. We had a cast & crew screening of Spinal Tap at the castle one night during filming Art of a Hit and it’s just so damn good, one of my favorites. I’d also love to work with The Coen Brothers and Edgar Wright, they’ve perfected the action/comedy formula!
THR: You’ve done a lot of work in television as well as film. Which do you prefer, and what are the major differences between working on a television show and a film?
CS: Well, the major difference working on THIS film compared to other movies/TV shows is that Art of a Hit was more like summer camp than a Hollywood production.. We had to convince everyone that they’d be guaranteed a free trip to France, unlimited wine, really good food, and not much else. We all lived in the castle we were filming in, Ryan’s room in the movie was actually Ryan’s room he was staying in. After dinner, people would run back up into the rehearsal room and play more music well into the night, or throw on a movie in the screening room. It was great. A pro, and only difference about being on a television show is that if you’re a series regular, you’re guaranteed a bit more job security! But there’s something special about the microcosm community you form with everyone while making a movie. Sorry to be a copout, but it’s a push on this one!
THR: What inspired you to want to become an actor? Were there any films in particular that made you know this is what you wanted to do?
CS: I started acting at a very young age, mostly because it’s what my sister wanted to do, and it was kind of the “family business”. My mom acts and directs, my dad was a stage manager and an actor in college. My parents are also musicians, so I was always going to the theatre, seeing their friends' bands play in bars, I kind of just thought it was the normal thing. When I was a kid, though, the movie that made me want to REALLY be an actor was 3 Ninjas. Those kids kicked ass AND they got to eat all that pizza? Sign me up. From a music stand point, I also remember That Thing You Do! and La Bamba inspired me to play drums and guitar.
THR: I’ve always heard that being a good writer is paramount in being a good actor as well. How much of the skill translates, and which role in film production do you prefer if you were only able to do one?
CS: It definitely translates in terms of performing dialogue that sounds like how people actually talk, and on the other hand, how the way you physically portray something can be more poignant than just saying a line. That’s hard to choose! Being a writer is certainly rewarding, but you are spending a lot of time in your own thoughts staring into a void. I do love writing with Gaelan, but if I had to choose, it would be getting to be directed by him on a set in France and not staring at him through a laptop in my kitchen!
THR: What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects you’re excited to talk about?
CS: Gaelan and I are working on a couple new scripts we’re really excited about. There’s nothing better than making movies with friends. If any studio execs or production companies are reading this, let’s grab lunch! On the acting front, I’ll next be seen in The Last Podcast, a horror comedy written and directed by Dean Alioto, the originator of the “found footage” genre.
THR: Finally, what’s the most ridiculous way you’ve injured yourself?
CS: Hahaha these have been some of the best questions of the whole press tour! Summer before my senior year of high school, some friends were playing football in a parking lot and needed an extra player. I never usually played because I’m not very athletic, but figured why not. Problem was, I was only wearing slip-on shoes that had as much support as a paper bag. So on the second play of the game, I caught a pass, and turned so abruptly that the muscle attached to my pinky toe pulled so hard and fast that it snapped the bone and I broke my foot. The one time I voluntarily played a sport. I still made the touchdown though.
THR: Thanks again so much for answering, and thanks for letting me check out your film!
CS: Thank you so much!! This was a blast. I really appreciate you taking the time to watch the movie and ask such genuinely kickass questions. Let's do it again soon!
