Renowned American writer, producer and director, Ranelle Golden has partnered with Johnny Alonso once again to Co-Produce the upcoming feature film titled Harvey. The film is an exciting new project of Macro Vision Films LLC.. Ranelle Golden is an award winning Director, seasoned writer in the film industry and more than 29 projects to her credit Moreover, Johnny Alonso is also a legendary actor, producer and director, and both Ranelle and Johnny have an incredible talent to make Harvey a super hit.
“Myself and Johnny are very excited to get back to work despite the COVID situation.” Said Ranelle Golden, while talking about Harvey. “It is indeed a huge honor to be making one of the first SAG Union Film approved in Central Florida since COVID, and our production team is taking great measures to ensure safety.” She added. Johnny Alonso is playing the lead character of Keith in the film, and the entire team is working really hard to make this project a success. The Hollywood Recorder spoke with Johnny about his new film.
Johnny, Tell us about your psychological thriller, Harvey.
I’ve been describing Harvey as an 80s vibed, modern day psychological thriller. It takes place in a small town. If you go thru 10 street lights you’ve blown thru town. Everything is backdated – style, music, mentality – slow paced living. I’ve been thru towns like this on the historic Route 66. Places forgotten. Seen better days. The character Harvey (Darius Aurty) is someone who hates his life and everyone around him. He misses his father, he misses better days. Wants to leave town, looking to break out, But break out of what is the question.
You joined forces with Director Ranelle Golden for the film. What did you enjoy most working with her?
Her sensitivity, intuition, respect for others and her drive to beat the odds. She cares about the projects she’s involved in – sometimes too much – that’s when I step in and tell people to back off. Ranelle has been in the business for some time and has earned her stripes as an industry professional. I don’t work with others who just “dress the part” or who I like to call “poser producers,” Way too many people out there are thinking they know what they’re doing. Trying to beat the system. Sorry man, this industry was around way before you – I’m pretty sure it’ll be around when you’re gone. Ranelle gets it, she listens and she learns quickly. Lets not forget she’s a super talented writer and director.
Your character Keith is a bit of an enigma. Explain.
Keith is an asshole. I built my character Keith after every film I’ve ever seen that has an overworked, over-stressed boss type. Keith owns and runs the bowling alley that the film is centered around. In the story Keith moved to this small town to start a new life to run away from a past I guess. So Keith has a lot to prove to himself and everyone around him. Keith doesn’t have any friends in town and he actually likes it that way. Everyone at the bowling alley is either there to work or to bowl – just business. For some reason Keith sides with Harvey whenever people try to get him fired or others in town question his actions. There’s definitely more to my character Keith then I’ve put out there. You’re just going to have to watch the film to find out.
What intrigued you the most about your character?
I dig Ranelle’s writing so when she said she wrote Keith for me, I knew the dialogue would be something to sink my teeth into. Keith has an intensity that I had to maintain through out the entire project. Even from the introduction of Keith on the screen he’s already arguing with Karen (Erin O’Brien) I had a lot of room to play with this character. Keith is a mash up of many characters I’ve stored in my actor’s mental notebook to use for a rainy day.
I love my character Keith, so I invested a ton of time putting him together. When an actor comes ultra prepared the character takes shape quickly and everyone on set takes notice. As I mentioned earlier, I pulled from some of my favorite characters to build Keith – I’ll let you in on one that I pulled from. I’m a big fan to Tarrantino’s film Reservoir Dogs – Keith is a boss type – in Reservoir Dogs Harvey Keitel plays Mr. White. I used many of Mr. White’s movements, body language, hand gestures and even voice accenting. One scene in particular – the scene where Keith and Maddison (Allison Meister) were arguing in front of the walk in cooler in the bowling alley kitchen. My hand gestures, the two second pausing, the lurching body language – all Mr. White. I could tell you more, but I’d be selling myself short. The great thing for me about character acting is using all my creative resources – from my actor training to having the knowledge of what the camera sees without being behind the camera. An actor needs to know everything on set. An actor needs to have the power to be unguarded and trust the director.
Can you share a favorite scene?
The first time we see everyone at the bowling alley that’s my favorite scene. Ranelle introduced all the main and supporting lead in the 1st bowling scene which makes the viewer store characters in their head so now you’re expecting to see more of them and follow their story lines etc. I love that opening scene because you see the relationships between everyone and how color each character’s personality is or isn’t. You’ll watch that scene and you’ll say, “Okay in this small town he’s trying to relive his past, and he’s the local burnout, she’s the queen of the 7-11 parking lot etc. Another favorite scene of mine is where I secretly added something in the scene that only a couple people know about and will get it. I’ve done this on every film I’ve played as a lead. So when that scene comes up I always say to myself “I wonder if anyone saw that?” And don’t ask me to tell you what it is. I want to see how many people pick up on it. I’m nuts.
What is next for you?
What isn’t next for me?? sleep apparently isn’t next for me lol
I just guest starred on another great episode of the ghost/paranormal series A Haunting entitled “Nevermore”. Out of the 1 hour running time I’m in 43 minutes of this episode. My character Wilfredo has so many scenes with tons of dialogue. I also had a couple scenes where I speak in Spanish and the scenes will have subtitles so I was stoked about that. This episode should air the week of Thanksgiving. We have several film projects all in different levels of development. I’m just going to have to do a follow-up with you turn of the year. I just flew back from Charlotte NC for a major producers callback for a new series. I’m also on hold for a new pilot for HBO. I’m forever auditioning which I’m grateful for but dude it does wear you down. But like my agent always says “at this stage in the game your job as an actor is not to act, your job is to audition. And if you’re not auditioning you’re not in the real game” I have to remind myself this at least once a week.
Johnny Alonso
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Actor’s Website – www.johnnyalonso.com