Brian Belz

He played in Jeff Blankenship, The Last Rung on the Ladder as Carnival Barker of Despair.

SKSM: Tell us about yourself, who is Brian Belz and what do you do or have you done?

Brian Belz: My name is Brian and I reside in Madison. I enjoy theatre and cheese curds and Duran Duran  I do films sometimes presently. I did some films previously

SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actor?

Brian Belz: Middle-school

SKSM: What details define you the most as an actor?

Brian Belz: Everything in the script

SKSM: How did you become involved in The Last Rung On The Ladder Dollar Baby film?

Brian Belz: I sent a couple concepts for a Carnival Barker audition for Jeff I think.

SKSM: You worked with Jeff Blakenship on this film, how was that?

Brian Belz: He is a thoughtful storyteller and colleague. We did some films together previously for Living Storm Productions. He has good people around and I knew it would probably be another benevolent and enjoyable filmmaking experience and it was!

SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?

Brian Belz: It is Stephen King. If you are a fan you would probably give anything he does a read. A familiar author is a satisfying experience.

SKSM: Mental illness is what’s going on. What were your thoughts after reading the script?

Brian Belz: The Carnival Barker’s support skills are very ill.

SKSM: Your character unfolds in an interesting way. What effect do you think it will have on the audience when they see the film?

Brian Belz: I am very curious about this. I will hopefully attend Max‘s film festival in May where people will see it (mentalhealthwarriorfilmfest.com)

SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?

Brian Belz: Unfortunately nothing I would like to tell you about.

SKSM: What was Carnival Barker of Despair like on set when he wasn’t in front of the camera?

Brian Belz: Rehearsing or hydrating or caffeinating 

SKSM: Your character (Carnival Barker of Despair) sits like a devil on Larry Gatlin’s shoulder in an annoying way. I’m curious how you experienced that yourself as an actor and/or personally?

Brian Belz: Honesty is a virtue I value most. Without it we really have nothing. Its potential energy is atomic. It can guide our curiosities and hopes the farthest we will let it. If misused it can be destructive perhaps most importantly self-destructive. The honest Carnival Barker may still have hope although in this film he is not making constructive choices. The Carnival Barker of Despair may have his own carnival barker among other possible challenges and consequently his own interesting story including how he and Larry first met.

SKSM: I’m curious how you experienced your role during the recordings.

Brian Belz: The Carnival Barker was not caring about anybody’s well-being and it was fun constructing his free and ill behavior. Seth was ready for anything and this provided the most opportunity for experimenting and enjoying our scene.

SKSM: Carnival Barker of Despair is a character we haven’t seen before, how did you prepare for this?

Brian Belz: Max made this character and he let me know when we were shooting if it was seeming like what we wanted so that was assuring. Also Babylon 5 S2 E21

SKSM: Everyone recognizes themselves in Kitty or Larry at some point. How could that happen, do you think?

Brian Belz: I think everybody somehow knows what loneliness is. People might similarly know opportunity and ambition and these can noticingly and perhaps sometimes regrettably overwhelm a person’s attention.

SKSM: What are you thinking of the end result of the film?

Brian Belz: It looked great. The talented crew did cool editing and camera work. Castmates were very compelling

SKSM: Are there any points that you now think in retrospect that I could or could have done differently?

Brian Belz: Yes. Starting developing the part early helps the opportunity for exploring considerations and making the part the most understandable and interesting it can be for shoot day although endless options thoughtfully discovered later are still mildly satisfying. Everything an actor thinks about including after the shoot is done always has potential opportunity for being useful for developing another part for another story sometime ahead

SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?

Brian Belz: I was a considerable fan after discovering Thinner when I was a kid. I have not read much recent stuff only because I do not get my summers free anymore.

SKSM: Who are your favorite or influential actors?

Brian Belz: Probably most Madison actors because I am around them the most

SKSM: What else do you do besides acting?

Brian Belz: I visit my parents for some always-exciting card games  I tell Sevgi my cat and Leo my turtle they are crazy because they are and because I love them. Sevgi is 20 this week! (week 7)

SKSM: Is there a role you would like to play if it comes your way, and what would it be?

Brian Belz: I prefer knowing a script before I do a part for it so I can decide if it is well-intentioned or if nothing more not ill-intentioned. Otherwise I will do my very best for making you famous

SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?

Brian Belz: I started a team for the 48-hour Film Project Wisconsin in April .

SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Brian Belz: Disco is my kryptonite  Now if you will pardon me, I should be dancing, yeah

SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?

Brian Belz: What a cool thing we all like Stephen King stories  Getting genuinely scared after watching or reading a scary story is a retrospective thrill I would never replace and how wonderful we have opportunities for sharing the fandom together

SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?

Brian Belz: –