"Vacationland
is Todd Verow’s superb film about a gay teenager Joe (Brad Hallowell)
grappling with his sexuality, a childhood trauma, and getting into college.
Verow’s film is one of the most perceptive and unapologetic films about gay
teens, capturing the awkwardness of first love, and the desire to strike out
on one’s own without condescending or pandering. Hallowell makes an
adorable, sympathetic lead and he is ably supported by Gregory J. Lucas as
his cute boyfriend."
San Francisco Bay Times:
Brad in
"Vacationland"
Read Brad Hallowell's thoughts on his
theatrical debut in the new Todd Verow film below:
Life in picturesque Bangor, Maine, is complicated for Joe, a blisteringly sexy high school senior. Living with his single mother and older sister in a rough housing project, Joe takes a job as a live-in model for Victor, an artist, to save money for art school. While Joe dreams of leaving town, his friend Andrew, a hunky football star and avid shoplifter, is going nowhere. Joe and Andrew, stealing moments here and there from time with their girlfriends, begin to fall in love. When they encounter a shady figure from Joe’s past at a local gay bar, the youths decide they must exact revenge so Joe may finally feel free to leave Bangor. This latest unflinching work from Todd Verow (FRISK, ANONYMOUS), semi-autobiographical and deeply personal, questions which points in a person’s history will form facets of his identity
The Companion: An actor? Who knew!
BRAD: I think all bartenders are actors in
some way. I think putting on a show behind the bar every weekend contributed
to the development of my acting skills
How did you get the role?
Funny story behind that actually. I was singing Karaoke at a bar in Bangor
around Christmas time 2004. I was onstage singing Janis Joplin’s Me and
Bobbie McGee with the wife of a friend of mine, and I guess it caught the
director’s attention. He handed me his card on my way out of the bathroom,
and I called him when I found it the next morning. I went to NYC for a
couple of auditions, and the rest is history.
What is your acting background?
I made a couple of murder mystery home movies with my cousins as a child,
but other than that I haven’t had any formal training, and I haven’t had any
previous roles.
What was the best part of the experience?
The best part of the experience for me was being in NYC for two weeks last
summer. I remember being on the phone with the director as I was trying to
find one of the shooting locations. It was very windy, so I was using my
script to shield my face to help block the wind noise. When I turned around,
I noticed that a small crowd had gathered behind me thinking I was a
celebrity trying to conceal my identity. I’m hoping that was just a taste of
what’s to come.
What was the hardest part? The hardest part for
me was trying to leave all the emotions from the day on the set. Some of the
scenes were very emotionally charged, and I found it difficult to detach
myself from them at the end of the day.
In the film, you play a teenager: what did you
draw on for experience? I don’t think I’ve ever
really “grown up” so to speak, therefore I didn’t have much trouble playing
a younger character. I didn’t really over think how I was going to play the
character. I almost tried to be myself more than anything and integrate my
personality into the character that Todd had created. And I tend to date
people younger than myself, and I’m sure that helped at least a little!
The director, Todd Verow, is known for making
films in digital video. Is this what he used for Vacationland? Is there
anything different that is required of the actors?
Vacationland was shot on digital video. And I couldn’t really tell you if
it’s any different than filming on another format. This is the only format
I’ve ever been filmed on. I think it might have actually been easier to be
filmed on digital though. The way Todd films, there is only one camera
rolling at a time and no other equipment except lighting, so it is very easy
to immerse yourself into the scenes.
Where has the film been shown?
The film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale) in Germany, and
was then shown in the US at Newfest in NYC, Frameline in San Francisco,
Outfest in LA, and Phillyfest in Philadelphia. It has also played in Sante
Fe, NM and Buenos Aries Argentina. There are a few dates left
internationally, but the only dates left in the US are the ones in Maine.
There is one showing on Thursday, September 7th at the Nickelodeon in
Portland at 7:30pm, and then one showing at the Railroad Square in
Waterville that is TBD.
Tickets for the Portland show can be purchased at Styxx (3 Spring Street)
and are $10.
Have you been in the audience when it was being
screened? I was in the audience for the New
York showing, and it was very surreal. I thought I would hate the film and
be very critical of my performance, but I actually quite enjoyed the
experience. I’m not sure that I will watch it again though.
When will the DVD be released?
The DVD comes out on October 31st, but it can be pre-ordered online at
www.tlavideo.com
Any future film or acting projects?
Right now, I do not have
anything planned. I was thinking about moving to Los Angeles to pursue a
film career, but I’m enjoying life here just the way it is. I figure that if
I was destined to be a film star, then someday I will be.
The premier is Thursday, September 7th @ 7:30 pm at the Nickelodeon, with an after party at Styxx to follow.
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