Actor Bryan McClure, known for his work on Mindhunter (2017), Atlanta (2016) and Hawaii Five-0 (2010), gives us the 411 on his latest project, the horror feature Blackstone Boneyard – out June 8 from Uncork’d Entertainment.
Bryan McClure
Question: Are you a city or a county type?
Bryan McClure: I’m assuming the question is city or country? If so, my answer is that I’m more of a city guy, but I like to also live in a quiet area, so maybe just outside the hustle and bustle of the big city. I’ve lived right in Hollywood. I’ve done that and now I live in a quieter area and I like the quiet. Give me peace of mind to think and be creative.
Question: And was acting always the goal?
Bryan McClure: Not even on my radar. I wanted to be a professional basketball player. But I have always loved art and creativity, so I studied graphic design in college.
Question: Did it mean relocating at any stage?
Bryan McClure: I have relocated twice now in my career as an actor. Of course I’ve travelled many places to work on projects, but I’ve made two permanent relocations. First to Los Angeles and then to Atlanta.
Question: Is there a misconception that you have to be Hollywood-based to get all the good roles?
Bryan McClure: Yes and no. I say yes because I believe that many of the biggest roles are cast from Hollywood (and I’m going to include New York in there too), but being in Atlanta now for nearly 6 years, I have really seen this market grow and explode here. Series regulars and leads in films are being cast out of this market. I was flown to Hollywood to film the lead in HBO Max’s film In Other Words. So, the no is that not ALL the good roles are cast in LA and New York. It’s changing.
Question: You got a very good one here – and it’s all set in a striking backdrop. Where was that?
Bryan McClure: We filmed Blackstock Boneyard in a really small town in Louisiana by the name of Douglasville.
Question: How did it come about?
Bryan McClure: This film came to me through my agent located in Louisiana. We actually filmed it in 2017, so it’s exciting to have it coming out now. We’re excited to share it with you all!
Question: Can you tell us about the plight of your character?
Bryan McClure: I play the privileged son of the town Judge (actor Terry Milam). Because of my father’s influence in the town, my sister Samantha (actress Laura Flannery) are untouchable and can do whatever we want… or so we think.
Question: Are you the type of actor that likes to immerse themselves in the role, and only answer to the character’s name while on set? Or is that a bit much?
Bryan McClure: I think every actor and even ever artist in general has their own process and I’d never say that someone else’s process was too much (unless maybe they were being a jerk to people on set and making the set environment toxic). I personally am a big proponent of imagination. Our imagination dictates how we feel and if we can use our imagination to believe something, that’s incredibly powerful. I haven’t never been someone that needed people to call me my character name on set, but often times, it is how I’m referred on set regardless.
Question: I imagine a big imagination is needed to work on genre films?
Bryan McClure: Yes. Imagination is so key. You create the whole world inside your head and then you play in it. The relationships, the meanings of things, the circumstances. A great imagination is vital.
Question: You’ve always got a lot going on. What else can we expect from you this year?
Bryan McClure: I’m gearing up to do a independent film called Holy Irresistible that’s supposed to start shooting in the next month, so that will be fun. Additionally, I just wrapped on a new show last week created by Kaye Singleton. I don’t know that I’m at liberty to speak much about it yet. And our independently made sci-fi series Space Command is currently doing a Kickstarter campaign to film the 4th hour of the series. So planning on making that happen this fall.
