Interview with Anthony! Ardisone, September 2002

he sun is high above us as I sit and eat fish and chips with Anthony! Ardisone, star of Horchata's Commandos and co-starring in this Fall's release, Operation: 3 Hole Rodeo. The lightly crowded picket fenced patio at The Ivy in Los Angeles doesn't allow for privacy, but the Horchy Award winner doesn't seem to mind. He continues to eat his platter with gusto and doesn't pay mind to the local passers-by that turn their heads to catch a glimpse of this acclaimed actor. When there's a break in the "audience" I jump in to the questions.
Associated Blast: How's your food?
Anthony! Ardisone: It's really great. I really love seafood. I grew up appreciating it and having a taste for it.
AB: Is that referencing your time spent in the Navy?
A!A: I grew up with parents who taught me to appreciate food. So I think seafood and other stuff kicks ass.
AB: Reflecting on your career in the service, how do you feel about the time you spent there?
A!A: I enjoyed my time [4 year active, 4 Reserve] in, but it kind of felt like that's what I was doing. Doing time. I didn't like what I was doing, which was Sonar anti-submarine warfare.
AB: Well that sounds cool.
A!A: I thought so, too. But we didn't get to do much of it. So I got out because I wanted to be a director.
AB: From sonar screens to silver screens?
A!A: Yeah, except that I didn't know how to go about it. So I looked in to other things, one of which was computer animation. I enjoyed that, but it didn't stick.
AB: When did you make the big switch to acting?
A!A: Acting really wasn't in my sights. I was looking in to being a firefighter when a good buddy of mine, James Soeffner, asked me if I could help him with a project for the Orange County Anti-Tobacco Campaign.
AB: You played a smoker who was on a break but had to go to the roof where the only smoking area was.
A!A: And that darn Mr Butts was there hogging up the entire spot because it was only a one and a half foot square. By the time he gets out, my smoking break is up and I have to go back to work.
AB: He was played by Ben Johnson, another friend of yours.
A!A: Yeah, Ben's a great actor. It was fun to do the work, and I did it for free because I felt the cause was noteworthy. Except, I think we may have done more harm than good because I ended up idolizing Mr Butts afterwards. The worst thing about smoking, according to those PSAs, was that it was really inconvenient.
AB: From there we see you in another movie that was later released.
A!A: 123 Potato. I came in at the end of the production. It was totally unplanned, but Soeffner and Dylan Kirkland really liked the look I had going on so they used me in a cameo to seal the plot.
AB: You were in camoflage, weren't you?
A!A: I had just come home from a drill with the Naval Reserve. But I guess it was exactly what they were looking for.
AB: It also marked your first speaking role.
A!A: Very true. In fact, you don't hear me open my mouth until Horchata's Commandos.
AB: In Ben's Big Drink, you play a roommate who gets in to the shower and gets attacked by cups.
A!A: I had no idea where they developed When Cups Attack. All I know is that it won the 2001 Horchy Awards for Best Film. I was a little disappointed because I have never seen the movie.
AB: Wasn't that a re-occurring idea for a Cable Access program Ass Films was working on?
Explaining When Cups Attacks A!A: I am not even sure if there was an Ass Films at that time. Alot of these projects were created just before we came up with the clever title and logo.
AB: Horchata's Commandos premieres. How did that feel?
A!A: It was an intense rush. It was great to see a film you really poured your heart in to get on to the silver screen and for people to really think it was the greatest thing in the world. I was really happy with the work James [Soeffner] did and all the actors. And then to follow it up with an award for Best Actor in a Lead Role.
AB: I was there that day. I was a little disappointed to not to hear much of an acceptance speech because it looked like you had a lot on your mind.
A!A: I was really looking forward to talking about what a pleasure it was to work on the film. I really wanted to thank James Soeffner for the hard work he did to make us all come out like heroes. It really wasn't my film and I wanted to let people know that. But I guess they were pressed for time.
AB: Maybe. You should have made a stand like Julia Roberts when she won Best Actress at the Academy Awards.
A!A: I could have, but I know that the show must go on. I am all too familiar with deadlines and schedules and know how crazy things get if they get out of whack. Besides, I am getting to define myself in this interview! (laughs)
AB: That's a noble spirit. At the same time, you were also doing a Firefighting Academy, correct?
A!A: I still wasn't convinced that acting was for me. Even when after the awards, when I saw my potential, I wasn't convinced that it was going to pay out. With the advent of the 2nd Season [Ardisone prefers to call the Annual Shows as Annual Seasons and is fighting to make it an official term], I suddenly found that I can do this. I can be in Hollywood, making a living off it, and make myself and others around me happy. And that's all I want in life.
AB: I couldn't ask for anything more. Will you still pursue a career in the fire service?
A!A: I will. I think I could be a better fire fighter than a better actor.
AB: If that's the case, you'd be one hell of a firefighter!
A!A:Thanks.
AB: Don't mention it. For the 2nd... Season, you're only to appear in the 3 Hole Redeo, Ben's Big Drink and the Riverman documentary with ver small parts...
On the topic of the 2nd Season. A!A: Oh, there's some other stuff I am sure to be in.
AB: Like what?
A!A: That's all I need to say about that.
AB: A secret project?
A!A: Secret to you.
AB: Oh wow, now the audience will be even more anxious than before.
A!A: As they should be.
AB: Your appearance in the Riverman documentary is interesting as you're not credited in the film. Can you explain?
A!A: Without going in to too much detail and ruining the documentary, not really. Except that there was some confusion as to what Riverman really was and what he is supposed to be and symbolize. I thought the flick was going to be more sophisticated than your typical garage horror flick.
AB: I see. What are your feelings towards Ralph Apel?
A!A: I have no ill-will towards him. I was just disappointed in his choices for Riverman and the direction he was taking it. But I do wish the film the best as it's an Associated Film and his success with it is our success as a group.
AB: James Soeffner stated at the 1st Horchy Awards that the only reason why he casted you as Horchata was because you were able to supply an adequate vehicle for the movie.
A!A: James is, and forever will be, a joker. He likes to joke around about things like that and put people on the spot. I laugh at it and don't take it serious, even though it sometimes hurts.
AB: In the year past, there have been reports of some bad blood between the two of you. What provoked those arguments?
A!A: (laughs) Bad blood? Is that what they call it now-a-days? In my day we called that professional ribbing. (laughs) I am sure there's a couple people in your industry that play like that. But James and I are on good terms. No fights, just ribbing.
AB: Or libbing...
A!A Nice.
AB: You've continued to work on projects with him post HC. Is there a difference working with him now?
A!A: He's professional and I am professional. We want to go in, do a great job, improve on it, and go home at the end of the day alive. We have fun on the set. Sometimes our approach is different. But it is usually his project so I let him have final say. It usually works out okay in the end.
AB: Have you had any onset mishaps on any of the shoots you've done?
Rather smug on when talking about James Soeffner. A!A: In Horchata's 1, I had trouble getting out of the van when I pulled up to Taco's house. The shot is I am in the van and I see the two of them working. I get out of the car, and that's the shot. We wanted to film HC with as few retakes as possible, and hadn't had any until then. I forgot to unbuckle the belt one time, and the second time I had trouble with the door. James got really hotheaded and started yelling at me and chucking cameras around. He can be like that. When everyone calmed down, we laughed about it. We've been friends ever since.
AB: It's good that he saw it was a mistake and your friendship didn't suffer from it.
A!A: Huh? No, I am referring to Ben Johnson. Ben and I have been friends ever since.
AB: Being the hot commodity in Hollywood right now, have you had time for any ladies in your life?
A!A: I've dated a couple times, but nothing I sank my teeth in to. Career kept getting in the way, or they couldn't put up with the high media attention.
AB: I would imagine they would love being seen with you.
A!A: Not in some of the compromising positions we were in.
AB: Are you currently seeing anyone now?
On dating. A!A: Is that a personal inquiry?
AB: (laughing)No!
A!A: No, I am not seeing anyone right now. I would like to find someone, but I am very picky.
AB: What do you look for in a girl?
A!A: Personality goes a long way. It all depends. Sense of humor is a must.
AB: Of course, with a guy like you!
A!A: Yeah, I like to be a funny guy instead of a tough guy. But I can play tough, too. Like, macho. You know? But still funny.
AB: Any big plans for your birthday coming up October 22nd?
A!A: This year may be pretty low key. Trip to Vegas, probably. Might just keep it simple and take a cruise around the Bahamas and Virgin Islands. Hop over to the Azores to do some jungle exploration, then meet up with the Ratt in Ibiza.
AB: Matthew Clark?
A!A: Yeah, that guy's great. Can't get enough of Ibiza. Keeps repeating it like a techno track. Must be looped in his head or something.
AB: You do some amazing work. What is your proudest moment in your film career?
A!A: I am always looking ahead. A lot of people assume it was when I got nominated in for Best Actor at the TV/Film Group of Fullerton awards, or when I won my Horchy. But I look at those things as rewards of the past. My proudest moment is yet to come.
AB: In the 2nd Season.
A!A: You bet your ass!
AB: I'd probably lose!
A!A: (laughs)Wait, is that good or bad?
AB: Sounds good to me.

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