Michael Biehn and Jennifer Blanc: Story being the most important
Written by Eva Csölleová, Vítek Formánek
Every film fan surely saw“ Aliens“ or“ Terminator“ and spotted handsome bloke helping and protecting Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hamilton .That was Michael Biehn (born 31.7.1956) who celebrates 60th birthday this year. We thought it would be good idea to make interview with him and ask him and hid wife, actress and business partner Jennifer Blanc about their careers and their company „ Blanc- Biehn Production“.We didn´t give it much home BUT within few hours reply“ Yes, we are interested“ came back. We were connected with their assistant Kurk Kasparian who was very helpfull middle man and thanks to him and of course kindness of Mrs. And Mrs Biehn you can read following lines.
Jennifer Blanc (born 21.4.1974) is not much known to Czech audience so this is good chance to put her in shop window.At the age of 13 she acted on Broadway and after moving to LA she became a star of a serie „ Hull High“.She acted in many TV series and films and joined forces with her partner Michael Biehn and produced and acted in film like „ The Divide“ and „The Victim“.She acted alongside the like of Danny de Vito.She also made her directing debut with film „ The Night visitor“.She is certainly actress to watch.
Is it advantage or disadvantage to have production company with your wife?Does it mean that work enters your living room and the tension from the job can endanger your personal lives and feelings?
It is a huge advantage. We work together as one. A Pillar of strenght. Like any business, when you own it, sometimes its hard not to take the work home. Emails and communication need to be consistant within Production. But we have a really good balance between work and our family lives.
When you worked in´Cameron ´s films it was top league.You can´t go anywhere higher. Did you feel like a sponge sucking all aspects and information you could from which you kinda benefit now or your decision to direct movies came much later so you had to start from scratch?
Working with Cameron was definately a pleasure. As my career grew and I gained experince through many of the films I was a part of, it lead me to this road of creativity. I have not met the peak of my career yet. I believe there is always more to do and more to acheive. Otherwise I would not bother being in this industry anymore. Being apart of someones creation is different from having your own. Both situations give knowledge and experience that is invaluable.
Is there something you took from Cameron´s approach to work or you rather went different direction, to less spectacle way of making films?
Creativity in a film is very unique, even if you try to copy someones style or direction you are still your own person. So I always take what I can from whomever I work with. And then I apply it my own way as well as utilizing my own abilities and persona while filming.
You are an actor -cum -director.Did you study directing or you only picked up infos and experience and then you said to yourself“ Shit,I can do it,too?“Did you have some „supervisor“ who told you „ this can´t be done that one etc etc“?
I have had so much experince acting that I learned as I went along. When you are in this industry and you work with professionals, as long as you are willing to learn you will be taught. As long as you are creating a value for yourself you will be used. There were many people in my career that I looked to for guidance, and now there are many that come to me for guidancce. This is also what excites me about running my own productions.
Can you utilize something from acting in your director´s job? Do you see actors in different angle because you know what they feel and hence you approach them with more understanding?
Yes. It gives an advantage to the Director to have been in the actors shoes. You know how to work with their emotions, and guide them to what you need from them. No one can tell an actor how to do something. But knowing how to guide the actor to achieve the real emotion and capture the scene is sometimes lost by directors who have not acted before.
My competition is indie film
Do you intend to be full time director in the future and limit your acting? Or you use two hats to upgrade your artistic abilities and avoid being labeled?
If people are going to label me, I have no control over that. I only have control over what I do and how I see it. I think my path is not unique but definitely not of the ordinary. I will be directing and acting and producing. Career flexibility and multitasking is what drives me. I now have not only a situation where opportunities come at me left and right but I can also make opportunities. Its a wonderful thing I never want to take for granted and definitely take advantage of.
What led you to establish a production company when it´s hard to make profitable film if it´s not sequels of box office hit? Was it taste for independence or just new challenge in your life?
I wanted to be in control of the story and the art of the project. A lot of industries are only out for money. And yes I want to make money but I´m not a huge production company either. Im not forced to compete with those on that level. My competiton is indie film. And the trend that has grown now in our part of the industry is story being the most important. Because anyone can use an amazing camera now to make a film. But the story needs to be amazing. The shots need to be planned out. The acting needs to be real and raw. Bigger industries have lost the importance of story telling to the dollar and pump out whatever they can to make green. We have time to pick and choose and make things right. And our fanbase comes to us because we do so.
Do you try to film the topics you never would get from other directors as an actor or you wanted to be more free in picking up stories and do something artistic rather than for pure „profit“ reasons?
Both. Having our own production company allows us to create stories that mainstream companies wouldnt touch because it is not connected to popular characters or re-makes. Sometimes I get to choose the character I like to play. But not always. Only if I fit the part. I wont play a role just because I want it. We are careful about casting and try to make the best choices for the story and plot.
Do you intend to help independent talented directors who have interesting stories but little money and no contact for distribution?
This is one of the reasons we started this company. This industry looses out on a lot of talented directors, actors, and films because they dont have the right connections or propper funding. That is why we started our own production company. And we are very proud of the success we have had and even prouder of the production family that has grown with us and supported.
You played in 3 Cameron´s films.Aliens and The Abyss followed successfull Terminator.Did James like you so much that he called you straigth away or you had to go for audition and won it?
Films like those need to have the actors on tape to match the cast and make sure everything need is met for the character of the story.
Tell us please about working for James Cameron, what was he like as a director and human being?
James is a great director and human. We are good friends.
When you are in a bigger scale production you are making movie for company and for money,when it´s lower budget film you are working to make the story come to life for the sake of story
Is it big difference when you play in mega buck budget movie and in low budget one(in working condition, relationship etc)?
Yes. It is very different. You get more options at lunch time. Haha. But also lower budget movies create a closer production-type family. Larger scale film productions most of the time people are in and out of there in one day depending on what they are doing. And there is comradery but not as much as on a lower budget film. Atmosphere is also different. A little more stiff in the air and when interacting with a bigger film. Lower budget films production crew and actors are more real and personable. I think that may come with the weight of the industry being present or not. When you are in a bigger scale production you are making the movie for the company. You are there, its a job, your professional and you get paid. When its a lower budget you are working to make that story come to life for the sake of the story. Everyone is passionately pulling together to make this miracle happen and happen correctly.
What does satisfy you more-acting or directing? Does directing spread your versatility so soon you will be able to act, direct, edit and put yourself behind camera, becoming totally accomplished and free artist?
Directing and Acting to me are not comparable. Nor can I choose one over the other. I fell I need them both equally. And they both provide me different fullfilment in life.
When you played in Grease(we didn´t know that up until last week)and watched yourself in your first film what were your feelings in the cinema,pride or embarassment?
I think a lot of us that were involved with such a classic and historical film didnt know how big it was going to be. But looking back at that time we were all excited for the film. It was really fun and a pleasure to be apart of.
You played many Lieutenants, Corporals-do you incline to military roles more then any others?
I feel like I fit into those roles comfprtably. I am familiar with the military life and I am able to chnanel that. As far as picking those roles over others. There wasnt such a growth in roles for men back when my career started compared to now. There were stereotype roles for leading males. But now that changes and Im enjoying the diversity.
How do you rate sequels?
Terminator 3and 4 and Alien3 and 4 were of very poor quality.
Jennifer Blanc: We need to be open to discovery
Did you set up BB production as two actors and then you got married or you married and then thought „ what if we set up a production company“?
We decided as actors to put our passion for acting and filmmaking together, creating our own production company.
Does the B+B give you an opportunity to play in films which you normally wouldn´t get close to?
Yes and No. Whether in our production or being cast in others Films I get a diversity in my roles. Having our own production company does have its advantages of course. But we only cast for roles that fit. I would never cast myself in a role unless tt was good for the project. In fact I have given up several lead roles to benefit the project. Whether it was bad timing for me to be the part or we wanted to support and provide an opportunity for a deserving actress.
How many staff does your company have and does it operate only in USA?
Currently we opperate in the USA, however we do cast some actors from out of country. We have a fluctuating staff. It varies per film production based on what the film needs are. The main production staff that helps in pre-production and post-production is not very large scalling from 2-4 at different times. This does not need to be huge since the work load is before filming is manageable.
Do you produce projects that are close to your heart,which you like and found interesting and you want to help them made cos they are not box office hits but worth making?Or is it just sniff of box office success?
There are several reasons why we would choose a film to produce. This is an industry so to survive the film needs to make profit for our investors. But we also choose really good stories that would not normally been picked up by mainstream studios.
Do you use only your own scripts or you accept anything from anybody which you find interesting?
We are constantly reading script submissions. There is no reason to refuse a script to read. We need to be open to discovery.
We choose really good stories that would not normally been picked up by mainstream studios
Do you try to build your own crew for all films or you pick up best possible people for specific film?
Each film is different. The directors, producers most often have people they want to hire to work with them. Then we have build up a group of film crew that we like to hire for each film. And then we are always helping someone to enter the film industry and train them. That is another reason we started this company.
Do you have your own method of filming,going your own way and style or you put into use what you both learnt under cooperation with Cameron and De Vito?
We utilize our experince and education to help us create. Everyone has their own style composed of experince and education. And everyones style is unique.
Does the fame of you both help you to get films onto festivals and onto distribution or you are all equal and must fill in same criteria?
No matter who you are, the film industry and festivals have criteria. Yes our names have an advantage, but it is not something we like to abuse. We are very careful to build our reputation as a prodcution company not just based off our names but based off the success of our films and what the films have to offer.
If you have opposite view in some projects and must make decision who is the BOSS with decisive vote- you or your husband?
Partnerships do not have a BOSS. When we have a decision to make or an issue that arises we both know which one at the time is more suited to calling the decision. We always work out decisions like this and respect each other for it.
What do you prefer, acting in film, on TV, producing or directing?
They are all very different. I cant compare or choose. I am fortunate and have the ability to do both. Acting, producing, and directing all bring their own fullfillment to my life.