Standish913.com has been blessed to do an exclusive interview with...
"DOUGLAS TAIT"
Douglas Tait, hailing from Los Angeles, discovered his passion for acting and filmmaking during his high school years, creating short films recorded on VHS tapes. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of collaborating with some of the industry's top directors in both film and television. His filmography includes notable roles in hit studio films such as Jon Favreau's "Zathura", J.J. Abrams "Star Trek," "Land Of The Lost," and the Blumhouse production "Unfriended: Dark Web." Tait's talent has also graced the small screen, where he has had recurring roles on TV series such as "Teen Wolf," "Grimm," "Star Trek: Picard," "The Girl In The Woods," and "Legacies." Notable among his versatile performances are characters like Gruagach in the Hellboy reboot, the Werewolf in James Wan's "Annabelle Comes Home," Jason Voorhees in the climactic ending of "Freddy Vs. Jason," and even the iconic “Sasquatch” in the Jack Links Beef Jerky commercials. In addition to his acting achievements, Tait has recently completed his directorial debut with the film "Angel Baby."
STANDISH: I'm so honored to have this opportunity to interview you, your resume is crazy awesome! Keep up the great work!!!
DOUGLAS: Thank you!
Let's get into some exclusive questions...
STANDISH: Your first horror landing was the "Jason Voorhees" role in the end of "Freddy vs. Jason", tell us what was it like working with Robert Englund, and how it's led to so many different things for you today.
DOUGLAS: Working alongside Robert Englund was an extraordinary experience that I can only describe as surreal. As a lifelong fan of the Nightmare On Elm Street franchise and his iconic character, Freddy Krueger, it was a dream come true. I have pictures as a child where I proudly sported self-applied Freddy Krueger makeup and wielded a Freddy glove crafted by my grandfather.
Being on set with Robert was truly incredible. We had the opportunity to talk about his legendary character and even delve into discussions about Jason Voorhees. Robert expressed his admiration for the Friday The 13th films and told me that it took a decade of effort to bring Freddy Vs. Jason to life.
While Freddy Vs. Jason didn't immediately open doors to a bunch of roles, it did provide me with exposure and helped to get me cast in several independent films. It also helped me establish connections within the industry. It wasn't until many years later, specifically through my appearances in Star Trek and Land Of The Lost, that I began to get cast in more consistent work. Working with Robert Englund on Freddy Vs. Jason remains one of the highlights of my career.
STANDISH: You landed the iconic, "Michael Myers" Stunt Double role in "Halloween Kills", tell us how that felt.
Halloween marked my initiation into the world of horror films and is my all-time favorite horror franchise. As a child, I watched Halloween II on VHS, and instantly was captivated by the Michael Myers character, the haunting soundtrack, and the atmospheric setting of Halloween (my personal favorite holiday).
When Chris Nelson recommended me for the role of young Michael Myers in the Flashback scene of Halloween Kills, I had high hopes but ultimately I wasn’t cast in that role. However, the stunt coordinator called me to be the Michael Myers stunt double for James Jude Courtney, who played The Shape. The moment I slipped into the iconic coveralls and donned the mask, a rush of nostalgic chills went through me, instantly rekindling that nostalgic sensation I experienced as a child while watching the film for the very first time.
STANDISH: You played an awesome "Werewolf" role in "Annabelle Comes Home", how did you land that role? How long did it take to shoot?
DOUGLAS: After attending numerous auditions, I found myself in the running for the role of Swamp Thing in the television series Swamp Thing. Although I didn't ultimately secure the part, the producer associated with James Wan's company, Atomic Monster, assured me that our paths would cross again. True to his word, several months later, I received an unexpected call from the producer, and I was offered the role of the Werewolf in Annabelle Comes Home. The Werewolf character was brought to life with exceptional craftsmanship by Justin Raleigh’s renowned company, “Fractured Fx”.
While the filming for my character in Annabelle Comes Home lasted only a few days, I had the privilege of collaborating with director Gary Dauberman and the renowned James Wan himself.
The opportunity to work alongside such talented individuals was truly remarkable..
This taught me that sometimes, missed opportunities can lead to even greater ones. I am grateful for the chance to be a part of Annabelle Comes Home, and The Conjuring Universe.
STANDISH: Tell us a little about your overall mission, Douglas -
DOUGLAS: My ongoing aspiration is to create films that not only entertain and evoke laughter but also have the potential to inspire individuals.
STANDISH: How does it feel to be such an inspiration in the Horror community?
DOUGLAS: Your kind words are truly appreciated, but I don't perceive myself as an inspiration. Acting and directing films are my genuine passions, and I am grateful for the support of the fans and the incredible horror community that embraces the films I am involved in. Their enthusiasm and dedication are what motivate me to continue pursuing my craft.
STANDISH: What can we look forward to in the future from you?
DOUGLAS: I helmed my debut feature film, which has recently been acquired. As I look ahead, I want to direct more films and I am also involved in multiple projects that will showcase my acting.
STANDISH: Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
DOUGLAS: In five years' time, I envision myself continuing to pursue my passion for filmmaking, striving to excel in my craft even further. Every aspect of the filmmaking process fascinates me, and I love the opportunity to connect with the devoted horror fans of the films and shows I contribute to.
STANDISH: What's it like being in the "Star Trek" legacy?
DOUGLAS: It's truly an incredible. At the age of 19, I had the privilege of appearing in an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Fast forward 10 years, and I found myself portraying the fascinating Long Face Bar Alien in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek. It was during that production that my friend Barney Burman's exceptional makeup work earned him an Academy Award.
Most recently, I had the honor of playing a Tellarite in Star Trek: Picard. Being involved in multiple Star Trek projects has been amazing, allowing me to connect with passionate fans of this beloved franchise. The Sci-Fi community's unwavering support and enthusiasm are truly heartwarming, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this rich universe.
STANDISH: During COVID, we all faced struggles, what was one of your main struggles?
DOUGLAS: Throughout the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, my primary struggle was the absence of film sets and the inability to participate as a guest at horror conventions. With productions halted and conventions brought to a standstill, there seemed to be an eerie silence in my usual busy world. As someone deeply passionate about the art of filmmaking, I began to experience a sense of restlessness.
In an attempt to channel my creativity and combat the monotony of being confined at home, I took to filming skits and commercials, which I then shared on my social media. I came up with this character “Rick The Scare Actor”, which I have been developing more.
STANDISH: Where can fans find your work?
DOUGLAS: I post about it on my social media, or on my IMDb page.
Douglas's social links -
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Thecreatureman
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/actordouglastait
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DouglasTait
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Thanks so much for your time!
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