INTERVIEWS > DANIEL FRANZESE
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September 17, 2006
Daniel Franzese is best known for his role as Damian in Mean Girls. But before that he was in his first commercial at age 11 and participated in school plays. He later attended Florida School of the Arts majoring in Musical Theatre and then earned himself a Carbonell nomination as 'Best Supporting Actor' in a musical for "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn." He landed his first feature film in 2001's Bully and he's currently filming Killer Pad a comedy set in the horror genre. This month Daniel appears in an episode of C.S.I, so look out for that on October 12! |
Johnny: You were great in "Mean Girls"! What made you want to do this movie? And how did you get the part?
Daniel Franzese: I think it was always part of my great plan.. slash..dreams as a kid to be on "Saturday Night Live." When I heard Tina Fey had written a movie it was really all I needed to hear to want to be a part of it. I was so excited just to recieve the script that when I read it I laughed so hard. I never laugh out loud when I read, so I guess that was a good sign. I met with Tina and the director Mark Waters at the casting director's Susn Shopmakers office. Susan cast me in "Party Monster" so I knew her pretty well and felt comfotable. Three months later I was flown out to LA to meet the cast and do the table reading but didnt have the part yet which was insnae for me and stressful. A few days after my reading they called and told me the part was mine. I was thrilled and I left for Toronto about 5 days later to film
Johnny: How was working with your co-star Lizzy Caplan (Janis Ian)? Both of you had great chemistry and it seemed you two knew each other pretty well.
Daniel Franzese: Lizzy and I met on this movie, but to this day we are extremly close. During filming we hung out every single night after work and now it isn't that much different. I live in LA now and looked for an apartment based on how close it was to her and we just finished taking a vacation in New York City with a bunch of other friends together. Also, I have been to just about every live taping of her hilarious new show "The Class."
Johnny: How was it like working with Tina Fey on set, and did you learn anything from her?
Daniel Franzese: I had alot of fun with Tina and with Amy Poeler as well. We made each other laugh alot and they are great people. Since I had seen every single episode of "Saturday Night Live" I had alot of questions. Tina limited me to one a day.
Johnny: "Mean Girls" was a huge success! Did you think it > would go that big?
Daniel Franzese: I knew it would do well because my mom bought about 300,000 copies of the dvd. that's like half kidding. Honestly, I still can't really wrap my mind around it. When I do a movie, I know people see it and love it. And I know that's what I am trying accomplish, but everyone has seen this film. I get stopped everyday and probably will for a long time. It was freaky at first! I embrace it now.
Johnny: Have you gotten other opportunities with the success of Mean Girls?
Daniel Franzese: I think every movie opens doors..im proud of the work i did in mean girls
Johnny: What projects are you currently working on? Can you describe the story of the movie and your character?
Daniel Franzese: I am producing a horror film called "Fear Clinic" right now. The story is about an insnae doctor that tries to help teens conquer their fears, but he forces them to face them.
Johnny: You have a future project tiled "Killer Pad." Can you tell me about that?
Daniel Franzese: "Killer Pad" is a comedy set in the horror genre about 3 guys from the midwest who move out to Hollywood into a big house to get laid and party only to find out the house is a gateway to hell. I like to describe "Killer Pad" as "The Money Pit meets "Ghostbusters" in the "Dude Wheres My Car" world, so basically get your bongs ready! This is my most favorite movie I think I ever worked on. Eric Jungmann and Shane Mccrae are not only great guys, but are so much fun to work with. The director Robert Englund has such a great eye for comedy which I didnt expect before I met him, but now its obvious. I mean even Freddy Kruger which he created was hilarious. The prodcuers Wayne Rice ,Avi Chesed and Leor Ramm are all my friends now. we laughed so hard making this movie as I hope theres a part 2.
Johnny: How do you prepare for auditions? Is there a strategy that you do in order to get a part?
Daniel Franzese: Oh man, I hate auditioning! I am the kind of actor that loves to research and get into the role as closely as possible. I just don't think auditions give you that right amount of time. I do pray before every audition. I find that to help.
Johnny: If you were to play a Hollywood legend, who would you portray and why?
Daniel Franzese: Great Question. I would love to play Jackie Gleason one day. He had a huge part in making me want to be an actor. The way he made my dad laugh. I was like, "I want to do that!."
Johnny: What would be your idea role in a movie that you'd like to be in? why?
Daniel Franzese: I have a bunch of ideas. My dreams so far have been coming true so lets just say hold off on this one and you'll see.
Johnny: You've done Television as well. Do you like it? How's it different from film?
Daniel Franzese: I'ts totally different!! I admire people who do TV well. Im still figuring it all out. I would love to be on "The Class" to work with Lizzy again, who knows! you might see me pop up on there one day. I just did "CSI" and I am on the same episode as Kevin Federline
Johnny: What's been the most challenging thing for you in your career?
Daniel Franzese: For a creative industry alot of the people running it don't have open minds. It seems everytime I finish a movie I get offers for the same type of character. I like looking, sounding and acting different in every film I make.
Johnny: Are there any last words you'd like to say to your fans?
Daniel Franzese: I love when people write things about me online, or send me letters, or just let me know what they are liking about my work and not liking. I care about you guys! that why I do what i do. Oh and my last name is pronounced FRAN-say-SEE. That should help as I get alot of people yelling weird stuff at me on the street
Johnny: Thank you, Daniel! It was a pleasure interviewing you!
Daniel Franzese: Thanks Johnny! I hope these were helpful!
Daniel Franzese: I think it was always part of my great plan.. slash..dreams as a kid to be on "Saturday Night Live." When I heard Tina Fey had written a movie it was really all I needed to hear to want to be a part of it. I was so excited just to recieve the script that when I read it I laughed so hard. I never laugh out loud when I read, so I guess that was a good sign. I met with Tina and the director Mark Waters at the casting director's Susn Shopmakers office. Susan cast me in "Party Monster" so I knew her pretty well and felt comfotable. Three months later I was flown out to LA to meet the cast and do the table reading but didnt have the part yet which was insnae for me and stressful. A few days after my reading they called and told me the part was mine. I was thrilled and I left for Toronto about 5 days later to film
Johnny: How was working with your co-star Lizzy Caplan (Janis Ian)? Both of you had great chemistry and it seemed you two knew each other pretty well.
Daniel Franzese: Lizzy and I met on this movie, but to this day we are extremly close. During filming we hung out every single night after work and now it isn't that much different. I live in LA now and looked for an apartment based on how close it was to her and we just finished taking a vacation in New York City with a bunch of other friends together. Also, I have been to just about every live taping of her hilarious new show "The Class."
Johnny: How was it like working with Tina Fey on set, and did you learn anything from her?
Daniel Franzese: I had alot of fun with Tina and with Amy Poeler as well. We made each other laugh alot and they are great people. Since I had seen every single episode of "Saturday Night Live" I had alot of questions. Tina limited me to one a day.
Johnny: "Mean Girls" was a huge success! Did you think it > would go that big?
Daniel Franzese: I knew it would do well because my mom bought about 300,000 copies of the dvd. that's like half kidding. Honestly, I still can't really wrap my mind around it. When I do a movie, I know people see it and love it. And I know that's what I am trying accomplish, but everyone has seen this film. I get stopped everyday and probably will for a long time. It was freaky at first! I embrace it now.
Johnny: Have you gotten other opportunities with the success of Mean Girls?
Daniel Franzese: I think every movie opens doors..im proud of the work i did in mean girls
Johnny: What projects are you currently working on? Can you describe the story of the movie and your character?
Daniel Franzese: I am producing a horror film called "Fear Clinic" right now. The story is about an insnae doctor that tries to help teens conquer their fears, but he forces them to face them.
Johnny: You have a future project tiled "Killer Pad." Can you tell me about that?
Daniel Franzese: "Killer Pad" is a comedy set in the horror genre about 3 guys from the midwest who move out to Hollywood into a big house to get laid and party only to find out the house is a gateway to hell. I like to describe "Killer Pad" as "The Money Pit meets "Ghostbusters" in the "Dude Wheres My Car" world, so basically get your bongs ready! This is my most favorite movie I think I ever worked on. Eric Jungmann and Shane Mccrae are not only great guys, but are so much fun to work with. The director Robert Englund has such a great eye for comedy which I didnt expect before I met him, but now its obvious. I mean even Freddy Kruger which he created was hilarious. The prodcuers Wayne Rice ,Avi Chesed and Leor Ramm are all my friends now. we laughed so hard making this movie as I hope theres a part 2.
Johnny: How do you prepare for auditions? Is there a strategy that you do in order to get a part?
Daniel Franzese: Oh man, I hate auditioning! I am the kind of actor that loves to research and get into the role as closely as possible. I just don't think auditions give you that right amount of time. I do pray before every audition. I find that to help.
Johnny: If you were to play a Hollywood legend, who would you portray and why?
Daniel Franzese: Great Question. I would love to play Jackie Gleason one day. He had a huge part in making me want to be an actor. The way he made my dad laugh. I was like, "I want to do that!."
Johnny: What would be your idea role in a movie that you'd like to be in? why?
Daniel Franzese: I have a bunch of ideas. My dreams so far have been coming true so lets just say hold off on this one and you'll see.
Johnny: You've done Television as well. Do you like it? How's it different from film?
Daniel Franzese: I'ts totally different!! I admire people who do TV well. Im still figuring it all out. I would love to be on "The Class" to work with Lizzy again, who knows! you might see me pop up on there one day. I just did "CSI" and I am on the same episode as Kevin Federline
Johnny: What's been the most challenging thing for you in your career?
Daniel Franzese: For a creative industry alot of the people running it don't have open minds. It seems everytime I finish a movie I get offers for the same type of character. I like looking, sounding and acting different in every film I make.
Johnny: Are there any last words you'd like to say to your fans?
Daniel Franzese: I love when people write things about me online, or send me letters, or just let me know what they are liking about my work and not liking. I care about you guys! that why I do what i do. Oh and my last name is pronounced FRAN-say-SEE. That should help as I get alot of people yelling weird stuff at me on the street
Johnny: Thank you, Daniel! It was a pleasure interviewing you!
Daniel Franzese: Thanks Johnny! I hope these were helpful!