David J. Markey has been making films since the age of 11, when he created The Devil’s Exorcist in response to his parents not allowing him to see The Exorcist. Today, the self-instructed filmmaker and musician is promoting his latest critically-acclaimed motion picture, The Reinactors. From We Got Power Films, the documentary poignantly examines the lives of character impersonators and celebrity look-a-likes found on Hollywood Boulevard.

For Armstrong Interviews, David J. Markey was recently kind enough to participate in an e-mail interview. In the Q&A exchange, he elaborated on his motivation for directing and producing The Reinactors. Markey likewise provided his thoughts on the current state of culture in America.

*Click interview’s images to view larger versions.

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Josh E. Armstrong: When did you realize you wanted a career in entertainment?

David J. Markey: In 1974. At 11 years old when I made my first film, The Devil’s Exorcist, on my father’s 8mm Brownie. I was upset that my parents wouldn’t let me see The Exorcist so I made my own version.

JA: As a director, what criteria do you use when choosing your next project?

DM: It usually comes to me as an epiphany. Occasionally it has even come in dreams. Historically I’d say I have to be really infected by something before I can make a film.

JA: What motivated you to make The Reinactors?

DM: I liked the idea that recognizable characters from films and celebrity look-a-likes were being portrayed by anyone that has the nerve to show up at Hollywood & Highland and simply do it. I sensed a sort of unconscious usurping of Hollywood, by a large, colorful group of characters from many different walks of life. That said, it was a local news broadcast that first brought these people to my attention, and that would have been Freddy Krueger’s first arrest, for a supposed (but later proven false) stabbing.

JA: Is it true The Reinactors was originally planned as a short film? Why did you later decide to make it a full-length feature?

DM: When I began shooting this in June of 2006 I thought I was going to make a short film. It was only after spending time there and meeting and interviewing the characters that I realized I had a lot more than I would have ever bargained for. Much of this had to do with meeting this Hollywood Boulevard Freddy Kruger (Gerard Christian Zacher), who also plays a myriad of characters from James Dean to Luke Skywalker. I thought there was so much going on there, and it hit on so many different levels. I was fascinated, and I had to get to the bottom of it.

JA: How did you choose which reenactors to follow?

DM: I was very zen about the process. For the most part I knew right away (from the first impression) whether or not I was going to be talking with them. There was an exception to this, however, and that would be with the Batman (Maxwell Allen), one of my last interviewees, after spending the better part of a year there. But much of that had to do with what Superman (Christopher Dennis) was saying about him. I later learned this was stemming from their rocky former friendship and competitive nature.

JA: With the film’s title, you intentionally misspelled the word ‘reenactors.’ How has that been received by audiences? Do they usually see the combination of the words ‘reincarnated’ and ‘actors’? Or do they think you accidentally misspelled the word?

DM: It was intentional, mostly because I think the phonetic spelling just looks better, and yes, there is the reincarnation thing as well. I don’t think many have picked up on this.

JA: You have referred to The Reinactors as ‘a profound statement on where we are at culturally in America at the moment.’ Could you please elaborate on what you feel that ’statement’ is?

DM: I believe celebrity culture is the new religion of choice for many. American culture is evolving, perhaps devolving, and thanks to reality television and the internet, anyone can be a star. This turns the standard issue Hollywood Dream, which many of these people come here seeking, on it’s side. Because suddenly these street characters are getting on television, and in the media (albeit with sensational and unflattering stories). They are being used and exploited, but that’s what most of them want. I also saw the irony in the small-time drama being played out on the Walk of Fame by these people as perfectly aping the larger celebrity landscape / industry.

JA: What were the most challenging aspects of making The Reinactors?

DM: Getting deeper with these characters, many of whom didn’t have a permanent home or steady income. I realized I had to endure them to an audience, but I wanted to portray these people honestly as they were. I didn’t want to exploit them as the local media has, but likewise I didn’t want to pander to them. Some are as narcissistic as real working Hollywood actors. It was a little difficult finding the balance, but I worked with a great editor, Antony Berrios.

JA: How long did you follow the reenactors, and why did you choose that length of time? For instance, why not a shorter or longer period of time?

DM: There would always be more instances, drama, and arrests, as the scene there was definitely growing. Each week new characters would appear. I joked I could have stayed there indefinitely and turned it into a reality TV series, but at some point I knew I had to back away, slowly.

JA: As the reenactors revealed information about their personal lives, how did you decide what to include in the documentary? Were you ever hesitant that a reenactor had revealed too much about himself or herself?

DM: I was taken back by their collective forthcomings, and I appreciated their honesty. I know many of them were making it up as they went along, but that’s what really endured them to me. I even thought some of them were brilliant. I realized many of these people come from abused childhoods and hard lives. But I also realized beneath the make-up, cheap costumes and ego, these were people just like anyone else in this town, or better yet, nation.

JA: How did The Reinactors find distribution through We Got Power Films?

DM: We Got Power Films is my own company. I am presently discussing distribution options. The film has played seven international film festivals so far, and has done very well.

JA: What are your DVD plans for The Reinactors?

DM: Holding out at the moment.

JA: What is next for you as a filmmaker?

DM: I am adapting a bio I wrote a few years ago when I suddenly discovered I was adopted. It’s an ambitious project. Whether or not I end up directing it or not remains to be seen.

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The Reinactors will be shown at the New York United Film Festival on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. For more information on the film, please visit its official website at TheReinactors.com.

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