“Coming Soon, To A Theater Near You”: Brent Allen Caputo . . .

By Lisa Adamowicz Kless

Pop quiz, Kenosha residents. How are Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Vince Vaughn, and the two television series “Prison Break” and “E.R.” all tied to our fair city? Time’s running out…all right, please put down your pencils! The answer is: through local actor/stuntman Brent Allen Caputo. Brent has worked with all of the above, and then some. He was recently on the set of the upcoming movie “Couple’s Retreat”, starring some big names in film. He’s also worked on a few local projects, and is just as proud of those as he is his other roles. Brent was kind enough to take some time to do a little “Q & A” with me this week. Though I planned for this to be just a short update on what he’s been working on lately, I was so fascinated by the insight he offered into the acting business as well as his unwaveringly positive attitude, that I didn’t edit much out. A full interview with Brent will hopefully happen in the future, but until then, here’s a glimpse into the film industry and another local who’s a part of it.

(Lisa) Can you give us a quick update about “Haunted”, the local film you acted in, that’s in post production right now?

(Brent) I was approached by a writer by the name of Matt Romano (still attending high school at the time) to take the LEAD part in the film he had written. I was hired to play the role of a much bigger bad guy we call Hanson. Hanson is the Prince of Demons and has only one last dirty deed to do to take his throne as the King of Demons. It’s the twists and turns in the film that will have everyone at the edge of their seats, after a fight scene, car accident and….well, we will have to wait until the film is complete to find out. It’s amazing that all of this is wrapped into one short film! That’s the reason I agreed to take the role in the first place. Once filming had started, I was again approached by Matt and was asked to co-produce and co-direct his film, and that road has been a learning process. It created a bond between the community here in the City of Kenosha, New Munster, County of Kenosha, Chicago, Green Bay, Burlington, Arizona and everywhere in between. People respond to this film and ask all the time about its release. It just feels good that so many people are willing to volunteer their time, place, equipment, etc. just to fulfill a dream such as this one. A dream that simply started with a pen and paper, now on its way to the near future viewing by the community (which helped make that possible). Yes, it’s just a short, yes it’s just a student or two with no HD, NO major film experience, but it’s a dream. It started here in Kenosha, and because of the need to show what talent is here, it is now a REALITY.

(Lisa) I agree about supporting the talent we have right here in Kenosha. I have a friend who’s a director and former Kenoshan (Javier C. Rivera), and he started with just a dream and a passion for film too. He’s done some amazing things as he’s progressed in his career though, so it proves that everyone needs to start somewhere, small projects or not. Back to “Haunted”—is there an expected release date?

(Brent) The tentative screening date is set for June 28th, 2009. But I must be honest, if Matt or myself aren’t through with it, we will simply move the date. I am excited, because for the last almost two years now, we’ve been through every challenge possible with producing this film. At one time we had lost the film entirely… another time I was backing up some of the edited version of the film (at this point we were 60% completed with editing) and the electrical in the facility I was in had a huge surge and it zapped out my computer and the backup drive at the same time. So, yeah, I can tell you what a relief THAT was, when we look at the things we have struggled through for this film and to make sure that every effort possible was and is put in to get this film out to the community in which it was made. Everyone that volunteered, I want to thank them ALL. THANK YOU!

(Lisa) I’d like to have you tell everyone reading a little about “Couple’s Retreat” too. Again, how did you get involved in this project?

(Brent) “Couples Retreat” stars Vince Vaughn and Jason Bateman, along with a few other names familiar in the entertainment industry. Much like “Public Enemies” last year, I received a call because I fit the description of what the production needed for a character in the background of a current scene or two. This time around, I was called onset in Chicago for the “arrival scene” at an airport. I was a male passenger standing and waiting for someone to walk out of the airport.

Meanwhile, I was talking to two other extras (aka: passengers) as the stars did their scene around the doorway. I believe there were about 100 plus extras for that scene, and it was said to be the final day of the film and also the final scene in the film. I had a great deal of fun, since it’s been a month or longer since anyone had a break in the weather long enough to film in the area. Besides, it gives the Midwest hope that filming will always be here when you find calls to be onset are happening in the winter months and not on selective spring and summer days.

(Lisa) Some people might think being an extra or a minor character is easy, but you really do need to be quite dedicated and spend a lot of time on set, don’t you?

(Brent) I love this question. I am approached by people every day that say they want to be on tv or in the movies, but when you give them the opportunity, they simply can’t put in the time or effort to actually make THAT call or be there on time. It amazes me how much work it is to simply be what I call “the furniture” in the background. I used to think the same thing until I started getting the calls to be an extra and when I tell you it’s a lot of work, I do mean A LOT. OK—here’s just one day; they call me at 11 p.m. or 1 a.m. (does it really matter?) they say, “Brent, we need you to be a pedestrian. Your call time is 5:30 a.m., it will be at such and such address, and you will need to bring two changes of clothes, not including what you wear”. They don’t ask you if that time is OK nor do they ask you if you’re going to do it–and they will NOT accept you saying “No, I’m sorry, I just fell asleep; the kids kept me up with their coughing etc…etc…”.

I’ve been onset doing background, stand-in work since the first season of Prison Break in 2005, and it’s always a learning experience for me each and every time. I use that particular time to soak in what I see and watch how others act onset between my takes, and I cannot tell you how much of an honor it is to be onset with celebrities that are, in reality, like you with dreams and goals. Granted, they get paid a ton more, but think about it for a minute. I also have dreams and goals, and I’m going to keep plugging away because I firmly feel that while they are onset as celebrities and making films and tv shows, they too will be looking for new faces to work with, and soon, that next call could be this little depressed kid sitting alone in the corner with no friends to invite over to his little apartment in the worst part of town.

It’s about going to set when others that say they are dedicated tend not to go. For example: during fall and winter, I have found that although a major percentage of the extras/background crowd are dedicated, watch and see how dedicated they are when there is rain, snow, any bad weather! I am amazed at how many people don’t show up onset. It’s opportunity knocking for me, in my opinion. So, I take a train, bus, or find a ride with the attitude of “whatever it takes”. The crew will get to know you after a while, and trust me, they remember everyone. If they see you a lot, you’re the first person they think of when they think of dedicated people. Those long days, even as an extra, are so worth it. I’ve been onset from as little as 2 hours to 18-1/2 hours. But you must be available for the entire 24 hours, just in case they run that whole day. You can’t leave early for any reason, because they are paying you to be there, and you agreed that you will keep your day open for just them.

As for the idea that extra roles/background are meaningless jobs or aren’t worth mentioning, try NOT using an extra in your projects and see what the viewers think of your hard work. I simply can’t imagine what films and TV shows would be like if they ever stopped using extras/background in the atmosphere of their projects, could you?

(Lisa) No; that’s a great point! Okay, now, I’ll openly admit it. I’m really envious that you got the chance to be on set with Johnny Depp while working on “Public Enemies”! That experience aside, have you had other “star encounters”?

(Brent) I’ve had plenty of one on one contacts with the “STARS”. I am amazed at how many people freak out and ask me, “Why didn’t you get their autograph?” Here’s my take on that whole thing. Autographs, to me, are for people who aren’t focusing on the whole reason they are onset in the first place. Think about it now; I am onset to gain the experience and knowledge that will be useful for my career. I plan on working alongside the stars, so I just might be happy knowing that I met my goals. Here I am, working alongside of the stars I grew up watching, and dreaming that one day I would be onset with this person or that person.

(Lisa) I love the mentality that you have, that it’s not a must to leave Kenosha in order to start making your goals and dreams a reality. What sort of advice would you have for anyone who would like to get involved in acting or stunt work but thinks that it can’t be done; that Kenosha is too small or can’t support those sorts of goals?

(Brent) It all starts with a dream, and through all the ups and downs, I am still working on my goals, following “MY OWN” dreams and enjoying what I have done so far while I’m in Kenosha, WI. Heck, if I’m going to follow my dreams, there is no reason I can’t do so in the place I was born and raised, right?

(Lisa) I couldn’t agree more. Thanks, Brent!