Mark Arnold is a prolific actor who has worked in Film and TV for over four decades. His latest role is in the new horror comedy WEREWOLF SANTA, which has its’ World Premiere at the London Frightfest over the August Bank Holiday weekend (23rd – 28th August, 2023).
Film And TV Now had the pleasure of speaking with Mark about his career.
Tell us about your role in WEREWOLF SANTA.
To protect and serve.
One of your most famous roles was in the cult classic TEEN WOLF. What were the key memories of working on that film and what was it like to work with Michael J. Fox?
He was terrific and lovely to work with. Michael was actually there for my audition and read with me.
I don’t think I’ve had that happen since. He was already a big star from Family Ties (two Emmys)and was doing the film on his hiatus. One day on the set, he said, “I can see the trades now: “Fox is dog as wolf.”
During our shoot, Eric Stoltz was let go from BACK TO THE FUTURE and in the last week of the shoot, Michael was shooting both films, sleeping in the limo en route to set. Jerry Levine (Styles) and I had been classmates at Boston University, which made it more comfortable and fun.
You appeared in a couple of the TRANCERS films. What was it like to work on those?
Yikes! You’ve done your homework! I’m very impressed.
We shot in Romania, in and around Bucharest and Brashov. It was quite fun for all of us. We shot two films in a month. Straight to video for the infamous Full Moon Entertainment. Romania had recently come out of life under Communism, so it was a bit rough and tumble.
About thirteen years ago, I reconnected with a person who’d been a translator on the shoot. And we’ve now been married for twelve years in London. I’m a lucky man.
When you are selecting projects, what do you look for as key to accepting a particular role?
I don’t really have a criteria. I’m a working actor, pretty much doing whatever I can.
I’m not a big star, so you go where the work is and hopefully it turns out well, have a good time, and meet some lovely people along the way, like Anthony and the people he brought together. We’re in touch.
Do you prefer working in TV to film or do both medium feed into your experience?
Like I said earlier, I go where the work is. Each project provides its’ own challenges. I have worked in pretty much every medium. I prefer features. That’s how I got hooked into becoming an actor. Watching double and triple features in my local cinema as a teenager. But long form story telling like Netflix can be as or more rewarding.
You appeared in over 400 episodes of the series THE EDGE OF NIGHT. What were the key things you learned from your experience on that show that helped you evolve as an actor?
That many? I learned a lot. Doing soaps is about memorisation and time management. EDGE OF NIGHT was a half-hour, but they were the last show to try to shoot like in the old days of live TV. They had the sets and when you were ending the scene, the cameras started to break away and move to the next scene. I remember one director who was rehearsing us, and told me to say my line and move downstage. I said “What’s my motivation?”. He said, “Your paycheck”.
Do you have ambitions to do more producing and directing?
I’m working with a couple of people trying to get some projects off the ground.
Do you have any dream projects you would like to still realise?
I don’t think I have a dream project, per se, but I want to work with good people who I like an enjoy. But there are some things bubbling.
What genres do you enjoy working in and watching the most?
I like SciFi a lot. Doing Blade Runner 2049 was awesome. When I walked into the stage, before I saw anything, it just felt like Blade Runner. But I think it is more about storytelling for me, rather than genre.
Who and what are your key cinematic influences?
Seeing A Clockwork Orange in the theatre when it was released transported me. That’s when I knew I had to be an actor. And 2001: A Space Odyssey. Kubrick.
How do you see AI affecting the acting business?
Good question. Very dangerous for background talent. One of the things that makes an actor give a great one is the emotional life they bring to the performance.
The unpredictable approach. AI is a threat, don’t know if it will ultimately overtake us. But the genie is out of the bottle.
What do you do to relax in terms of non-acting hobbies and interests?
My wife and love to travel. She’s also a foodie, so restaurants. Art galleries. I love music, so l’ve collected all my life. Love my iPod!
WEREWOLF SANTA is premiering at Frightfest. How important are film festival in terms of promoting a film and bringing it to the fans?
Things like FrightFest are hugely important. Film is a group experience. It’s community. Just as sport is. It’s one thing to watch in the privacy of your own home, but another to experience it with your tribe. Celebrate with your tribe.
Finally, what are you most proud of about your career?
I’m still working. And there have been some projects where it all came together an it became magical and moving.
WEREWOLF SANTA has its’ World Premiere at the London Frightfest 2023 between 23rd and 28th August 2023.
For further information, please go to: https://www.frightfest.co.uk/
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