Brandon Van Vliet
He played in Sean A. Skinner‘s Dollar Baby Rest Area as Lee.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Brandon Van Vliet: My name is Brandon Van Vliet. I’ve been producing and acting in independent films since 2004. I started a indie film label/production Company called Restraining Hollywood years ago that has consumed most of my life. I moved to L.A. new years eve 2014 and have been working in film/TV here ever since but I do love to come back to Minnesota to work on projects.
SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actor?
Brandon Van Vliet: When I was like 7 years old watching ‘Saturday Night’ live with my parents and that old show ‘Taxi’. I love Andy Kaufman and Danny DeVito.
SKSM: How did you become involved in Rest Area Dollar Baby film?
Brandon Van Vliet: I’ve been working with Sean Skinner on projects since 2013. He asked me nicely and I couldn’t say no.
SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?
Brandon Van Vliet: It’s dark, mysterious and capitvating. Who doesn’t like that sorta stuff?
SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?
Brandon Van Vliet: No, I didn’t have to audition.
SKSM: You worked with Sean A. Skinner on this film, how was that?
Brandon Van Vliet: It was just like any other time working with Sean. Fun!
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Brandon Van Vliet: Shooting in a public rest stop during working hours was pretty funny but having actor Jimmy Keebs on set with us made it special.
SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?
Brandon Van Vliet: Sure. Sean, Jimmy Keebs an actor and Briana Lee Rose the AD.
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
Brandon Van Vliet: A film I starred in and produced called ‘Play Dirty’ just got picked up for distribution. I’m the music supervisor and busy finding songs for scenes for a film I co-produced and co-starred in called ‘Rise Against The Fall’. I was a production manager for a horror thriller feature film we made in Minnesota called ‘The Dawn’. I have a couple auditions for some bigger roles in feature films coming up and the crew I made ‘Play Dirty’ with are shooting another film this August in Minnesota when I’m back there from L.A.
SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?
Brandon Van Vliet: Of course. I saw Creepshow and The Shining at a tender age and have been a fan ever since.
SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Brandon Van Vliet: I look dirty but I’m very neat, clean and organized.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Brandon Van Vliet: Thanks for taking an interest in our Project.
SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?
Brandon Van Vliet: Not much. Just wanted to thank you for the interview and working with independent films artists. It means a lot to us.
