Ben Santos plays bad boy Billy Boone in Mother's Day. I sent Ben a series of questions about himself, his character in the film, and the production. Here is what he had to say...
What was your first scary movie?
Well, when I was a younger lad my family was down with Jesus. It was kinda out of
hand. I went to Catholic schools and camps and a recurring entity in these types of places was "The Devil," or "Satan" so from a young age I was quite aware of that dufus. They f'd me up so bad with that shit I didn't need movies to scare the shit out of me...Looking back on all of that now I see that my reality as a child ( or lack there of) truly affected my outlook on horror in the cinema...I really didn't enjoy being scared or the idea of being uncomfortable, I was more of a "good time" movie viewer...Due to my rebelious nature, as a child I was always frightened by prison films..."Papillon" with Steve McQueen, "The Shawshank Redemption" and any film depicting people with their freedom being taken did the trick for me....My dad would always say, "if you're a bad boy you're gonna go there..." what a guy! as I grew so did my balls, till today I am a regular badass with little knowledge of the horror world but with an incredible taste that reminds me of the fact that I yearn for more.
Did it really scare you?
Life scared the shit out of me cuz I was little and under the impression that the world revolved around me....but in all reality, I covered my own fears by frightening others and making them wonder if I was to someday be the center of a horror masterpiece. I was really a little prick as a kid.
Were you one of those kids who once you saw a horror film couldn't wait to see
another?
Dude, I hated being scared...I was a teddy bear at heart...I get scared...whatever...I'm not afraid to cry and thats none of your business!
Are you a fan of F13?
At this point I am. I can connect with Jason in many ways. A misunderstood guy
running through the woods and killing people...who wouldn't want to do shit like
that damn! I'd be one of the douche bags though, that gets chopped up while
mounting some trollup, mid thrust. I think Jason needs to get laid and stop
listening to his fuckin mom. I mean, women are sluts, except for our moms.
(just kidding!)
Which Friday the 13th film was your favorite?
If I'm in the mood for death and destruction I know to pop in a F13 movie. I
haven't seen them all so of course I'm gonna say the original. I feel like kind of a poser cuz of this....but I'm fuckin' Billy Boone...I aint got time for movies and books and shit...I bang bitches without rubbers and name babies.
Before getting the part of Boone in Mother's Day had you read any of the Eric Morse Friday the 13th novels?
No, I didn't. I'm actually a big Star Wars reader. I've read a shit ton of those books...I always pictured myself as a Han Solo type...so Billy Boone fits me perfectly.
Though Mother's Day is a Friday the 13th film, the character of Jason Voorhees does not appear in the film. How does this change this story and make it different from the others?
Jason is the king shit...but how bout spreading the love to a lonely hunter who has to get his slash on? I'd love to be possessed by a mask...cuz I'd kill a bunch of sailors and wear their cool hats and say..."The mask made me do it!" in all seriousness though, I think the fact that Jason is not in the film gives this F13 story a breath of fresh air.
Was the lack of Jason a detriment, or an advantage, or did it make any difference?
Lack of Jason worked out cuz the mask was still gettin some play and his bitch
mother was still doin' her thing. I mean, sometimes shit gets played out...I'm
not saying Jason is played out...but the new idea kicked some major camper ass.
What was it about the script for Mother's Day that made you want to take part in this production?
The script of Mother's Day reeled me in firstly because I appreciated how much work
it took to put together. Secondly because the personality of Boone was so close to my own personality. Thirdly, Corey is the man....and Mali is the queen of all that is glorious...so how can I not look good in the picture? I was also excited by the fact that the script gave us a lot of leeway to develope our characters and create believability. In my mind believability in the group was most important.
In regard to your character, Boone, what was it about the character that drew you to take up the part?
Billy Boone is a regular guy much like me who enjoys partying and gettin' down in
the woods. He's a troublemaker who lives on the edge and takes warnings lightly if not at all. i enjoyed the idea that he was the piece that made the disaster happen and his friendship with Carly would eventually change her life forever. Boone has an affect on any situation and is in your face...I respect that.
Is there some aspect of Boone that you see in yourself?
Boone is Ben Santos, but he's not. I'd kick the hunters ass...it'd be all about the KAPOW and he'd be done. One swift kick to the junk and he'd be done!(come on, it's ok if you're losing) I think I'm a little bit sexier then Boone, I would've been gettin' down with Monique and Carly...We would've been doin' a little gang bang in Ben's tent...Boone and Ben love taking shits in the woods....nothin' like findin' a nice tree and leanin' on it in the solitude of the forest. I'm a credible actor though, so when 'action' was called Billy Boone was in full effect.
Was there a certain scene or incident during the production that stands out in your mind?
I remember Corey wanted Boone to take the hunter out and at that time during
filming I was training for football camp. I got very excited when he said I was
going to tackle Derek. I totally BLASTED Derek and he took it like a champ. The
canoe scene was also stood out in my mind...it was so tough to film cuz we were
in CANOES...which wouldn't stay still, that were tipsy, and it was awkward as
hell doin' the scene with Nicole who I had just met like 2 days before...but being the constant professional I am, when we had to get down and dirty and do a little sucky face, I was quick to tip the whole canoe over sending us flying into the murky pond. It was hilarious and it kinda chilled us out and I didn't take myself so seriously after that. I also remember a lot of ad libs I did got a lot of laughs and ruined many a scene. During filming of a scene with Mali and Cory I had to mock Mali's character. I musta been on that day cuz we had to do 30 takes cuz Mali and Corey couldn't stop laughing.
During every production there is usually one person that is the stand out person. Was there anyone on the crew of Mother's Day that you felt was this person?
I remember being in awe of Mali and just trying to hold my own against her vibrant brilliance. I've been in a show w/ her before and she constantly brings her A game. I take breaks, she does not. It's funny though, she seems to bring the best out in me and hopefully our scenes together will say the same. Of course Steven's is the man. without him there would be nothing...my job was easy, show up and act...his was one that required so much...respect!
Do you think that if Mother's Day is a success and the fans show support that there will be more adaptations of Friday the 13th novels in the future?
I think fans will love this film. I do believe that if enough people show interest
the powers that be cannot refuse the people what they want. F13 is not dead, and with the brilliant, innovative filmmakers in the world today I'm excited to see where it will go.
Finally, what would you like to see in the future of Friday the 13th?
I would like to see original ideas that entertain the hell out of people. I would like to see men, women and children joining hands as one to form an inseparable bond that then gets chopped down by Jason's blood lust. I would like to see plump, modern day titties wandering the beaches and woods unsuspectingly encountering Jason's rage. Once again, I would like to see people entertained.