Q: Tell me a little bit about your background and acting/film experience.
A: Well, I grew up in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, fairly close to Pittsburgh. I did my undergraduate work at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, and came out with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. After that, I got my Masters Degree in Business from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and began working in the chemical field. I spent some time working for US Steel and Air Products and Chemicals. After awhile, I got into the banking industry, spending 21 years at Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh in operations research, bank operating services and mutual funds. I also worked for MNC Financial in Baltimore and Nations Bank (which became Bank of America), which brought me to Charlotte around 1994. I retired four years ago from a Senior Vice President position after working in mutual funds and then divestitures for Bank of America.

Q: Wow, that’s a really extensive career background! So do you have any experience working in theatre or acting for the camera?
A: Oh, only in the past four years, since I retired. My wife, Bonnie, is an actor. She has over 30 film and TV credits in films like Big Fish (the teller in the bank robbery scene), The Punisher (as the Punisher’s mother), Sleeping With The Enemy, Patch Adams and Rules of Engagement. When I retired she suggested that I come along on some auditions with her. At that point I took a couple of acting classes through JTA, my agent in Charlotte, and began going along with her on some auditions. I’ve done a couple of commercials and industrials but none of the big features she’s done. She normally does one or two major films a year, which leaves time for us to keep busy with independent and student films, which we enjoy doing together. We particularly enjoy mom and dad or grandparent roles.

Q: That’s really great. Now, how did you end up getting involved with the making of The Legacy?
A: Actually, Dr. Lawrence and I have a mutual friend, Hannah Dennis, who was a student of Dr. Lawrence at Pfeiffer University. She called me one day and just said “Ted, Dr. Lawrence needs someone to do a role in one of his movies that I think you might be suited for!” So I sent Dr. Lawrence a headshot, spoke with him on the phone and went down to Gardner-Webb that weekend to shoot the scenes, and that was that.

Q: How much time did it take to film your scenes, and how much screen-time do you have?
A: It only took a Saturday and a Sunday to get my part filmed. As far as on-screen time goes, my role (playing Dr. J.C. Banter) occurs towards the end of the movie. I would say I’m on-screen in several scenes during the last 20 minutes or so.

Q: Even though you were only involved in shooting for a weekend, did you get to spend some time with the other cast members?
A: Oh yes, Jim took all of us out for lunch that Saturday so we could get to know each other a little bit more. I worked mostly with Katie OíNeill and Mark Houser, but I did get to know some of the actors and the crew. We all had a great time.

Q: How was the overall experience for you?
A: My understanding is that the film was based on an idea that Dr. Lawrence and one of his students had last year and I thought it was a really great script. The efficiency with which Jim worked in producing and filming it was incredible, considering that for the most part, he only had himself as cameraman, a sound person, and a grip or two. The whole process, including the editing and special effects, was done very quickly. I’ve worked on films with bigger and more experienced crews, and things haven’t run as smoothly as they did with this group of people.

Q: What, for you, was the best part about making this film?
A: This is one of the biggest roles I’ve had. It’s always exciting to see your name in the up front credits, you know. Plus, I really enjoy acting for the camera. My wife and I both have done some stage plays, but working in front of a camera and making movies, especially for students and independent film companies, is a great way for us to spend our retirement.