Talking Jackhammer With Michael Hanus

What inspired you to choose a career in film/TV; do you have any advice for people who are looking to get into the television and/or film industry?

Well, I started acting late and got lucky with a smaller roles. My job in the real estate business then helped me to make time to create a movie of my own which started this amazing and long Jackhammer the comedy movie experience!!

 

If you work on your own projects at the same time as working for others you are doubling your chances to make it. Strive to create your own path otherwise your destiny lays in someone else’s hands.

-What is the background and setting for the film?

Very 80s, hilarious kaleidoscopic colorful world over the top characters

 

-What can you tell us about your character and what kind of prep did you do for the part?

I actually did a lot of prep for this Jackhammer character and he developed a lot during filming. I took a bit of Robert Downey Juniors character from Tropic Thunder with a bit of Hulk Hogan and a hint of Ben Stiller.

I practiced with a camera rolling and would watch myself trying new reactions and things. I would then expand on those that worked.

-What can you tell us about the filming?

 

Filming took me( us) five years!!!!!! This was done with our own money, love and effort so as we saw that we had something special we put everything we could into it which in turn started attracting other industry professionals to help us. I always knew that a cameo would make a big difference so after Robb Wells did us the huge favor of appearing in our film we then could get a few more since Telefilm Canada

 

-What was working with the cast like and any memorable experiences?

oh there was so many incredibly moments and surreal moments since we are really just a bunch of people wanting to make our own movie and we slowly created this project that had a competing chance in the industry. Our dreams of becoming movie makers was materializing before our eyes although it was happening so slowly and so much work had to be done to make tiny baby steps… But we never stopped and wouldn’t let anything halt our forward movement

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Our team became like family and we worked together to achieve one goal.

 

Waking up the morning of filming with Nicole Sullivan was surreal. I grew up watching here and here I was driving to set to be directing her to act in our little movie. If you are into movie making and the story behind the story then you absolutely

have to watch our team commentary which is available only on jackhammerfilm.com it goes into super detail and shows pictures and pop ups of all of the scene were shot and how they looked before etc.

-If you had carte blanche, what type of role would you like to create for yourself, who would direct, and who would star with you in the project?

 

I basically did this with this movie except I would love to work with my heroes which are Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell and Adam Sandler. I grew up watching these guys and they have a huge impact on everything I do creatively..

-What do you look for from a director to help you give your best performance?

Room to be creative and the ability to show me the exact thing he/she is looking for

 

-Final question, what is the one thing about acting that most people are shocked when you tell them?

How big of a role editing plays in making something good.

-When you’re not filming, what do you like to do?

 

Hanging out with friends and family, work out, travel and love cuddling with my pets and watching movies with yummy but healthy treats!!