Howell Parry
(Vampire/Production Assistant)

Where are you from?

A small town called Ebbw Vale, in South Wales, UK. I've lived in Manchester since 1990.

Do you have much acting and/or production (stage or TV) experience? What was your acting debut, and how old were you?

My acting debut was in a primary school Christmas show; I was aged 4, and played a reindeer with a big red nose (I’ve only just realised – I was Rudolf!). I've been in some school plays - once playing the lead role in a school musical "The Christmas Dove and The Woodcutter" (I was the woodcutter), and on another occasion playing a bishop. Also, I played Wishee Washee in an amateur dramatics production of "Aladdin".

Since 1996, I've been acting and helping out behind-the-scenes in various Foiled Productions films.

How did you get involved in Fluffy?

I've been involved with Foiled Productions for a while now, so when Fluffy was mentioned, I was eager to get involved.

Why did you audition for the part of Vampire #1?

I love vampires, so I was keen to play one in this film. I was also looking for an excuse to get some freaky contact lenses and vampire fangs.

Is this your first film, or have you been involved in other films?

No, I've been involved in other Foiled Production films. I acted in "Sheep Man", "Sunday Night Zombies" and "The Jedi Who Loved Me", and I've helped out behind-the-scenes in some of the other films.

Are you a Buffy fan?

No. I've watched it a few times recently though, since being involved in Fluffy, and I'm fast becoming a Buffy fan.

What have you gained from your involvement in Fluffy?

Most of all, I've met a really cool bunch of mega-talented people. I've gained an insight into the audition process and other technical aspects of filming, such as lighting. Working on this film has been tremendous fun! Plus, I’m now addicted to Refreshers and Chupa Chups lollies!

Do you have any claims to fame? (E.g. meeting famous people, appearances on TV / stage etc.)

My biggest claim to fame is that on 8 November 1998, while on holiday in Japan, I met Masaaki Sakai, the actor who played the lead role in the cult 1970s Japanese TV show Monkey. Along with a friend, I met him backstage before his "dinner show", chatted with him, got his autograph and photographs with him, got front row seats at his show, got applauded by the Japanese audience after he told them all we were from England, and went on stage with him during the performance to shake his hand and present him with flowers. It was the maddest and most memorable night of my life!

Any hobbies / obsessions? (Things you enjoy doing)

Hobbies: Travelling, making and watching films, listening to music and going to concerts, learning languages, karaoke, eating out (especially trying out new and exciting exotic foods), photography, and all things Japanese.
Obsessions: Ice cream, Madonna, sheep.

Any amusing acting / production cockups (faux pas) - things going wrong on stage etc.?

When playing the old lady in "The Jedi Who Loved Me" who gets tripped up by Darth McMaul, I rolled up my jeans underneath the long coat I was wearing, and when I fell over, the coat went up, clearly showing that the "old lady" is wearing rolled-up jeans under her coat! Everyone thought this was so funny that we left it in the final film.

Any bizarre talents?

I can wiggle my ears!

Any amusing / mad stories about things you've done, or have happened to you?

In December 1998, I turned up at a Catatonia (popular Welsh band) concert in Manchester carrying a leek (one of the emblems of Wales), but it was confiscated by security - they said I might use it as a weapon!

Any achievements you'd like to mention?

Passing my driving test after 4 attempts.

Any annoying habits? Are there any things that you say a lot?

My most annoying habit is that I snore very loudly. While on holiday in Prague with two friends in 1996, we stayed in a dormitory in a youth hostel. One morning, I woke up, and found that my bed (with me on it) was in the corridor outside the dormitory! Being a heavy sleeper, I hadn't woken up while my bed was carried out of the dormitory.
Also, I fall asleep during films all the time. I've gone to see so many films at the cinema, fallen asleep during them and only seen the opening titles and end credits!
Things I say a lot: "Hmmm", "Right", "Cool", "That's ridiculous".

Favourite films?

Night Of The Demon, The Jungle Book, Life Is Beautiful, Vertigo, 1950s science fiction movies (Forbidden Planet is my favourite), Dougal and the Blue Cat, Salem's Lot, The Muppet Movie, Ed Wood, Tarzan films, and far too many others to mention.

Favourite director(s) + actor(s) + actress(es)?

Directors: Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Henry Burrows, Tim Burton.
Actors: Norman Wisdom, Ewan McGregor, Steve Martin, Keanu Reeves.
Actresses: Jodie Foster, Masako Natsume, Jane Fonda, Drew Barrymore.

If you could meet one person dead or alive, who would it be?

Madonna.

What's your favourite fluffy thing?

Sheep.



Back