AARON GROBEN TALKS INFERNAL

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

In this film, four friends, two undead and one hellish pig demon race against time and odds alike when having to outsmart a deal made with the devil himself?

I love making and watching horror movies. This was a fun one to delve into as it also has a comedic side.

Director Eric Mathis has said in interviews he really wanted this film to be different and unlike anything else. And it’s undeniably gushing over with creativity. What is it about his creative vision and direction you like?

I have actually worked with Eric four times now. Eric is a great director to work with as he's so collaborative, he sent me two versions of my scripted scenes and then allowed me the opportunity to tell him what I liked best, offer any input, and then finalize a version of my scenes that take the best out of both options. That's just pre-production. Then in the actual production, he allowed me to make choices, give him options in performance, surprise him and the other actors, and come up with something that is a beautiful collaboration between the both of us.

How do you see Chad's part in the film's heavy metal hellscape?

Chad is like a character you go to in a video game that tells you how to proceed. He has the exposition but he is also such a character that it allowed me to give exposition in an intriguing way that the audience can just sit back and go along for the ride, without even realizing they're getting exposition because they're having such a great time getting it. 

This year mark twenty years since your first acting credit as a dancing teen in ‘The Heater’. How did you first start acting?

I wanted to act since I saw the film 'Grease' as a ten year old. I started saving birthday and Christmas money at that age to make the move to L.A upon turning eighteen. Which is exactly what I did. Then I also started getting training and experience and started basing my choices around the idea that at eighteen I would be in L.A doing this for a living. That happened and it is what I have done for a living since I was eighteen but all the details have of course been a surprise. For instance, growing up I'd only seen a couple horror movies and didn't even realize this whole "world of horror" until much later when I started getting horror offers and researching all that had come before.

If someone might recognize you, but are not sure from where, it might also be since you’re the actual guy on the cover of many romance novels. How did you land that picture perfect model-opportunity?

I actually love shooting romance novel covers. I look at it as telling a story in every camera–flash. I started doing those the same way as any other on camera job, submitted to a casting call. I had the look they wanted. And from what I have heard from photographers, my confidence and nature of treating the women well lead me to more cover offers with a handful of different companies.

What kind of a trajectory do you hope to be looking back on when you one day look back on it all?

I always remind myself to enjoy the process and the projects because the schedules can get hectic, the work can get intense, you're shooting one project while prepping the next, or often shooting two films at a time so I want to be able to look back and remember the productions fondly, have treated the people well, plus have put in solid work.

Are there any other recent or upcoming projects you're excited about the audience getting to see?

There's always more projects coming down the pipeline but the one I will highlight, because I shot it simultaneously with 'Infernal', is 'Unexpected Treasures'. It's an sci-fi desert adventure with heart. My character is pretty memorable and eccentric in that one as well, but in a different way. And, of course, you can also always catch me shirtless when you scan through the romance section at your local Barnes and Noble.