It's been a while since I spoke with Richard for FanWorld, so earlier this month, we caught up to talk kids, cons, Kung Fu and more...

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Rain: First off, I just want to say it's been lovely to see so much of you so far this year!

 

Rich: Thanks. Been nice to be out on the road a bit. 

 

Rain: You've now done four post-lockdown cons, in three different countries. How have you found getting back to that world? Is it different than you remembered?

 

Rich: It is only different because it has been so long. For years pre covid, I was used to being on the road, going town to town for cons. That has not been my life since lockdown, so dipping my toe back in that water is new all over again. But the camaraderie with the gang is the same. That part is still a blast.  

 

Rain: The Speight boys came along with you to your first con back, in Vegas, and the fans were thrilled to see them. Is bringing them along just about bringing a better balance between your work and cons, or are the boys actively wanting to be more involved in that world now? Do they appreciate that they're mini-celebrities in the fandom through their podcast cameos?

 

Rich: I’ve been bringing one son at a time to domestic cons for years. It doesn’t always work out with their schedules or mine, but when I could make it work, I did. That turned a normal con into a father/son experience. They love going, and I love having them there. Now they know the people I work with, what I do, etc., so when I say “Billy and I are rehearsing a song,” they can picture Billy, they can picture a green room… It has helped them connect with what I do so that when I’m gone, they understand it better - the ‘where, why, and with whom’ of it all.

 

By luck, it just worked out that I could get all three to Vegas. That was a rare opportunity. It is all about connecting my family to my work and them to me. My heart hurts every time I leave town for a job. If I can combine a convention and family time, everyone wins. They love it, I love it, and my heart feels better (plus The Machete gets a bit of a breather). It’s a massive win/win.







 

 

 

 

Rain:  Obviously a big reason for your extended absence from cons has been your busy directing schedule. With both Walker and Kung Fu, you were brought on to direct episodes while they were in their first season. Compared with Supernatural, which had been running for years, and which you'd guested on, and Lucifer, which was also established, how different a job was stepping up to direct on those shows?  

 

Rich: New is new. “Supernatural” was home, so I was home. On every other show, I’m very much a guest. I liken guest directing to substitute teaching. Someone was there before you doing your job, and someone will step in after you. Lucifer was the first experience for me doing that, which made it the hardest. The other shows have been challenging, but the cast and crews have been so great and welcoming that the experiences have all been positive. 

 

Rain: Kung Fu also brought you back in front of the cameras again, with a guest spot in 204, "Clementine". Were you actively looking for a role you could play, or was it a logistical thing because you were already in Vancouver? Is there any pressure to cast guest stars locally to keep costs down?

 

Rich: My being in that episode was the idea of show runners Christina Kim and Bob “Bobo” Berens. They asked if I wanted to play that character, and I answered with a resounding ‘YES.’ 

 

As far as casting guest star roles, we do try to use Vancouver actors whenever possible. Sure, it keeps costs down, but the fact is that the talent pool in Vancouver is vast, deep, and very talented. 

 

Rain:  Leif's distinctive look proved very popular with fans (especially anyone familiar with the petty thief from your IBM commercial) - was that whole image with the guyliner and black nail polish all on the page?

 

Rich: No, it wasn’t on the page. The nail polish and eyeliner (‘guyliner’ is a funny term) were my ideas. They went well with the sparkly ensemble Angus and team assembled for me and the roadmap for the character that Richard Lowe wrote. Basically, those details seemed to match the character well. 

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Rain:  The character seems like one that could return - would you want to? And if so, would you prefer to direct the episode again, or not?

 

Rich: I doubt Leif will return, but hey, you never know! I’d love him to, so bug Bob Berens on twitter! (@robertberens). I’d love to come back alongside Briana Buckmaster reprising her role as my special lady friend Tam. Finally working with her on screen was a blast. 

 

I’d be happy to direct myself again OR turn the reins over to someone else, like the big cheese producing director Joe Menendez. 

 

Rain: In both "Kung Fu" and "Walker" you've had some really impressive

action scenes. Are they something you particularly enjoy? As an actor-director, do the emotional beats still hit for you when you first read a script, or are you instantly thinking of the logicstical challenges of those more technical scenes?

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Rich: It’s a mixed bag. Technical scenes take a ton of time and attention to achieve, so as soon as I read something like that in the script, I start trying to unravel it in my head. But the emotional beats still resonate the most for me. I love action scenes, but good old fashioned acting scenes are still what get me up in the morning. 

 

Rain: We've just seen your last season 2 episode of "Kung Fu", "Alliance", which is easily the most intense episode of the show thus far. Really impressive stuff. When filming a penultimate (sorry!) episode, how conscious do you have to be of how the season finale plays out? Do you feel any additional pressure or responsibility depending on episode placement?

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Rich: I don’t feel any additional pressure, no.  I put the same effort into every episode I direct. If there are beats I need to be aware of from a previous episode or that will carry into the finale, they let me know and I make sure I connect those moments throughout. Otherwise, each episode is its own movie. 

 

Rain: Going back to "Clementine", the episode also gave us you and Briana Buckmaster on screen together for the first time. At Crossroads, you talked about how casting her gave you one less thing to worry about, because of your level of trust and your confidence in her talent. Since casting her, you've also brought "Stuck in the Middle With You"'s Jerry Trimble in for an episode - are there any other actors from your SPN episodes you'd love to work with again?

 

Rich: It all depends on the role, but if a part comes up and I know someone who can crush it, I am not shy about putting their name forward for that role. Why go searching for it if you’ve already got it and know where it is? I admire talent and like to return to that talent when the opportunity arises. That opportunity doesn’t present itself often, but when it works out, it’s great for them and for me.

 

Rain: Talking “Supernatural” actors brings us neatly to your podcast "Supernatural Then and Now". Season 2 will bring us to your first episode of the show. You once told EW a funny story about the table read for "Tall Tales", where you were hoping to glean the tone of the show, but instead found that the only adjective, verb and adverb used was the show's title! Having watched some early episodes now, how would you define that "Supernatural" tone, and would you have played the role differently had you seen the show beforehand?

 

Rich: The tone as I see it is family vs. monsters sprinkled with funny (even though that’s not really a tone). Look, it’s a dark show. Very dark. But it is also smart and complex. There are so many layers to “Supernatural” which is why it lasted so long and still stands the test of time. And no, I wouldn’t change anything I did. You make choices at the time based on the information you have, and those choices are then frozen in time. 

 

Rain: Something I'm aware of through FanWorld interactions is the number of fans who discovered Supernatural (and you) in lockdown. If you had to recommend a couple of your past projects to new Rich fans - A Dick Jr starter pack, if you will - what would they be? 

 

Is there anything from your resume that you wish had gotten more attention?

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Rich: I would recommend the series “Band of Brothers” (on HBO) and “Kings of Con” (on Amazon Prime). One project I wish had gotten more attention is the first feature I directed (which was as co-director) called “North Beach.” I am proud of that film and love how raw it is. It is also the one and only acting role for Jaci Hays, a.k.a The Machete (and my wife, thanks to that movie). It was on Netflix for a while but was removed long ago. I would love to make the film available again and give it another chance to find an audience. 









Rain: Obviously, SPN Then and Now is just *one* of your podcasts, the other being "Kings of Con". At con appearances this year, you've mentioned that you and Rob are developing another KOC project - a feature film, though Rob mentioned in Chicago that progress has been halted due to your involvement in another project. Is the KOC movie enough of a passion project that you know you'll always come back to it?

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Rich: Rob and I both love that universe and agree that it would be fun to revisit someday. I hope that works out. 

 

Rain: And, I have to ask...any hints you can drop about what you're working on?

 

Rich: In the spirit of not jinxing anything, I am going to hold off on doing that.

 

Rain: I feel like we can't talk movies without touching on one which won kudos from James Gunn and Cher, and ended up on Obama's faves list.  You already knew Potsy Ponciroli and had worked  on his comedy series "Still the King", but I'm curious to know, did anything he'd done previously prepare you for just how accomplished a Western "Old Henry" turned out to be?  Obviously you knew it was a great script and the cast was impressive, but did you have an any inkling  on set that you were a part of something that was going to be so acclaimed?

 

Rich: No, I had no idea. But I also had no reason to doubt that he could create

something wonderful. He’s a great guy who is super upbeat, positive, focused

and talented. He is going to continue to make amazing movies, and I plan to

continue to suck up to him as much as humanly possible so I can weasel my

way into more of them.

 

Rain: At the time I was scribbling down questions, the fandom was losing

its collective cool over Jensen's appearance as Soldier Boy. Knowing you're

a fan of "The Boys", I feel I have to ask if you've seen the episode yet? And,

having stated a desire to appear onthe show, I'm wondering how you would

feel about adding another hamster voice to your repertoire?

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Rich: I have not seen Jensen in “The Boys” yet, but I’m sure he’s fricking

fabulous in it. I love that show and would appear in it in any capacity

(including voicing a rodent), which is why I need to start bombarding

Eric Kripke with exotic gifts and songs of praise. 

Rain:  I think that brings us pretty much up to date, other than it wouldn't be a Fanworld interview if I didn't ask you about music!
You mentioned at Crossroads that you were hoping to get back into the studio to record your second album in the Fall. Anything

else you can tell us about what to expect? And once that's in the can, can we hold out hope for that long overdue Nashville show?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rich: The second “Dick Jr. & The Volunteers” album is still a moving target, but Jason Manns and I are actively discussing. We both want to see it happen, so it will. I’m sure of that. And when it does, we are playing a show in Nashville, and that’s that. 

 

Rain: Thanks for this, as always.

 

Rich: No, thank YOU and everyone who helps you with RSJRFanworld. And  thanks to all the folks who follow what you do with that site. I tip my cap to you all.