January 5, 2005

You may remember Lance Warlock as the “boom box boy” in Halloween 2; who for a few seconds, comes face to face with Michael Myers. But the Michael in question was none other then his father, Dick Warlock. We spoke to Lance about his experiences on Halloween 2, hanging out with his father on various sets and his musical career; which has led him to scoring. Read on & learn more. – by Robg. 1/05

What are your earliest recollections of the horror genre? Were you always a fan?

Probably when my dad went down in the cage in “Jaws”. I was able to go see the shark on a day that they weren’t shooting. Talk about cool! I was like 7 years old. At that point for me, that was the closest thing to a horror film that I had seen. After that, I was hooked! Even now I like to see what new things that horror films are doing. There are some very cool new ones that have come out lately.

Your role of the ‘boom box boy’ was a quick addition to Halloween 2 during the extra days of shooting with John Carpenter, correct?

Correct. My dad got a call saying that John was coming in to do 3 days of additional shooting and did I want to go. Well the answer was obvious! I always went to work with him whenever it was an option. Little did I know that from then on, he always got me work. That was the starting point.

Did you have any idea how this particular scene would play in the film before hand?

No clue. All we had were 3 pages written out of the scene that was to be filmed. I remember that John didn’t even know who would play the “boom box boy”. It was my dad asking him if I could do it. John said “sure”! That was all I knew. Thank you John!

You were 12 at the time. Did you have any urges to pursue acting as a potential career? Or did you just enjoy hanging on the set with your father?

Both. I always had great experiences on the set with him. I worked on different films every summer for about 4 – 5 years. But then music came into play for me and I started getting more involved in drumming. I did the “band thing” for years! That was the direction that I really wanted to go into. Now it has come full circle and I’ve been getting into scoring films and other projects.

What were your initial reactions to seeing Halloween 2 on the big screen? Is it less scary when the main villain is your father?

It was a blast to see it on the big screen! Especially my part. That cowboy hat and boom box seemed huge! It was more fun to know that it was my dad chasing Jamie Lee and everybody else around with a scalpel! It’s an interesting concept, and now it’s my kids saying, “That’s just my Grandpa”!

What’s your favorite scene from Halloween 2?

I dug the part where dad gets blown up at the end and comes out on fire. He did a lot of very cool things in that film. My brother Billy also has a small part in one scene. It was kind of a family affair!

Halloween 3 is, in our opinion, an overlooked and underrated film. What’s your take on it?

I have to say that I’m biased. I liked it. Not only is dad in that one as well, (the assassin) but I doubled one of the grey suits at the beginning of the film. I understand why some of the fans don’t care for it, but if you take it as a separate film, I think it’s cool. More cool music from John Carpenter and Alan Howarth.

Your father was Kurt Russell’s stuntman for many many years, and you used to hang on the set a lot with your dad. Got any good Kurt Russell stories? We love that guy.

Bummer is, I was very young during the Disney days with Kurt. I have heard stories from my mom and dad about Kurt hanging out with me, but Kurt was 19 when my dad starting doubling him. I wish that as I got older, I could have hung with him, I’m with you guys, Kurt’s a great guy!

You’re listed on some movie sites as doing a few uncredited stunts. Did you ever consider following a career in stunt work?

Yes. Again because I would see things from my dad, and being on the set, seeing how things are done. The whole process of making a film is very interesting and very involved. Most of the people that we as viewers don’t see, work their butts off! It’s a very cool thing to see how it all works. Plus I thought it would be fun to take after what my dad had started! But then the music took over!

It’s movie magic to us, the viewer, when we see stunts performed. Was it ever stressful having a dad whose work centered around sometimes dangerous stunts?

It was, but I was very used to it. I grew up around it. I never knew what he would come home saying that he did that day. Then when I went to the set and saw for myself, it was just way too cool! He was always very careful in every stunt that he did or set up. He really knows his craft!

You know the ins and outs of stunt work–when you were on sets were there any other aspects of the productions you remember being fascinated with as a kid?

Not so much. I just hung out with everybody and they were always cool to me. I remember liking the attitudes of the crew. Besides working very hard, they all seem to have a lot of fun. I was always able to look through the cameras at the different shoots, and have some special privileges that any young guy would dig!

Have you kept up with the Halloween films as a fan?

I have.

Which ones are among your favorites and how do you personally feel about the direction certain entries have taken?

Halloween Resurrection I thought was the most innovative with bringing the Internet into play. Plus Brad Loree was a great Michael! He’s a great guy! The others I didn’t care for as much.

You’ve mentioned your interests in music, especially scoring. Can you tell us a bit about your background in music, any bands you’ve played with, or any scores that you’ve been working on?

I have been playing drums since I was 4. I did the “band thing” for years performing, touring, and recording. But that got tough when I wanted to start my family with my wife of 20 years! I have always had a strong interest in film music. It is such a strong part of a film that sometimes is so silent that some people miss it, but you always feel it! We have been working on some very interesting projects lately. The newest thing is a science fiction short film that we wrote and produced ourselves called, “The Radio Mechanics”. We also wrote the score. I have a small part as an escaped mental patient. Check out the trailer at www.radiomechanics.com.

Will do. What can you tell us about the production company you own?

It is called Unit 12 Productions. We specialize in musical scores. We are always looking for different projects to work on. We also keep an open eye for feature films to produce. Our website will be up soon at www.unit12productions.com until then we can be reached at unit12@charter.net.

You took part in the 25th anniversary convention for Halloween in Pasadena in 2003. What was that experience like from your perspective? Surreal?

A total blast! I had the best time meeting all the fans that really follow the series. They are incredible! I would love to do more conventions if it is at all possible. I met and have stayed in contact with several great people. One of my very good friends is Paul Swearingen who was one the convention coordinators. I have even gone back to LA to see him. We have decided to join forces on some upcoming projects!

Are one of those upcoming projects going to be ‘The Second Line’?

I’d love to be involved!

Can you tell us so far what your involvement might be?

It would be doing the score. When the script was in early development by Paul Swearingen, we wrote a main title theme that he gave his input of what he wanted. As it has gone into the hands of Moves Productions, we have expressed interest in doing the feature. It’s really becomes out of our hands, but we’d love to!

Anything else you’d like to share with the Icons Of Fright audience?

I just want to thank you for your interest in what I have done and am currently doing! Your support is much appreciated! If there are any fans that would like to contact me directly, feel free at, lancewarlock@charter.net. Take Care.

Thanks Lance!