Fellow Pittsburgher George
Kosana is most well known for his role as Sheriff McClelland
in Night of the Living Dead. He was also production manager
for Night of the Living Dead, along with acting in a few other
local made movies. Besides being an actor/ production manager
George is also an award winning Still Photographer & Writer!
He recently joined the convention scene and is funny and a joy
to talk to! Be sure to stop by his table the next time he's in
your town!
1. What was
your favorite thing to dress up as for Halloween in childhood?
UNCLE SAM
#2 What is
your favorite horror movie and why?
Fraulien
Doktor (unedited version). It is totally within the
boundaries, and realm, of believability. While not a true
horror film, it is a disturbing study of evil.
#3 Who are
your favorite horror movie actors/actresses?
There are
quite a few, so I first catalog them by era and film. Each
considered is worthy of that distinction.
#4 Is there
any particular monster that fascinates you?
Lon
Chaney’s,The Wolfman. Witnessing the transformation under a
full moon from a normal human into the wolf-like creature. I
still find the make-up changes fascinating to watch.
#5 What is
your favorite movie you have acted in & why?
The Stanford
Robinson production of The Devil and Sam Silverstein. I play a
condemned prisoner awaiting execution who must also deal with
a selfish wife, and the Devil Jr. . I don’t think it was ever
released.
#6 As a child
who did you idolize?
Alan Ladd as
Shane, and Jack Palance as the gunslinger in that film. Lon
Chaney and Bela Lugosi.
#7 Going to
conventions you have met a lot of famous people, who is your
favorite?
You seem
determined to put me on the spot. Certainly among those I have
been lucky enough to meet; Director Toby (Texas Chainsaw) and
Dee Wallace ( E.T., and a host of other films ) must be
considered.
#8 What has
been your favorite horror convention that you've been a guest
at?
Chiller, in
New Jersey.
#9 What is
your favorite memory from working in Night of the Living Dead?
The total,
unselfish, and absolute, co-operation everyone involved in
making the film, contributed, regardless of what that
involvement was. To find that working situation is indeed
rare. Many thanks to all involved.
#10 What made
you get into acting?
I always
admired, and still do, the “magic” filmmaker's are able bring
to the screen, and the emotions they solicit from the
audience, regardless of genre. When I went to work for The
Latent Image Studios I was determined to learn all I could
about all facets of production, both in front of, and behind,
the camera. I hope I never lose my inquisitiveness or
enthusiasm for the art, even though the process has changed.
#11 What do
you feel makes a good horror movie?
THE STORY.
Without a good story you don’t have a film. All you have are
disconnected scenes strung together that exploit special
effects, gore, and sensationalism you try to pass off as a
film.
#12 Why do
you think that people enjoy being scared?
They are in
the moment because they are safe, and away from dangerous
situations presented before them on screen. They can totally
involve themselves, and live vicariously in each thrill
offered. I can assure you if those situations were real, and
they actually had to confront them, they would not find their
positions either amusing, or entertaining.
#13 Any
current projects?
Several.
Please don’t consider me to be bragging about myself. I
presently am reading a script for a film I may choose to
become involved with as an actor. I will make that decision
after I finish reading it, and terms are negotiated. Second.
Four still photographers are preparing a trip that takes us
first to Maine where we’ll travel the coast line north to
south and shoot landscape photographs of harbors, bays, boats,
light houses, and other subjects. Then we move to the
University Of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass. and attend the
Photographic Society Of America’s three day seminar sponsored
by the New England Camera Club Council. This is a three day
seminar that offers non-stop classes on every phase, and type,
of photography. Then we return home.Third. When I find the
time, I try to work on the re-write of my Silver Award Winning
situation comedy screenplay “ WE’LL TRY AGAIN ” after I finish
that re-write I will be looking for production money , and it
will not be a low budget film. Then, I will undertake to put
into a screenplay format my trilogy, “ MADNESS, TIMES THREE “
that deals with three distinctly different psychological
disorders. Four. I will also continue to appear at horror
conventions throughout the year. Other than that, I don’t have
anything to do.
