Well, I grew up on Ghost Town at a early age. That's where my Dad created "Digger the Undertaker". Many years there I was exposed to Hollywood actors. Myself, I own a injection company in Michigan with my partners. Ghost Town "The Movie" was my first directing, I think it was great. Not much to say about Dean, have been acting around 11 years. It's fun, but directing is better for me. I drive a Dodge Viper for fun. I live in a country type community in the middle of nowhere. Somewhere between Lansing and Howell Michigan. I love to make a movie and take people somewhere they have never been before and live 110 minutes of what is in my brain.

Is Ghost Town based on a true story?

Partially. It is based on an Appalachian legend and my great-great grandfather "Harmon Teaster" and based on my early years at "Ghost Town in the Sky" theme park. Bringing these two elements together gave us a great "Eastern, Western" new movie genre.

What is Ghost Town the movie about?

It is about revenge. It is about "Harmon Teaster" and how he might have reacted to the horrible things the local gang did to his family. It tells the story of how the Appalachian people were in years past. A people that did not allow anyone to bring harm to their families. It is only partially true. The rest is of the story is fiction.

What is the relationship between Ghost Town The Movie and Ghost Town In the Sky Theme park?

It is tied together through my early years at Ghost Town. It is set in roughly the same area that "Harmon Teaster" lived in the 1800's. In Haywood County, North Carolina. Ghost Town is a theme park opened in 1961 that employed many Haywood county locals. One of the owners, "Alaska Presley" who hired my Dad, is on of the "executive Producers" of the film. My Dad was one of the original "Internationally Famous Ghost Town Gunfighters. Among these were his friends Herbert "Cowboy" Coward from "Deliverance", Robert Bradley "The Apache Kid", also the "Executive producer" of the movie, Harry Valentine, known as "Doc Valentine" and in the movie as "Ransom Teaster". Since this movie was a tribute to my father, it was fitting to use the closed down ark as the movie set. The new owners allowed this because they believed in the potential for the film as well as it would help the public become aware of "Ghost Town in the Sky" reopening in May 2007.

You've got several hats on during the production of this movie, how did you juggle all of them as writer, producer and director?

Well, the writing started in February of 2006 and my partner DJ Perry actually took all of these family historical facts, and he and I devised a story. Then he did the screenplay from that. So that hat was worn early on. Then "executive producing" took place between March and current time. Most of that work took all summer. Then, directing and acting were the hardest. Directing was ok for me, not much of a struggle except for the early hours, and the late night hours. What made it difficult was the time I had to take in hair and makeup. During that time, I had Jeff Kennedy also directing, and that helped a lot. However, in the future, if I ever act and direct, it will be with minimum hair and makeup. I really would not advise it to anyone. Either direct, or act.

What role in the movie do you play?

I play "Digger the Undertaker" as a tribute to my fathers character that he played in 1961 through 1967 at the theme park "Ghost town in the Sky". He played the character very funny. I however, play the character very seedy, sinister, and much hated by the town folk. An undertaker, that is greedy, untrustworthy, and a sneak. I might add that "Digger's" character never had anyone to love. He never had a woman. Women did not like him. Hmmmmm. Little Jack did not like him...

Why did you choose to act in the movie?

Again, as a tribute to my father. Since this story is so close to my heart, I could not do the movie and not act in it. No one could ever do "Digger" as well as my Dad, but I wanted to be next in line to try, I figure I was the closest anyone could get, since I watched him do "Digger" all through my childhood both at home and at work on Ghost Town.

Of all the roles that were available in this movie, why did you choose the role of Digger The Undertaker?

Because of Dad. "Robert Doyle Teaster", the greatest "Digger the Undertaker" ever.


Reneé O'Connor fans were quite happy to learn she will be in this movie, what made you choose Reneé for this role?

I wish I had all of the credit for this, but I share the decision with DJ Perry. He came up with the idea and presented it to me for a final decision. I went for it because I trust DJ and because (I wanted Reneé O'Connor in this film).


The role of "Little Jack" was supposed to be for a male actor, why did it change to being a female role?

When DJ was trying to get Renee on the film he and I talked about all of the roles. Most of the roles were smaller. It would not be fitting to have Reneé in a small role. So, DJ had the idea of making her "Little Jack", and how much better it would play for the movie. It was a win, win situation. It made the movie flow better and the part was a better fit for someone of her caliber. It was just good planning and good movie making decisions. Boy, did she do good......

How were things adjusted to Reneé playing the role of Little Jack?

No adjustment necessary. It just fit perfect.


Were you aware of Reneé before she was cast as "Little Jack"?

I had heard of her and "Xena" series. I believe I may have only watched it once or twice. So not so familiar. I am really happy it worked out that way. I got to meet Reneé as a person and get to know (her), then as I worked with her, realized how successful her acting career was. It worked out better for me because I appreciate her as a (woman first), then as an actress. She ROC's.....

Did you watch any episodes of Xena and Reneé's role as Gabrielle?

Maybe two, but now I will purchase all of the series I can, to watch what I've missed.


Were the other actors aware of Reneé's past work?

Yes, I believe everyone on set knew more than I did about her career. But again, I would not have wanted to meet her in any other way, but person to person. Look, "Xena" and her career as "Gabrielle" was and is wonderful. But I say that it doesn't compare to how wonderful she is as a person.

When is the movie being released?

Were shooting for May 2007. That will depend on the distribution agreement we sign. A studio may want to release it later depending on their advertising and marketing strategy.

Will it be shown overseas?

Most movies have a large international market. It would be my plan to sell it to every international market, and I will.

What's next for Dean Teaster?

Finish editing "Ghost Town", then I plan to make another movie much the same as I did "Ghost Town". It may be a period piece, or modern day. Either way I go, I have both scripts ready.....and who do you think I will be looking for to act in them.......that roc's!

Thank you Dean for giving us the time to answer the questions and good luck with the movie. I'm sure a lot of Renee fans will be eagerly awaiting it's release.

Dean also sent the following note about working with Renee:

A Word from the Director

My first directing debut was this film Ghost Town. It was an experience that has and will continue to change my life. My first film and I got to work with Rance Howard, Bill McKinney, Herbert "Cowboy" Coward, Charlie Matthau, Tony Becker, Princess Lucaj, Stella Parton, Sammy Kershaw, Terrence Knox, and of course "Renee O'Connor. Let's talk about that for a minute.

There are no words to describe the level of professionalsim in this lady. She is truly an actress that is a pleasure to work with. She is kind, considerate, respectful, and talented beyond any imagination. I cannot convey in words what it was like to work with her and see her bring to life, "Little Jack". She came prepared and ready. I can see why she has such a huge following. She deserves all the credit due to her both professionally and personally. There was a moment in the film between takes where I noticed her crying. I immediatly wanted to see if she was alright. Much to my suprise, I asked her "Are you alright", she said yes, "I'm just getting into the moment of Little Jack". That says it all. God Bless Renee O'Connor.

Dean Teaster