Douglas Vermeeren

What was it about the role of Sheriff Rudy Bellamy in Fresh Meat that connected with you personally, and why do you think that character resonated so strongly with audiences? 

Sherif Bellamy was fun. Although he’s a quirky, strange, power-driven small-town sheriff, he’s sincerely trying to protect the people in his town and the unfortunate teenage influencers who don’t know what they are getting into. I think everyone can relate to a character who is trying to protect people from something they can’t see. I believe that Sheriff Bellamy is probably the biggest hero out of the group, yet he isn’t able to convince anyone to listen to him. 

You have built a career across acting, stunt work, martial arts, producing, and hosting. Which of these roles has taught you the most about yourself as a storyteller? 

This is a difficult question. The reality is they all bring different aspects and challenges to the storytelling process. I think it’s impossible to say that one is more important than the other or that one is more challenging than the other. They are all necessary. But to be fair, each one of these has a tendency to draw out different emotions and considerations as the story unfolds. 

Many actors use film premieres to celebrate their work, but you have used them to support children’s hospitals and food banks. When did you first realize that your career could become a vehicle for helping others? 

We do still use premieres; it’s just that we incorporate community support with those events.  I think it’s great to do good in the community, and in our family we have events where I believe it’s important to support organizations like the children’s hospital. Most often, it’s not a big inconvenience to do the right thing or to help a worthy cause, and the difference it makes is beyond anything you can measure. 

Your upcoming projects range from action films like Black Creek 2 to emotionally driven stories like I Want to Be Okay. What draws you to such different types of roles, and how do you choose the projects you want to be part of? 

This will be the first exclusive on this. I have had to drop out of Black Creek 2 because of a schedule conflict. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t make it work. Which really is crummy because I loved that character. But to answer your question about what draws me to a character, a script, or a story, it’s pretty simple. I generally only say yes to movies that I would watch and enjoy. If it’s not a movie I would watch, I generally pass on it. I guess that’s one thing I have in common with the fans: we both like the same movies. 

I Want to Be Okay addresses men’s mental health, a topic that is often difficult to discuss openly. What conversations do you hope this film will inspire among audiences? 

I think it really is an important film because of the subject matter.  I don’t think mental health for men is discussed openly or as often as it should be. I am hoping that this film raises awareness and compassion for what men often silently go through, and do so alone.  

You have spent years mentoring young filmmakers, speaking to students, and participating in student productions. What advice do you think aspiring actors most need to hear today? 

I think everyone who has been blessed with success in their industry also needs to be a mentor to those coming up. The most important thing to share is that it all starts with a dream, and if you feel you are called to become a filmmaker, artist, actor, or storyteller, you must listen to that voice. Art’s inspiration is always preceded by the inspiration of the call. If you don’t listen, you will always have regrets. The more important your mission, the more that call will involve the heart. Listen. 

Your humanitarian work in France and Belgium exposed you to people facing significant challenges. How did those experiences influence the way you approach characters and storytelling on screen? 

I think every time I have had an opportunity to experience different cultures and parts of the world, it has expanded my perspective of the human experience, and in some ways it has also solidified how similar we are to each other. I have spent time all over the world, and people at heart are very similar.  

You often perform your own stunts and have a strong martial arts background. What is the most challenging stunt or action sequence you have ever had to perform, and what did it teach you? 

Each stunt comes with its own challenges and unique approaches. Some are choreography and physically demanding. Others really need you to find a new level of courage. The one thing they all have in common is that you must be committed. Like most things in life, you can only succeed when you are 100% committed and 100% present.  

You are involved not only in front of the camera but also in production and film financing. How do you balance the creative side of filmmaking with the business side of the industry? 

I don’t think anyone can be successful if they are looking for balance. You need to be obsessed and like a sponge. You can only create success if you approach whatever you commit to do with passion. Learn everything you can and then learn more, talk to everyone you can and get help, make mistakes and then keep going, wake up ready to go, go to sleep and dream about it. You need to breathe what you love. You can never achieve extraordinary results with an average, low-level approach. 

When people look back at your career many years from now, what would you like them to remember most: the films you made, the characters you played, or the impact you had on the communities you served? 

While it’s wonderful to think about how people may remember you, I had a mentor once tell me that if you are building your life to create something for other people to remember, you are doing it wrong. I live every day as an adventure. Yes, I enjoy sharing it with others. But even my own mother doesn’t always get it. So why would you expect that others would? If you can live a life that you are excited about, then you have succeeded in every way possible.