A friend of mine who works and lives in Los Angeles called and told me I should interview his across the street neighbor, who recently starred in a film that played at the Houston Spatterfest film festival. Chip Joslin was one of the college students in Humans vs. Zombies.

“The movie’s based on a role playing game that’s popular among college students,” Joslin explains during a phone conversation. Indeed a Google search on Humans vs. Zombies turns up many sites devoted to this modern day version of Dungeons and Dragons. “I played high school students into my 30s,” remarks Joslin, “Now I’m playing college students although I’m in my 40s.”

Joslin talks about the term “oddvertising,” a kind of shock and awe type of television commercial. “As an actor you get defined by the roles you play,” says Joslin. Moving to LA from the DFW area about 10 years ago he found quick success due to being cast in a series of commercial that went national insuring a healthy income from residuals. “One time I got a thick envelope with a half-inch of royalty checks,” laughed Joslin. He adds that it was the salary from commercials that allowed him the luxury of finding work as an actor. Joslin has had guest starring roles in crime themed shows like CSI, Criminal Minds, and Veronica Mars, in addition to supporting and starring roles in movies.

“I started in theater and film roles in Dallas and was SAG eligible when I moved to LA,” adds Joslin. He gave me three tips for making a living as an actor: get a SAG card, get an agent or have a meeting with an agent lined up when moving to LA, and have a pocketful of cash. “On the way to one audition I decided to get some coffee beforehand. It was $10 to park and $5 for the coffee. This city has a way of separating you from your money.”

In addition to the recent Humans vs. Zombies Joslin also associate produced the “I Was A Teenage Werebear” segment for the film Chillerama. “It’s an homage to B-movies with each segment taking place at a drive-in.”

I mention that my friend had sent me a picture of one of Joslin’s pets, an iguana. “Unfortunately he ran away in the surrounding hills,” says Joslin. Having been on the street where he lives I mention that the house next door to his was where Marlon Brando lived in the 60s. “Yes, I often give guests a tour of Hollywood from my front porch. Brando used to live next-door and then David Carradine lived there, it’s where he edited Kung Fu.”

- Michael Bergeron