Update: 2016: Perserverence & Success
For any viewers who might be curious:
For reasons stated in my other post / comments here on imdb in the discussions area of this film (please read and refer to that other post of mine for a LOT more details as well as my side of the experience of making this film), I had distanced myself from it for years. But, obviously, I cannot fully erase the experience. So, I've decided to post an update regarding how things have changed over the years since making this film, and the great things that are going on with me now, and show that I did succeed.
I haven't done the Hollywood Blvd thing for a very long time. I still keep up with a lot of the better, higher quality performers there, but have long stopped working there myself. As for the past Freddy issue, because it was proven almost a decade ago that I did not actually do what people had initially thought, that is very old news that no one but me and a very few friends even REMEMBERS in the least anymore. I almost don't remember it myself! LOL! That's all long-lived down and long-forgotten. In the earlier days, I felt it had potential to become a much more professional environment eventually, if we could just get rid of the aggressive beggars and con artists, but all went downhill instead. It's become far too overrun over the years by strong-arming "characters" in dime store costumes that harass everyone for photos and money. I never believed in doing any of that. The City does absolutely nothing about them, and instead just watch them commit these crimes literally right in front of them, and they have just allowed them to multiply like rabbits. Eventually I realized there really WAS no saving it anymore. Unlike the film and publicity may seem to suggest, my reasons for working out there was never to become star, etc.. I saw it as a way to test myself, and experiment and explore what I could do, and keep in practice as a performer. My goal has always been just to be thought of as good at the things that I do in a general sense. I always thought of experimenting on the Blvd back in the past as a stepping stone to bigger and better things anyway. And I decided to go in a better direction with what I had built up when deciding to leave the scene, and I did it, and did it on my own terms. Since I had collected so many costumes over the years, going into the direction I then went in was a natural progression for me. I put my toe in the water, learned how to operate an actual business, negotiate with clients, learned how to make them happy and stay professional. And it all worked out, thankfully.
I've turned my work into my own legitimate business...a party / event entertainment company. I have my own staff of cast and crew. We've been very successful since I started back in 2012. Nothing but 5 star reviews across the board. All costumes and skills I had in the past have been very highly upgraded, and I have dozens more now - all very movie and theme-park accurate. We've entertained a number of celebrities, VIPs, business owners, corporate events, and more. We've done a number of high profile gigs including events at both at public events and private homes a in Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Woodland Hills, Malibu, Malibu Colony Road (4 times for various clients on Malibu Road), the Hilton Hotel, the Sky Lounge at the Ritz Carlton, and many more. I've lived in a very spacious apartment of my own all this time.
Since the release of the film, I have battled and beaten both non-hodgkins lymphoma cancer, and later - more recently - open heart surgery. But MUCH healthier than ever now and in MUCH better shape. I have been taking excellent care of myself, and I take that very seriously. The time period during the making of the film was just a very temporary situation for me. Everything had been pretty normal for me until around those few months of a rough time. I looked AWFUL and very sickly during that time. That's because I WAS and was not really aware of it yet. I looked nothing like my true self during that. Then I went through the cancer and chemotherapy from 2009-2010 (it was discovered in quite a late stage, but luckily the chemo worked). I recovered, though, and was told that mine was a type of cancer that wasn't likely to return. It was not longer after recovery from that when I finally got my company off the ground. Then I got hit with necessary open heart surgery in April, 2015. So, that was another huge shock and grueling recuperation. Again, I willingly accepted the treatment, like last time, as I've never been a quitter, and I have too strong a will to live. I've got too much to do in life still. But the recovery went well, and, again, I've been taking very good care of myself. I was able to delegate and keep my company in steady business throughout my recovery. I was able to give it an even bigger boost when I felt well again, and the running of the business back over, and we've been continuously more and more successful and in high demand to the present. We've been very well-received and respected, and always making great contacts and connections. I really enjoy what I do! I love entertaining people and giving them a thrill, and it is very fulfilling to make other people happy and to see their smiles and their joy. So, life is good! And I will always strongly believe that anyone can turn any situation around if they persevere and work hard at it, and, of course, always keep an optimistic view no matter what life may throw at you along the way.
http:..www.facebook.com/GerardChristianZacher
Gerard Christian Zacher
http://www.facebook.com/GerardChristianZacher
Gerard Christian Zacher