William Byron Hillman was born and raised in Evergreen, a small town located near Chicago, Illinois. And, not unlike many other children Bill Hillman did not grow up in a Father Knows Best, or an Ozzie and Harriet television family household. Fortunately for Bill one of his strongest attributes in his formative
years was his gift of imagination. He was able to take pen to paper and escape a sometimes-stressful adolescent environment and create his own with the help of his mind and talent. Bill, like many children who are faced with an emotionally chaotic childhood, decided at a young age he was going to make his mark in the world . . . show his family, and friends, that he indeed would be someone to contend with in his life.
It wasn't long and he soon began to question himself, just what would he become to show everyone he had a place in this life, an important place. His mental quest was quickly aided by his vivid imagination. He could be a doctor, lawyer, a United States Senator, C.E.O. of a big corporation? In his late teens, before his quest started, he found appealing qualities in all his scenarios. Then one day it occurred to him-why not do it all? With that he packed his bags and left for Hollywood, where he was quite confident with his tall, slender frame and All-American good looks, he would be a movie star. And, like the great actors who came before him, everyone would soon know his name. He indeed would become a doctor, lawyer, maybe even the President of the United States. He would be up there on that big screen, playing out all these characters for everyone to see.
Like so many other "wannabe" Hollywood stars Bill worked odd jobs, studied hard, and did one small part after another-learning his craft and studying the leading men who he was lucky enough to have had scenes with.
It was in the late 60s that Bill was cast in his biggest movie to that date, Ice Station Zebra, starring Rock Hudson. The movie played first run houses. The talk was positive. He knew it was just a matter of time before a much bigger part would come along, an even bigger movie. However, the life of a young Hollywood actor is like a cold shower. It doesn't take you long to wake up and realize there has to be a better way.
Again, using his imagination, he and a few other young fellow actors decided to just start making their own movies. Why not? It was being done all around them, and by people with much less talent than he and his friends possessed, so hence, "A film maker was born."
Starting out acting and producing it didn't take Bill long to realize that writing a script, and then directing it, would enable him to really utilize his tremendous imagination, and perhaps along the way express some of his inner feelings about life. Several years later, and many movies later, which he wrote, produced and directed, some of which were, Double Exposure, The Man From Clover Grove, The Photographer and Ragin' Cajun , Bill has come to some more conclusions. It was these conclusions that we talked about, along with his latest film, which he is very proud of, The Adventures Of Ragtime starring Jay Thomas, Shelley Long, and Perry King.Mopam: The Adventures of Ragtime is about one of those miniature horses?
Bill: Yes. But it's also about a morality and decency in life. Something I think we are missing in movies today.
Mopam: You mean sort of the old Disney concept?
Bill: Not necessary. I mean it doesn't have to be an animated elephant flyin' around with big ears. It just a decency we should have for one another. I mean, in my opinion, a film maker should project a decency for his audience. Remember the old movies, even the old gangster movies. They had fight scenes, violent scenes, people were shot and killed. But yet they allowed you to use your imagination. The deaths weren't done with special effects. Graphically showing you the horrors, and grossness of death. Like the sex scenes today. There it is-right in front of you. Absolutely nothing left to the imagination.
Mopam: You don't like the bullets ripping through bodies with blood gushing out all over the screen? Or two naked bodies on top of one another?
Bill: Where is the creativity in that? The art in that? What does that accomplish but yet to show when a bullet hits a body it bleeds and you die. I think most of us knows that. Like when a man and woman make love-what it looks like.
Mopam: A couple of those films that you did in the past.
Bill: (interrupting) I know they did. And, believe me I honestly wish I had not done those scenes. It really didn't enhance the story. I did those movies and allowed those scenes to be in them when I was younger, and really didn't understand the full meaning of what having character meant.
Mopam: You implying there is a price tag for having character?
Bill: You bet. And I'm sure it's not just in Hollywood, but everywhere. To stand up for what you believe in-in today's society, especially if it goes against the grain-you pay a hefty price for it.
Mopam: I was told you are in the process of building your own studio. Where you will have several production companies working--is that true?
Bill: Yes.
Mopam: So you want to sort of create the old Hollywood-where the studio heads actually had a hands on approach to movie making?
Bill: I picked up the paper this morning and read several reviews of new movies that were opening this weekend. Several of the movies had PG-13 ratings. In reading the reviews I became so angry. If I had a teenager at home I wouldn't want them seeing these movies. This isn't brain surgery-making movies--don't people understand if you keep showing a young mind, over and over, nothing but violence and sex they eventually have absolutely no feeling for it. They can't distinguish between movie violence and real violence. Life is just one big movie. I honestly feel that is why something like the Columbine High School tragedy can happen. As a full grown adult you are better equipped to understand the difference between make believe and the real world. But as a younger person. Your world is that screen in front of you.
Mopam: So you feel that people do reflect art in their lives and even some of them act out on it.
Bill: If you are calling some of these movies art I think that is a pretty far stretch. But, if you're asking me because something is in a movie would that give someone, in their mind, the right to act out? I would have to say-maybe with some people.
Mopam: So you are going to try to build this studio and turn out a different kind of movie?
Bill: When you say different kind what do you mean?
Mopam: I guess I'm getting the impression you want to make movies like the way the Reverend Billy Graham's organization does.
Bill: Not really. I think there are some good movies being made today. I just want to make movies, and have the people at our studios make movies with a decency that respects their audiences. And allows the audience to use their imaginations to help them enjoy the story.
Mopam: You have a beautiful beach home here-I realize you have struggled in your life, but to look around it doesn't look like it.
Bill: (laughs) Listen I know about struggle. I haven't always lived like this. There were times when I just wanted out-get away from Hollywood.
Mopam: What kept you hanging in there?
Bill: I'm really lucky that I got a wife that believes in me, along with my kids. It sure helps when things are not working to look across the room and see people that believe in you.
Mopam: If you could give some advice to a young, William Byron Hillman, what would it be?
Bill: Find out who you really are before you start creating characters for that big screen.
Mopam: You mean be confident in what you're doing?
Bill: I don't know if we are ever fully confident in what we do. I think it's our basic human nature to question ourselves. But, I guess what I mean--is know what you will do, and won't do for your movie. And then stick to it. After all, in the end that movie up there on the screen is an extension of you. It represents you. So, make sure it reflects the best you have to offer. And, don't forget to let your audience participate in your creation. Use their imagination along with yours.
© 1999 by Mopam Publishing
EDITOR'S NOTE: We at Mopam Publishing recommend that you read Bill Hillman's book on traveling in California. It is the complete guide for traveling. It can be ordered through most of your major book stores.
This interview took place on Friday Oct. 22, 1999 in the beach home of William Hillman in Mandalay Shores, CA.
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