The last time I spoke to Austin Peck (Brad; As the World Turns), he was being brought back to "Days of Our Lives" as Austin. That interview (which due to the delay of Peck's on-screen return was never published), was an immensely hilarious and insightful conversation. On this day, he was ready to speak about his film, The Bluetooth Virgin, released on September 25 to good reviews, and I was fully prepared to laugh all over again because that is something Peck seems to do so well. In the film, Peck will make you laugh, wonder and think, as well as be entertained.

The Bluetooth Virgin is a well-written and witty look at the behind-the-scenes happenings of Hollywood through the eyes of a screenwriter named Sam (Peck). The semi-successful scribe believes he has a surefire hit on his hands with his new screenplay, called, of course, "The Bluetooth Virgin," and asks several people, including his best friend, to give their honest opinions. The problem is that the screenplay is actually terrible and no one can seem to muster up the courage to tell Sam so, until Zena, in the form of Oscar-nominee Karen Black, comes along and lays the truth out for him. "I think he (Sam) needed to hear that. I think she was right on the money," Peck laughs, then goes on to say, "I read the script and I liked it. I really related to the character." The ironic ending, in which Sam's best friend David (played by "Popular's" Bryce Johnson), a magazine editor, realizes all the dreams that Sam actually had, was "Hollywood. That's the way the cookie crumbles!"

"I really related to the character's fears, needs and insecurities," Peck observes, "The character of Sam is very human, a real person. He's got very real struggles that I can personally relate to. I think anyone who is part of the creative process can relate to Sam, especially someone who has been struggling." During the course of the film, Sam's wife Rebecca (Lauren Stamile; "Grey's Anatomy") shares her harsh view of Sam's life and Peck says, "It really showed the dynamic of their relationship. It really makes you think, how did they get to that point where she would talk to him that way - you could tell there was a real lack of intimacy over a long period of time. The scene was very truthful but she wasn't being very kind!" Sam later receives some positive and much-needed reinforcement when a fan approaches him and praises a previous project, making Sam realize the true reasons of why he became a screenwriter and why he wants to continue with it.

"Russell Brown (who debuted in film-making with Race You to the Bottom) did a really great job with the script," the actor gushes, "A wonderful job with direction, production.... I've wanted to write my own screenplay, I mean who hasn't? I just haven't been able to start the process!"

As for his role as Brad on "As the World Turns," Peck tells me that he is still with the show (as of late September), despite the fact that Brad will soon be departing to the hereafter. "I don't want to leave," he notes sadly. But I quickly cheer him up by mentioning a hilarious moment from the Emmy awards red carpet, in which Peck "flirts with" Young and the Restless actor Christian LeBlanc, all captured on video. "Oh! I was hoping that would turn up!" Peck roars with laughter, after I point him in the direction of where this hysterical clip can be found. This is so you, I tell him, and as always, he is appropriately humbled. Peck also hints at other possible irons in the fire but elects to keep them to himself, promising to share if anything becomes concrete. 

In the meantime, Peck is excited about his film (which will enjoy another debut on the festival circuit, beginning with the Seattle Film Festival), the possibility of other doors opening up and for now, playing Brad. "Thank you so much," he says to his fans, noting that Brad was such a great and easy character for him to play. Hopefully daytime will welcome him back in another role soon.  

Austin Peck photos courtesy of JPI, screen captures and film artwork courtesy of Here Films.