The vampire Penn came across very much like an actual serial killer; he had issues with his past, would covet his work, and had no regrets. However nothing, not even playing Penn, could prepare Jeremy for his role as Jeffrey Dahmer in David Jacobson's independent film, "A Mind is a Place of Its Own." He noted that playing Dahmer was, "a whole other ball game. Comparatively, Penn is much more aggressive and charming. Dahmer is much more passive and docile and flaccid and did much crueler and nasty things. I don't think it helped at all but maybe it was an easier transition from that than like playing some stoner in "Senior Trip". It's a little closer but I don't think it really helped me any. Just being twisted in the head has really helped me because I'm a twisted bastard," he remarked slyly.

Jeremy as Jeffrey Dahmer in "A Mind is a Place of Its Own"

Still, playing one of the most infamous serial killers of our time was an enormous challenge. Jeremy explained that his techniques to play Dahmer were rooted in not knowing much about him, "First of all I didn't look at him as crazy. The only thing that helped me was that I really didn't know a whole lot about the guy. I knew he was a serial killer and that he did crazy shit. That's all I knew," he said. "So going into it a little fresh helped out a lot, then finding out all the details of it." Instead of having extensive pre-conceived opinions on Dahmer, he was able to formulate his own idea of the character. "I read several books, one by his father and three other journalist, and watched a lot of video tapes. I talked to his lawyer, the representative, and talked to the arresting officers. I did a lot of research. I would have conversations with people about it, about the guy, and I would find myself having to rationalize everything and defend him almost. That's just how I had to do it." He found himself having to analyze what exactly the idea of a "crazy person" entailed. "When crazy people are crazy they don't think they're crazy. For instance, Dahmer knew what he was doing was wrong. But it didn't feel wrong; he liked it. It was like an addiction, like heroin. You know it's fuckin' you up. You know it's killing you, but you keep doing it anyway," he explained. Jeremy's research culminated with his own thesis on Dahmer that, "his whole deal was more about abandonment and being alone. He had poor social skills, he didn't want people to leave him." After all of his preparation Jeremy plunged into Dahmer's mind and portrayed, what he described as, "a look into his psyche, how he thinks and feels, and maybe a little bit of motivation, why he's done what he's done." He particularly enjoyed making the film because he feels it will strike a unique chord with the audience. "Everything is really suggestive, it allows the audience to really get involved and say like 'I see it this way or I see it that way,' and debate about it. It's not just given to you on a platter like here it is, watch me eat some people and cut 'em up. It's about the seduction into his mind."

"Just being twisted in the head has really helped me because I'm a twisted bastard"

"A Mind is a Place of Its Own" is in the final editing stages and will hopefully be appearing at film festivals very soon. All Jeremy could say about the post-production was that, "I know there is a lot of good things happening with it but I can't say too much about it right now because it's like bidding wars and all that kind of stuff. But I know good stuff should happen with it."

"A Mind is a Place of Its Own" was one of two independent projects that Jeremy recently starred in. The other was a dark comedy called, "Fish in a Barrel," written and directed by Kent Dalian who won the 'Best New Director' and 'Best Screenplay' awards at the NY Independent Film Festival in August. Renner also won the coveted, "Best Supporting Actor" award for his role of the apathetic, gun-toting man, Remy. Recently there has been a lot of talk in the movie industry about the quality of "mega movies" that are being mass-produced. Some people feel that special effects have replaced story and nullified the quality of acting. Jeremy finds independent films particularly enjoyable because, as he said, "it allows for a sense of a freedom in a way. It gives me more confidence in myself, doing roles that I normally wouldn't get to do because they are looking for a huge name where they have to bring in an audience. Independent film, I think, is great, I dig it."

The cool, reserved mind of Jeffrey Dahmer

Along with independent films, Jeremy has also done an extensive amount of work in theatre, which helped him in the other mediums. Ultimately it helped him to believe in himself and his abilities, "coming from theatre gave me a lot of confidence and a lot of tools." The interaction with the audience also is a draw to him, "I think actors that come from theatre may have a little bit of an advantage because there is a continuity when you do a theatre show, your character is portrayed all the way through live. You get a sense of the character arc and the strength in that. When you shoot a movie it's all separated and jumbled. You have to put this jigsaw puzzle together and learn how to do your art that way." This is especially present in larger roles where the character has a very noticeable arc. Jeremy explained that when playing Dahmer in "A Mind is a Place of Its Own" he learned this "because we shot out of sequence, where I'm coming from and have this whole character arc worked out, and [theatre] really helped me."

Yet what is it that draws Jeremy back to theatre since he has moved onto film and television? Theatre, he noted, is "an actor's market, you are the hammer verses the nail. Once the director is done with it, he's done with it. Once that curtain goes up and the lights are on it's you." What also draws him back to theatre is what he referred to as the 'intimacy you share with the audience.' That interaction, which he feels is absent in film, is absolutely exhilarating, "That immediate exchange is crack, it's addictive, that live, pulsating…it's a live thing and nothing can stop it. It's like this machine that all of you are a part of and you share with the audience. They are either laughing or sniffling, or something. Anything, that response, that exchange is awesome."