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Brian:
Who were you first performing influences? - Luke
Perry bringing home the babes on 'Beverly
Hills 90210' - Vincent Price frying up
the babes in 'The Abominable Dr. Phibes'
- Or did you just know since you were a babe that
performing was on your blood?
Paul: I
think I've always known that I wanted to be in
front of people performing. When I was very
young, like 5 and 6 years old I used to put on
"shows" for my family. I would create
characters out of paper, color, cut them out and
design them and then create a stage, with
backgrounds and put on a show that I had
"scripted". They were called the
"Safety Friends" and helped teach
lessons. - Which I find hilarious now, that at
such a young age I realized that I could
entertain but also educate. I've always had an
idea of what goes into putting on a show, even
before I had any real training. Many of my early
influences, and some that remain today, were
"performers," people who not only
acted, but sang and dance. People like Michael
Jackson were huge contemporary idols. I loved the
fact that he put on a show and really
entertained. He did things that were new and
different, which I've always been attracted to.
I'm interested in always growing and challenging
myself. Remaining stagnate is my worst nightmare.
I was also inspired by people like Fred Astaire
and Gene Kelly. It was only later that I became
specifically interested in actors. Jack Nicholson
being one of the first actors that I admired -
His performance in 'Batman' still
blows my mind today.
Brian:
What was the most interesting thing that
you discovered when you first began making films?
Was there something about the process that you
hadn't expected and shocked you once you found
out?
Paul: I
don't think I was overly shocked by much when I
started doing films, because again I was well
educate"behind the scenes" segments and
always searched out information that was more
than just publicity or gossip. Plus, I think I've
always had a sense of the way things work, at
least in the entertainment business. The only
weird thing for me initially, being on a film
set, was the fact that acting on film was so
different then theatre, which is where I had been
trained. It felt very weird, at first, to do
things out of sequence and to literally film a
moment or a line and not the entire scene. That
took an adjustment since I was used to starting a
character and then taking him on a journey. You
do the same on film, but the difference is you
may not follow a linear path. So in many ways, I
believe you have to REALLY know your character
and be invested so that at any moment you are
prepared and can react as the character would.
This is one of the challenges of film that I
enjoy the most!
Brian: You've
had some great character names - everything from 'Leroy'
to 'Long John' to just simply
'Man'. Do you have a favorite character
that you've played and/or character name?
Paul:
Hmmm, a favorite character or name? It's so hard
for me to pick just one. In a way it's probably
like having children, you love them equally. Some
may have better qualities while others may be
tougher but you love them just the same.
However, I'd probably say one of my
favorite roles to date would be 'The Man'
from 'Stranger in the Doorway'.
He was such a complex character. And while many
of his actions I don't personally agree with, I
understood him and felt sympathy. - Plus, as an
actor the role was amazing due to the fact that
he was split personality. The audience got to see
what he saw, meaning that he saw different
"versions" of himself (which I played)
so that was challenging but fun. To act in a
scene where no one else is there, but in post,
YOU will be added, what actor wouldn't love
seeing three "images" of him self on
screen at the same time! Plus I think the film
turned out great and who wouldn't love walking
around playing a guy trying to stab people!
Favorite name, I'd have to say Long John from 'A
Secret Handshake'. What a random name!
So different and fun! Definitely unique!
Brian: You
got it! Now, can you tell us a little about
working on 'Tales of the Grave, Volume 2:
Happy Holidays'? (Whew, that was a long
title. I am out of breath, just typing it.) It
seems it was your first film and you got to work
with the irreplaceable Stephanie Beaton!
Paul:
'Tales from the Grave, Volume 2' wasn't
my first film but it was definitely one of my
earlier films. It was also my first horror film.
I really enjoyed working on 'Tales' it
was a fun script and a really unique and a
challenging character. Leroy lives with his
grandparents and is autistic. While he may be
"special" he knows how to use a knife.
So that was a fun balance to play, to make him
sympathetic to some extent, but also to be true
to his condition and the script. Come to think
about it... I've played a lot of characters with
an affinity for knifes... hmmm... I love
characters that are different or a challenge, I
seem to gravitate towards them. As much as my mom
would love for me to always play "the boy
next door" I tend to be attracted to more
complex, darker roles.
Brian: Interesting.
- Do you have a favorite on set gore moment? It
can be your favorite make-up or special effect
from a certain project - favorite death scene
etc...
Paul: Probably one of my favorite "gore
moments" would be from the film
'Bleed for Me'. There is a scene where
my fianc'e, who is possessed, of course, walks
in, delivers a message wearing just a towel and
then takes a gun to her head and pulls the
trigger. The fun part for me was that most of the
moment is "sold" by seeing my
character's reaction, since the actual gunshot
happens off screen. Not only did I get to really
play a tough scene as an actor, but I got to walk
around with blood and splatter for a few scenes
after. Always fun to be covered in blood! Stage
blood of course! Another fun scene was 'The
Man I Killed', which also had a shooting
scene where I get splattered with blood. The
difference with this one however, was that the
director wanted this scene to be more symbolic
and "artistic" to help tell the story.
Most the movie was gritty and realistic however,
this scene became artistic. So in this sequence
one shot from my gun, at some distance, at a
character, gets me completely covered in blood!
-My favorite death scene would be one I just shot
recently for a pilot for Spike TV entitled, 'A
1000 Ways to Die'. I am being shot at, I
trip and fall onto a rattlesnake who bites me in
the chest. How great is that? I'm not sure if
I'll be able to top that one anytime soon!
Brian: Alright!
Please tell us about your character 'Long
John' in 'A Secret Handshake'.
I think it's got to be one of my favorite
character's names of all time! "Hello, I
played Long John!" I'd just love to say that
to somebody. (Well, I guess I just did.)
Paul: Ah,
Long John. Well there isn't a whole lot I can
tell you about Long John from 'A Secret
Handshake', since the plot has so many
twists and surprises. However, I can tell you he
is the best friend of the lead character, Jacob.
He supports Jacob as he begins going through some
weird "things". Well, he supports him
for awhile, and then everyone starts to
doubt Jacob's sanity. Long John is not exactly
who he seems at first glance. He is a character
with many layers to him and someone with a dark
past. He is not the guy you'd want to mess with.
He is a man of action, not words. He was an
absolute blast to play, and 'A Secret
Handshake' was an amazing movie to work
on. Great script, cast, and crew! I had great
times on that set.
Brian: You
appeared as Jamie Navaroli in the 'Man in
Shadows' episode of 'LA
Forensics'. What was that experience
like - and if you could truly be an undetectable
man in shadows for one day what would you do?
Paul: 'LA
Forensics' was a lot of fun to shoot.
But at the same time a little weird, mostly
because I was playing a real person who actually
lived on this planet and was murdered. The things
that I would normally be excited about as an
actor, like the death scene, etc... were strange,
knowing that this really happened to someone. It
made me more serious about being true to the
character and being sure I told his story
correctly and did him justice. - To be a man in
the shadows, undetectable, my answer is probably
boring but I would love to just observe people.
I've always been a "people watcher" and
I love seeing how people interact, what they do
when they don't know they are being watched. It's
a great character study, and for me fascinating.
No guards are up, so you see people how the
really are, good or bad. I learn so much, and
come up with tons of character ideas by just
watching strangers. For me that is really what
acting is, observing humanity and then imitating
it. So boring as it may be, that's what I'd love
spending the day doing!
Brian:
Can you tell us about playing Tom in
'Razor'? It's a great succinct title and
seems like it might be quite a fun production.
Paul:
'Razor' is by far one of the highest
budgets I've worked on. The film had some awesome
production value and was challenging but a lot of
fun to work on. I play a supporting character
named Tom. It's not the biggest role but it's
important and has a lot of "meat" for
an actor to dive into. He is a hiker with a group
of his friends. At first glance he seems like a
fairly normal guy. However, after they set up
camp and start talking you see that Tom seems to
have an odd familiarity with an old superstition
about the parts that they are camping in.
Something about a huge dog, with razor like
teeth, that can smell impurities in a person, and
seeks them out to destroy them....fun stuff.
Brian: Definitely!
Lastly, do you have any words of advice (IE:
Don't piss off an axe wielding guy in a Santa
suit) or any other projects that you'd like to
tell us about here? And thanks! It's been a hoot
and holler!
Paul:
Well first off I want to thank you for
adding me to your site and taking the time to
chat with me. I really appreciate the opportunity
and support.
If anyone would like to find out more about me,
or to see my work, please visit my website, www.GetPaulHoward.com - I have a couple of
exciting things coming up. First up is
'Cold Heart Canyon', a "sexy
thriller" that will be coming in January of
2008. This feature is being distributed by
Maverick Global and is actually being officially
rolled out at the The American Film Market (AFM)
later this month. The movie will be one of five
features that Maverick will premiere at AFM. So
I'm very excited about the fact that many people
will soon have the opportunity to see my work.
The movie, once released, will be available in
places like Blockbuster.
The other big thing I'm excited about is my film,
"sauce (verb): to make agreeable or less
harsh" this dark comedy short was co written
and co executive produced by me, in addition to
me acting in it. We are planning on officially
premiering it next year. Many details are under
wraps still, but it should be an amazing premiere
and the film is something I am very proud of. I
will keep you posted on details, and if people
are interested they can check my blog for the
latest updates. - Hmmm, now some words of
advice.... well I guess the motto I live my life
by is to always stay true to who you are. Too
often we ignore our instincts and I think that
most the time our instincts are right. So listen
to them. They will help you get to where you want
to go, and more importantly, you'll be happy and
content on your journey because you are staying
true to yourself and following what is right for
you! You can accomplish anything if you stay
focused, don't give up, and follow your
instincts. Always keep the faith and you will be
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