Men of Assassin X (aka The Chemist) – Patrick Kilpatrick begins our interview series with the stars of Assassin X (aka The Chemist). Playing the villain, Patrick and his character Claxton are intriguing.
Tell us about your childhood and how it prepared you to become an actor.
I was a successful high school athlete and post college rugby player, as well as an occasional thief. All possess elements of performance that are similar in physical and thinking process to acting. I also received a superb liberal arts education through to graduate school. I read a book or more a day for years and worked as a journalist which broadened me to the wider world and culture.
Anyone wishing to explore these topics deeper can see my book published next year – “Dying for a Living” Sin and Confession of 30 Years as A Movie and TV Villian.
How did you hear about the audition for Assassin X and what made you decide to audition for the role?
I was graciously offered the role over lunch by director Art Camacho. Good directors – the best directors, Spielberg, Guy Hamilton, Nick Roeg, Art Camacho — often don’t have to audition people they know can deliver the goods and they are assured of their own abilities to manipulate media to their ends.
Tell us about the audition process, if any, you went through for the role of Claxton? Did you do anything unique to show you would be perfect for the role?
Playing evil men of power is something I’ve been doing for a while. I just play with each role to make it have a different unique human feel fitting nicely into the style and tone of the movie or TV piece.
What are your thoughts on Claxton’s personality? What are Claxton’s strengths? Weaknesses? Is he good or bad.
Claxton is very Machiavellian, greedy, disloyal, and lacking in altruism, empathy and self -sacrifice. Lol Yes I would say he is bad, a perversion of the strengths necessary for true leadership. A real rationalizer, a high functioning, hard ass and charming when necessary psychopath.
How is Claxton like you? Different from you?
Lol … not at all different. Actually I’m a nice man, capable of ruthlessness to the greater good but certainly with a belief in self-sacrifice, loyalty, kindness to the innocent – I could go on and on about my lovely qualities but … lol .. Claxton is devoid of a lot of humanity and real patriotism.
What was your biggest challenge in playing the role of Claxton?
Driving the long distance to the wonderful locations. No difficulties at all. I don’t believe in difficulties, only challenges to be met. This was easy, no alien makeup like Star Trek. Lol. Tom Renner and Art Camacho put together a very warm cast and crew with a family feel. No ego’s – Olivier Gruner, Stephanie Gerard, Martin Kove, Carmen Cabana, all superb talented, warm people.
Without giving away the story, what’s your favorite line of dialogue from Assassin X and why?
“Well, seems we have a little Mexican standoff!” Art had written a bunch of cool things. It’s been a while since I saw the film at the Action In Film Festival, where they were kind enough to give me The People’s Choice Award. I asked Art what he had done to bribed them, he said, “I have to wash the festival director’s car for a year.” lol
Did playing the role of Claxton or the story of Assassin X have an impact on your life in a personally way? If so, how?
Truly, it made me realize what a really warm family cast and crew can do to make work so enjoyable. I’m a professional, I don’t need special attention or even direction often, but nice people are just a plus.
You have a very foreboding presence in Assassin X. How did you develop the ability to speak through your body, without words, as perfectly as you do?
It’s called presence or gravitas, weight. Real men of power exist in a realm of less is more. They allow the imagination of others to conjure fear and evil, or good and mystery, a sense of play or threat as is required.
What was the most difficult part of making your character realistic?
Nothing was difficult. Energy and doing the memorization and having a sense of the moment and creativity. That’s the craft.
Was there ever a point in Assassin X when you were frustrated with your character? If so, how did the director and those around you help you through the situation.
Never, if I had felt frustrated I would assume that was the emotion the universe wanted me to have to express within the character and I would unleash or control it as necessary for creativity. I exist by faith in the universe, always providing gifts. There are no “bad” gifts, merely godly gifts for our central purpose.
Can you share about some of the challenges in filming Assassin X? Any behind-the-scenes anecdotes you can share?
I ran into a former lover who was on the set with her current boyfriend. That was awkward for them for a bit, not me. I did my best to assure him and her of my honorable intentions by being respectful of their current involvement and especially his position as “the man” in her life.
Share a personal fact about yourself that most people do not know.
I’m deeply, even religiously patriotic and devoted to statecraft, politics and the principles and survival of America. I also have tremendous empathy for animals, including those I hunt. I understand that is a dichotomy but there it is. I also pray more – not enough mind you – than most people would realize, which is all okay because these are largely personal things between the creator, universe, whatever you call it and me.
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