This interview was done with the sole purpose of getting into the talented chaotic mind of actor/director/writer/producer, in particular, his film Night of the Templar. One of his friends once told him that he wanted to get into his mind. Paul responded with “we would never let you leave”. This interview you are about to read is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
When did you discover your love for writing and acting?
That’s a two-part question, so I’ll answer it in ‘two-parts’, ‘a’ and ‘b’.
Writing: I don’t love the actual process of writing whatsoever. I don’t like to sit in front of a computer in seclusion for days, weeks, months at a time. If I were a cat, I’d be an alley cat, so the whole inside house cat thing kills me. but I love thinking and creating. I began writing only as a vehicle to get my thoughts on page (and out of my head). …. I wish I could magically get my thoughts (and scripts) on page without ever having to sit in front of a computer. You know, just blink like the chick from ‘I Dream of Jeanie” and wham, they magically appear.
Acting: I’m often hired to portray (on stage and in films) some very ‘peculiar’ off-beat, disruptive, and completely unhinged characters that seem to have gone far around the bend… and they pay me… what was the question again? Yeah, who wouldn’t love that….hahhaahhahahaa
Describe yourself in three words?
Someone very close to me once described me as ‘Fast, Reckless, and Lucky.’ However, I would say ‘Cute, Cudlee, and Adorable.” Why are you laughing?
What a typical day like for Paul Sampson the writer?
It usually begins with a Human Sacrifice, followed by Sex, Drugs, Rock n’ Roll… it’s basically the same as any other day for me….and, yeah, I knock out as many pages (writing) as ‘inhumanly’ possible before passing out from exhaustion.
How did Night of the Templar come to be?
I was doing research on ‘Jack the Ripper’ and the White Chapel murders for several months, and the conspiracy theory of its connection with the Free Masons kept on popping up (everyone loves a good mystery and scandal). And I was intrigued enough to start researching the Free Masons. Lo and behold there were links, or mention that they were possibly an ‘extension’ of the Knights Templar, which at the time I knew very little about. That all changed. I became somewhat obsessed with their history. And then a thought popped…and I began to write the ‘medieval’ part of Night of the Templar…the rest followed. Sometimes the wand finds the wizard. I don’t know what that last line means, but I’ve been waiting to use it for quite some time so I’m just throwing it in now.
Do you ever sing in the shower?
Yes. I sing everywhere. If I went to your house, I would sing in your shower.
Night of the Templar is a mixture of many different genre, action, drama, murder mystery, horror, comedy, which is adds to its appeal. Was that your plan all along?
I’ve been asked that before, and it’s strange, Tosha. When I wrote Night of the Templar, I didn’t have a specific genre in mind. It just came out. I’ve written many scripts and for the most part, there may be a dose of ‘zany’ sprinkled in there for good measure, but they are usually somewhat ‘definitive’ in their genre. But Night of the Templar is just a journey. One minute you’re intrigued with a medieval dramatic scene, the next you’re watching pure adrenaline action, and a beat later you’re holding your eyes from a tongue being pulled out of someone’s head….and then a jolt of dark humor comes your way. And all along it’s kind of murder mystery, but not. It just fell out of my head that way. Luckily, it flows nicely and people keep writing to me every day of how much they enjoy it….most of these letters are from ‘institutions’ …
Do you have any hidden talents?
If I told you, they would no longer be ‘hidden.’ It’s like telling a secret, kind of defeats the purpose, right.
Night of the Templar was David Carradine’s last feature film, how did this last line of dialogue affect you emotional?
‘Well, old friend, I’ll see you in the next lifetime’, and he goes, ‘Old friends, old soulmates…’
Well, when we actually exchanged the lines it was not as big a deal, because obviously, he was still alive. But in the editing room, after he had passed, I was looking at the footage and was like, ‘oh, shit, how strange, how very strange’… and there were several other things in the movie that were like that. Very strange ‘after the fact’ or rather ‘before’ that I captured during shooting that occurred after. As they say, there is nothing stranger than the act of Life imitating Art. And yes, that last statement I just said is another one of those sayings I wanted to get in that I’ve been trying to work into a conversation all day long.
How did you go about getting the rest of the great cast of my favorites, including Udo Kier, Norman Reedus and Billy Drago?
It seems like you’re referring to the ‘modern day’ cast. Norman was the first person on board. We were doing a film together in Bulgaria and I showed him the medieval footage, and told him the overall premise….and he said he was in. So it was only the two of us for a while. When the time came, he suggested Udo Kier, so I sent him (Udo) the script and he wanted to meet with me to discuss. And then there were three. Max Perlich came about next. Norman and I are both friends of Max. And then there were four. David Carradine was next. He knew who I was, I got the script to him, and within 24 hours he said yes. Billy Drago came last, actually last minute. I had met Billy briefly some time before hand and I had him in mind. However, I originally had someone else playing the role of Shauna the Chef. They ‘fell through’ last minute….very last minute…and luckily Billy was available and was gracious enough to help out. He really saved the day. I love that guy.
You seem to work with your friends…Norman in 4 films, Max Perlich, , Robert Miano… Would you like to do other projects with them?
No, I never want to see these people again. Ever! Is that even a real question? hahahaha. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to work with their friends? (That’s a rhetorical question, Tosha, it doesn’t require a response on your end…just clarifying….that’s all)
What coming up for Paul Sampson? What are you currently working on?
Since Night of the Templar has been released, I had five (5) other script concepts in my head that I had either already started writing or needed to begin (writing) from scratch. And now, four out of the five of them are in at least a rough draft form (I’ve been very very busy lately, secluded in a dark room, doing my due diligence to say the least). I’ll begin the last one (script) next month. After that, I’ll have all the concepts (and hopefully voices) out of my head and I can just go and act for a long time. I’ve been asked to do a couple of movies coming up soon in the year. But just a little insight, one of the scripts I polished is ‘Captain Invincible’ and the one I’m going to start next month is the feature for ‘Shamus (the Clown)’. It’s time to Rock!
Pudding or pie?
Pie. Definitely. I like Pie. I like Pie with a delicious Crust. I like Pie like most of us. I like Pie it’s a must. I like pie while riding the bus. To have it with cream is a dream. Pie is fun, oh my, oh my….take my pie and I’ll punch you in your … throat…
What’s your favorite movie?
Why, Night of the Templar, of course. Like ‘duh.’ And yes, to see how to view simply go to http://www.NightoftheTemplar.com hahhahhahaaaaa
You can also find Paul on Twitter @realpaulsampson
