PAUL S. TRACEY
“I would like to think I would rather die than resort to cannibalism…”
Blood, guts and cannibalism – all in a day’s work for rising actor Paul S. Tracey who currently stars in two horror films. The more prominent, GHOUL, hits U.S. theaters on March 20th and comes from well-established Czech actor/director Peter Jákl. This tale follows some American filmmakers on a journey to document the history of cannibalism. To kick it up a notch, Jákl injects found footage into the film to give it that extra creepy feel. Paul also stars in the low-budget indie, EXPRESSWAY TO YOUR SKULL, which is a more experimental horror flick that’s recently been hitting the festival circuit. Now that Paul is no longer being scared to death on a daily basis, he had some time for an interview:
Give us a little taste of your role in GHOUL.
PAUL: I play Ryan – the director of a film crew who goes to Ukraine to shoot a documentary about cannibalism of the 21st century. His family has funded the venture so he’s somewhat hellbent on getting what he came for no matter what happens.
Was the script as scary on paper as it is for the audience?
PAUL: Funny enough, I didn’t even get the script until a few days before I left for Ukraine to film. There was a brief outline given to us but it changed a few times before I got the final draft. Fortunately, I’d seen the previous film, Kajinek, that Petr Jakl had completed before. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have done it.
When looking at the script, I always look at the story from my character’s perspective, which for Ryan, isn’t really that scary. Most of the time my character is frustrated and thinks there are people messing with him and his crew. It isn’t until the end that he starts to become unnerved.
Do you think the fact that the script blended fact and fiction impacted your performance?
PAUL: Absolutely. For one, being in Ukraine, shooting on location was extremely helpful for my performance. Being out in the woods, in a foreign country, and being cut off from my friends and family really made the story feel more real. All I had to do was surrender to the circumstances and allow them to affect me.
I know the story was very terrifying to Alina Golovlyova (the actress who plays the groups interpreter). She was actually from the same area as Andrei Chikatilo and she grew up hearing horror stories about the serial killer.
What was it like shooting on location in Ukraine?
PAUL: Well, Kiev was really fun and beautiful. It’s a major city and very westernized but we were only there a few days. Being in Eastern Ukraine was very different. I didn’t really realize how poor the country was – it’s even worse now with the fighting. It was also my first time in Eastern Europe so culturally it was very eye opening. I quickly noticed people didn’t smile a lot, and at first I felt like they were very standoffish. But once I got adjusted to the culture, I found that they were very hospitable and friendly. One day during shooting a woman in one village let the whole crew into her home and cooked us lunch. She had her kids there and everything. I found it really heartwarming considering how little she had. That would never happen in LA.
You play a filmmaker in it…ever consider making your own projects?
PAUL: Actually, I write quite a bit and I’ve completed two short films that I’ve written, produced, and starred in. I also have a few different projects in development. One happens to be a thriller/horror film.
The recent premiere set box office records in Prague…that must feel good?
PAUL: Yes it does! I was in Prague for the premiere, right before it went to theaters, and the film was all over the place. I’m especially happy for Petr who’s spent the last 2 1/2 years working on completing the edit of the film.
Tell us about the other scary film you’re starring in, EXPRESSWAY TO YOUR SKULL.
PAUL: ETYS is about Ed and Amy, a couple who take an impulsive road trip to a secluded campsite in the woods where they cross paths with a mysterious survivalist. Soon a romantic drug-fueled getaway turns into a nightmarish fight for survival. The film is very experimental and directed by Michael D. Okum.
What’s it like being in such tense situations all day long?
PAUL: It’s a lot of hard work, a ton of fun, and a total rush. It’s also a type of acting that you can’t rehearse for – unless you want your neighbors calling the cops. You just got to show up on set and go for it.
How did you get into acting?
PAUL: Originally I wanted to work strictly on the production/producing side filmmaking. Sometime shortly after college I ended up in an acting class for fun with no intention of it going anywhere. The first day of class I got up to do a scene with a partner. I knew immediately that I wanted to do this. I guess it was the first time I really understood what acting was more about being than pretending.
We can’t let you leave without asking…is there any situation that you would ever consider cannibalism?
PAUL: Of course I would like to think I would rather die than resort to cannibalism. But under the circumstances I think it’s impossible to know what we’ll do in order to survive until we are placed in the situation.
