Paul Kratka

Paul Kratka: Cracking Backs and Old Memories with Friday the 13th, Pt 3’s Eternal Star. By Brian Kirst

After his infamous eye popping death as Rick in Friday the 13th, Part 3 (3D), Paul Kratka helped reverse his character’s painful misfortune by becoming a successful chiropractic doctor in real life. After years of helping others physically, Kratka has recently returned to enlightening the masses through entertainment, as well. In his recent collaborations with up and coming director Scott Goldberg, Kratka has faced zombie onslaughts (The Day They Came Back) and nuclear attacks (Loss of Hope). Indeed, as Friday the 13th culture embraces it 30th anniversary, Kratka is finding himself, rightfully, in more demand than ever before. The talented Kratka, whose zesty Rick will forever occupy a special place in the annals of horror cinema, recently took a moment to answer a few questions.

Brian: Who were your first performing influences? – Chevy Chase broadcasting the fake on Saturday Night Live – Jack Nicholson slicing nostrils in China Town – A drunken uncle playing the ukulele at family gatherings?

Paul: The actors that made an impression upon me were Gene Hackman, Steve McQueen, Harvey Keitel, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Robert Duvall, Meryl Streep, Jessica Lange – they were all part of a generation of ‘real’ actors, meaning their work didn’t look like ‘acting’ as did, in my opinion, the likes of Humphrey Bogart’s generation.

Brian: You hit the jackpot right off with the lead in F13 – PT3. Did you think the business was going to be free sailing for you from that point on – or were you aware of the tremendous difficulties involved in it from the start?

Paul: I was hoping that the F13 role would enable me to build a career, step by step; but, I made the mistake of hiring a new agent who thought I should be submitted for larger roles than what was probably wise at that stage. And yes, I was acutely aware that many very talented people languish in poverty their entire careers in the entertainment industry. As a matter of fact, that’s what lead me to go back to school – a sense of being apprehensive about dedicating my entire professional life to something so unpredictable and fickle.

Brian: You got some free sneakers to show off for Rick’s dangling death in F13-Pt3. If you were to get some ‘product placement for keeps’ today, what would it be? Dream big!!

Paul: Well, I am impressed with your background research! One, I’d love to do a film where it’s a period piece with historic wardrobe, not so much to be able to have some costumes as keepsakes, but for the experience; two, I’d also like to have a role where I wear extraordinarily fine suits as the President or some wealthy industrialist. Lastly, if I could walk away from a project with for example, a nice luxury car such as a Bentley or Aston Martin that would be very cool.

Brian: So much has been said about the difficulty of the 3D process for F13- PT3. Is there a specific memory that stands out in your head about that process?

Paul: Nothing particular other than it took even longer for each shot to be set up; and everyone knows that filmmaking is not usually a quick process, so the 3D required additional patience and focus for the actors, for sure. We used a LOOMA crane for many shots to capitalize on the 3D effects which was, I believe, a new piece of equipment at that time. For example, the barn scene with Chris being hoisted up to my eye level in the hayloft.

Brian: What is your stand out thought about your time on the F13-PT3 set?

Paul: Having done only a small amount of work on TV and commercials, for me it was just AWESOME to be on a location set in a somewhat isolated place and was very exciting. To be one of the main leads and to have my own trailer – it was such a unique experience to have at that age and stage in my life. The crew was fun (although I did have some issues with one redneck crew person who took a dislike to me and didn’t attempt to hide it). We also had great catering services so we ate like kings! There was great camaraderie and lots of fun moments. I also had developed a good relationship with Steve Miner where we would get together and play tennis in Santa Monica when we could.

Brian: Let’s toss the gore!! Do you have any specific reflections about working with the special effects on F13-PT3?

Paul: Without a doubt it was the evening we filmed my death scene. Months before filming began I had been summoned to a special effects lab to have a special plaster cast and mold created from my upper body and head. That alone was a very intense day, to say the least – having my entire upper torso and head, including eyes, nose and mouth, encased in plaster and silicone. When the time came, months later, to film that scene, it was about 1:00am and they wheeled out this model of me that was so realistic that it was very spooky. To see a replica of oneself is bizarre, but to confront it out in the mountains in the middle of the night on the set of a horror movie, that was the epitome of weird.

Brian: A lot of your performance work seems to be more spiritual and societal in nature now. Is that something that was always there – or has that grown stronger throughout the years?

Paul: It’s nothing that was intentional, just what has come available to me as I attempt to resurrect my career as an actor. Particularly working with director Scott Goldberg – he is on a mission to use his creative talents as a filmmaker to uncover some heavy truths about our culture and society

Brian: Tell us about your character and involvement in the horror short The Day They Came Back.

Paul: THE DAY THE CAME BACK is one of Scott Goldberg’s films that I did with him a few years back. He had contacted me as a fan of F13 and an up and coming filmmaker wondering whether I’d consider working with him on a film he was planning. That initial project has lead to us becoming good friends and I’ve now worked with Scott on a couple of other films – one titled LOSS OF HOPE is scheduled for release on September 11, 2008, which is so appropriate because it is a short film about the emotional breakdown of a Vietnam vet during his last moments alive following a present-day terrorist nuclear attack.

Brian: If someone really could ‘come back’ – who would you want it to be on both a personal level and on a level of curiosity (someone you admire or always wanted to meet)?

Paul: Well, egotistically I’d love to have the talent of a top pro beach volleyball player such as Karch Kiraly or Randy Stoklos; I grew up playing competitive two-man beach volleyball but always at an amateur level. I think Mick Jagger is an incredible performer that has had an amazing career that is unparalleled amongst other entertainers in history in its scope and longevity. Finally, to sit at the feet of Jesus Christ and feel his presence, hear his words and be immersed in the Holy Spirit – I would rate that at the top of that list, without a doubt.

Brian: Lastly, any words of wisdom you’d like to leave us with (IE: Stay away from forests at night as they’re eye popping-ly bad for you!) or any future projects that you’d like to tell us about? And thanks – it’s been a bloody honor and delight!

Paul: As I mentioned LOSS OF HOPE is set for release very soon and I’m really looking forward to seeing that because I haven’t seen any of it and also because Scott Goldberg is so excited about how it turned out. Scott has another project titled ILLUMINATED also coming out later this fall that I think should be interesting and exciting as well. There are some other young directors I’ve been in touch with that I’m hoping I get the opportunity to work with in the near future. As a doctor, I’m involved in an incredible project called wellpeopleprogram.com that’s set to launch towards the end of this year. It is a comprehensive health transformation system combining evidence-based wellness lifestyle implementation strategies with top social change and influence technologies. This 90-day online health and lifestyle transformation program identifies the common lifestyle behaviors that science has confirmed cause the major disease killers of today (heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity) and outlines the specific critical behaviors necessary to create and/or restore health. As far as advice – Don’t go in the barn! (And never drink soda pop, fried food or milk – they’re the top disease-producing foods that people have been misled about.) PS. Friday the 13th fans are AWESOME!!!!!!!

(Keep up to date with Paul at www.myspace.com/paulkratka)