An In Depth Interview With Paul Kratka
AKA Rick
Friday the 13th Part III
How did you get the part?
That's a great story! A friend of mine, Harris Kal (recurring role on "Happy Days") who was one of my buddies at the acting studio we both studied at (LR Studio in North Hollywood) told me about an interview he had been on where the casting directors had been particularly nice. He told me I should go just to meet them. So I went to read for them and I went for the same role as my friend (Danny(?) who gets macheted while walking on his hands). After the reading, the casting directors said 'You're not right for this role, but you're perfect for the lead. Can you come back and read for the director and producer?' As I was leaving they gave me some hints on the character (that he lived in the mountains, was a carpenter, etc.). So when I came back a couple of days later to read for director Steve Miner and producer Frank Mancuso, Jr. (whose father was the head of Paramount Pictures at the time - yikes!) I walked into the meeting wearing blue jeans, work boots, rain parka and carrying a couple of 2x4's and a Skill saw. Everyone just loved that I had come prepared (i.e. "in character"). At the end of the reading, they were talking to me and so on; they asked me if I had ever seen F13 Part 1 or 2. Well, when I honestly told them I wasn't really into horror films (to this day I still haven't seen Part 1 or 2), they kind of laughed to themselves with a 'just our luck' expression.
Was Rick a hard character to play or did you and him have a lot in common?
Well, all guys that age want their girls badly, so that was easy. Actually, I found that role to be quite easy to do because he was a very "normal" kind of guy. By the way, a little bit of trivia: The character was named "Derek" in the original screenplay; it wasn't until the writers and producers realized that when Chris is screaming his name at the end of the movie it would be better for her to be screaming a name with only one syllable. Also, because Dana is such a grounded person, her character was real and easy to relate to from an acting standpoint.
What was a day on the set of F13-3 like?
It was fun, it was exciting (I mean I was a 26 year old with the leading role on his first film - I was stoked); the crew was awesome and really fun (there were a couple of jerks, but I just ignored them), my fellow actors were a blast. Dana was the consomethinge professional (contrary to many false diva rumors); I found working with Steve Miner to be a great experience. There were times when I was frustrated because we wouldn't get many takes, but that's always the actor's lament.
What was your first impression of Jason (Richard Brooker) in costume?
Richard is the nicest guy; very proper and polite. He's tall but that bulky at all; but when he came out in his wardrobe, it was INTENSE. Between the padding and then the makeup, he was gruesome! And that walk, only Richard captured that walk.
In the scene where you pull Chris (Dana Kimmel) up to the loft with the hoist, Were you actually pulling her up while filming the dialog or was that shot separate?
Dana wasn't at the end of that hoist while I was filming my close up shots; later, we did shoot me actually hoisting her up for the shot of her appearing in the opening at the top of the loft. Lots of jokes during that scene.
There was a scene where you and Chris ran into Abel (David Wiley) on your way back to the cabin after the car battery dies. This was cut from the film. Tell us what you remember about that scene and if it was filmed or just rehearsed?
No, that scene was definitely filmed and later edited out. It was too bad because in my opinion it would have added a definite mystique to Part 3. All of those scenes were filmed with large jet engine fans creating big winds so there was an errie feeling about those particular nights' filming. The weather was also cold and dry so it had a very real feel to it. I have some stills from that part of the filming.
Did they make a cast of your head for the film?
Yes, that's another incredible story. Two months before we started filming, I had to go to the special effects lab where they made a mold of my head. It was a very surreal experience to have my entire head and shoulders encased in plaster, with the only openings being the two small holes for straws leading out of my nostrils. It was a good thing I wasn't claustrophobic!
Were you there on set when your character was killed? If so, how did that feel?
At that stage of filming, we were working from 7pm until 7am. It's cold, dark, three in the morning.... and they wheel out this manikin/model of my upper body and head - it was so bizarre to see an exact replica of me! Very surreal. But the actual filming of the scene was quite technical because they had to line up the mono-filament line that the eye would pop out on with the central axis of the camera lens for the most realistic point of view. Also, the poor stunt man who had to be projected through the window as my dead body took quite a beating as they were trying to perfect his trajectory from being launched from an air ramp.
How much longer did it take for a scene to be filmed in 3-D?
A lot longer. Although the cinematographer used a new type of lens/camera set up so I think that minimized some, but not all of the hassle. The crew also used a Louma Crane, which was an awesome film making tool, but a hassle for sure. Because this film was the third in a (profitable) series and made for 3D distribution, more money was involved in the production at all phases. And whenever more money is involved, more time (and care) is spent. But heck, I was getting paid by the week, so I didn't care.
Looking back on your performance, Was there anything you would have done differently?
Ah, the bane of any actors' existence ....to think back and say, "If I'd only done ..." I don't particularly like watching myself on screen, so I am very critical of my performances. That being said, no, I thought my portrayal was real and believable, which is what I was trained to strive for at any stage of performing, whether it's at a casting or an actual filming. Maybe to have kept my mouth closed while looking around the house with the flashlight during that scene after Chris and I return from the drive to the lake.
Have you watched any other Friday's and if so what is your favorite?
Can you believe it - none.
Tell us about your practice.
Well, you know chiropractic is an amazing method of health care. God made us in such a way that our bodies are designed to be healthy; what coordinates and controls the function of the 70-80 trillion cells in our bodies is the brain, spine and nervous system. When the spine becomes misaligned (technical term is vertebral subluxation) through traumas, impacts, poor posture, even the birth process itself, this master controlling system is interfered with resulting in a lowered state of health. So for me, one of the many blessings in my life is to adjust a seven year old or perhaps an infant or even an eighty-four year old and see their body's return to health. Secondarily is to teach people to ask the right questions about health and for them to understand how pharmaceutical drugs never bring us toward a state of health. As I often say to my patients, 'If drugs and surgery made us healthy, then the people who took the most drugs and had the most surgeries would be the healthiest'.
Paul's Website
Any final words to your fans?
FRIDAY THE 13TH FANS ARE THE BEST! You know, I really mean it. Some years ago when Peter Bracke was in the process of writing his book, he asked me what the most amazing aspect of appearing in a F13 movie was. I told him it was the fact that 25 years later (21 or 22 years at that time), there is still such an interest in the movie and that the fans are always so gracious. Not a week goes by that I don't receive some type of fan mail from around the world. It truly touches my heart that these people have such a strong enthusiasm for the F13 films, and especially Part 3-3D. Lastly, for you aspiring filmmakers, if you ever want a F13 alumni for one of your films, let me know! If it wasn't for people like Scott Goldberg, Mike Gutridge, Dana Carney and others out there, classic horror films wouldn't be getting made today. It's unfortunate because what's considered a "B" movie make the "A" money for the studios, but they don't have a lot of interest in perpetuating the genre.
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us fans! We wish you all the best!
You are so very welcome, the pleasure is truly mine. God bless.
by count6string on March 17th 2007
Edited by Demon. Questions by count6string, Demon and Kyle.
Thank you Paul Kratka for your time, it was greatly appreciated!
Discuss this interview here.