WITNESS INSECURITY actor Patrick Keenan talks about the Charlotte movie scene

Patrick Keenan has been building his acting career up for years and as a result of steady work has had a chance to work on some major projects which have included the acting talents of Mel Gibson, Sandra Bullock, Ed Asner and Meat Loaf. 

 

One of Keenan's latest roles has been his portrayal of, "Frank" in the movie, "Witness Insecurity" which shot in Kannapolis and even filmed at the Gem Theatre."Witness Insecurity," plays at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1, at Modern Film Fest, at the historic Gem Theatre, Kannapolis, N.C.

 

The story of, "Witness Insecurity," is about Johnny Graham, who is raised by the Torino crime family after the death of his parents. Johnny is repeatedly torn between loyalty to his adoptive family and his conscience. When Anthony Torino, the volatile heir-apparent, turns his deadly sights on the DA prosecuting him for the cold-blooded murder of his own cousin, Johnny is finally moved to act.

 

Keenan plays the thug, Frank, who works for the Torino family in the movie.

 

"It was a new experience playing essentially a goon," Keenan said. "In indie projects, I generally get cast as the mob boss or villain. It was interesting being the guy who takes orders for a change."

 

In the movie, Keenan gets to share screen time with acting legend, Ed Asner, as well as Edward Furlong, best known for his role as John Connor in, "Terminator 2: Judgement Day." Rock star, Meat Loaf, is also in the movie and has acted in films such as, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show and "Fight Club."

 

Keenan got involved with, "Witness Insecurity," after his agent sent him to an audition. After being cast, the real work began-- developing the character of, Frank.

 

"I usually start by finding the character’s objectives. Knowing what the character truly wants is always the key to understanding how I want to perform the role," Keenan said. "The rest of it is listening and reacting. Since Frank is basically a foot soldier for the Torinos, more of the role fleshes out while working with the actors on set. Plus, having grown up in NJ, I have some insight into how I see Frank as a character."

 

Part of delivering a strong performance is knowing just who Frank is, Keenan said. He went through the trouble of developing a background on Frank, and knew exactly who Frank was before Keenan even set foot on the production shoot.

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"Frank is a longtime member of the Torino family," Keenan said. "He’s loyal and does what he’s told to do, whether he likes it or not. And for that reason, he’s the ‘go to’ man when Vince or Anthony needs something done. I don’t think Frank has ever had aspirations to be the leader. He’s content in being the strong arm of the family."

 

Frank may be a tough guy, but one thing Keenan had to deal with himself was the weather And keeping in character with the cast of personalities he was working with.
 
"The biggest challenge for me, was the scorching heat," Keenan said. "We shot the film last May and June and it was in that overpowering North Carolina heat. In the interior scenes, the AC units had to be shut off to get the best sound. Another challenge was keeping a straight face with (Edward Furlong). He’d say some really funny things during takes."

 

Keenan said working with Edward Furlong, who plays Johnny Graham, was one of the highlights of working on, "Witness Insecurity."

 

"Eddie Furlong was really sweet," Keenan said. "After seeing him in some of his other films, I had no idea what to expect. He was great to work with and very funny. I think we lost a few takes because we burst out laughing. Eddie also makes some very interesting acting choices, and that’s very exciting to work with."

 

Keenan said other members of the cast and crew also made his experience on the film shoot a good one.

"I really enjoyed working with the director, Heather Hale. She was just awesome and a total sweetheart. And who knew Brian Krause was so funny?" Keenan said. "He and Rick Ravanello kept me laughing on and off set. Really some great guys to work with and true professionals." 

 

Keenan also talked about his other projects, including the zombie western, "Devil's Crossing," working with Sandra Bullock in, "The Blind Side" and his experience on the set for the Mel Gibson movie, "The Patriot." 

 

MODERN FILM FEST: It seems like there was a lot of comraderie among the cast, the way Rick Ravanello talked. Can you discuss some of the fun everyone had on and off the set?

KEENAN: "Off set, it was just a blast hanging out with Brian (Krause) and Rick (Ravenello)."

 

"Although I think the funniest thing to happen while shooting happened one day when we were relaxing in the motor home. Daz Crawford, who plays Phil, came into the trailer and slammed the door."

 

"Daz is very tall and very strong. He somehow managed to slam the door so hard that we couldn’t open it and were locked in. Well none of us could fit out the windows and there was nobody in the area to hear our yelling. I finally had to call the production office and tell them we were locked in the trailer. There was a pause and then a burst of laughter. The production office thanked me later for making their day."

MFF: What have been some of the best lessons you have learned as actor over the years?

KEENAN: "I’ve learned to keep my acting as subtle as I can. More importantly, I’ve learned to trust the director and the production people on set. Filmmaking is a team effort and you need to trust the people around you to do their thing while you do your thing."

 

MFF: How would you describe your actor/director relationship?

KEENAN: "I can’t think of any film directors that I haven’t gotten along with. I have great respect for the task they take on. I’m not sure I could ever see myself as directing. A great outlet for actors is the indie film market, so I’m very supportive of it. The indie directors I’ve come to know over the years are simply awesome, and I always look forward to working more with them."

 

MFF: What advice do you have for directors to get the best performance out of actors?

KEENAN: "I would say, trust your actors. You hired them for a reason, so let them do their thing. And reversely, the actor needs to trust the director to reign them in if it’s going off course. I think that symbiotic relationship combined with a relaxed atmosphere is most productive on set."

 

MFF: What advice do you have for actors on how they could work with directors?

KEENAN: "I think of directors like a coach on a sports team. Do your part to the best of your ability, but realize the director is keeping the whole show together. If you both trust each other, you’ll be able to feed off of each other’s creativity and make something amazing. But in the long run, the actor is just another piece of the director’s vision."

 

MFF: How did you get started in acting and how has your career developed over the years?

KEENAN:  "In high school, I was intending on going to college for art. Then after I did one school production and took a private acting class, I had been bitten by the bug."

 

"I ended up going to college, majoring in Theater. The switch to film was not really a surprise. My first job was as an usher and I managed a video store after college, so I was always surrounded by films. Now my focus is primarily film work. I can’t get enough of it."

 

MFF: Do you have a specific way of preparing for a role, or does it change from character to character?

KEENAN: "Honestly, it changes from role to role. Sometimes it’s an extensive period of probing and research. Sometimes, it’s just rehearsing the heck out of your scenes. Other times, you hear a song that just might make the character come to light in your mind."

 

MFF: What keeps you interested in acting?

KEENAN: "Every role is a new challenge. Plus, I try to continue working and growing with directors I respect. Even though it’s a ‘hurry up and wait’ industry, I love every second I spend on set. It’s where I feel most at home."

MFF: You have also acted in close to 20 other movies, including the Sandra Bullock hit, "The Blind Side.' Can you talk about your experience working on that movie?

KEENAN: "It was fantastic. The production crew was so positive and professional. Sandra Bullock was amazing. She’s absolutely beautiful and has a great sense of humor. She actually held up a shot because we were having an in depth political discussion. It may have helped that my scene was shot the last day of production. Everyone’s spirits were very high."
 
MFF:I also saw you worked on the Mel Gibson movie, "The Patriot." Can you talk about working on that movie and what it was like to be in a big historical production?

KEENAN: That film was a rigorous shoot. Getting on set at 4am and wrapping at 7pm took its toll. The weather was very cold in the morning and by the afternoon it was up to 70, and we were wearing wool uniforms."

 

"Then after running across a battlefield in full gear over and over again between horses and explosions, it became very exhaustive."

 

MFF: I also saw you worked on the zombie western, "Devil's Crossing." Can you talk about that movie and your involvement with it as well as where all you shot the movie?

KEENAN: "I like to say my experience on ,Devil’s Crossing' was part summer camp and part prison camp. We shot in the winter in Love Valley, just outside of Statesville, NC."

 

"Love Valley is a small authentic western town basically void of phone signals and internet. I played the character of Franklin Della Louise Scarboro, who is a minion of the Devil. My character is barefoot through the entire film. Also, it rained and snowed a few times during production."

 

"So between the mud, snow and horse poop, my feet were pretty cold. But overall, it was so much fun to shoot. I really enjoyed playing the character and the crew and locals were awesome. Plus, how could I not enjoy working on a post apocalyptic zombie western?"
 
 MFF: What other projects do you have in the works?

KEENAN: "Coming up soon, I’ll be doing some voice work for an animated feature called 'Starforce 7.' I’m also working closely with the people at NightOwl Pictures, developing a steampunk sci-fi feature called 'Nikol,' as well as a short film titled 'Geppetto.'"

 

"And like a typical actor, I’m always looking for more work to keep me out of trouble as well as pay the bills. There’s a few other possible projects in the works, but I don’t want to jinx them."
 
 MFF: How would you describe the North Carolina film industry and how have you developed your career working on the east coast instead of the Hollywood scene?

KEENAN: "The current NC film incentive is very competitive with other states, so hopefully more and more projects will see how beautiful it is to shoot in NC. The downside is that the incentive is geared towards studio pictures. Being a local actor, often the best you can hope for with a big studio picture is some work as a dayplayer or offers to be background. They tend to pull in much of the talent from the coasts."

"It’s a shame since there are some truly wonderful actors in NC. I’d like to see more incentives and support supplied to encourage the indie market in NC. There’s been some talk in the business that true indies are dead, but I just like to think they’re sleeping."
 
MFF: What made you decide to tackle the film industry working the east coast and do you think it would be easier if you were on the west coast? And if so, why stay on the east coast?

KEENAN: "Actually, I have some family commitments that keep me in NC for the time being. I do love the film scene here, and would like to see more projects come this way. If I could land some bigger films in state that would be amazing. It’s hard to say if it would be easier on the West Coast. Some actors can luck out, while others are lost in the sea of actors who are already out there. I have friends in the NYC area that are going through the same thing."
 

MFF: What advice do you have for actors looking to start their career?

KEENAN: "First I’d say to make sure it’s what you really want to do for a career. It needs to be as vital to you as air. Next I’d say, be comfortable in who you are and always be learning. Whether it’s through classes or working on small projects, an actor always needs to be learning. Then find yourself a good agent. Lastly, you need to show people that you’re in it for the long run. "
 
MFF: What is your favorite type of character to play?

KEENAN: "I really enjoy the quirky characters or the villains that have no boundaries. Those are always lots of fun to play. I also enjoy playing people who have a very loose perspective of reality."
 
MFF:  If I remember you have done theatre as well. Do you have a dream project you would like to work on, or favorite character you would like to portray and why?

KEENAN: Although I don’t do much theatre anymore, I’ve always wanted to play Henry in 'The Lion In Winter.' It’s just such an amazingly well written role. I’m also finally getting to the age where I could play it."
 
MFF: How is performing on stage for a live audience different than performing for the camera?

KEENAN: "Performing onstage is such a different energy. You really need to be on point for every performance. There’s no doing it in twenty takes until you get it right like there is in film. I was never as charged from audience responses the way other actors are, so film is perfect for me. I’m very oriented to the final product with film."
 
MFF: What has been some of the best advice you have been given as an actor?

KEENAN: "My first film acting teacher in NYC told me to stop acting so hard. Going from theatre training to film is quite a difference. It took me some time to tone it all down." 
 
MFF: If I remember you like movies with a grindhouse fashion, such as "Hobo with a Shotgun." What do you like about that genre and what are some of your favorite films both good and ones you would consider guilty pleasures?

KEENAN: "I really just like strong indie films. Years back when I managed video stores, I would watch what was left on the shelf at the end of the day and most often it was the smaller films. That’s probably why I appreciate them so much more."

"Recently, I finally saw, 'The Station Agent' and it was simply brilliant. It reminded me of the indies I would watch in the late 80’s to early 90’s. A simple story told in a masterful way. I find the grindhouse fashion films to be kinda hit or miss."

"I really enjoyed, 'Hobo With A Shotgun' from the opening shots. It was very saturated like a Troma film, and stayed very faithful to the style. 'Planet Terror' is another one I enjoyed. However I wasn’t as keen on 'Death Proof.'"

"I recently saw 'Drive Angry,' and thought for a gearhead film, that it had its moments. But it’s very difficult for studio films to emulate the magic of the low budget indies. I think it’s also hard to use such recognizable faces in a grind house/indie type of film and get the same effect."