We here at Movie Cynics relish the opportunity to speak with filmmakers and actors both in the industry and outside of it. However, we rarely get the chance to talk with someone like Paul Sampson. As the writer, director and star of his new film Night of the Templar, Paul has put quite a bit of time and effort into his craft. He has extensive experience in several different areas of filmmaking, but nobody can be prepared for what happened to one of the stars of his latest film. Sadly, Night of the Templar will be the last film that David Carradine ever starred in. No filmmaker wants the death of a famous actor to cast a shadow over their work, especially one as well known and respected as Carradine. However, everyone involved with the project has persevered and this film is now close to receiving an official release. Today, we are pleased to have had the opportunity to speak with Paul about this and many other aspects of filmmaking.

So first off, let’s just get that elephant out of the room. Nobody wants to hear the news that one of the people who helped make their dream a reality has passed on. How did Carradine’s death affect you and your film?

When I first heard the news, I was stunned, and then later I started to feel really sad. But I think you just asked me how it ‘affected’ me and my film; as opposed to what ‘effect’ did it have on me. Truthfully, because of his death, I wanted to make the film as great as possible because I knew additional people, especially David Carradine fans, would be watching the film more attentively, knowing that this would possibly be his final work. So, in a sense, his ‘death’ inspired me to make it a better film. I was very meticulous. I felt like I owed it to him, and everyone else involved that had put their fate in me.

What was it like to work with an actor like David Carradine?

I was actually surprised how much he was into being a part of my project. He really enjoyed the script and was totally prepared. On the first day he worked, we had a four minute scene together and he knew his dialogue verbatim. Later he told me that it was a pleasure to work with a script that excited him, and a director that knew what he wanted. He said that I knew how to pick my moments… and that I was a lunatic (laughing). Overall, his enthusiasm and professionalism blew me away. It was an honour for me.

It looks like you had the opportunity to work with some pretty amazing actors in this movie. What was it like to have such a great cast?

The odd thing is the more experienced actors listened to every word or piece of direction I gave them and adapted immediately. I guess the fact that I was holding a really big sword in my hand most of the time kept their attention…along with my ‘reputation’ (laughing). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (and again), I was blessed to have the cast that I had, they were all perfect. I’m proud of them; even the background artists who weathered the storm were valiant, we shot in record cold and hot temperatures and they were warriors. My actors made the movie. I really need to thank that casting director.

Do you have any plans to continue directing?

I don’t know, it’s just too big of a commitment to think about directing another project at this very moment. I have to stay focused for a little while longer with “Templar.”I can’t take on anything else for a couple of months in any capacity, as an actor or writer or director. Once I have the movie sold I’ll probably take a gig or two as an actor, film or stage. After that, if something comes along that really wows me, then I’ll consider directing it, but for now, I’d like to just finish what I started. See it through to the end.

Who are some of your favorite directors?

The ones that hire me… the rest suck.

Have any directors been inspirational for you and your work?

No. I’m not really inspired by directors, unless of course, they hire me. Didn’t you just ask me that question (laughing).

Night of the Templar sounds like an awesome Medieval Action flick. Can you tell us more about the film?

Well, yes, there is an okay amount of action and killing in it, but what nobody’s going to expect is all of the intense drama… I mean real quality stuff, great acting. To be honest, there’s more drama (screen time) than action…and then there’s that horror/slasher element throughout, and an unexpected dose of dark humor… and of course mystery and suspense…and, oh yeah, there’s some hot chicks in it, too…can’t leave that out.
It’s really a strange flick. I mixed a lot of genres. Not intentionally, it just came out that way. It’s like life in a sense…you laugh, you cry, you fight, you die. And in between ‘Oscar’ worthy dramatic beats, people get gutted, decapitated and dismembered. It’s safe to say it’s definitely the most ‘diverse’ or ‘complex’ film project that I’ve ever been a part of. You can watch it several times and each time you’ll notice something different or catch a subtle nuance that got by you before. I’ve had dozens of people view it at this point, and they all come up with the same conclusion, that I have a potential ‘cult’ film in my hands… and that I need psychiatric help.

You’ve been acting for decades now, what inspired you to become a director and producer for Night of the Templar?

Decades… shit… you’re right (laughing). Wow, I have been acting for ‘decades’ now. Sounds like hundreds of years. I guess that’s what inspired me to direct, because I have been acting for awhile… if that makes any sense. Let me try to put it to you this way, the reason I directed is the same reason I wrote my first script. And, well, here we go, I’m going to sound like a butt head, but, as an actor, I’ve been handed so many crappy scripts, that one day I just decided to write one myself…or ten. Same thing with the directing, I felt like a lot of the movies I was acting in where lack luster so to speak… especially the ‘pre-sold’ movies. And sometimes it wasn’t entirely the director’s fault, but without getting into that, it made me want to give it a crack. I directed because I wanted this one, “Night of the Templar”, to be done right … or at least with care, which in turn made me also produce the film. And before you ask, “NO”, I don’t want to produce again …ever!

What inspired you to become an actor and a filmmaker?

I could no longer deal with the clingy and emotional attachment that went hand in hand with the whole “man-whore” profession. Yes, it was partially my fault, I kept on falling in love with my clients, and they just kept on treating me like a “boy toy.” I would wake up alone the next morning and an envelope full of cash would rest on the pillow next to me (mostly just one and five dollar bills, unfortunately)…. And I would just feel so ‘used’ (mostly because they weren’t hundred dollar bills, unfortunately)… women can just be so ‘cold’ at times (and cheap), and me being so ‘vulnerable’ (and broke) and all. So I figured what the heck, I’d be an artist. At least all my emotional and physical energy wouldn’t be exploited in total vain. But I have to admit, the pay and meals were better before, I traveled a lot more, and I had my days free for the most part… ah, the sacrifices of an artist.

When was the first moment you knew that you wanted to be in the movies?

I’ve been asked that once before on a live show and I just drew a blank, and I never draw a blank…being an idiot, I usually always have something stupid to say. Mmmmmm…let me think… I don’t know. I mean this should be one of those questions that I know the answer to, or at least have one of those bullshit PR ready answers to spell out on cue. It’s like when you hear other actors in interviews and they have this incredible story of how a bird landed on a tree and they saw a rainbow and so on and so on and THEN they ‘knew’ at that ‘special’ moment (cough cough bullshit) they wanted to be an “ACTOR.” In all seriousness, I have no idea. It’s like when did you know you wanted to live …or be a lion …or have multiple orgasms…it’s just one of those sweet mysteries of life. I don’t know, I just woke up one day and I was in the middle of it. Like how did I get here and why am I tied to this bed post? … and is she going to make me breakfast or what?

What is your favorite genre of film to work on as an actor?

Chick flicks…hands down. But isn’t that just soooooo cliché for all of us true thespians.

What are some of your favorite movies?

You mean other than “Night of the Templar.” Well, I don’t like porn if that’s what you’re getting at. Never did…I’m just not a good ‘spectator.’ Mmmm, let me think, I could rattle off a half dozen or so “foreign” films and sound really intelligent… and pretentious… or I could rattle off the same list of foreign films, and with boisterous conviction intentionally pronounce them incorrectly, which would be hysterical, but then the world would think that I’m not just crazy, but I’m also ignorant…Wouldn’t want that now would we (laughing). But then again, most of the ‘groundlings’ probably wouldn’t realize that I was pronouncing the titles wrong, which would take away all that fun anyway. So, you see, I can’t mention foreign films now, because it could only come across as being pretentious or ignorant, with absolutely no upside…you know, Big risk… no payoff. Wait, what’s that smell? Is that plastic burning? Um, where was I? Think…think… what were we talking about again?… oh, yeah, right…Q&A stuff… now I know my original answer was definitely ‘Night of the Templar’…but what was your question again?

Last but not least, is there anything about the film industry that really bothers you?

What? You want me to name names and bad mouth companies???? Well, Justin, as my own ‘legal counsel’, let me start off by saying, “Dude, that question is like total entrapment” (laughing). This is one of those Q&A moments, that if I had a ‘handler’ or for that matter, someone that could ‘handle’ me, they would jump in between the microphone and I, and say something clever like “No further questions, please. Mr. Sampson has a plane to catch to Greece” or somewhere cool… I’m outta here.

In conclusion, I just have to say that this has been without a doubt one of my favorite interview experiences. Paul has a style about him that is uniquely his own and I think it shows in all of his answers. It was a pleasure to have this opportunity to speak with him and I can’t wait to check out his new film. Speaking of which, be on the lookout for this one soon and keep an eye out at http://www.nightofthetemplar.com for more information about the upcoming movie. If it’s all that Paul has made it out to be, I’m sure that we’re in for a rather interesting little flick!

Tags: action, billy drago, cult films, David Carradine, latest movie interviews, medieval movie, new movie interviews, nick jameson, night of the templar, norman reedus, paul sampson interview, udo kier