Kevin Interdonato began his career on the East Coast, an actor known for his work on the Indie film scene in NYC, Philadelphia and NJ. From 2001, his television roles on “The Sopranos”, “Law And Order”, “CSI:NY”, and being nationwide finalist in producer Joel Silver’s “Next Action Star”, only added to his resume of acting in many award-winning independent films.
An abrupt leave from the business to fulfill his military obligations led Kevin to a tour of duty in Baghdad, Iraq in 2004-05. Upon his return, his work thereafter led to being honored at the 2008 Garden State Film Festival, where he was awarded the “Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award”.
Relocating to Hollywood in 2010, Kevin’s work was recognized at several film festivals, receiving the Best Actor award at the 2011 Indie Fest, as well as the Indie Actor Award of Merit at The Accolades Competition. He received rave reviews for his work in “Blue Collar Boys” which had a theatrical release in NYC and LA, being compared to a young Robert DeNiro in several publications. He was then interviewed in 2013 for top film magazine, The Independent Film Quarterly, highlighting his place in the industry as “The New Badass of Indie Film”.
In recent years, Kevin has expanded his talents as an up-and-coming producer, co-creating/Sstarring and executive producing the highly buzzed one-hour TV series (“DIRTY DEAD CON MEN“) soon to be pitched to networks, and the feature film, “BAD FRANK“, which has recently been picked up by top industry sales rep, Lotus Entertainment. Aside from co-writing and producing “BAD FRANK“, Kevin is starring in the film opposite Tom Sizemore, Brian O’Halloran (Clerks), and former Boxing Champion, Ray “Boom-Boom” Mancini. He is also a series regular in the upcoming TV Series currently in talks with networks, the highly anticipated, “LAND OF THE OUTLAWS“.
We had an awesome opportunity to chat with Kevin about his latest projects, and even attend the film screening of Bad Frank. Check the interview below.
Let’s talk Bad Frank. You play the lead role, Frank. The film is listed as completed in IMDB. Could you share any details?
Sure. Bad Frank is a story about a disturbed man (Frank Pierce) that lives a forced, quiet existence. His calm demeanor hides a severe mental illness, for which he is heavily medicated, and numb. An unfortunate event comes upon him, and people from his hidden past creep back into his world. While Frank is trying to piece his life back together from years prior, his true tendencies cannot stay suppressed for much longer, and it’s not long before his rage is unearthed again.
Did you draw from any experience to play Frank?
I did, and played with false realities. Just did what I needed to do to ‘get there’. And let myself fully immerse in this man’s head. I felt very strongly, and sympathetic towards Frank Pierce, which allowed me to not judge him. I was lucky to understand the character on a truthful level, and have wonderful people around me to let me breathe life into him.
Dirty Dead Con Men is in post-production, so we know you can’t say much. However, could you talk about your character?
Well, it’s another guy that’s pretty messed up in the head…I guess I attract this stuff, I don’t know. Mickey Rady is an undercover Vice Cop that goes after high-end criminals that beat the law, for his own reasons. He’s essentially ‘Partners’ with a smooth, equally disturbed con artist (magnificently played by Peter Dobson), and DDCM serves as a really unique-buddy film. Mickey’s on a downward spiral from the get… that was an interesting time playing him as well.
You play dark, edgier characters. That can be a challenge, when you need to be in-tune with the character. Tell us how you unwind after playing these types of roles.
It takes its toll, yeah. But I welcome it. It excites me in ways normal life cant. To unwind, it’s a more difficult process than preparing, because I miss it. But as with anything, it just takes time. Getting back to the schedule and rhythm I had prior to preparing in my everyday life, hanging with my family and friends settles me back in, that usually does the trick. I’m not much of a ‘relaxer’, so I just find things to cut off that train of thought that preoccupied my life.
And then there are roles that don’t require too far of a step in. I think the type of project you’re doing and the director involved, ultimately dictates just how heavy you are asked to go. Sometimes that big leap isn’t justified. Creatively, may not be as satisfying, but work is work. You do the best you can, and go home. So stepping off those sets, you put your sneakers back on, and it’s more of a job than an experience.
You mentioned how you like to be creatively satisfied. Does this determine the types of projects you accept?
Every Actor yearns for those creatively satisfying opportunities, which are rare, to be straight with you. Yes it’s one of the many factors I weigh to work on something, but this is business, and everybody has bills to pay, no matter the level anyone is on. I hate turning down work because it’s so damn flattering to be approached, and I don’t lose sight of real life and my responsibilities. But that said, there’s also just a level of work I won’t do anymore, that I used to because I thought I had to, for the sake of saying ‘I’m working’.
I do a good amount of research before jumping into anything nowadays. Talent always attracts me, but I won’t work with scumbags. Draw my line there.
First, thank you for your service! During your service in the Iraqi War. Did your experiences enhance your craft?
Thanks, appreciate that.
Well, I guess I’m still trying to figure that out. It changed me greatly, and it’s always with me. Sometimes I wish I couldn’t feel it. Playing a role is a relief in some ways in that respect too, gives me a chance to get away from it. It’s like breathing in fresh air.
Take us through your day.
Every day’s new. Things change on a dime. Get an audition, everything stops. Get an idea, start writing. Script comes in, the coffee is on and you’re immersed for a couple hours. Meetings out of nowhere to meet a filmmaker or distributor, or fellow actor to talk shop. My day consists of me doing whatever I can to create work, hone and study to sharpen my own work as an actor, and make better business decisions that are realistic and result oriented. Find myself spending more and more time offering a hand to help others now, and it’s quite satisfying.
We can definitely see you in an action movie, like the Bourne series. What are your thoughts?
That’s a dream I would give anything to make a reality. And if the opportunity doesn’t come, I’ll resort to creating it myself. Burning in me to get a role in that genre. Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Bourne series, it excites me to think about any of those types of films.
I always think the villain has a good side to him, and like to explore those aspects of villainous personalities. And the good guy that has some bad tendencies. For me, it’s always the conflict of the story, and the inner conflict of the character, that makes for an interesting journey to play, and watch.
What’s next for you?
Oscar. I want an Oscar. Not for the sake of boasting, ‘Hey I won!’, but because when that level of work is publicized and pushed up for recognition, it means the film was recognized. People were moved, and that’s the goal. I would take so much pride and joy in being responsible for that moment in someone else’s life… I strive to be the best I can. It’s such a battle I will continue to have with myself that drives me insane and forward at the same time.
At the end of the day, I hope people enjoy my work. If I can give back to movie fans, the same dreams and escape I’ve had my entire life from watching films, then I’ll leave this place with a smile on my face.
Connect with Kevin:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevinintro
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RamtownBoy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekevinintro
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1155450
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