>JAK KENDALL
TS:
Did you have any previous acting experience prior to Firecracker?
JK:
Well, I was involved in the theater department in high school but I wouldn't say it at all prepared me or attributed to my performance in Firecracker. I don't say that to discredit the program at all...it's more that the idea that, to me, my prior experience with acting was recreational and the differences between it and a film like Firecracker are huge.
TS:
Any plans to continue your acting career?
JK:
I think it'd be selfish of me not to given the opportunities I've already had. So many people would kill for the role I played. I think they would want to slit my throat if they knew I didn't at least try.
TS:
Was filming Firecracker an intimidating experience?
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were all very pleased.
TS:
Did you attend any of the premieres for Firecracker?
JK:
I was at Raindance in London and then (though it wasn't a premiere) in St. Louis.
TS:
What was your initial response to watching yourself on screen?
JK:
'Wow.' It was actually really distracting the first time I saw the film because, even months after filming ended, it hadn't really sunk in. Now I watch it and it's Jimmy up there.
TS:
What kind of role would you like to take for your next film or play?
JK:
Aspects of it certainly were--horrifying even. I was a nerdy, fat kid growing up who hated taking his shirt off let alone being naked in front of people. Naturally, filming the nude scenes gave me a bit of trouble. That part of my head that was like 'oh, geez.. nobody's ever seen you naked except when you were a kid!' definitely needed to be calmed down. You'd think I'd be more concerned about being able to own up to all the talented folks I'd be working with--or the fact I was filming a movie at all--but that didn't really bother me. Being naked in front of ten or so people, though? That's what got me.
TS:
What was your toughest scene in the film?
JK:
Jimmy's rape scene. Though not tough in the sense of the performance: there was no performance.
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JK:
I'm pretty obsessed with this British comedy, The Mighty Boosh, which has a lot of jokes for eclectic music/music-culture lovers. It's just a dream but I'd love to get on something like that. Play someone who was in an 80's new wave band like David Sylvian or someone wishing they were him.
TS:
In a few words tell us about yourself.
JK:
I borrow a close friend's terminology but in a word: a muppet. Hyper-realized and just plain hyper-active. I'm as pretentious as I am a goof-ball and think it safe to say am the furthest thing from a big fish.
TS: Was working with Mike Patton interesting?
JK: Everyone on set had a different story to tell and, growing up in Kansas, I wanted to hear them all. I was intrigued and beguiled by everything. Mike's a great guy who just happens to have this cult-inspiring alter-ego. Of course it was interesting but he's a normal guy, too. Well, a genius normal guy.
TS: What did all of your friends think of your acting debut and how did they rate your performance?
JK: Only my closest of friends have gotten to see it so far and they've all been really supportive. I've never really had a proper sit-down with anyone to have an examination of what I did/where I went with Jimmy but I think it safe to say we
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