KARRINE STEFFANS
You made your acting debut in this movie. What was that experience like?
I couldn't have asked for a better script. I couldn't have asked for a better cast or director. Gary Gray kind of discovered me on Sunset Blvd. and then four days later, I'm doing his movie. After studying acting all my life I never thought it was really going to happen to me. But it did, all because someone took a chance. I couldn't have asked for a better blessing in my entire life.
He discovered you and then four days later you're in his movie? How did that happen?
We were at the Sky Bar separately for a function and our respective parties were still there. We wanted to leave, though. So we kind of just gravitated toward each other and we're like, “Are you bored? Yeah, I'm bored.” It was just talking and then we exchanged numbers. That was on a Saturday night. He called me Sunday and said, “Can you pick up a script?” I'm like, “What script?” I picked it up on a Monday and that Thursday I'm at a meeting sitting next to Vin [Diesel] and across from Larenz [Tate]. Just like that. It changed my life in an instant.
Larenz Tate plays your husband. What was it like working opposite him?
Larenz is a hottie. [Larenz] playing my husband was great. He's a great professional mentor for me; he's taught me a lot. Along with Vin, they both taught me a lot. They were very patient with me, knowing it was my first time. They were very willing to let me know things that I needed to know. I think who I am from this point on has a lot to do with those three men - Gary, Larenz and Vin.
What was the most important thing you learned on the shoot?
When you are playing a character who is so close - all of us are so close in this film - it helps to be close to the people. A lot of us spent time together outside of the film, and that's why we were able to remain friends until today. Working is one thing, but it's very important, I think, to be open to people personally. [It] makes that work complete, so that when you get on the set, you're not faking a relationship. You are really good friends [and] that helped us a lot.
George Sharperson at the Premiere of "A Man Apart"
Photo ©Rebecca Murray. All Rights Reserved.
Can you talk about this role? What was your relationship to Vin and Larenz's characters?
You know what? The role was excellent and I'm really blessed to have it. I play the street connection to Larenz Tate's character and Vin Diesel's character. We all were childhood friends. When we were growing up, I guess they all went right and I kind of went left and stayed on the streets. You know what I mean? They come to me, nonetheless, and ask for help and I do all I can to help them out.
What type of research did you have to do for this role?
It's kind of really close to who I am, a laidback type of character. I didn't really have to do much. The locations were so close to my house that it was scary.
What was the most surprising thing about working on this film?
I guess the most surprising thing was just being there. Coming to work every day and seeing that I'm working with Vin Diesel and Larenz Tate. After “Love Jones” and all this stuff that I've been watching them in it's like, “Wow, I'm here.” This has been a long struggle for me. I've been acting for probably eight years, doing small parts here and there. This is the largest by far. It's just a great feeling to be here.
Did the director give you much freedom? What was the atmosphere like on the set?
F. Gary Gray - you can't say enough about Gary. He let us have a lot of freedom. He wanted us to make it our own, and that's his own way. Just make it our own, within the context of the character.
Juan Fernandez at the Premiere of "A Man Apart"
Photo ©Rebecca Murray. All Rights Reserved.
Your character is a bit of a mystery in this movie.
My character is Santos. He's supposed to be the Devil, the one that they are all looking for.
Do you like playing bad guys?
I love working. I love working in interesting films. I love working with good actors and Vin Diesel is going to make it in films, not just as an action hero. As an actor we have to work. That is what it is about - work. I can be very talented but if I'm not putting myself out there, then there isn't the momentum going. It's very hard to keep the wheel moving. Either I'm working as an actor, or I am in school, or I am directing or I'm writing. I have to do something creative.
What is the one thing you are really looking for when you get a script?
It's the dialogue. [If] it's real and if it comes from a person versus a cartoon.
What's your next project after this?
There's a film coming out that is called “Sparta.” I'm getting ready to get into producing and there's a film that we are doing in New York, in which I have one of the leads. I'm also writing and I'm in the process of getting ready to direct. You cannot sit around and wait in this business.
Do you ever feel like you are spread too thin?
No. I've got a lot of energy. You find a balance. In life, you find a balance.
