"ON THE BRINK OF INDIE STARDOM "
'Ten 'til Noon' and 'Morphin(e)' actor Paul J. Alessi discusses his upcoming slate.

By Roger Andrews

You probably haven't heard of him yet, but it's just a matter of time. Actor Paul J. Alessi has been busy, performing in nearly a dozen independent films over the last two years, and as these movies trickle into the release schedule, so approaches his potential date with fame. Although he's not yet a known commodity, Paul's steady flow of work disqualifies him from the status of 'struggling' actor, and so he finds himself in a rarified kind of limbo. For the moment.

His biggest exposure to date has been on the film festival circuit with the award-winning short film 'Morphin(e)'. Paul takes the lead in this suspense tale as a hospital-bound accident victim who is the sole witness to another patient's murder, and when no one believes him, he finds himself the only one who can stop the killer. Think 'Die Hard' meets 'Rear Window', with just a dash of 'The Hitcher'.

Paul also appears in the ensemble cast of the highly anticipated indie feature, 'Ten 'til Noon', playing the pivotal role of Nickel, as well as in the recently wrapped Iraq War drama, 'A Line in the Sand.'

I had the opportunity to meet with Paul recently in Hollywood, and the first thing that struck me about him was how different he appears from the roles he's played. His face is younger, his manner warm and unassuming; a notable difference from his intense, violent protagonist in Morphin(e). He's immediately the guy who would protect someone from a bully on the playground.

RA: You've done a wide variety of indie films, in parts both large and small, in a span of only a few years. Has switching between so many different types of roles been helpful or detrimental to your process as an actor?

PJA: Getting to play such a variety of roles has enabled me to grow and challenge myself as an actor, and as a person. I like to use physical change to create my character. I've had a goatee, long hair in a pony tail, a beard, a shaved head, crew cut and so on. It makes me feel like a chameleon, that I can morph into anything. From there I enjoy developing the personality of my character.

RA: Actually, you've hit on the very thing I was going to ask you about next, and that's how different you appear physically from role to role. How much do you usually work with the director over the specific look for each new character?

PJA: Unless specified by the director, I make my own character choices and development within myself and through my research, including the physical aspects. This process is one of the things that really drives me, allows me to express my creativity. It's one of the most enjoyable parts of being an actor.

RA: Doing your homework. How much do you do for each character?

PJA: It depends on the role and how close it is to home, is it someone I can really relate to, am I familiar with the situation and how much research is needed? I take all of these things in and then do my work. Obviously the more time I have the better. For one role I had 5 months to prepare so I chose to grow a full beard and gain 30 plus lbs.

RA: Yikes. 30 lbs?

PJA: Yeah, I gained 30 lbs to play a serial killer rapist that was in prison on death row. Then when I came off that film I went to play a drug addicted criminal and lost that weight plus an additional 7 lbs, so I lost 37 lbs. for that role. I wanted to lose another 7 lbs. but didn't have enough time.

RA: Or enough rice cakes. Do you prefer to play roles that are significantly different from who you are?

PJA: Well, as scary as this might sound, I feel I find characteristics within myself that really relate to the roles I've played. But to answer your question, yes, I do prefer to play roles that are significantly different from me. (He leans in and smirks.) I don't eat rice cakes.

RA: How different are you from Jack Norris, the role you play in Morphin(e)?

PJA: Jack's a very complex character, an ex-con and soon-to-be father, struggling to change his life, go the straight and narrow, trying to do the right thing. A bad car crash leaves him frazzled, injured, and at the hospital, he's put on morphine, alcohol in his system, angry at himself. Confused and frustrated, there's a lot to choose from, and I can relate to these issues in one way or another. So I guess I'm not too far from the character at all.

RA: Have you been given a role yet that was particularly difficult to do because it was so unlike you?

PJA: Not yet. I've been fortunate to have been able to find something in each of my characters to identify with and roll with it from there.

RA:Let's talk about 'Morphin(e)', which you've had great success with on the festival circuit, and is now set to be expanded into a feature. What can we expect from the full length version?

PJA: I think the feature will exceed above and beyond the raving reviews we received from the short. All of the suspense, drama and action is gonna be elevated ten fold. With the creative quirks and high standards of director Alex Ranarivelo and the talented cast and crew, I think the film will speak for itself. Plus Paul Osborne, the screenwriter of 'Ten 'til Noon', is writing the feature version, which I'm very excited about.

RA: How did he enter the mix?

PJA: I met Paul on the set of 'Ten 'til Noon' and invited him to a screening of 'Morphin(e)'. He really dug it and it all started from there.

RA: Speaking of 'Ten 'til Noon', what can you tell us about it? There's been a lot of anticipation and buzz, but so much of the story seems to be under wraps.

PJA: I'm not allowed to talk about the story. Let's just say it's a great ensemble piece, a crime thriller with little comedy relief to boot.

RA: Can you tell us about your character?

PJA: I play Nickel, sleek and sly hit-man. He's loyal, committed, and lives life on the edge.

RA: The 'Ten 'til Noon' crew have also been doing a lot of 'mockumentary'-style video blogs for their website, one of which stars you. What's the story with those?

PJA: Just some PR fun for the film. There's been a great buzz going on and as independent filmmakers we're all doing our part to see that we give it the best we can.

RA: In your blog, director Scott Storm assaults and kills you. Is that any indication of what he's like on the set?

PJA: No, no, Scott's a really great and talented guy. I expect you'll be seeing a lot of work from him very soon. Now, the actors that he chooses to work with well...

RA: You have a reputation for getting involved behind the camera as well as in front. Are you thinking about moving into producing in the near future?

PJA: I actually have produced a few short films and I'm currently going into pre-production on a feature. Producing is something I really enjoy as well. I happen to know a lot of people and have a knack for getting the job done and that's what's it all about. It also has great perks, I get to work with my friends and I love that. But my real passion is acting, and that's my true goal.

RA: As an actor, it must also be advantageous to be able to create your own opportunities through producing.

PJA: Well, yeah, if there's a role I can sink my teeth into I would definitely read for the part.

RA: Would you need to read for it?

PJA: As a producer I guess I could get around it, but as a matter of course I wouldn't unless the director already knows my work and doesn't need me to.

RA: What do you look for in projects to produce?

PJA: I look for a good story with a reasonable budget that has some characters with a lot of meat, and of course finding a role that myself or my friends would possibly be right for doesn't hurt.

For more information, visit the web at www.pauljalessi.com, www.tentilnoon.com or www.morphinemovie.com. To view the 'Ten 'til Noon' blog starring Paul, go to www.tentilnoon.com/edit.mov