Young actor Grayson Kilpatrick is presently anticipating the release of a movie titled “Bad Blood: The Movie." In this film, he stars in the role of Wade Jr.m Greyson has been professionally performing since he was nine years old and he had gone on to star in more than two-dozen short films, television series, and feature films.
Grayson’s successes in acting prompted his family to move from their home state of Alabama to Los Angeles, California, where Grayson joined the Screen Actors Guild and became a member of SAG-AFTRA. He is presently enrolled in acting classes at Gray Studios and the Margie Haber Studios to hone his craft further.
When he isn’t acting, Grayson is pursuing a Black Belt in Karate, learning how to surf, and taking Parkour lessons. He also enjoys archery, football, and playing Minecraft. Via a recent and exclusive interview, Grayson discussed his experiences as a child actor and his dreams for the future.
Acting on stage and screen
Meagan Meehan (MM): What initially made you want to become an actor and how did you break into your local theater scene?
Grayson Kilpatrick (GK): When I went to see “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days” at a local premiere in Huntsville, AL, I met Grayson Russell who is in the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” Movies. It was cool to meet an actor in person! He was talking about filming another movie (“Space Warriors”) a few miles from this movie theater.
I introduced myself as Grayson, and we started talking. He asked me if I wanted to be in this new movie being filmed. I said I would like to check it out and the next week, I had been in my first movie!
After a few weeks of trying to find a way into acting, my mom heard about a local playhouse in Huntsville, Alabama, which had kid roles in plays.
I went for an audition on Saturday, and I got a callback. We went to the callback the next day, and I got a role as a gnome! Production wanted us to name ourselves. I thought “I’m pretty strong like Hercules and I’m always hungry…” I didn’t know how to spell “Hercules” at the time, so I came up with Herqhungry.
MM: How did you move from the stage to the screen and what are the biggest differences between film/television and theater?
GK: I was in the film “Space Warriors” as an extra. Then I gave stage a shot. It was okay, but I knew after that show ended I would much rather be in a film. The theater has so much rehearsing days and weeks before the show. Props have to move on and off the stage constantly. You only get one shot with your lines during the performance. I just liked the feel of the film set. The set is usually complete when the cameras are ready to roll. You get to do as many takes as needed to get the scene right.
MM: You’re working on a horror movie right now, so are you a fan of this genre?
GK: I do like horror. I recently started getting into the horror movies. I binged all of the horrors on Netflix until there weren’t any more to watch.
So, now I’m hooked. I like superhero action more than any other kind of movies, but horror is my second favorite genre.
MM: What sort of role would you consider to be your "dream character" and why?
GK: I would like to portray one of my own characters that I create. I can have that character do whatever I want whether it’s comedy, horror, action or whatever.
MM: How do you go about preparing for roles to “become” your character while on stage or behind the camera?
GK: I just go on set with an idea from the script. Sometimes, when I got feedback from the director at the audition, I use that. As we go through the scene, I pretty much create that character as we go along. I’ve been lucky to work with some really good directors that help with the character development during the production.
Some have planned out how my character should be so I take that direction and make it happen for them. I don’t really have one way; it just happens to me.
MM: What have been the most rewarding parts of being an actor and what are the most memorable bits of feedback that you have gotten from your fans?
GK: I find it rewarding when I get to be on set around new people and make new friends. On my birthday a few years ago, I got to ride a horse in a scene. The director asked me if I saw horses over to the side of the house where we were filming. I said: “Yes. I saw them.” Then he said to me “Happy birthday! You’re riding a horse!” I recently filmed a TV show in front of a live audience, and some fans wanted to take pictures with me and get my autographed picture.
It’s still surprising to me that people want a picture with ME! I definitely want to keep acting for as many years as possible.
California, hobbies, and advice
MM: Your family moved to Los Angeles in support of your career, so what was that experience like and do you enjoy residing in California?
GK: We came out to LA the last week of October in 2015 to see about getting me an agent. It was then my parents, and I talked to my manager about moving to LA for my career. He thought I was ready to start booking roles in LA. I signed with an agent, and we went back to Alabama the first of November with a plan to move to LA.
When we got home, we started packing up with plans to move from Alabama to Los Angeles by the first of the year.
We had to get rid of a lot of stuff from the house since we were going to be living in apartments. My parents had to find jobs in LA. I was booking roles during that time out of Atlanta. It was a crazy busy time.
I do like being in California. There are great things to see and do that you hear about when you live in Alabama, but now we live here in the middle of it. I do miss my old friends back in Alabama though, and I miss the rain!
MM: You’re also into surfing, parkour, and karate, so are these pure hobbies or might they one day be extensions of your acting career?
GK: They are purely hobbies. But, one day, they may be handy in an acting job.
MM: What cool new events and projects are coming up for you and what sort of advice could you give to other aspiring young performers?
GK: There is currently a movie I’m working on. That is the only upcoming project I have now. My advice to up and coming actors is just to be yourself.
