Kate Patel Talks Upcoming Slasher Film – SCALPER!
By: Joshua Scafidi
SCALPER, the upcoming slasher flick written and directed by Chad Ferrin, is coming for your heads. Well, for the tops of them, anyway. The film is a sequel to Night Caller, and stars Kate Patel, Jake Busey, Bai Ling, and Susan Priver. We recently had the chance to chat with Kate Patel about the film, and what it was like working with Chad Ferrin for the second time!
Horror Fuel: So, you have a new film coming out called SCALPER! What can you tell us about it? Without spoiling too much, of course.
Kate Patel: I guess I can talk a little bit about my character, Detective Lupino, because it was really exciting to play a detective. I thought the role that Chad (Ferrin) had written was fantastic, and I was working alongside Jake Bussey and many other talented actors. It was a blast doing it. The role I had done in Pig Killer before this one was very different, and that was my first role. This one was exciting. I found the role of detective to be super fun. She’s a badass!
How did you prepare for the role?
Actually, it’s kind of an interesting story. Her name is Detective Ida Lupino. So, I looked up Ida Lupino, and she was an actual woman. She was an actress, actually. I found that to be very interesting because Chad has his mysterious ways about him. While I was working on the role, I thought about the mannerisms detectives have when they’re questioning people, and the whole good cop, bad cop dynamic. There’s a scene that I did with Jake where we’re both in the interrogation room questioning a suspect, and Jake is the good cop, and I’m the bad cop. So, that was fun, to play off of each other, and play off of the suspect. He’s also a great actor, Timothy Muskatell.
This is your second film now, as you mentioned. Both have been with Chad Ferrin, along with a lot of the same cast. You all must work well together.
Yeah, definitely. It was also a cool switchover, because the two characters I played are so different. I love that.
So, you got to show a little bit of range, and do something different – but with people you’ve worked with before.
Exactly. It was mostly the same cast and crew, so it was familiar at the same time. Chad is fantastic. He’s a one man show and genius who does everything in record time. I don’t know how he does it. Working under him while filming – it’s a lot of fun. He makes the environment a lot of fun, and he’s always open to ideas. I’ve been thrilled to be able to work with him on my first couple of movies.
What was it like working with Jake Busey?
Jake is such a professional. I was kind of shaking in my boots a little bit. He was such a trooper with everything, and I was really impressed by that. He was just cool, calm, collected. Very easy going. He was a pleasure to be around.
Now, you’ve also produced?
I did produce with Pig Killer, yeah.
That’s a whole different animal. How do you like that side of film making?
I feel lucky to have been able to work with Chad, and Jeff (Olan). Jeff is a dear friend who also introduced me to Chad. The three of us together made it happen. I could have gotten sucked into so many blackholes, but they kind of looked out for me and helped guide me. It is a lot. I couldn’t have done it if it wasn’t for their help.
I’m going to put you on the spot here really quick, Kate. If you had to sell me the film in one sentence, what would you say?
(Laughing.) This is tough for me, because I’m not a horror movie fan, per se. I love working on them, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to see one. That’s just me. Sell you this in one sentence, hmmm. If you want to see a gory crime thriller that will turn your stomach – watch SCALPER!
Perfect! Anything else that you’re working on that you would like to mention?
I just finished a Christmas play, and I’m involved in the Actors Studio. It’s a big part of my life. This coming year, I’m sure there will be some things to talk about!
Awesome! We’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of your work. Thank you so much for your time, Kate!
You can see Kate Patel in SCALPER! Available on VOD January 16th, courtesy of Breaking Glass Pictures!
