Aleks Paunovic – Puppet Killer

By starrymag | September 27, 2021

By: Maggie Stankiewicz

 

 

Q) You play the lead, Jamie, in Puppet Killer, your indie horror project that’s hitting theatres later this month. How was the character originally described to you?

 

A) When I learned about Jamie and found out that I’d be playing a seventeen-year-old in high school, I tried to pull in a lot of innocence. I wanted my intentions to be very pure and I wanted to portray him without any history. When you’re older, as you go through life, you develop a history that makes you callous from the things that you’ve been through. There’s all of this information involved when you’re an adult and I didn’t want that information to be there in Jamie to hold him back. I wanted to explore the innocence of the character and that’s actually what drew me to the role.

 

Q) Puppet Killer plays out like a love letter to the horror classics and cult favorites before it. Are you a horror fan yourself?

 

A) Yeah, I am. I really have a massive appreciation for horror. I’m pretty much all over the place with what I like to watch. If a friend tells me about a film that they admire, I’ll go and see it and most likely enjoy it. I was always a fan of horror, but not a deep, deep fan. I got all of the references in Puppet Killer As I was reading the script, I was howling.

Lee Majdoub plays the voice of Simon and through his performance the references really hit us. It was hilarious. This is why I love doing indie films with friends. You’re constantly laughing, having a good time and in the process you’re also making a film. That’s what really attracted me to it. Those callouts to all the classics were great.

 

Q) What was it like working with Puppet Killer’s award-winning director Lisa Ovies on her first feature-length film?

 

A) It was great. It was her first feature, and she was there to learn and get guidance, but she was also there to lead. On any production there are always bumps that you have to overcome and as a leader she learned a lot. She not only learned a lot but had a great time. I think she got lucky getting the crew she got to work on the film and bringing this film to life. The first one is always special and this one is special for a lot of reasons. It was great getting to work with her.

 

Q) How difficult is it to act opposite a puppet in so many high-stakes and action-packed scenes?

 

A) That’s the thing. You said the keyword – “puppet.” You have to get that out of your head. Simon was real to me. That’s the only way it works. He had to be a real entity and something that was very special to me in my life. As a young kid, as Jamie, Simon was special. It had to be real. So, I made him a massive part of my childhood and history and the trauma Jamie went through. It wasn’t that difficult once I made the switch. I couldn’t allow myself to see the puppet, even from day one. If I did, I would have experienced the puppet in my body…that sounded terrible. [laughs]. I had to experience him as a real entity. I didn’t allow the idea of him being a puppet to cross my mind. Getting into that headspace is all about pulling into trauma. That’s where it comes from for him. Then, from there, I just make it believable and real to me. That’s the only way it works.

 

Q) What’s your favorite horror film reference in Puppet Killer? I enjoy the nods to The Shining.

 

A) I love that one and the Friday the 13^th The ha ha hee hee really got me. The “Here’s Simon!” also got me. There was one shot of all the weapons from all the films that Simon had in his little basement that I love. It just annihilated me.

Two members of our crew, the late and great Ryan Nicholson and his amazing wife Megan, really brought the film to life. It’s a beautiful tribute to what Ryan loved about horror films, and he got to put it all in one film.

 

Q) Many of your characters are tough guys I’d want on my side during a fight. Jamie in Puppet Killer appears to be a little more earnest and vulnerable. What was it like exploring a slightly softer side?

 

A) I thought it was great. Everyone has that soft, naïve side to them. Everyone has those moments. They’re pulled into these situations with naivety. Or you’re soft with your mom or dad or someone you love. You’re open. That’s how I approached the role of Jamie. It was all about being as open, truthful and believable as possible. Jamie also had to believe those around him and believe in the best of others. I was concentrating on my energy and intention being light all the time. Those were huge moments for me. I would catch myself in moments scowling or connecting to the role in a more adult way. I’d look at the dailies with Lisa and we’d redo it. We knew we could find more innocence in that character.

 

Q) You worked with Puppet Killer co-star Richard Harmon on SyFy’s “Van Helsing” as well. What was it like working with him on something more funny than dark and brooding?

 

A) I love how he plays his character. I worked with him on “The 100” and he did a fantastic job on “Van Helsing,” First and foremost, we’re friends. Everyone on the film was friends beforehand. It was great to work with him again. He’s a phenomenal and inspiring actor, but also an amazing friend. It was fun to do.

 

Q) In a death match between killer doll Chucky and your film’s titular Puppet Killer, who wins?

 

A) I think Simon. He’ll pull anyone in with his adorableness and then rip his heart out.

 

Q) Rumor has it you appeared in a certain Marvel show’s trailer. What can fans expect to see of you on Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye?”

 

A) Well, the trailer just came out. I can’t talk about story or character – that’s something that will be revealed as the episodes come out, but it was extremely amazing to be a part of. We shot in Atlanta for seven months and it was great to work on that level, with a team like that. I think the “Hawkeye” trailer takes fans by surprise. It’s basically a Christmas television show with a lot of action. Kind of like Die Hard. I don’t think a lot of people expected that. They’re going to have a lot of fun watching it. It’s going to be a wild ride.

 

Q) Your face is popping up everywhere, from television to movies. What other projects are you currently working on?

 

A) There’s a couple that I can’t talk about right now, but I’m excited about the next six months. People will get to see a lot of what’s been going on with me. I can say that I love getting more into producing. I am a producer on Puppet Killer also and I love indie films, so I’m getting my hands around some more of them. I’ve also got a few big projects on the horizon that I’m just massively happy to be a part of.

 

Q) You have a vocal and devoted fanbase thanks to your many contributions to genre film and television. What would you like to say to those fans? I know they were very excited when we announced this interview.

 

A) I am stoked to be talking about the film. Every day I am more and more blown away at the fans who like to see me on film and television. That’s one of the things that I really love about what I do. I love talking to them and touching base with them online. There’s this amazing group called the “Cuddle Puddle.” It’s a little bit of a fan group that get together for Skype and Zoom calls. There’s ten or twelve of them that hang out online and have fun together. I don’t even have to be involved and they get together.

It’s amazing that we’ve brought these people together who are forming long friendships from afar. It feels great knowing that I’m a part of that. Kim, Colleen, Sol, Carrie…there’s so many amazing people out there and I’m very thankful to have them on my team. I actually think about them when I go to auditions. I think, “Oh my god. These guys would lose their shit if I got this part.” It’s great that I have that in my head. They’re fantastic and they keep me going.

I’m very thankful to be a part of that.