d3rang3d Interviews : Mark Hengst

In d3rang3d’s next instalment in our ongoing Live Evil feature we bring an interview with veteran actor Mark Hengst.

Mark was good enough to give us some of his time to discuss his character Benedict, the lead vampire in the movie, and also gave us some info on his other upcoming projects.

d3rang3d: What can you tell us about your character in Live Evil?

Mark Hengst: My character Benedict is a vampire that has been around for a very long time. He has seen and experienced alot, good and bad. My take on him was a vampire who had his golden days behind him and was now living a life on the run and just trying to survive the modern times we now live in. His only existence now revolves around keeping his small "family" together and his love, Sydney happy while now resorting to scavenging for blood. Benedict can still be a bad ass when he has to be but in the end has many regrets and now lives a tired existence.

d3rang3d: How much fun is it to play the bad guy?

Mark Hengst: I love to play the bad guy. I have been fortunate in many recent films and have really gone for the jugular on a few of them (see The Cook below). Nothing wrong with playing the hero but somehow the bad guy always seems more interesting a role. As an actor playing a villain, you need to remember that no matter how violent or demented the character, in that characters mind, he is right and somehow justified in his actions and views.

d3rang3d: We've been told that you have a showdown with Tim Thomerson’s character in the movie, how much fun was it acting with Tim?

Mark Hengst: It was an honor to act with Tim. When I heard he was coming on board to play the priest I new it would be fun. I had been a fan of Tim as a stand-up comic in addition to his films and spent alot of downtime between shots laughing my ass off. That guy is funny!

d3rang3d: You've been involved with Live Evil from the beginning, what is that drew you to Live Evil?

Mark Hengst: Yes, it's all a blur now. I still don't know how I was able to keep it going for so long with other projects in between. There were lot's of changes between script, cast, and directors and it was Mark Terry's determination and Jay Woelfels talent to put this thing on film. Also, having Tim and Ken Foree added to the mix made me want to stick around until the end. My close friend and great actor Clint James has a role as a vampire. Our close knit family of vampires, Osa Wallander, Greg "Kenzo" Kenyon and Eva Derrek also made it easy. We got along great.

d3rang3d: Did you have any onscreen moments with Ken Foree, if so how cool was it to work with Ken?

Mark Hengst: Yes, I did get some cool screen time with the worlds greatest zombie killer himself. Ken plays Max, a blood peddler. Benedict and Max go way back and Benedict finds himself reduced to having to beg for some of the red stuff along with borrowing his car. Another great guy and a pleasure to work with.

d3rang3d: You've also starred in upcoming movies 2012: Doomsday and The Cook, what can you tell us about them?

Mark Hengst: The Cook comes out on DVD April 1st and is an Anchorbay/Starz release. I have the title role of The Cook, a knife juggling, murderous cook let loose on a group of sorority girls. I had to speak Hungarian in the part. Fun shoot, fun part. Very campy dark comedy with blood, skin, blood, blood, T&A, blood and did I mention blood.

2012 Doomsday is an Asylum film and is available on DVD February 12. I have a principal role of Matt, an EMT. My partner is played by and stars Ami Dolenz. The film also stars Dale Mitkiff (Pet Sematary) and Cliff De Young (F/X).

d3rang3d: As an actor how do you prepare when taking on a part?

Mark Hengst: When preparing for a role, I just try to develop some backstory on why my character is where they are at at the time the script begins. Since the script is a slice of that characters life, why is he doing what he is doing, saying what he is saying or behaving like he is behaving. What happened before the camera started to roll and what does he hope to gain or accomplish beyond when the camera stops.

d3rang3d: Could you name some of your favourite creative artists and why?

Mark Hengst: Love what Daniel Day Lewis is doing. Did you see There Will Be Blood? That is not just acting, that is morphing into a character. Dig Tony Scott's stuff, Brian Singer, Paul Thomas Anderson and of course Jay Woelfel. I also appreciate working with the indie directors nobody has heard of yet but will soon. There are some real visionaries out there.

d3rang3d: What's next on the agenda for Mark Hengst?

Mark Hengst: Just wrapped Diary of a Serial Killer. Have the role of Detective Robert Dean on the hunt for a serial killer. The film included reenactments of crimes by Ed Geine, Jeffery Dahmer and Richard Ramirez and casting of actors to portray them. Pretty creepy hanging out with Dahmer in the lunch line.

Also in preproduction on a comedy called The Wide Boys. Definitely want to do a western soon. Should also be on a panel for The Cook at this years Los Angeles Fangoria.

d3rang3d: Finally here is the spot we like to give for you to say anything to the world you like, the mic is yours:

Mark Hengst: Hope you enjoy Live Evil. Thanks for your support and visiting my world. Be great in yours!

Thanks again to Mark from d3rang3d and all of our many readers, be sure to check out http://www.markhengst.com for more info.

And also be sure to check out http://www.liveevilthemovie.com for more info on Live Evil. Looking forward to this one folks!