INTERVIEW: Dean Jagger

- By @TheBlueTook

One of our writers, Bryan Stumpf, recently asked me to list my top 10 films of 2014. I failed through time constraints (thus far - I may still), but I can say with some certainty that this talented bastard’s effort would be on my list, THE PADDY LINCOLN GANG. I could probably duff this fella up and make him cry, but instead I made him answer a load of my shitty questions because he happens to be a lovely, massive, double-hard bastard…

Mr Dean Jagger! Thank you for giving up your increasingly-precious time for us. How the devil are we, mate?

Hey Chris, you’re very welcome, thanks for reaching out. Doing alright man, getting set for the holidays but will be working during doing bits of stuff for a few films we’re developing.

For our beautiful readers who have not had the pleasure of your skills yet, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Well I’m a Yorkshire man from Wakefield… I’ve always been a fan of the movies and I’ve acted out since I was a little nipper so I feel like this is my home man.. I currently work alongside my brother Ben and a few partners, writing & developing our projects. Acting is my real love but I have to say I’ve learned a lot of the job also coming from the film making side.

Is it purely a coincidence that your 2 brothers (Ben and Lee) are both involved in the film industry too?

Well Ben is, he’s directing as you know now.. He’s gonna do great things that one. My youngest brother Lee I think will move into it with us.. He’s trained as an Actor and I know he’s keen to follow that stuff up.

What’s it like working with your bruv? I tried to put a tent up with my sister once, fuckin’ disastrous…

Ha ha… I hear ya dude. Well on the flip-side we really have a great time, obviously being so close, people always think we’re twins.. We do anticipate each other very well and in the realms of doing something creative like making a movie it really has its advantages..

I was sent THE PADDY LINCOLN GANG by a mutual friend of ours, Judson Vaughan, and as my review hopefully gets across, I was absolutely blown away by it, mate!

Thank you, it really means a lot and the only thing you can really hope for, it’s a big deal to me and Ben that people will take that precious time out for something we’ve created.. So big thanks man.

You not only co-wrote and produced it, you were the lead too – how long was the process from writing, to funding, to getting this class piece of cinema finished?

Alistair Audsley did the bulk of the writing, that guy is fast… Funding was very quick as it was micro budget. Ben had very little time to prep this and it was very run and gun. Shooting days we did it in about 2 weeks followed by post which was about 12 weeks so pretty quick.

How did you get your budget together?

Solus Entertainment funded the film its owners Alistair Audsley and David Bainbridge RIP. Graham Kentsley came in to help also so we had 3 sources of investment via Solus Entertainment.

It wasn’t only a beautiful looking film, it was also brilliantly acted across the board. How did you get the likes of Joseph DiMasso and Amy Lawhorn on-board?

Well I was personal friends with Joe way before and it turns out he knew a great actress which turned out to be Ms Lawhorn, who you know right? 😉

Right! Where did the initial idea for the story come from?

The feature was based on the award winning short film A Night At Robert McAlisters, me and Ben had a big hand in the writing for the short film.

‘Rob McAlister’ is quite an intense character with a dark past, shall we say, and you nail it, sir. Is a brooding, layered personality the type you enjoy playing the most?

He’s a complex character for sure and thanks for your nice words. Do I prefer playing those type of characters I’m not sure.. I guess I’ve been told I’m quite brooding as a person.. Not to mention my own mum sometimes might say ‘Son sometimes I just don’t know what’s going through your head’ so I guess I’m kinda nailed on (grin) but honestly I’d have to say I keep myself as open as I can when it comes to characters.

I’m yet to see another of your films, A NIGHT AT ROB McALISTER’S, but using my immense powers of deduction, I’m guessing that was a pre-cursor to PADDY LINCOLN?

It sure was.. Was a great experience.

Do you and Ben always look for a sinister side when planning a story?

Not at all, we have a slate of film ideas and finished screenplays now ranging across completely different genres. Big up to Chris Taylor and our future writing partner Jeremy Evans.

I believe a certain Mr Michael Douglas has had an influence on your career?!

When I was a kid, I did love his films, and the fact I came across him on his big yacht in Spain and I’m there with my bro and Dad pulling along side in our little pedalo, yeah that was something.

So, before acting, you were a professional ‘extreme sports athlete’ – is that when you set yourself on fire and play tiddly-winks, for example?

Ha ha, shit that was just on Sunday’s dude (wink) me and Ben have always been pretty physical people though.. Get it from our Dad I think.

Nah, seriously, you were a pro skater were you not, mate?

I was yeah, great times man. Got to thank my folks on that one, they really helped us there and backed us all the way.. They do with everything we do, Dad took a while to come round to the Acting though, took for me to start working more I think.

Your films cross a number of genres, but do you personally have a favourite genre?

I’d have to say Sci Fi as for me it’s the ultimate escape. Excitement and wonder.. I often think of these two words a lot and how important it his to try have these things going on in your life… Even if it’s through the escapism of watching a good movie.

Who are your acting influences, past and present?

Paul Newman and Clint Eastwood, just studs plain and simple. I can add a lot more for present but Chris this would be a slippery slope, the list would go on.

Being a mixed martial arts man, do I need to be worried in case you think my interview questions are shit?

Ha ha, nah dude.. I’m all about the good stuff…

Well <thinks ‘this may be the coolest man ever’>, do you find you get offered more action roles due to your physical background?

Something my representation wants me to certainly use and obviously go completely against it.. Don’t just want to be the next action guy, however I do LOVE action. Funnily enough I’m going up for something intense and action based early next year but I can’t say what right now.

2011’s TRAVELLERS had you cast alongside Charley Boorman no less – how did that come about? I believe you have a ‘fighting and travelling’ background?

A lot of scrapers in my Dads family yes.. Apple didn’t fall too far from the tree with me and Ben growing up unfortunately… It all helps though, that’s the truth. Good people though 😉

One of your upcoming roles, HUNTER’S PRAYER, throws you alongside Sam Worthington – not bad at all, my friend! Have you started work on that yet?

I have yes, I got on that film quite late so it wasn’t a big shoot for me, was nice to work with Jonathan Mostow though.

The trailer for the new Star Wars film has been knocking everyone bandy lately, but I’ve recently seen a better one - DARK PEAK - tell us more!

I loved the Star Wars trailer, I’m a big fan! And thank you, we believe Dark Peak is really gonna knock it out the park for British Horror and just Horror for that matter. It’s a supernatural Horror inspired by true events but has brains.. It really deals with isolation and the fear and paranoia that comes with that. A great cast my friend.

I. CAN’T. WAIT… When can we expect it?

I think it’s gonna be late 2015 or early 2016, we’ll see.

Again, the look of the film is outstanding, even though you seem like you’re stuck on top of a freezing cold hill for the majority! How do you fellas do it?!

Where Yorkshire lads remember?! But seriously with love and passion man.. It’s everything to us.

I notice you also have a ‘horror/thriller’ called CORBIN NASH in the pipeline – is that something you can tell us about at the moment?

Man get ready for a big ride.. Corbins Universe potentially is huge.. The script is just narly and big and doesn’t give a flying fuck. I’m really looking forward to stepping in his shoes. My company in LA Star Tree Productions and its co owners Richard Wagner and my brother Ben are running this up, we’ll be looking for a co production when it comes round.

So apart from all the things listed, what’s next for Mr Dean Jagger?

Well my Agent & Manager are working real hard on my behalf so we’ll see, as I understand it though I think it will be Dark Peak or possibly a comedy set in LA called ‘Cuddles For Hire’ written by my good friend Jeremy Evans who me and Ben have been helping with, Bens set to direct.

Where should our readers be looking to find your films, man? Give us the all important links…

I think main stream platforms man.. iTunes, Netflix, Amazon, and theatrical stuff I’ll see you guys in the cinema with a bit of luck… I think your gonna see Dark Peak on the big screen.

The Paddy Lincoln Gang - iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/movie/the-paddy-lincoln-gang/id909266235

https://www.facebook.com/ThePaddyLincolnGang@CorbinNashMovie

If I know anything about films at all, it won’t be long before we see you (and Ben) sauntering down various red carpets as household heroes – will you still remember the day The Slaughtered Bird bigged you up for super-stardom?

That’s a promise Chris.. Thank you for reaching out to us.. Me and my brother never forget. God Bless x

OK, fuckers, you BETTER have read this far, because Dean is now one of my best mates, but if you have, I also don’t want you spreading it around that my name’s Chris, OK?!