Each one of us has a story to tell and everyone we meet is fighting a battle we know nothing
about. This section “The Q & A
Interview with inspiring people” is dedicated to exceptional
personalities, who either have something to educate us or to inspire us.
Today I want you to meet Award-Winning British Actor Kevin Leslie. Kevin has been involved with various British Film, TV and Theatre projects. His film credits are from small roles in features to
the leading role in internationally shot feature, Pearls of Africa.Kevin was recently crowned the Best Actor 2015 at the prestigious Marbella International Film Festival and received an award for his portrayal of Reggie Kray.
Since Kevin’s most recent role as a Kray twin he has been catapulted into the lime light. Kevin’s work reveals that he honor’s each project (big or small) with the same raw talent and commitment that drives his career to success.
“When I started pushing
myself/taking risks and going first that's when I really started to achieve
bigger things.” Kevin Leslie
Kevin I have discovered
you through Social media and I must say I love the quote on your Twitter
account which says: “Ever tried. Ever
failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.” So hand on heart
how many times did you try and fail in Life?
Hand on heart its been one of the most challenging things I've had to
discover. As I've always been someone that has tried to be the best, succeed
and achieve big. So learning that taking risks and perhaps not getting it right
is okay as you learn from those experiences. The time when I was truly
discovering this was in training, as when we were asked to get up and try out
an exercise or technique I would always go around third or fourth to
demonstrate because I'd have learnt from the first couple, seen where they went
wrong. So when I got up, I did it correctly but it meant I wasn’t learning for
myself and I was just performing things okay but when I started pushing myself/
taking risks and going first that's when I really started to achieve bigger
things.
When and why did you
feel that acting is your passion and determination? Did any specific film or
actor inspire you?
To be honest I kind of just fell into acting. I was very sporty as a kid
but got involved in school shows, which I really enjoyed. When it came to
making a choice about whether to study BTEC Sport or BTEC Performing arts I
went with my heart and chose to study what I was enjoying doing.
I'd say for me the most interesting moment was in my second year. I was
studying Shakespeare and Greek tragedy simultaneously this was the moment I had
a real breakthrough as an actor. It was the moment I realised I was good enough
to do this as a career. I discovered my vocal tone and style as an actor.
I imagine being an actor
can be emotionally and physically extremely difficult, depending on the role
that you’re playing. You have to be able to switch on and off your feelings,
emotions, Life struggles and worries regardless of how you feel privately. What
has been so far the most challenging character for you to play and why?
Firstly, that is the skill of the actor – you can't allow your own
current circumstances to influence your portrayal, i.e. if you are having a bad
day but your character is happy, you still need to portray happiness. Dracula
is probably my most challenging character as it was both mentally and
physically draining, with the added challenge of an accent. I made a decision
to portray that character in a very animalistic way, seeing all beings as
sustenance or sex objects. 
You have been working in
several short movies, TV series and Films. What has been so far the most
emotionally touching experience for you during a film production and why?
It has to be shooting a feature in Kenya, where I grew not only as an
actor but as a person due to experiencing many fascinating moments from animals
in the wild to people happily living with nothing. This aptly brings me to my
point, which was when filming I joined a group of young boys playing football
with a homemade ball of plastic bags. We played for hours. I won't ever forget
the smiles, enjoyment on their faces. I wanted to do something as it saddened
me to see they didn’t even have a real ball to play with, something I took for
granted growing up, so I went and bought them a real football.
I personally love movies
that touch my heart. As I write in my monthly movie Review #Lilywood, I love
movies that are either funny, romantic, inspiring, entertaining, historical or
educational. But most of all films that are based on true stories. What kind of
movie genres do you watch? And what is your favourite film of all time and why?
I like all genres of movies as I like to have a diverse knowledge, but I
agree that ones which have a really good story stand out most for me. Trying to
focus my answer more directly to your question is difficult as I cannot choose
one favourite movie of all time. My favourite movie for its story would be a
film called 'Pay it Forward'; a young boy comes up with a beautiful concept for
a school project, and if people followed it we would live in a much more
peaceful world.
Haha, it is indeed. As soon as you're trained in this art form I don't
think you can take a film completely at face value. I think you are always
going to look at it and notice a good shot and wonder how they filmed it, or
admire the score or filmmaker's work.
Dead or alive, who is your favourite actor/actress off all time and why?
Wow, hard question – how long have you got? The female is easy – it has
to be the one and only Meryl Streep purely because she is a genius performer;
you never see 'Meryl' in the role, you always see the character. For male, I
will go with Leonardo DiCaprio as I have always thought he is a phenomenal
actor and underrated.
P.S. Shout out to Denzel Washington as he's up there.
I have to ask you this
question since you’re a British actor. Can you imagine ever playing James Bond?
And who is your favourite James Bond and why?
Way to make me feel like a cliché lol, as yes, James Bond is my dream
role. But it looks like Tom Hiddleston is going to pip me to the post this
time.
What I admire about
inspiring people like you is your selfless support for people in need. You’re
currently using your popularity and supporting “Haven House Children's Hospice”
@HavenHouseCH, which provides care for children with life-limited and life-threatened
conditions. How come that you have decided to support this specific charity?
I was introduced to Haven House as they are local to me and it only took
me minutes to fall in love with and admire the work that the real
people are doing to help these children. Since then, I have done what little I
can and hope to continue to do more in the future. It is these real people that
offer support, care and raise money 365 days a year – they are the real heroes;
the people that should get the accolade for the work they are doing.
Do you have any desire
to ever work on a film project in America or are you happy to be successful in
United Kingdom?I was always advised to crack the UK first and the transition to America would become easier i.e. green card, visas etc., but it is something on my radar. I do want to get involved in the bigger blockbuster movies while also still staying involved with British independent film.
Everything seems to go
very well for you right now. But if I was an Angel and would ask you right now
and right here, what is your biggest professional dream, desire, goal or wish.
What would it be?
Seeing as James Bond has gone for now :), I would love to be a lead
regular in a drama series like Game of Thrones, Narcos, Peaky Blinders. Away
from that, I would also love to be cast as a lead in a timeless classic like
Gladiator, Goodfellas etc.
Ever since I’m working
on my book “Definition of Love”, I ask my inspirational interview partners these
two questions. What is your definition of Love in three words? What is your
definition of Love in one sentence?
Love conquers all.Love knows no boundaries; It's the only thing that makes this life worth living.
Kevin, it was a pleasure to do this “Q&A Interview”
with you. I have a feeling that you will make it BIG in the international film
industry and I wish you the best of luck! Some of your answers really touched
my heart and inspired me. Keep up the good work and don’t let the movie industry
change your caring, loving and down-to-earth personality. Because THIS will be
the KEY to your success! My best wishes & God bless. Lily Amis
Pictures from behind the scene:
Behind the scene:
If you like to
find out more about the Haven House Children's Hospice and support this great
charity, please visit the official website: www.havenhouse.org.uk or follow them on twitter @HavenHouseCH.
Source Pictures: Thx @ Kevin
Leslie.
