Karl Hughes is an English actor. He made his theatre debut with Cinderella at the age of six. Karl has appeared in over 30 theatre productions in the UK. He has starred in numerous award-winning shorts. Karl has picked up awards for best actor, and starred in the highly anticipated feature film 24 Little Hours directed by Paul Knight and Nightmare On 34th Street directed by James Crow.
Fresh out on the streets from a 10-year prison sentence, a killer is focused on seeking vengeance against his beloved sister’s murderers. Aided by those he believes he can trust, they go on a 24-hour killing spree to settle all scores as a discredited female detective, whose superior questions her every move must deal with her past before she can uncover the shocking truth behind their motives. Karl Hughes plays Rocco, and he talks to us about his work on 24 Little Hours.
indieactivity: How did you get connected to the project? Did you have to audition? If you did, would you still have got the part?
Karl Hughes (KH): I saw on social media they were in pre-production and casting was coming up so I contacted the casting director directly asking for an audition for the film. I was lucky enough to get the chance to do a self tape for the role of Rocco. I ended up getting the role and I loved playing him in the film.
24 Little Hours Official Trailer #2 (2019) Essex Revenge Movie
As one of the main cast on the project, how did this ‘choice’ work for you?
Karl Hughes (KH): I feel my character was a light within the film. I was a kid caught in with the wrong people, this was fun to play, the fact my character isn’t a small role meant i had more time on set and that for me was enough.
What part of the story challenged you when you read it? What drove you to get on the project?
Karl Hughes (KH): I always grew up watching action films, I have many genres I would like to work in. When I saw this film and read the synopsis, I had to do it.
What do you enjoy about the work that keeps you working?
Karl Hughes (KH): I always seem to be playing younger clean cut pretty boys with egos… a lot of the parts I play and audition for are very typecast and quite boring. I love a challenge, i am prepared to change my voice and look for roles, getting lost in a character and bringing the script to life excites me and keeps me going forward.
Give an example of a direction you received from the director during the production?
Karl Hughes (KH): There are too many. Paul is constantly pushing boundaries and pushing his cast and crew to do their best, even with long hours he remains positive and full of energy giving good direction.
How did you create your character from ground up?
KH: After reading the script for 24 Little Hours, I already started thinking of people who reminded me of ‘Rocco’ from friends to family to celebrities. I had a vision early on and it was my job to mold it for the screen.
As the main cast in the film, describe the feeling of responsibility that you shouldered. Were you scared? Or did it fire you up? What scenes were difficult to shoot?
KH: I felt very honored to land this role and I was more eager to start shooting than I was nervous. I enjoyed every day on set. I never really found the shoot hard, apart from the floor where I fell during some action sequences I got back up and soldiered on. As they say, pain is temporary but film is forever.
Explain one creative choice you made on set during production?
KH: In regards to my character I just followed my gut and stuck to my guns taking direction from the director Paul Knight the best i could. When I wasn’t filming I would offer to help the crew, four hands are better than two and so on. In this industry you need every bit of help you can get. Everybody involved in this film has the same goal, to make a good film.
What did you take away from the film production?
KH: I met a lot of people, whom I learnt a lot from. I also realized you don’t need hundreds of thousands or even millions to make a good film. The right people and the jobs are good.
What do you like most about the director?
KH: I like who Paul is as a person. That helps a lot. No one likes working with people with bad attitudes or egos, there is none of that with Paul, what you see is what you get and I look forward to working with him again.
What is next for you?
KH: I am always looking forward to my career, with nearly two decades of acting under my belt I am trying to secure my future within the world of film and television. That is where I see myself and I am working hard in auditions for big studios in the United Kingdom and in the United States. I have a few projects in the pipeline which I can’t wait to discuss.
What advice do you give actors regarding what you learnt on the project?
KH: I would say mainly, focus on yourself. Focus on who you are and what you want in life and keep working on making it happen. Don’t give up and follow your heart. The rest will fall into place.
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