Tory Kittles is an up and coming actor who has appeared alongside 50 Cent in “Get Rich or Die Trying”, as well as having a recurring role in the hit FX series “Sons of Anarchy.” Tory currently stars in the independent film “The Kill Hole.” Movie Mikes had a chance to speak with Tory about his previous work as well as his upcoming projects.
Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about your new film “The Kill Hole”?
Tory Kittles: This film is a psychological thriller about a soldier who sees some bad things happen involving his fellow soldiers while in Iraq. I play Carter, who is the guy that saw these things happen. Since those events he has lost his mind and become a wreck loose up in the mountains. Instead of going after the soldiers who carried out these actions Carter decides he is going to go after the higher up people who actually gave the orders. My character succeeds in killing one of the higher up people however the guy who Carter originally saw commit these acts is then sent to kill him.
AL: When is the film slated to be released?
TK: I received a call yesterday and it looks like the film is either going to be released at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival or at the Toronto Film Festival. This film was one of the greatest experiences I have had on set. We got to shoot on top of Red Mountain in Portland and the view was beautiful. I think the scenery really compliments the film.
AL: How did you originally get involved in the film?
TK: I was just finishing up a role on Broadway and I returned to Florida to help take care of a sick relative. I had heard that they were doing auditions in Los Angeles however I couldn’t make it out there to audition in person. They then asked me if I could Skype them. I met Mischa Webley on Skype and we just talked about various everyday things. I told him I had experience doing war themed films and he asked if we could talk again. We talked the next day like we were
old friends and then I didn’t hear anything for some time. I came back to Los Angeles and got a role in the play “Bones.” Just after I got the play I got the call that they wanted me for the movie. I really wanted to do the role in the film however I also wanted to do the role in the play. I talked with Mischa and told him that if he let me do the play it would allow me to bring a lot more to my role in the film. The play has a very deep and dark theme, as did the role of Carter in the film. Doing that play allowed me to warm up for my role in the film. As soon as the play closed, I was on a plane the next day and we started shooting the following day. It all moved very quickly.
AL: How did you get involved with “Get Rich or Die Tryin”
TK: I auditioned out in Los Angeles and after my initial audition they asked me if I could come back and meet Jim Sheridan, who was going to be the director. I went in and did the audition again and it went pretty good. That night Jim Sheridan had dinner with Colin Farrell, who I worked with and became friends with on “Phone Booth.” They started talking about people for the film and my name was mentioned. Colin said that we were friends and after that, they called me with the offer to do the film.
AL: How was it working with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson?
TK: He was really cool. Everybody has the vision of him as a hardcore rapper and that was it. This was his first film so no one knew what to expect. When we got to the set he was the hardest working guy there. He was making the music for the film and also doing his scenes. He wasn’t afraid to ask questions because he really wanted learn as much as he could. He was very generous and open.
AL: How was it working with the cast and crew of “Sons of Anarchy”?
TK: Well I’m still alive on the show. They haven’t killed me yet! (Laughs) It’s a really great experience they have a lot of talent on that show. That cast is like a big family. They made me feel at home and I look forward to working with them again.
AL: Are you going to be on the next season of the show?
TK: I have heard that they are going to tell more of the back story during the upcoming season but we will see what happens. Like I said they haven’t killed me yet!
AL: Can you tell us about the television series you are developing?
TK: I have a show that I am creating called “Harmony.” I actually got the idea while my Grandfather was sick. It’s going to be a drama/comedy about a single mom and her misfit employees. It’s going to focus on her struggles of being a mom and running a business. She runs a hospice care business and has a very unorthodox relationship with her clients. We are currently in talks with HBO to put it out.
AL: Are you going to have a role in the series?
TK: I wrote it with my writing partner Mercy and there are some things that I think I need to have a role in but for this project I don’t feel I have to have a role in it. I want to see this happen as being a producer and creator. I think if we end up being on for 10 seasons I may show up somewhere down the line.?