Taking control of your career can be liberating, challenging, and a bold move. While many find comfort in the security of knowing what is coming next, there are those with the will to take the bull by the horns and control their own density. The case with the award winning Actress Charlotte Kirk, she has opted to launch her own production company where she not only acts and co-produces, but also co-writes many of the screenplays. Calling the venture Scarlett Productions, in a relatively short time they have produced a list of films, including the recently released Duchess.
Duchess, out On Demand August 9, 2024, is a feature in which Kirk not only plays the lead, but also co-wrote the script, and acts as a producer. An exciting Action film where Kirk harnesses a raw energy into the character of Duchess; an antihero with a bone to pick with her enemies. Excited about everything on the horizon, Charlotte Kirk sat down for an in-depth talk about her career in film, taking control of her entertainment career, the work put into Duchess, plus more.
Cryptic Rock – You have been involved in acting professionally now for some time. A passion of yours for many years since you were a very young, before we went any further, how would you describe your career thus far?
Charlotte Kirk – That’s a tough one. In this business, they say that, as an actor, your career isn’t really in your own hands. That’s why I opened my own production company and have been creating my own films. I was lucky enough to be in some great movies beforehand as an actor when I moved to LA when I was 19. Just after COVID, I teamed up with Neil Marshall. Duchess is our third film that we had co-produced, co-written.
As an actor, I feel my career is becoming more successful when I can create my own stuff, really. I think that’s the key thing, if you can make your own content. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing, so I can play the roles that I want to play and tell the stories that I want to tell.
Cryptic Rock – That sort of independence is wonderful to have. You mentioned how you opened your own production company, which is called Primal Empire Studios, and Duchess is your third film. That’s really inspiring to hear; because not many people have the wherewithal or courage to go out and do something on their own. Some people take a safe road. Talking about that, how great is it to work independently, create on your own terms, and in something that you really believe in?
Charlotte Kirk – It’s the best, really. How Duchess came about, Neil and I were sitting there one day and talking, “Okay, we’ve done an Action film. We’ve done a Horror film. What should we do next?” Then we started talking about some of our favorite films, which a lot of them were Gangster films, actually. That’s when I said, “Well, why don’t we do a Gangster movie next?” That’s kind of how our films are developed. They’re very organic. We don’t try to force the process.
It’s great because good scripts are very difficult to find. Good scripts with good female characters are even more difficult to find. If you can develop, write, and produce something and put it out there, plus it is a project that you believe in, then that’s absolutely great. For Neil, obviously he envisions the whole film. My vision, of course, is the whole film and playing a great role.
That’s how all of our films have come about. It always evolves. The Lair (2022) was meant to be a home invasion film that we just shot during COVID. Then it became a big action, epic aliens film set in Afghanistan. It’s always an evolving process.
Cryptic Rock – It is exciting that you have that ability to work in different genres so freely like that. It is easy to get pigeonholed and doing one thing. With your production company, you have also done writing as well on these scripts. What is it like to not only just be in front of the camera, but having a creative part in the screenplay, etc.?
Charlotte Kirk – It’s great to start a project at the very beginning when you have a germ of an idea and then take it through right till the very end. I try to separate them. When I’m writing, I’m writing. Then when I’m acting, I try to look at the script with a fresh pair of eyes, and as if I haven’t written the script. Then I focus in as an actor and then produce it completely.
Again, that’s a very different kind of job as well. I absolutely love writing and co-creating characters. It is especially wonderful when you’ve got a great writing partner; which I have with Neil on these four films that we’ve collaborated with together.
For Duchess in particular, we didn’t want to have any restraints on this character. It is a Gangster movie, right? So, we wanted to make it as big, epic, and as outrageous as possible. Being the writer, you can do whatever you want. That’s what we did on this. It was, “Okay. We have no restraints. We have no one telling us what to do. Let’s do something crazy and wild, and create a character as fun and as outrageous as Duchess.”
Cryptic Rock – Sounds like it was a blast. You play that lead character, of course. You mentioned how it is hard to find a script that has a good, strong female lead, and that is very accurate. That in mind, what was it like creating that character on paper, and then bringing it to life?
Charlotte Kirk – It was absolutely incredible. Again, I try to separate myself from the writing process. We’ve written this amazing script, and then we’re sitting there thinking, “Okay. How are we going to do this? Then I thought, “Oh, crap. I’ve got to learn how to box. I’ve got to learn how to fire a gun. I’ve got to learn to do this and that.” When I write, I’m not thinking of myself, in particular, playing it. I think Neil thinks that more than me as a director. I’m thinking of it as, “How can we make the best film possible in maybe the budget restrictions that we have, or the location where we’re filming?”
When we had the script finished and we were ready to go, it was, “Okay this is what we’re going to make here. I’m going to have to learn and do all these things.” It was incredible, again, because we had the freedom to explore this character and not have to worry about the script, because we’d written it. Neil had a very particular vision in mind for this script. It was great to have the star, the director, and being the writers as well; because we had a very strong vision for this film, especially Neil.
Cryptic Rock – Fascinating. As you said, Duchess has a gangster theme to it. There’s a lot of other different themes involved beyond that though; such as one of revenge, plus action. Like you said, you had to learn certain things. It looks like a very high-impact film. Just watching it, you can feel the intensity. What was it like preparing for that?
Charlotte Kirk – It was very intense from start to finish. I think it was performance-wise and physically, because learning to box and all these other things that I had to do, but mentally as well. It’s almost like a My Fair Lady story, right? She comes from her small bubble, fish tank world to her rise to power. It was making sure of that emotional continuity and making sure that I’m not overdoing it or underplaying it.
It was quite that balance of making sure that she’s grounded, believable, and likable. It was juggling lots of things at once emotionally and making sure that translates on screen. She’s an anti-hero. I wanted to really make sure that you still root for her. The revenge comes in later on, so you do care about the characters and what happens to them, and you’re hopefully rooting for her.
Cryptic Rock – Absolutely. And like you said, it is important to make a character likable; because if they are not likable, then you really lose interest in the story.
Charlotte Kirk – 100%. That’s why a big inspiration for this film was Man on Fire (2004) with Denzel Washington. The revenge comes in halfway through that movie; because you learn to love and care about these characters. Then when he goes on that revenge path, it’s warranted. This is the same thing. A lot of these revenge films happen within the first five minutes, but you don’t care about the characters. In Duchess, it’s very unexpected as well. I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but when it happens, it’s quite a shocking moment.
Cryptic Rock – Right, it creates anticipation. That is something that is lost not only in films nowadays, but everything in life. It seems like everything is right in front of you and so immediate.
Charlotte Kirk – Exactly.
Cryptic Rock – So, it seems like you have been averaging a film every two years or so. With Duchess out now, are there other projects coming down the pike?
Charlotte Kirk – I’ve been doing a film every year. This year, I’ve done two films already, and I plan to do two more, which I’m very excited about. I just finished a full-on Action movie with Dolph Lundgren and Michael Jai White called Fight or Flight. That was very cool. I came from Duchess and then was thrusted into a full-on Action movie with two great Action stars. That was a lot of fun. I think Duchess helped me prepare for that too.
Then I recently did a Horror movie with Lin Shaye, Barbara Crampton, and Jesse Metcalfe called The Possession of Gladstone Manor that’s coming out next year. Then I’m about to do a Drama, which is obviously very different from what I’m used to. There is also another film Compulsion that I co-wrote with Neil and produced. That’s coming out next year as well. Very different kind of film to Duchess though.
All of these films are through my production companies as well. Just trying to keep going, keep doing the best work possible, and telling the best stories.
Cryptic Rock – That is fantastic. Again, there is so much diversity there. With the different genres, have you found any that you really enjoy the most?
Charlotte Kirk – If I had to choose, I’d probably say Action. To be honest with you, it’s really about the script and the characters. It’s not really about the genre. But I do love Action. It’s a lot of fun physically and mentally. It’s rewarding to see, “Did that really work?” Then they’ll see the smoke and mirrors to obviously movie magic and it’s, “Wow, that actually looks like I really kicked ass there.” It’s just fun all around. Some of the funniest things I’ve done have been on the set of a Horror movie. A lot of people say they’re scary or dark. I say, “No, it’s so much fun.” Shooting on a Horror film set is the most fun.
Cryptic Rock – Interesting to hear your perspective. You said that you have to work around budget restrictions sometimes. You could look at that as a negative, but it can also give you an opportunity to be a little more creative to work with what you have.
Charlotte Kirk – 100%. I totally agree that when we’ve had budget cuts or budget restrictions, it’s always forced me and my films to be a lot more creative. “Okay, we can’t do this. We can’t have this big explosion. So why don’t we change it to something completely different?” Then it becomes more character-driven and makes the story more interesting and less superficial. It’s always nice to have a big budget, but if you haven’t and you’ve got to make cuts, for me, it’s always been a creative thing.
It made the story better. It really has. Because you have to work on the characters and the relationships and the tension and everything else that bit more.
Cryptic Rock – Yes, and that is when it is probably the most fun.
Charlotte Kirk – Oh, yeah. Always.
Cryptic Rock – Some actors and actresses don’t even watch their movies. Do you watch your movies?
Charlotte Kirk – No, I like to watch them once, and that’s it. I can’t really watch them too many times. If I’m in the story, it’s like watching any movie, right? If you’re in the story and you’re not thinking about it, “Oh, look what happened. Oh, I remember that day. That was a terrible day on set.” Or, “That was great.” If you’re actually absorbed in the story, that means I know I’ve done a good job.
To be honest, I like watching my movies with an audience. I like hearing the reactions if it’s good, if they’re laughing or crying or screaming. That’s the most rewarding part. I don’t really like to watch it on my own.
Cryptic Rock – Makes sense. When you are emotionally invested in something that you have created, sometimes you could look at it from a different way than someone not attached to it. With Duchess, obviously you work with Neil, but you have a really interesting cast included with you as well. What was it like working with everyone else that was involved?
Charlotte Kirk – Everyone was amazing. I was so excited when I found out Colm Meaney was playing my dad. Then we got the great Stephanie Beacham. Sean Pertwee; who I’ve worked with before, but this a very different kind of role for him than in The Reckoning (2020).
Then there was Philip Winchester, who was just amazing to work with. We had some very heavy, tragic, emotional scenes together. I don’t think we could have found a better actor to play that role. All the actors had so much fun. I think because of the script, there’s some great lines in there. There are some funny scenes too. A lot of the actors just had fun with it. Like everyone says, “I can just tell Sean Pertwee had a blast making this film.” I’m like, “Yep, he did.” He had a lot of fun playing this role.
Cryptic Rock – You could tell that people enjoyed themselves. As you mentioned, you have all these other projects upcoming. Working with your own production company, there are a lot of responsibilities, decisions to be made, including administrative ones. Has that changed your outlook on matters when you are on-screen?
Charlotte Kirk – When I’m acting, if it’s my production and I’m producing, I try to really separate the two. I think it’s very difficult to be on set, acting, being in the moment, doing the best job possible as an actor, and then you’re thinking of all these other things… which is completely different.
It has changed my outlook on it’s a business at the end of the day. Yes, I love creating, and this is what I love to do, but it’s a business and understanding what the market wants, what makes money, what doesn’t… these are all elements which I don’t really like. I don’t really love producing. It’s just more of a necessity to make the films I want to make. It has changed my outlook on understanding what I should do as an actor and being more selective in the kind of the roles I take as well.
Cryptic Rock – That is understandable. And you mean taking roles outside your company, yes?
Charlotte Kirk – Yes. Exactly. Working with filmmakers, what they’ve done previously, and all the business side of things, what’s the budget and who’s going to distribute it. It is all of the stuff that I think actors should know as well.
It’s a business at the end of the day, and you need to know you are your own business. As an actor, even if you don’t have your own production company, you need to know the business side of it. There’s a lot of sharks in this business. You need to make sure you’re switched on and you’re not going to get burned. Overall, it’s good to know about the business side regardless.
Cryptic Rock – Certainly, and that goes with any trade that you are in. You should know what goes on behind the scenes so you do not get burned. It is very easy to get burned in this world.
With all the films that you have done, as someone who loves cinema, what are some of your favorite personal films?
Charlotte Kirk – That’s a tough one. There’s so many, but they’re completely different genres. I would say in the Horror genre it’s Alien (1979), The Thing (1982), The Shining (1980), Dog Soldiers (2002). There’s just so many though.
Then Gangster movies, one of my favorites is Scarface (1983); which was a big inspiration for Duchess. I was like, “Let’s try and make a female Scarface.” I’m very ambitious! Then there are Casino (1995), Goodfellas (1990), Layer Cake (2004), and The Departed (2006).
Then have the classics, like Gone with the Wind (1939) and Casablanca (1942) and On the Waterfront (1954). I don’t know if I could choose a particular favorite. You go through stages as well. If I’m making a Horror movie, I’m watching lots of Horror films, and then The Thing is my favorite Horror movie. Then I’m doing a Drama, then I’m watching all these Dramas, so then another movie is my favorite.
Cryptic Rock – It seems you have eclectic taste in movies, which has resulted in you making a diverse mix of movies on your own.
Charlotte Kirk – Absolutely. I would say so far, and I’m not just saying this, Duchess is my favorite film of all the films that I’ve made, 100%. I think it’s very character-driven, and I love her as a character.
Cryptic Rock – It is inspiring to hear that. It is also interesting to hear you were inspired by Scarface. That’s a character that you always remember.
Charlotte Kirk – Yeah. We wanted to make something as crazy and as outrageous as possible. Scarface is one of my favorite movies. I thought, “God, could you imagine making a female Tony Montana?” In the third act where she’s just gone, it’s that parallel story of, and again, he’s an anti-hero, but you can’t help, you can’t take your eyes off him. He’s brilliant, he’s terrifying, he’s funny, and he’s crazy. He’s all these things. This is what we wanted to have with Duchess as well.
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