Spending time with Sean Paul Lockhart aka Brent Corrigan is akin to how Twilight’s Bella must feel with Edward (yes, I went there). Although his skin doesn’t look like diamonds in the sun he is certainly worldly beyond his years, crackling with kinetic energy and dangerously handsome. But he was hardly born this way. Getting to know Sean reveals a calculating character that knows what he wants, where he’s going and how he’s going to get there. We recently hung out in San Francisco to raise a glass to his latest film Judas Kiss.
C.D.Why was it important for you to get involved with Judas Kiss?
S.L. I loved the writing. I found the concept of second chances and the different decisions we can make in our lives very attractive. I’m not meaning to hint that I’d do anything over in mine; I’m a strong believer that the obstacles and hardships in our lives are what shape us, teach us how to approach new hurdles, and ultimately make us the colorful people we are. Battle scars show the world we’ve been through something substantial.
Judas Kiss was an opportunity to take some of what life has thrown at me and use it constructively. If it hadn’t been for some of the very real things I’ve experienced in my past I don’t think I would have been capable of a role as emotional as this one.
JUDAS KISS TRAILER
C.D.What was the most challenging aspect of getting into acting?
S.L.Getting people to give me a chance. It’s difficult to get filmmakers to see a different side of me – to take me seriously. Many gay filmmakers have been very hesitant of being a part of that. Maybe until now I wasn’t ready or they couldn’t see it there. On the technical side: it can be difficult to separate onscreen feelings for the way you approach the other actors in real life. If I feel strongly protective of a certain character it can be difficult not to patronize and feel the need to guide that individual off set, away from destructive or immature behavior. I’ve got a lot to learn about the craft and I look forward to discovering more about myself as I learn.
C.D.How have your fans reacted to your acting in mainstream films?
S.L.It’s hard to gauge this early on how my adult fans are going to like my transitional career choice. Sure, there are plenty of vocal people who tell me I’m only valuable when I’m baring my body. I say those people can go stuff it. I know there is more value and talent to me than just the physical! I just need a fair enough chance to prove it. Thankfully Judas Kiss and my other latest mainstream film, I Was A Teenage Werebear show off a new side of me. I just want more out of life than being an adult star and I think that’s a fair enough goal. It’s no secret people don’t do that kind of work for long – we all move on to something else at some point. My sincerest hope is that people can work with me to separate some of my background with where I’m going in the future. I’m not acting as though it didn’t happen, I’m not making excuses, and I’m not apologizing. There’s nothing to excuse – there’s nothing to apologize for! I’m just in a different place in my life than I was when I was 18 years old. At 24, I think that’s more than fair.
Check out a Scene from the film with Sean:
C.D. Do you think the gay star system exists more in adult film than in LGBT Indie movies?
S.L.Yes, but look at the track record. Some of our first out, gay entertainers in queer media were part of the adult industry and adult oriented projects. Sure, we’ve always had gay icons or popular actors/singers who were big in the queer community; but the adult industry was turning out outwardly gay films and out gay actors long before mainstream media began to develop queer movies for gay audiences. Though we’re alive and robustly churning them out today queer cinema is still a niche market within what is considered an independent sect of mainstream film. A minority within a minority! There is very little regular work for out gay actors wanting to garner respect and fanfare for themselves within the community. I hate to revert back to the same old cliché but we’ve all heard it: sex sells. Within JUST the gay community, if a gay man is looking for admiration and exposure, even to this day the fastest most effective way to garner a fat pay check, a fan base, and regular paying booked appearances is via the adult industry. Of course this opens up a broader debate: what’s wrong with queer culture that a young man can’t get real attention and “respect” if he doesn’t take his clothes off first? I use quotations on “respect” because whether they are being paid real, true respect or not is highly debatable. But attention and a good paycheck – that, without a doubt, they are getting.
C.D. Now that you are directing and producing actively as Brent Corrigan – does Sean Paul Lockhart dream of directing and producing in the mainstream?
S.L.Definitely! I’ve had to bite my tongue on mainstream sets because I am so detail-oriented and I concern myself with areas and things I shouldn’t. I’m better at that now, but even on the set of Judas Kiss I was having to be told to stop “finding my light” or to stop “finding the camera”. In the adult world, our Director’s of Photography aren’t as technically or artistically inclined as the more mainstream arm of entertainment all the time. SO – a model/actor must remain aware of his surroundings and make sure he stays open to light and camera at all times. I love the technical side of working behind the camera. I came to California to go to film school to become a director. I took a detour. Ultimately I intend to end up right there calling “action” behind the camera. But for now, I’m just getting a sense of the atmosphere and the process for making movies. I’m learning by doing and I’m having a great time at it!
C.D.Will you continue to actively pursue both?
S.L.Honestly, I don’t feel pressured to make a decision one way or the other right now. I think a lot of people are expecting me to proclaim porn is the devil and I’m becoming a Scientologist because I’m a wannabe A-list celebrity. None of that will ever happen – primarily because none of it is what I want for myself. I have a good idea of what I want out of life. I’ve never been the sort of person who gets lost. Sure, there have been times when I’ve felt a bit disenchanted, but eventually life goes on and new opportunities are presented. You want to know what I’m actively pursuing these days? I’m traveling to the festivals and screenings for Judas Kiss and Werebears. I’m taking appearance bookings under the Brent Corrigan name because I love meeting fans and making new friends. I have a great support system and I feel confident and comfortable enough in my abilities that I can do just about anything I set out for.
C.D.In the film your character is asked if he’s afraid of the future. How about the real you – what’s your future look like?
I’m not afraid of the future. A big part of life is standing by our decisions and the paths we choose for ourselves. Especially when life throws us a curve ball and we decide to shift destinations and the things we want for ourselves change! I know I have some major elements that set me aside from anyone else who want to direct films or become an actor, or even just be out there in the public eye outside of the adult realm. I accept that. It’s part of who I am and I’d be a fool to try and change that. What’s next? A book. More mainstream projects. I’m developing a new website called www.Sean-Paul-Lockhart.com. It’s largely based on social commentary, personal observations on the community and my experiences – everything that my previous Brent Corrigan websites were minus the overtly adult element. Don’t get me wrong; there will be plenty of sexy pictures of me. I’ve come too far and worked too hard on this hardened exterior and I do love to share it!
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