“The [ steamy Slater love scene] is kind of crazy,” he explains. “Sometimes I’d have to, like, take a deep breath and just be like, ‘It’s ok. It’s just a role.’ Because it’s a very intense movie, and there’s a lot of intense moments.”
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When it was first announced that Clayton would portray Sean Lockhart, the real Sean responded to the whole fiasco.
He wrote on Facbeook: “The internet has been a buzz regarding some recent news that a movie is being filmed right now in New York State chronicling the Bryan Kocis murder and the early days of my adult career. I was originally approached to be a part of the film as a consultant and the cast. I was asked to play a small part in the film and declined the role. Ultimately, I chose to move forward with my own plans to finally release my book in place of taking part in someone elses presentation of events that I personally lived as a young adult.”
It doesn't matter what A list celebrity is involved. The screenplay & content didn't jive. I passed it up. @GABRIELBOTERO @JamesPMBerry
— Brent Corrigan (@BrentCorrigan) April 18, 2016
I was 17-21 in the years the screenplay spans. I looked much younger. He doesn't embody Brian's preference for not legal boys @NathanJ
— Brent Corrigan (@BrentCorrigan) October 20, 2015
“I haven’t spoken to [Lockhart] at all,” Clayton told OUT. “Actually when I first got the part, I asked if I could meet him and talk to him to try to see his mannerisms and know more about his life. But Justin [Justin Kelly] wanted it to be more separate, because he didn’t want people to watch it and then get sucked into what I was trying to be. He wanted it to be more movie-esque and more character, as opposed to trying to imitate him. I think to keep it separate is also a little bit out of respect, because it’s such a touchy situation.”
When asked how he researched the role, Clayton replied, “I tried to find the relatability. I tried to find any similarity in that coming from a small town and going into such a big environment and a big city. That was my door into it, I guess, because I’m from Michigan. We’re both from small areas where we found who we were, and I think that was my way of getting into the role.
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In regards to gay love gaining commercial appeal: “I just think we’re in a really cool lucky time where there are films like this that are able to be made, and it’s not just some small indie market. It’s actually a time where it’s commercial. I think Christian is brilliant in this film, and ten years ago, it wouldn’t have been able to be made.”
Read the whole interview on OUT.com.
David Artavia is an actor and writer from New York City. He loves living vicariously through his friends. Follow him on Twitter and Like his Facebook page.
