The Novel Approach of Aaron Deakins
The current Covid-19 pandemic has effected the entire world; for the entertainment world it has meant a completely standstill is in effect. At a time when the general public is consuming entertainment like never before, how does an actor who is unable to work find a way to create and be productive? UK actor Aaron Deakins has pivoted from his acting focus in a way that makes use of his previous roles and additional talents by writing a novel based on one of his most popular films, The Lost Isle. While the book project was always in his plans, the abundance of current available hours absent from the film set seemed to be fate prompting him that now was the time. To the delight of audiences who embraced the film The Lost Isle, Aaron’s novel was recently released on Amazon. While Deakins has numerous film writing credits, tackling a novel was a sizable challenge which demanded a perspective reset.
Aaron Deakins has an acclaimed reputation as one of the UK’s brightest and most talented actions stars, a stark contrast to that of book author. He concedes that this dichotomy was part of the attraction for him as someone who thrives upon personal challenges. Whether as Robbie in Alien Outbreak (directed by Neil Rowe, best known for his work on the award-winning science-fiction film Robot Wars -Festival Prize for Best feature film at the Unreal Film Festival, Best Feature VFX at the Other Worlds Austin SciFi Film Festival, and others), as David in military-meets-aliens Tape 51, or starring as Jack the mercenary in The Lost Isle, Aaron is lauded for his physicality and sub-surface emotive style. As stated by numerous critics, “There’s a lot of underlying pain in his characters.” The actor communicates, “I’m happy with the side of acting I have found myself on. In Shadow Division, The Lost Isle, and Tape 50 series, I am of course known more for my physique and action style/look. In the films I have helped in the way of writing, I’ve always tried to add a slight sense of pain or sensitivity behind my characters; something akin to that of phantom pain, or a pain that endures even if time has long since passed.”
When opportunity presented him with copious amounts of time for days on end, Deakins decided that a long held plan of his was coming to fruition. Not one to be sedentary, Aaron commenced to taking elements from the film The Lost Isle and created a parallel tale to this beloved production. He reveals, “I discussed with both the Producer and Director to adapt a novel set in the same universe. I was very careful to be respectful to the film universe. Being the lead in the film put pressure on me to make sure the characters in the novel did not copy the same premise. Simply set, this story takes place in the same universe and follows another band of mercenaries who are hired to survey an uncharted island. Helping write the screenplay is one thing but writing a full novel was a challenge for me. The different style of writing and the other type of fleshing out of characters felt very alien to me. It was a welcoming challenge to me and I ended up finishing the novel in around three months. Something even I never knew I was capable of achieving.”
Already making plans for what’s next, Aaron is set to star in Tape 52, the aptly name sequel to Tape 51. Currently in pre-production, Tape 52 is expected to begin filming as soon as the lockdown is lifted. Scheduling is the second greatest challenge behind overall health in the film industry these days. Tape 52 Director/Producer Simone Marie Herstad is enthusiastic about working with the newly dubbed novelist/actor Aaron Deakins on Tape 52 and proclaims, “Aaron Deakins goes full out no matter what he commits to. He has amazing energy that makes it easy for me to direct and work with him, something that also helps him get into character. He uses every inch of his body and mind to deliver. You can see after only just meeting with him that being an actor and telling stories is his life.” Also on the horizon for Deakins is a film titled The Revelations. Though tight lipped about specifics, Aaron relates that he’ll star in the film as a man who suffers a personal tragedy and sets about hunting members of a religious cult who perform human sacrifices.
