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This particular interview is one I've looked forward to for quite some time ! As you may know from previous issues, Jason Karl is probably better known to you all as Julian Smith - the victorious dungeoneer from series two, and only the second dungeoneer EVER to conquer Knightmare Castle ! So, it is with great pleasure that I introduce the first part of this very interesting interview - and may I also thank Jason once again for his kind participation....
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EYE SHIELD : First of all, can you update all of the readers on what you are up to nowadays ?
JASON : I am currently living in Preston, in the Docklands area. I am a professional actor, and have performed in Aladdin, Merry Christmas Scrooge, and Red Riding Hood in theatres nation-wide. I am also in the film "Three Men and a Little Lady". More recently, I have also worked as a TV presenter rather than an actor, working mainly on Satellite TV, including The Discovery Channel. My ambition is to audition for Sword of the Sorceror if it ever gets made, so I hope Tim and Sue are reading this !!!
Can you explain the name change for us ?
I changed my name several times since Knightmare for reasons including my parents divorcing / re-marrying, and also to define a stage personality with a name suitable to it.
Leaping straight to the main subject (!), can you still recall in any detail the whole experience of donning the helmet, and exploring the dungeon ?
I can still recall many aspects of recording Knightmare, including having a party in our hotel with the team that played after us, and wrecking the hotel room in the process !!
The overall experience of the quest was very thrilling and winning was great, although I might add something of an anti-climax..
As dungeoneer, did you feel you had more, or less control of your quest ?
I felt in greater control of the quest, and I wouldn't have it any other way !!
Did you volunteer to be dungeoneer ?
No, I didn't volunteer to be dungeoneer, I simply told everyone it was going to be me !
(I arranged everything, the auditions, the application etc.)
Aside from the overall challenge you faced, can you recall any particularly hairy moments on the quest ?
Yes, I was absolutely terrified by the Automatum ! The noise of it approaching sent my heart pounding. When it was following me around level one, I was a nervous wreck, even during the breaks in filming !!
How would you describe the general atmosphere as you drew closer to victory ?
The atmosphere was slightly strained as you would expect, and before filming each room, I recall talking to Hugo Myatt, who kept on telling me we could do it and not to worry. Nevertheless, as we got nearer our goal we continually thought the next chamber was going to be our last. Particularly when we encountered Mogdred in level three, and having defied him, I thought we had sealed our fate, but no - we even overcame him !
MY GREAT THANKS TO JASON ONCE AGAIN FOR TAKING PART. DON'T FORGET TO BUY ISSUE 7, FOR THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW !