Video Rewind- Bulging Eyes

"Friday the 13th Part 3 in 3D is so fun," explains its star, Paul Kratka, "because almost all of the deaths play out the 3D effect."

Kratka (and Jason victim number 19) says he's still amazed at the popularity of the film which came out 26 years ago on August 13, 1982).

When it comes to the "Friday" franchise, Kratka admits he's not familiar with the series and hasn't seen those before or after the third installment. "I do hear (after the third part) from people saying the first three were better story wise and kind of stuck more to the roots of itself rather than become a gratuitous blood-bath that maybe came after that point."

Back in the early days of his acting career when he was studying acting with a group in North Hollywood, a friend of his auditioned for the role of Andy and told him about the interview. He was encouraged to meet the casting director.

"I read for that part and the casting director said, 'No. You're not right for this part at all. You're really right for the lead.' So they asked if I'd come back the next day to read for the director and producer. The casting director told me that the character of Rick wasn't a city boy, but someone who lived in the mountains and he was a carpenter."

After "dressing for the role" so to speak and thinking he had the job he says they were struggling to find the female lead.

"They wanted Amy Steel (Ginny from Part 2) but she was unavailable and they knew of Dana Kimmel, but she too was unavailable (she eventually did get the lead role of Chris) so for about two months they had me do screen tests with about a dozen actresses. I pretty much knew I had the job, but I hadn't signed a contract and I was excited about being in a movie (his first) but wasn't sure what was going on."

A couple of months before shooting began, he was sent to a special effects laboratory to have them create a mannequin like model of his upper body and head. He said the experience was really surreal.

"They made this mold of me and then they made a reverse mold and then the head was made from a specific latex material that had collapsible plates, so that when they did multiple takes of Jason squeezing my head, the head would collapse."