Once in a while, there are some media that has to do with religious matters. Sometimes they make you think and others… well, aren’t exactly the most well-made. But there’s an interesting case of a movie that talks about a scary incident. Like the rapture. A lot of people believe the world will end one day and I remember when my brother and I got our first taste of an apocalypse in a work of fiction, we weren’t too concerned, even though our mother felt the need to say, “Now guys, there ISN’T GOING to be a rapture…”
Despite this, it still makes for a good plot of the film, and everyone seems to enjoy movies about God striking us down for some interesting reason. Let me tell you about one of those films: A faith-based film called Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist. Based on a book series that has already sold 80 million copies, and recently some movie adaptations have been made. First off was the 2014 film Left Behind which starred Nicolas Cage and made over 30 million around the world. But as if one case of many disappearances wasn’t enough, there’s another one on the rise and it’s making everyone question the cause. I wanted to know more about the movie and what went on with it, so I spoke to Charles Andrew Payne, who played the character of Pastor Bruce Barnes. He’s one of the stronger characters amongst the bunch, who questions the faith he teaches and what he believes. Having lost his family to the rapture, Bruce wonders why he was left behind, and what can he do. Charles is quite a powerhouse with his many abilities, so when I got the chance to call him on Zoom, I took it and we talked for a good long time. It’s a lot to prepare for, so grab a bible, and prepare for a sermon about the movie on a world ending, an incredible story continuing, and what may be the beginning of something big. May the Lord shower us with knowledge.
HNMAG: It’s a film based on a series of books. What kind of interesting things did you learn to understand the role better?
Charles Andrew Payne: I took all the politics and religion out of it and looked at the character. What drew me to it is the human element, my character himself. He is a second pastor in a church, and he’s a man whose faith is being challenged. Even though he’s a pastor who did his job, he’s not 100% on board with what he was preaching. The rapture happens and that rocks his world because now he has proof that it’s real after he didn’t believe it. It’s a story about redemption, hope, and chances. He spirals because even though is left on Earth, he has an opportunity to help the others who are left behind. That’s what drew me to it and made me understand this guy.
HNMAG: Was it hard to take on a character like this, with religion and rapture being kind of touchy subjects?
Charles Andrew Payne: I will be honest with you: I had to take a pause, and ask myself “is this something I can get behind?” Now I was raised Catholic, but I lean more into the spirituality of it. “What would it feel like?” is what I would ask myself if my wife and children just disappeared. Then it’s about the loss and the emotions that are tied to that loss. That was my approach to the character.
HNMAG: Have you had similar experiences in life yourself to the religious tones?
Charles Andrew Payne: Well, having been raised a Catholic, and being an altar boy, (laughs) I understand biblical terms and religious values. I can draw on that, but I’m someone who believes strongly in spirituality.
HNMAG: Not only did you act, but you also narrated in this film as well. Was it interesting to do two kinds of roles at once?
Charles Andrew Payne: Yes, I did the acting first, then went into the studio for narration. I found the narrating to be the most fascinating piece of the film. Let me just back it up: Morgan Freeman is the world’s best narrator. He’s one of my acting idols so the fact that I was being asked to narrate a film, I told my wife I’d go in the studio and do my best Morgan Freeman. Everything in life prepares for the next thing in life. I’ve done some voiceovers in commercials before, and then I was asked to narrate this film and shortly after an author reached out to me and said, “Hey! I’d love for you to do the audiobook narrator for this book I wrote.”
HNMAG: So you’ll be doing lots more voiceovers in the future, I bet.
Charles Andrew Payne: What I should tell you is that I am a journeyman performer. Not just an actor, I’m a standup comic and more. I just want the opportunity to work, tell stories, and do whatever allows me to express myself creatively. I’ll say yes to 5 lines or even show up to say 50. When I show up on a movie set, people ask me why I’m always smiling and I explain I’m a Canadian actor on a movie set working. I have a big grin on my face because I’m getting to perform.
Oftentimes on set or on stage at a comedy event, Charles will tell stories because he’s a natural storyteller. If he’s giving a speech or chatting with a corporate client, he uses it as an opportunity to express himself and do what he enjoys.
HNMAG: You have experience in speeches, but do you find it to be more interesting than performing?
Charles Andrew Payne: When I’m giving a motivational talk, or I’ve been invited to do a corporate comedy show, it’s all storytelling for me. That’s my sweet spot, I love connecting with people. I was headlining a comedy show in Calgary, where there are only 3 comedy clubs and a lot of pop-up comedy shows usually. There was one being done at a Jazz club. It’s once a month on Thursdays. I’m on stage giving a story with a 45-minute set. I get off the stage, and there’s an old gentleman is waiting for me on the balcony. He tells me, “You know, I HATE that they do comedy here, but when you got on stage and started telling your story, I was telling my friends to be quiet because I wanted to hear the story and I was crying over it. Can I hug you?” When I do comedy, my story is about growing up and transitioning from a 3rd world country and moving to a 1st world country. Make it funny, and it’s basically about adaptability and persistence, comedy, and motivational speaking then kind of overlap each other. Hearing this gentleman say “Your story resonated with me because I too am an immigrant” is an honour. He wanted to hug me because it brought back so many good memories. That is why I do what I do.
HNMAG: How do you keep so much variety in what you do for work and plan it out accordingly?
Charles Andrew Payne: I love to perform above all else. If someone calls me up, invites me, or says “Hey, Charles. I’m doing a comedy show.” It’s not about money, it’s just if I’m available, I’m coming. Because every time I do something, I learn something. Every time I connect with people, I feel better about myself. People wonder why I do so many things, I say, “Why don’t YOU? Why wouldn’t you? You’re only on this planet for a short period. When my wife and I first started dating, and I moved from Vancouver to Alberta to be with her. When she told her girlfriends and co-workers about all the things that I do, Actor, Writer, Comedian, and Motivational Speaker. People didn’t believe her saying, “he just says that to impress you…” and then they got to know me and of course, it’s the digital age. They googled me, and then said, “OH! He does do all of those things!” and now that they’re friends of mine, they’re like “Oh, you’re an inspiration? I’ve always wanted to do writing/etc.” and I ask them “Why wouldn’t you put your hand up to try?” The way I see it if you try to do something, and it doesn’t work out…you have not failed. You either win or you learn.
HNMAG: And you say you learn things. What were some of the most important info you learned?
Charles Andrew Payne: Don’t be afraid to try. The answer is always no if you don’t ask the question, so ask. You are more than you think you are, and you are more capable than you think you are. I always surprise myself and what I’ve learned is don’t be afraid to take risks. The other more key important one for me is to open yourself to the possibility that everything you think you know might be wrong. That way, you’re open to learning new things. I always want to learn new things all the time and I always say I’m the world’s biggest chameleon and the world’s biggest thief in the sense that if I see someone doing something, and it works and brings value I will adapt it to my life.
One day, Charles attended a couple of workshops being put on by a motivational speaker. He sat in the back telling himself he could do what he was learning. Charles reached out to the man running the workshops and offered to buy him lunch. As they bonded over the meal, Charles asked this man how he got to where he was, and the man said, “Charles, you’re probably better qualified to do what I do. You’re already a standup comic, you’re already a writer, you’re already an actor, and you’re comfortable being on stage. Now all you just need to figure out is what you’re going to talk about.” The man gave Charles some guidance from there he stared down the path of being a speaker.
It was a very inspirational story, but I had to know more about what happened on Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist, and what his experience was.
HNMAG: What was one of your favourite moments on set?
Charles Andrew Payne: Well, one of the producers, John Duffy pulled me aside one day and said he’d record some of my takes behind the scenes. When we got to talking, John and I discovered in that conversation when he interviewed me back and forth, we had a lot in common. He’s also a motivational speaker and writer. I connected with him not just as a line producer of the show, but he’s become a friend of mine. Learning about his fascinating life and sharing our life story, that’s the kind of stuff that I love.
HNMAG: And how did you get along with the director Kevin Sorbo, the other cast members, and the crew?
Charles Andrew Payne: Fantastic. This is the 3rd time Kevin and I have worked together. I worked with him years ago when he was the lead on Andromeda, I played a space bounty hunter on there named Danyluk. Then before Left Behind, we did a period piece together. Kevin, myself, and John Ratzenberger did a movie that took place in the 1930s. I played Reverend Reece in that movie. Then along came Left Behind, and Kevin told me I was the first person cast outside of himself. He has been nothing but civil, generous, and kind to me. We laugh a lot. Another person I worked with on the set, Sarah Fisher is fantastic. Greg Perrow is fantastic, Kevin’s son Brandon and his wife Sam are also in the film. We had fun, we all got along, we laughed a lot, and we discussed the seriousness of what we were trying to do.
HNMAG: Would you be up to doing more roles like in Left Behind and discussing the serious subject matter?
Charles Andrew Payne: 100%. I don’t know how accurate this is, but when in the studio I was told “There’s a sequel being written as we speak, and yes, you’re in it.”
HNMAG: You mentioned you’ve played Reverend Reece in Miracle in East Texas. Was the role very similar to this?
Charles Andrew Payne: No. Not at all, so different. Reverend Reece is the leader of his community, he is very solid and very religious. He’s a true believer, his role is to make decisions that will affect the whole community unlike Pastor Barnes who sort of believed, had one foot in and the other foot out, and doubted himself. I enjoyed playing Reverend Reece. There’s a lovely monologue scene that I have where I’m preaching. I got to be one of those old-school Baptists/ministers that annunciates everything he says.
HNMAG: Would you be one to talk about the movie’s subject matter in any upcoming seminars even?
Charles Andrew Payne: I could… when I do seminars and give motivational talks, a lot of it is about my life story. I talk about perseverance and facing fears. To give some background, I was 9 years old as an unaccompanied minor on an airplane, and there was no direct flight from the country where I was coming from which was Grenada to Canada. I had to travel from Grenada to Barbados, Barbados to Toronto, then from Toronto to Vancouver by myself. Now, to give you some perspective, talk about facing your fears. I have never so much been in a car before, and now I’m on an airplane. Grenada at the time that I left was a third-world country and my family was poor. We didn’t have indoor plumbing, running water, electricity or the things we take for granted in a first-world country. Here I am, on an airplane, travelling by myself experiencing all these luxuries for the first time and with the mind of a nine-year-old.
HNMAG: You even have some experience in directing and producing shows. Would you ever make a show like Left Behind or discuss these kinds of matters?
Charles Andrew Payne: Yes, and I’m glad you asked me that. I have written a short that my producing partner and my co-writer are going to take to production in September. We were going to do it just before COVID, we were entering a 24-hour film competition and so I was challenged to write this script which I did. It’s called Choice, and it has a bit of a religious tone to it, in that it’s about a gentleman being forced to fulfill a choice his parents made for him before he was even born.
As you can see, there’s a lot to be impressed by, both within the movie, and from how Charles does things and so much he has done. Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist just got released yesterday, so head to a theatre and watch it for yourself. There may not be a rapture in any coming days (that I know of) but it’s always a thrill to see a movie about what would happen if there was one. Take what you have learned from this sermon article and go forth into the light. May you discover more answers and go strong as you advance. Amen.