Interview with Giselle Fraga

Giselle Fraga is an up and coming Brazilian actress, who is making her American film debut in the upcoming “The River Sorrow”. The film also stars Ray Liotta, Ving Rhames & Christian Slater and will be released this June. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Giselle about her role in the film and what is upcoming in her career.

Mike Gencarelli: What made you come back to doing feature films?
Giselle Fraga: First of all, I always wanted to live in the USA and work there. I keep saying that, I have an American soul. When I was 18 years old and I was working as a model, I lived for two years in NYC. Unfortunately, I had to return back to Brazil cause my father was sick. By that time I was starting with my acting career. I obtained my first movie role in Brazil and never stopped working there.  So I had to give up of my dream to act in the US.  Now after ‘’The River Sorrow’’ experience I found a manager in LA., Bob McGowan. I believe in him and I want to work in the U.S. but I have a life back here in Brazil.  So I have to try and juggle both my career and personal life. When I have a chance to go there for auditions he will call me here and I’ll jump on the plane and go. I know it’s not easy but I have a lot faith in my heart that I still will do more films there and have a lot of experiences in my acting life. Also, it’s always a big challenge while acting to speak English, but I learn a lot as a human being.

MG: Tell us about your role in the film “The River Sorrow”
GF: Ana is a beautiful character. The writer Steve Anderson told me that she’s the heart of the movie. There’s a lot of violence and in the middle of all those killings, she symbolizes the love. If you see the movie you’ll notice that’s she’s also the light in the end of the tunnel. I had a wonderful experience playing Ana. I think it’s the kind of character that I wanted to portray. I learned a lot with her and I will take this forever with my soul.

MG: What was your biggest challenge while working on the film?
GF: When I read the script, I knew that she was a challenge to go through. Speaking good and understandable English was my biggest challenge. Also to be able to play with my heart and don’t be shy of working with the giants actors from Hollywood. In my humble experience, it was the first time for me as an actress. I left my whole life behind to live this character for real.

MG: How was it working with such a great cast, Ray Liotta, Ving Rhames & Christian Slater?
GF: It was the best experience off my life as an actress. All the cast was amazing to work with. They are all very professional people and it was amazing to see how dedicated they are to their  characters. I learned a lot by watching them everyday.

MG: Tell us about your role in the TV Series “Uma Rosa com Amor”?
GF: It was a great experience. I played a bipolar character. It took me a lot to learn about this subject and how painful it is for someone to leave everyday with no balance in life and taking strong medicines to take control of their own lives. To portray it was really hard and a it is a great experience that helped me to opened my mind and heart to share my love with all those who need a lot of love to keep alive and surviving with this sickness. I love being an actress and having the chance to pretend that I am someone else and to do things that I would have never experienced in my life.

MG: What do you having planned next?
GF: Well for now, I’m waiting for the movie to come out and them I can send my scenes to casting directors. I’ll possible stay in Brazil and act in another soup opera that’s coming up next July.  That is what is amazing about being an actress, is that you never know what comes next.

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Interview with Gary Daniels

When you think of actions movies, you should be thinking about Gary Daniels.  He recently co-starred along side Sylvester Stallone in “The Expendables” and Wesley Snipes in “Game of Death”.  Gary took a few minutes to chat with Movie Mikes about working on his films and what he has planned upcoming.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us how it working with Sylvester Stallone both acting and directing in “The Expendables”?
Gary Daniels: As you can imagine I was kinda excited at the prospect of working with the writer/creator of “Rocky” and the star of “Rambo” and I have to say working with Stallone didn’t disappoint . The man has an incredible energy, whether working out in the gym with him or working on set…the man is full of energy. He is constantly in motion but is very focused.  He knows what he wants, has a clear vision and knows how to get it. As an actor it instills confidence in you when your director is clear about what h e wants and how to go about achieving that result. He is a very intense director but I found him to be very open minded when I had any kind of suggestions about the blocking or the character. I found him to be very inspirational.

MG: What was the most difficult task of working on “The Expendables”?
GD: There wasn’t too much that was difficult about working on “The Expendables”, I have done quite a few action movies now. For me, as someone that has done leads and is used to having a lot of say in the choreography and direction of my fights, I would say the most difficult thing was not having any input in those areas.

MG: Tell us about working on the film “Game of Death”, does Wesley Snipes still have game?
GD: I was hired on “Game of Death” kinda last minute and the script was being re-written as we were shooting…which presented its own challenges. I wasn’t about to turn down the opportunity to work with Wesley Snipes, but I didn’t get to play the character of Zander the way I would have liked to.  But part of being an actor is being mailable and being able to accept direction, so I always give 100% regardless. It’s always fun playing the bad guy, especially one as ruthless as Zander. Plus its always educational when you have a chance to work with such experienced actors as Robert Davi and Wesley Snipes. Wesley was obviously going through turmoil in his life at the time we were shooting, so whether he bought his A game to the film or not I will let the viewers judge for themselves. He is obviously a talented individual or he wouldn’t have reached such heights in his career.

MG: You reunited with “Expendables” cast Eric Roberts and Steve Austin, in “Hunt to Kill”, tell us about working working on that film and with them again?
GD: Most of my scenes in “The Expendables” were with Steve and Eric, so we spent a lot of time together.  They are both very down to earth and funny guys, so we had a blast together. It was Steve that called me and asked me to work on “Hunt to Kill”, so it was an easy choice to say “Yes”. I didn’t have any scenes with Eric in “Hunt to Kill” but was with Steve most of the time. For a bloke that looks so big and intimidating he is one of the nicest guys you can hope to work with on and off the set. On this film I got to choreograph and shoot a fight between us. It is always a challenge to choreograph for the different kinds of athletes, actors, martial artists that you work with in films and this was no different trying to highlight both of our strengths as we are obviously from very different backgrounds.

MG: How was it working with Steven Seagal in “Submerged”, any cool set stories?
GD: ‘Submerged’ was not one of my favourite experiences, my character was originally very pivotal , but Mr Seagal had other ideas and in the end.  They might as well of hired a stuntman to play the role as all the dialogue and relationship between his and my character was cut. Well every actor has their own vision for their films and being the star of the film you will usually get your way so for me I just get on with it and do the best I can under the given circumstances. Actually most of the cast and crew were from England,  so we all had a blast on and off the set. Nuff said!

MG: Tell us about playing Kenshirô in “Fist of the North Star” and working with Tony Randel?
GD: I was a fan of the anime before I was asked to do the film. So I knew it was gonna be very difficult to translate the anime to live action, especially back in 94 before CGI had been so developed. But I loved the character that I wasn’t about to turn it down. The first challenge for me was the physical one, Kenshiro (like most anime characters) has an awsome, huge physique. So I began a regime of training lifting heavier weights than I had worked with before and went from 180 to 192 lbs. Trouble is we were working such long hours during the summer in a sweltering sound stage with no air conditioning, that as the shoot progressed I slowly lost all that weight as I couldnt get in the gym to maintain. I think Tony had a good vision for the film but he certainly wasn’t into martial arts and didn’t like to shoot the fights. He felt the heart of the story was the love triangle between Kenshiro, Shin and Julia and that by focusing on that it would elevate the film above being a mere ‘martial arts’ film. Personally I think the fans wanted to see Kenshiro kicking ass. Again different visions, but overall I like the film and the way it turned out. The trouble when making an adaptation of an anime or video game is that you have to try to make a film that appeases the hardcore fans but also makes sense to viewers that have no idea about the original source material…not easy.

MG: What has been the most difficult film that you have work on to date?
GD: Every film presents its own challenges. Coming from a martial arts background my hardest challenge is trying to convince producers/directors to take me seriously as an actor so sometimes I end up trying too hard. Then when I choreograph action its tough getting the powers that be to let me control how it is shot and edited. When I do the lead in smaller films, I  wish I could work on bigger films that get more exposure. When you get on bigger films but playing smaller roles,  I miss being involved in the film making process.  The grass is always greener on the other side. Some films you get along with everybody but some there is a clash with other cast members, as I say every film presents their own challenges.

MG: Tell us about some of your upcoming projects?
GD: I just spent three months in Thailand working on the 1st two parts of a trilogy , “The Mark – Light 777” and “The Mark – Bangkok Rising” with Craig Scheffer and Eric Roberts…yes Eric again. The 3rd part will be shot in Europe this summer. Next up will be the lead in a MMA project called “Forced to Fight”. I am also waiting to hear on a bigger project that goes this summer but its not locked so I don’t wanna say too much right now. I am training hard and reading scripts ,so as always in this business the future is never easy to plan.

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Interview with Chaske Spencer

Chaske Spencer is known best for playing his role of Sam Uley in “The Twilight Saga”. Chaske is currently preparing to start filming “Breaking Dawn Part 1 & 2”. Movie Mikes had a quick chance to ask Chaske a few questions about working on the series.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about what you like most about your role Sam Uley in “The Twilight Saga”?
Chaske Spencer: I like that he looks out for the rest of the wolf pack…like a big brother figure.

MG: Did you read the books before your work on the series?
CS: Yeah, I read them once I booked the role.

MG: What was be the most memorable part of working on the series for you?
CS: Meeting all the fans has been the biggest thing. Everyone is so amazing and traveling to places I never would have gone to like Australia, Berlin, New Zealand has been so great.

MG: When do you start filming “Breaking Dawn”?
CS: Not sure yet. Everything is pretty hush hush [laughs].

MG: How do you feel that “Breaking Dawn” is going to satisfy its fans?
CS: I am sure it will be awesome and the fans will love it. Each film gets better and better.

MG: Tell us about your other upcoming film “Shouting Secrets”?
CS: “Shouting Secrets” is a real family character driven story. The thing I love most about it is anyone can relate to the story, it is not specifically Native.

MG: How did you get started with your production company, Urban Dream?
CS: My manager Josselyne Herman and I decided to create the company, so we could produce our own projects. She knew Ted Kurdyla and his resume is pretty impressive. So we decided to find projects to develop. “The Block” is the first one we are working on and we are trying to get that funded.

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Interview with Robot Chicken’s Matthew Senreich & Zeb Wells

Matthew Senreich & Zeb Wells are the co-creator and writers of “Robot Chicken” (respectively).  Matt created the show with Seth Green back in 2005 and has since been writing for the show.  Zeb joined the show for season three and since then has been writing for the show as well.  Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Matt & Zeb at the 2011 MegaCon in Orlando, FL and had a chance to chat about the show and get some cool stories from the guys.

Mike Gencarelli: Matt, in the beginning for the series you directed a bunch of episodes, why did you stop?
Matthew Senreich: [laughs] It was a lot of work.  We realized very quickly to write, direct and produce all aspects of the show was self-destructive. We ended up in our third season bringing Chris McKay on board to direct, so that way he could focus on making it look pretty on screen at all possible times.

MG: Zeb, you joined the show beginning in season three, how did you that come to be and what was your biggest challenge coming in?
Zeb Wells: Well it came to be because Matt used to work at Wizard magazine.  They used to have a video making contest there and I won that contest a bunch of times with making superhero parody videos.  So he brought me in to do a test drive on season three…
MS: To see if he was still funny [laughs].
ZW: [laughs] Yeah.  I think the biggest challenge was your first day you come in and have all these questions you used to have about your toys.  “What if G.I. Joe’s did this?” and so on… At the end of the first day you used up all of those and have to keep coming up with ideas every day one after another. It gets hard. After my first five week cycle, I realized these guys were going to go back and start again next week and I have no idea how anyone could do that.  There is always another idea.
MS: [laughs] There is always something.

MG: What is the timeline for an episode of “Robot Chicken” from idea to finished product?
MS: Oh my God, I always like to use “Star Wars” as an example because it is kind of self-contained. It is usually two to three weeks of writing for a half hour episode.  From start to finish it is like fourteen weeks.  You go from writing it…to doing the storyboards and voices at sametime…and then putting together what is called an animatic…from the animatic it is handed over to animation…through animation to post production…and then sound…and visual effects.  It is a wirlwind process.

MG: Is there an episode or skit that stands out as your favorite?
MS: Everyone always asks that question [laughs].  It is like choosing your baby. I mean it depends on the day and what your feeling on what sketch you like.  If someone says a sketch that you remember and your like “Oh yeah, I love that one”.
ZW: I do like Fumbles.  I think it is my favorite.
MS: [speaking to Zeb] Of all time?…All time?
ZW: I don’t know it has a lot of good lines in it [Laughs]. I might be but yeah on a different day it might be another one.
MS: It always shifts for me.

MG: Matt, how do you feel that the show has changed since it started over 5 years ago?
MS: I think it has gotten a lot better.  when we first started it was just us not knowing what we were doing.  As we got into this fifth season, the production value is really higher. The writing is as sharp as ever. For the first season, I don’t think we realized that it was going to go further that one season.  But now we look at it as we are a family that is just goofing around and having fun.

MG: Did you ever think you had an Emmy winning show on your hands?
MS: [laughs] Yeah it is crazy! It is still weird that we won an Emmy, it has been a crazy year!

MG: Do you have any notable rejected ideas that never made it?
MS: I think there is a lot of stuff that we reject. I always say 99% of what is pitched in the room probably falls by the waist side.  It is a brutal writers room.  People hate each other in that writers room [laughs].
ZW: My favorite sketch that didn’t get in is a Zune getting hit by the Allspark…realizing it is a Zune and then shooting itself in its head.  I tried to get in a few times.
MS: [speaking to Zeb] You are pitching that sketch left and right.
ZW: I got to get it in there [laughs].

MG: Zeb, besides Robot Chicken, you also work/have worked on various comic books, how do you find it differs for you?
ZW: Writing comics is such a soliterary experience, which has its pros and cons. You are more in control of what goes in, but you are also able to get hung up on certain things. But when you are in a room with a bunch of dudes, if you get stuck on something you can all just attack it together.

MG: Do you find that the writing for “Robot Chicken- Star Wars” differs from the TV series?
MS: It is a little more focused which I like better.  You can tell a little more of story and get more into character development. I always find that more interesting to do rather than just being more sketch based. As far as process goes it is just working with the people you like and that is what I love.
ZW: Everytime a “Star Wars” starts I think it is going to be easier. Then I think by the end of the “Star Wars” the regular “Robot Chicken” will be easier”.  It is all hard. [laughs]

MG: When can we expect the next installment of “Robot Chicken- Star Wars”?
MS: We are working on the DVD for “Star Wars: Epsiode III” right now and then after that still to be determined.

MG: What can you tell us about the new episodes set to air in October?
MS: Yes, it is the last ten episodes from season five.  We are going to go have episode 100, so it is going to be epic. So the chicken will be loose [laughs].

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Interview with James Wan & Leigh Whannell

James Wan & Leigh Whannell are the director and the writer of “Insidious” (respectively).  The started their career by creating the “Saw” franchise.  Since then the guys have worked together on various other projects including “Death Sentence” and “Dead Silence”.  James and Leigh took aside some time during their very busy press day for “Insidious” to chat with Movie Mikes about the new film and working together again on this project.

Mike Gencarelli: James, Tell us about how you became attached to “Insidious”?
James Wan: This is a project that happened when I met with one of the producers of “Paranormal Activity”, we hit it off.   I met with the rest of the gang and introduced them to my partner in crime Leigh Whannell.  We said “Guys we want to do a project together”. We all got along so well, we decided to go out there and work on a film together.  That marriage became “Insidious”.

MG: Leigh, Tell us about coming up with this idea for the script?
Leigh Whannell: This idea, like all, James and I came up with it together, even before we came up with “Saw”.  We were trying to find something that we could shot in a really low budget way.  We had a goal for a $5,000 budget for a film and we were trying to come up with idea that would suit that budget.  The core idea at the heart of “Insidious” is what we came up with.  I don’t want to give anything away to the readers but the end is what we essentially came up with.  We thought it was pretty good and almost went with it.  But one day James called me and said he had the idea of two guys chained up in a public toilet.  I thought that was a better idea and I am glad we went with that.  So we filed the idea for “Insidious” in the file cabinet in the back of your brain. When James had the meeting with Steven Schneider, one of the producers of “Paranormal” that he was just talking about… we came to the belief that we would be pretty foolish by not making this film.

MG: You guys have worked together on every project now, would you consider this project to be you’re most difficult?
JW: I think this actually has been the most fun project that Leigh and I have working together on.
LW: I agree, but not easiest in terms of coming up with the idea, writing the film and directing it.  That stuff is hard…and it is definitely hard to do those things on a small budget. But the ease came from great people.  The cast and crew were just so easy to get along with.  The producers were so great and stayed true to there word by letting us make a film we wanted to make, while also giving us great ideas and thoughts.  They were true collaborators. Everything was just so great.  I definitely have had the most fun working on this, the same as James.

MG: Since the film was low budget, did you feel still feel you were able to achieve everything you wanted?
JW: Oddly, this film actually cost less to make than “Saw” and “Saw” was very low budget.  Yet the ironic thing is I managed to pretty much make the movie I wanted to make.  I think this is the reason why, “Saw” was my first film and  I didn’t have a filmmaking infrastructure around me.  I didn’t have the support or a crew that I knew.  Fast forward to four films later… “Insidious” is my fourth movie, even though it is less money, I have brought in a really great team of people and crew.  I got a cinematographer that I love…an AD that is brilliant…costume and production design…hair and makeup…everyone came to work on this film because they wanted to work with me again. I managed to get an A quality film for basically a no-budget movie.

MG: James, Why did you take on the task of editing as well as directing?
JW: Purely because I love editing [laughs].  It is a simple as that.  I love editing just as much as directing.  I have always edited my own stuff back in film school.  When you get to Hollywood people do not want you to wear yourself too thin.  So usually you have to give up the editing aspect of it.  Due to this being such a small movie and in some way real garage filmmaking for me, it was very experimental.  I got to shoot digital for the first time, which I loved.  It allowed me to do a lot of things that I couldn’t do with film.  I cut it myself in my bedroom on my little Macintosh Apple computer.  It was very liberating.  I thought only I would be able to crop the scare sequences because I shot it knowing how I planned to edit it.  That is the only way I would be able to get around shooting a film in only 22 days. I had a very strong specific way on how I was going to cut.  For me, I felt the scare scenes needed to be very effective and that all comes from how the film is edited and how the sound interacts with that footage.  If you are one second off, then your whole scare sequence is thrown off the curve.

MG: This film looks quite scary especially for PG-13, tell about working within that rating?
JW: Particularly, I know for Leigh he was just setup to write the script and it just so happened to fall into the PG-13 world.  For me it was definitely more conscious.  I didn’t want swearing, I didn’t want blood and guts.  I honestly believe that a lot of it has gotten lost in the last few years.  I think in a big part thanks to the franchise that Leigh and I have created.  People have forgotten that you can make a very scary movie without blood and guts.  You can make a very suspenseful with out throwing buckets of blood at the screen and you can do it this creepy atmosphere that gets into your head.

MG: How was it working with horror genre favorite, Lin Shayne?
JW: I have known Lin Shayne for a while now and there was only one person I wanted to cast for the role.  Most people know here for some of the over the top stuff that she has done but for me I know her and she is more than capable of doing the drama.  She is really great at it.  I really I wanted to give her the chance to do that on this film. Since she comes from a comedic background there is a great quirkiness to the role, which I think is fantastic.

MG: Leigh, did you right the part with Lin in mind?
LW: James told me very early on that he wanted that character set for Lin Shayne to play.  I have worked with her and I was able to write the character for her, which is awesome.  It is always easier to write a character for somebody you know.  You can take years of life experiences, quirks and habits and put it into the character.  That is actually how I build from the ground up. I always like to base characters on people I know because it is the easiest access point.  It was great writing the character having her in mind.  I also wrote the ghost hunters characters for myself and Angus Sampson.  With Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson’s characters, I didn’t know them so I based the characters on people I know in my life.

MG: Leigh, you not only started the “Saw” franchise but also starred in it, were you always planned to take on both roles?
LW: Yeah, that was our plan! As I said before we were trying to make a film for $5,000 dollars. That was our post film school plan. James wanted to direct something and I wanted to act in something. We were frustrated, so we came up with the idea and went out and did it.  I love acting.  I just enjoy it as much as I do writing.  I am not afraid to say that if I write a film I love to put myself in it, that way I can still be involved in the filmmaking process after the writing is done. The writing is where it all starts.  These are the plans for the house and you can’t build anything without the blueprints. Once I start I want to be there on the building site.  I want to be hammering some nails and helping out.  So the best way to do that is to be acting.

MG: What do you guys have planned next together?
JW: We have separate things we have been working on that we always check with each other about.
LW: Together as the team the Wan/Whannell brand…we are talking about doing a Sci-Fi.  We have come up with an idea and we really like it.  We ran the idea past some investors and they really liked it.  So that is definitely upcoming.

MG: Do you feel nervous going up against this weeks new films?
LW: Yeah for sure! We are always nervous about going against big films.
JW: Our film is a small little film and it is hard to compete with big studio films, “Hop” and “The Source Code”.  Those are big studio films, with huge marketing behind them.  We are here to nip at the hills.

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Interview with Christopher Lennertz

Christopher Lennertz is known for his diverse scores ranging from “Alvin and the Chipmunks” to TV’s “Supernatural” to “Vampires Suck”.  Chris recently completed work on the new film “Hop” and is also working on a projects that is very important to him which is called “A Symphony of Hope: The Haiti Project”.  Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Chris about his new film “Hop”, as well as his upcoming projects.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your score for the film “Hop.” What was your inspiration?
Christopher Lennertz: It’s definitely a family film. I knew it had to have a lot of heart and magic to it. But the other thing that makes it really interesting is that the Easter Bunny wants to be a drummer. In the very first scene when you finally meet him he’s playing drums. So we knew there would be a big element of percussion. So we wanted to give him the personality of this really cool rock and roll drummer. And since it’s Russell Brand it made a lot of sense. (NOTE: Brand provides the voice for E.B. in “Hop”).

MG: When you were composing did you rely on any footage or just character ideas?
CL: We had a lot of footage, but the animation wasn’t finished. We had a lot of footage of the live action characters – James Marsden and those guys. But a lot of the animation wasn’t done…it was blocked out in very rough terms. So I had to imagine. And Tim Hill, the director, would tell me “this is what it’s eventually going
to look like.”

MG: Which score was harder to compose, “Hop” or “Alvin and the Chipmunks”?
CL: I felt it was definitely easier this time around because it’s my second time working with Tim Hill. I know what Tim likes and I feel we have a real comfortable relationship. I feel free to try new things and to look at things in a slightly different way. He lets me try it. We had a great time on this movie…we had a lot of fun. It really was a great
creative experience. We both knew what kind of movie we were trying to make but we both wanted to have the most fun while making it.

MG: You have done quite a few parody films, including “The Comebacks”, “Meet The Spartans”, “Disaster Movie” and the recent “Vampires Suck.” How did you get involved with these films?
CL: “Disaster Movie,” “Meet the Spartans” and “Vampires Suck” were all from the same directing team. We really get along. They like to use me because I know they like their music really BIG! Very over the top. It really plays their comedy well. And Tom Brady, who directed “The Comebacks,” and I really got along well because we both love sports movies and that was the kind of movies the film was parodying. I think I was the right fit for those kind of things. And I like doing comedies. Comedies are really hard to score. People don’t think so, but the comic timing has to be perfect or you can kill a joke. So it’s fun for me to help people tell their jokes.

MG: Is the process any different for creating scores for those type of films?
CL: Well comedy is harder because you have to be part of the joke. It’s like a comic that doesn’t tell the punch line right. If the music is not right on timing right you can actually make the joke not funny. And you certainly don’t want to do that. I love being a part of that. One of my greatest teachers and mentors was Elmer Bernstein, who wrote the music for “Stripes,” “Caddyshack,” “Animal House,” “Airplane!”…all those great comedies…”Ghostbusters.” For me he was the guy that revolutionized scoring for comedies in terms of really having the music be in on the joke. That’s what I really try to do with my comedy music as well. (NOTE: Elmer Bernstein was a 14 time Academy Award nominee who composed the scores for such classic films as “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “The Magnificent Seven,” “The Great Escape,” the original “True Grit” and “The Age of Innocence.” He won the Oscar for his score for “Thoroughly Modern Millie”).

MG: Do you enjoy going from a film like “Hop” to something like the television series “Supernatural?”
CL: I do actually. I’m sort of an ADD guy so it keeps me from getting bored (laughs). I love being able to do different styles of music. Just when I’ve done some really nice family stuff…really sweet themes…I can jump right in and do something scary for “Supernatural.” Get that out of my bloodstream (laughs). I love being able to mix it up.

MG: What has been your hardest score to compose to date?
CL: The one that was probably the hardest score to do, even though it was a short score, was the movie “Adam,” which came out last year. It was a much more serious score. It had comic moments but it was a pretty serious indie movie. It was about a guy that had Aspergers and fell in love. The thing about that movie that made it really rewarding – but also made it difficult – was that it was such an intimate movie. You couldn’t hide behind any visual effects or big explosions or scares…anything like that. You had to be out in the open. It wasn’t a big score. It wasn’t a big orchestra or anything. It was mostly guitars and pianos and cellos. It was about really being subtle and touching on the emotions that the characters were going through. Sometimes it’s hard to do that…to be really exposed and put it out there. We spent a lot of time working on it but in the end it really came out great.

MG: You have done quite a few video game scores. How do you feel that compares to film or TV?
CL: The only major difference is how the score is constructed. You have to write it in such a way where the music has to change depending on how good the player is. But an action piece in a video game will work like an action piece for a movie except where in the movie the character is played by an actor in the game he’s played by the player. I try to approach it in the same way because that’s what people play video games for in the first place. They want to be able to fantasize about being in another world, or the pilot of a ship or a soldier. People play video games for that escapist entertainment. So what I want to do is make them feel like they’re in the middle of that movie…of that battle. That’s what I try to accomplish when I write for video games.

MS: Tell us about your latest project, “A Symphony of Hope: The Haiti Project.”
CL: We actually recorded it last week at Warner Brothers. It was a project that I worked on for a year and three months. I came up with the idea after the earthquake hit. I had been working with a charity in Haiti that is run by a family friend of ours, Tom Hagen. The charity is called Hands Together. They build schools and they feed people and they build wells for clean water and teach people how to farm…they do all of this amazing stuff. When the earthquake hit it just broke my heart. I realized how lucky we were to be where we were and to be safe and healthy. There is so much to do in Haiti…so much catching up to do. I realized that we in the film music community had to do something. So I came up with the idea of inviting a lot of my colleagues and other composers to conceive and write a symphony that is a compilation of all of our work. It’s based off of a Haitian folk song called “Wongolo.” It ended up being a full 50 minute symphony that we recorded with a full orchestra and chorus at the Clint Eastwood scoring stage at Warner Brothers. By the summer we will have a CD out and a DVD documentary about the project. We’re going to try to really raise a lot of money to give back to this foundation so they can build more schools as well as fix the ones that were destroyed in the earthquake. We want to try and bring the people of this country along and give them something to hope for.

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Filed Under: Film Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: christopher, interview, lennertz

MovieMikes’ “The Guild” Interview Series

Like Video Games? Like Web Series? Well then “The Guild” is definitely for you!! This web series started in 2007 and since then has aired four seasons.  The series is extremely popular and even spawned two hit songs and music videos on iTunes.  With season five on its way this summer, Movie Mikes wanted to speak with the cast of this series to discuss working on it and the upcoming season.  Hope you enjoy these interviews!

THE GUILD CAST INTERVIEWS:


J. Teddy Garces
Jeff Lewis
Robin Thorsen
Sandeep Parikh
Vincent Caso

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Filed Under: Commentary, Film Interviews Tagged With: guild, interview, mediamikes, series, the

Interview with Robin Thorsen

Robin Thorsen is known for her funny and lovable character Clara on the web series “The Guild”.  The web series is entering in season five this summer and is hotter than ever!  Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Robin about working on the series and about her character.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved with “The Guild”
Robin Thorsen: I found the casting call online on Actors Access and it just said “The Guild: Pilot”.  The role of Clara [laughs] actually said “ex-cheerleader, fairly ditsy, kind of neglectful mother in an enduring way”. I said say “Hey I can play that!” [laughs].  I went to the audition and there were a lot of older women there, and I was the youngest person.  But I just went in and I guess I did something to make Felicia (Day) like me. It was actually my first big audition since I graduated college, so it was pretty sweet!

MG: What is the thing about Clara that you love the most?
RT: I think the best is… let’s face it she is a neglectful mom [laughs].  She does it though in such a funny endearing way..you have to like her. I loved playing a character that is almost borderline taboo.   She is a mom and she drinks.   She also chooses the game over her kids but at the end of the day, she is this lovable character.

MG: Do you have a favorite season to date?
RT: I think the past two seasons have been quite fun.  We got a bigger budget.  I got to work with Amy (Okuda) in this past season.  It is always best to get to act with the rest of the cast then oppose to trying to act in front of a computer.  I think season four was written exquisitely.  It was so much fun and we got to see how Clara deals with her pregnancy and kind of forgets about it for the first half [laughs], then realizes she shouldn’t do that. Every time we get to work together it is a lot of fun.

MG: Do you find it easy or difficult working on the web series?
RT: “The Guild” has really been the only thing I have done.  I have a done a few guest spots on other web series and a little tiny movie.  It is a little stressful because we have to do so much in such a small amount of time but I love it.  I love being able to go to work and flushing out two or three episodes.  You also kind of at that borderline stress mentality because…you don’t wanna fuck up. Sean (Becker), our director is amazing.  Felicia is so great.  Everything we film I get worried if I am doing the lines right and Felicia always says we wouldn’t move on if it wasn’t good or you didn’t look good.  It is really nurturing and always a good experience filming.  It great to see how this show has come along from being produced from a PayPal account to now being produced by Microsoft.

MG: Tell us about working on the music videos, was it a blast?
RT: Yeah! Of course…What would happen if I actually said, No they were awful, I can’t believe I am part of that [laughs].  No, they were tons of fun to do.  The Bollywood “Game On” video was a little long for me, I was there all day.  Vincent (Caso) and I had to shoot our porition at night.  So our call time was really early and then we were just hanging out.  It was really neat though because I got to see everyone else film.  I really [laughs] don’t have a lot to do in these videos.  I am usually sitting down drinking something [laughs].  That is the extend usually of my participation.  I love being part of them. It just more exposure for the show…and us for that matter. People have come up to me and said “Oh my gosh, your in that music video” and I am just shocked.

MG: What can let us know about upcoming season five?
RT: Oh my gosh, I am stocked about it.  I wish I had information to tell you but I am in the dark. I know they are doing pre-production now.  I am thinking we are going to do some sort of a convention thing due to the end of season four. I can’t wait to get the script and read it and find out what crazy antics we get into.

MG: What else do you have upcoming?
RT: I actually just guest starred on another web series called “Awkward Embraces”.  It is really funny and witty. Jessica Mills is the brain child behind it. It is another kind of nerdy geek girl centered web series, which is awesome.  In the TV world you don’t get many of those.  I am excited to be apart of it.

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Filed Under: Film Interviews Tagged With: disney, e3, evolved, fantasia, music, plans, ...

Interview with Sandeep Parikh

Sandeep Parikh is known best for playing the high energy character, Zaboo in the web series “The Guild”.  The web series is incredibly popular and is entering its fifth season this Summer.  Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Sandeep about the series as well as his other projects.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved with “The Guild”?
Sandeep Parikh: We all sort of hung out in the same improv circle and were in a group together. I’m now shooting a bunch of shorts for Channel101.com which is a kind of independent on-line festival of television pilots.

MG: What is the best part of playing Zaboo?
SP: I really have a good time with Zaboo, he’s such a ridiculous guy. It’s easy to characterize him…to bring the energy for him. I think that one thing people notice is that when I improvise I like to play really high energy characters and do a lot of physicality. Because I’m not as witty as everybody else I have to rely on being silly and more comedic. Zaboo is just that usual high energy, enthusiastic, impish, funny guy. I like that he’s sort of pure of heart, even if he’s inappropriate. It’s a fun character to play and, out of all of them, he’s the one that’s evolved over the course of the seasons of the show. Every season he’s had a real distinct arc…him becoming a man in season two and this past season him becoming her best friend. He’s always having new experiences. He’s evolving and changing and that’s always fun. It’s a fun challenge every season.

MG: You have been apart of various other web series. Do you enjoy working in that format?
SP: I’d be lying if I said I came out to L.A. to create web series. They didn’t really exist when I came out here in 2004. I started out to be a writer/director and actually shot an independent television pilot myself. That was my aim. The acting was sort of an accident. I took improv because I wanted to feel what it was like on the other side or on stage. To feel the experiences an actor goes through. As for the web series thing…when I came out here I did that pilot. That got me representation at William Morris. It didn’t do well but I traveled around with it. Not that I didn’t do well…I ended up at one of the top five agencies in L.A. But it didn’t get picked up. I went around and pitched it and everybody seemed to like it…”it’s funny but it’s not for us.” I wasn’t famous enough. When I became involved with Channel101 I realized that I could continue to make new projects. But also I learned not to fall in love with my one sole project and put my eggs all in one basket. The whole thing is that you make a new show every month. And when the show gets cancelled by the audience…the audience votes on what show it wants to see come back with another episode…as soon as the show is cancelled you make another one. I made one called “The Legend of Neil,” which is about a guy who gets sucked into “The Legend of Zelda” video game. That show was shot for Channel101 but ultimately it didn’t run on Channel101. Then someone told me they loved the show and had put it on YouTube where it got half a million hits. I mean my in box exploded it was awesome. Later I went to all of the offices where I had pitched my first pilot to. I told them “here is my next show…it’s already got a fan following and they want to watch more. Of course most of the comments that said “more” were spelled “m o a r” but I was like “this is a no brainer for you guys.” And every meeting when I walked out I had an offer. And that showed the power of the internet…of being able to generate your own fan base. It’s great to be a part of something new…to be on the cresting wave of the web revolution. It’s pretty radical, as Charlie Sheen might say.

MG: Any chance you guys will shoot another song for new season?
SP: We’re already talking about giving them a special video. I don’t know if it’s going to be a music video or what but most likely I’ll just be acting in it since they rotate the other opportunities through the cast. The last one was my idea. I love “Avatar” and thought wouldn’t it be great to make a “Bollywood” version. Bollywood and Indians are so hot right now. “Slumdog” had just won the Oscar. That idea hung around for a while and then, during season four, I got a call that said “hey, do you remember that Bollywood thing?”

MG: What other projects do you have in the works?
SP: Right now I’m just doing a lot of writing. The success of “Legend of Neil” led to a pilot deal with Comedy Central. I’m hoping that will be successful. I hope it shows that there is a real upside to making contact on the web. I’m not saying that making contact on the web will always lead to television but being successful on the web has to lead to more
success in order for this to be a viable project. It just happens to be television. I’m convinced that the web and television are going to collapse soon any way (laughs). But it proves to me that having my own audience is invaluable. I’ve also just started to pitch a digital project that will be coming out. It’s still in the early stages. Then “The Guild” starts shooting in May. I’m also going to be in my first feature film, called “Leash.” which is a thriller. I’ll be shooting that over the next couple of months. I’m also writing a feature film with my co-writer/co-star of “Legend of Neil” and writing the Zaboo origin comic for “The Guild” for Dark Horse comics.

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Interview with Jeff Lewis

Jeff Lewis is known best for his role of Vork in the incredible successful web series “The Guild”.  The series is already approaching season five this summer.  Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Jeff about his role in the show and how is it working on the web series.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved with “The Guild”?
Jeff Lewis: I was in an improv group with Felicia Day called the Empty Stage. We had been doing improv for quite some time and had a lot of fun. Felicia called me one day with a part in the show that she thought I would be good for. I had never played that type of character before but Felicia thought I could do it.

MG: What is the best part of playing Vork?
JL: I really enjoy being able to play a character that is different from the other roles that I have played. I often play shy characters however this one is very much the opposite. I just really enjoy being able to act out different emotions.

MG: Do you find it difficult to work on a web series?
JL: I find it much more freeing. I think in other mediums like movies and television I wouldn’t have the chance to just throw out different ideas due to time and money constraints. Working on this web series has allowed me to offer different ideas as well as the directors to take their time and really get the shots that they want. It’s really great to know that once we move onto another scene the directors have exactly what they want and they aren’t just moving on due to certain restrictions. There just seems to be a lot more latitude in the web series medium.

MG: Outside of the show are you really into any MMORPG?
JL: I used to play a lot of World of Warcraft up until my son was born. Felicia and I used to have a Knight of Guild on the World of Warcraft server (Laughs).  Lately I have been playing games that have more of an ending like Call of Duty: Black Ops or some sports games.

MG: What is the best part of shooting the music videos?
JL: It was kind of a pain to have eight arms but really funny at the same time. Ten years ago I would have never thought that I would be doing a music video where I had eight arms (Laughs). It was another great experience and again it was just one of those things that I had never done before. I really have no singing ability but to be a part of music videos is great.

MG: What can you tell us about season five?
JL: I know some stuff that they are thinking of doing however I don’t think I can really say anything about it.  I do know that there will be a season five. I think we will probably start shooting it here in the next few months.

MG: Tell us about “The Jeff Lewis 5 Minute Comedy Hour”?
JL: I shot that during a break from “The Guild”. Our director came to me and asked if I had anything I wanted to shoot as he had some free time. I had a bunch of older sketches that I presented to him and he thought they were great. I got some of my friends to be in it and it’s really been great. We have two episodes left to shoot for season one and we hope to get some sponsorship so we can start shooting season two.

MG: What other projects do you have in the works?
JL: I have a stage show with a few people from “The Guild” called “Hammer Don’t Hurt’Em” that we do on a monthly basis in Los Angeles which is really great! If people are in the area they should definitely come and check it out.

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Filed Under: Film Interviews Tagged With: e3

Interview with Vincent Caso

Vincent Caso is known best for his role of Bladezz in the web series “The Guild”.  With season five on it way this summer, the series shows no of slowing down.  Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Vincent about his role in the show and what else he has planned upcoming.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved with “The Guild”?
Vincent Caso: It was actually very streamline and very professional, sort of flow from the start. Right out of the gate, I got a call from my agent saying I had an audition for a 30 minute pilot. I got the script for the whole season and read through it. Originally when Felicia wrote it, she had the idea to do a made for TV pilot and wanted it to be a TV show. I did the audition and they loved me and that was history. After that Felicia said “You know what this is going to be too much bureaucracy…too much politics, we are just going to go with a web series instead”.

MG: What is the best part of playing Bladezz?
VC: With any character I do play, I like to be someone that is definitely not me. I always get enjoyment out of playing someone that is so different from myself that it is like playing pretend, it is fun and exciting. That is definitely the best part of it and we just have a lot of fun on set.

MG: Do you find it difficult work on the web series?
VC: You think it would be but surprisingly it isn’t. We do have a lower budget but the whole production process is extremely professional. It is extremely smooth. In most cases, it is almost impossible to tell the different between a web series like “The Guild” or a TV series because of the way we run it. Of course there are web series out there that go on completely dirt cheap to no budgets and sometimes you can tell and sometimes you can’t. From the start we have had it a very specific point and our goal to make sure that our show looks as good as possible and that the crew and cast feel as comfortable in there environment as possible, regardless of our budget.

MG: Outside the show are you really into any MMORPG?
VC: After recording season one, Felicia got me into playing “WOW” for a little while. I played it for a while, I got a few characters to level 50+. I was having fun but the thing that gets me is that I get bored really easy. I start doing one thing and my attention gets taken somewhere else. I bounce from one thing to another. I play the occasional console game but I have been so busy recently.  I still try and find time now and then to let loose and have some fun.

MG: What is the best part of shooting the music videos?
VC: Oh my God, the videos were some of the most fun we have had on the series. It is just crazy. I am especially shocked with the production value of the song. I kept thinking that this is actually a good song. “Date My Avatar” ended up ranking really high on iTunes. I was shocked seeing on iTunes and it was great. The videos are always just a blast, it is just a chance for us to being completely ridiculous and we have no constraints in the area of realism. We just let loose and it is always just a great time.

MG: What can you tell us about season five?
VC: I can tell you probably something that you know, that at the end of season four we are going to a convention from the creators of our game. I can tell you season five will be taking place a lot in that convention. As far as other plot details, I can’t tell you anything. More so that I do not have a script yet and I do not know what Felicia is planning. All I know is that it is going to be crazy and you might see a return of Bladezz in some very humorous situations.

MG: What other projects do you have in the works?
VC: Right now, I have a few projects outside “The Guild”. One project, I have called “The End”, it is currently struggling in terms of budget and production. I am waiting to see what happens on that. I also have another guest spot on a web series, can’t say much about that just yet though. I have a couple more enormous things that are panning out right now. I can’t say more than I am attached to a few projects that are very big and going places. Hopefully I will be able to talk more about it in the coming months as details pans out and studios start letting some details go. That is really excited and I hope I could say more…but hopefully soon.

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Interview with Daniel Licht

Daniel Licht is the composer of the new TV series “Body of Proof” which premieres on March 29th on ABC.  Daniel also does the haunting score for Showtime’s “Dexter”.  Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Daniel about his work on the TV series as well as the differences between each genre.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about working on the new TV series “Body of Proof”?
Daniel Licht: Well, I got hired last Fall.  I did the first thirteen episodes, but I think they are only going to broadcast nine this year.  It is a very interesting show. Dana Delany’s character on the show solves crimes by doing autopsies.  Once again, I am writing music with lots of dead bodies around [laughs].

MG: What were your inspiration for that score?
DL: A lot of it is very emotional actually.  It is a procedural, which means a crime is introduced in the beginning of an episode and solved at the end.  But it is always like an emotional wrap up because these are crimes of passion.  Dana’s character manages to get people to make confessions.  The music is just really emotional.  I wanted to do something interesting instead of the standard string with sad piano lines.  I mutated the piano samples and tried to give it an interesting sound to it, sort of a futuristic sound.

MG: What was your biggest challenge when working on that score?
DL: Well it is always challenging trying to find a sound for a show…or a movie.  That is always the biggest challenge.  You have to get the theme and find the key to the show.  The dramatic part is usually pretty straight forward.  The comedic elements are always the hardest to find the right tone for.  It took me a while to find just the right tone.  There is some comedy involved as well, not slapstick though.  So, that took a while to get the tone and comedy mixed together right.  But hopefully I got the write sound [laughs].

MG: Tell us about working on the score for “Dexter”?
DL: I have been doing “Dexter” for five years.  It certainly has been a great show to work on, well acted…well written…well shot.  It really makes writing music for it a real pleasure.  The key was finding the right tone.  The show has a little ironic twist to it.  Parts of it are just very dark comedy.  It has just been great though.  I tried to create the feeling of Michael C. Hall as Dexter floating through this dark reality.  It is like a slow motion eerie carnival sound.

MG: Do you find that working on “Dexter” today differs from when you first started?
DL: Yeah!  I try and keep it moving.  I try and bring in new things but obviously there are the classic themes that come back and are a part of the show.  I rearrange them sometimes and sometimes I bring them back exactly as they were but I extended or shorten them.  I have tried to get into different sounds for this season.  The last season you had Julie Stiles and her character, so I started using strings and woodwinds.  Woodwinds is not a sound that is used a lot in “Dexter”.  The season before that featured Jon Lithgow and we used a lot of smashing sounds, like beating on the inside of a piano and some more techo elements as well.  That whole season, they wanted the music driving from the beginning of the episode until the end.  It is like a pulsing sound throughout the episode.  I just try and keep it interesting.

MG: You have done quite a few feature films in the horror genre, is that a favorite genre for you?
DL: I liked to have a little variety for what I work in and write.  But if I had to just to one…like if someone said to me “You can do light comedy or this or that”…I would want to do something dark, if I had to do only one style. I like to get emotionally involved with the music when I am writing.  I want to get the deep emotions from it.  I find that challenging for myself.  Part of it is just getting an opportunity, the first film I got offered was a vampire film and that is what you become…an expert on what you have done.

MG: Do you find that it differs for each genre you compose for?
Oh absolutely.  I will do research if I am working on a film that takes place in a certain location.  I will reach the music.  I will do out and buy specific instruments.  Even mood-wise, working on really dark stuff all day will make you kind of moody.  I have also done some more comedic stuff as well and you fell lighter as it affects you mood throughout the day.

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Filed Under: Film Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: daniel, interview, licht

“Being Human” Interview Series

“Being Human” is a re-imagining of the acclaimed BBC original series that follows three 20-something roommates: A ghost, a vampire and a werewolf who are struggling to keep their dark secrets from the world, while also helping each other navigate the complexities of living double lives.

The series stars Sam Witwer (“Smallville”, “Battlestar Galactica”), Meaghan Rath (“The Assistants”), Sam Huntington (“Fanboys”, “Superman Returns”) and Mark Pellegrino (“Lost”, “Supernatural”).

Movie Mikes is a huge fan of this series and was lucky enough to conduct an interview series to cover this show. If you haven’t seen it yet…make sure you set your DVR’s to catch this great new show Mondays at 9pm EST on Syfy. I hope you enjoy these interviews as much as we did doing them. Feel free to leave comments!


Meaghan Rath
Mark Pellegrino
Sam Huntington
Sam Witwer		 Sarah Allen

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Filed Under: Commentary, Film Headlines Tagged With: human, interview, moviemikes, series

Interview with Henry Rollins

Henry Rollins has done just about every type of medium in the entertainment business. From fronting such bands as Black Flag and the Rollins band to various television and movie roles as well as having his on weekly radio show. Henry has shown the world that he truly is a modern day jack of all trades. Henry ushered in his 50th birthday this past February with a string of shows in NY, LA and DC and kicks off a U.S. tour this month. Movie Mikes had the chance to speak with Henry about the new tour and all the other things he has going on.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about your new spoken word tour “50”?
Henry Rollins: The tour is a very small group of about 30-35 shows. This year isn’t really going to be a big tour year however it just so happens that I turned 50 and I felt I had to do some shows. Turning 50 is just so funny. I felt doing some shows would be a great opportunity to poke fun at myself. The subject matter of the shows isn’t going to be a big production where I talk about being 50 and then play a violin and cry it’s simply going to be about places I have gone and my experiences and thoughts during that time. I do have a few things in there about turning 50 as I think society likes these types of numbers. I realized that being 50 in some ways has caused me to pause momentarily and take stock of things that are somewhat different now. I realized that there are things I just don’t or can’t do anymore. I may look at a woman and think to myself that she’s pretty but then think what am I doing she’s half my age! (Laughs)

AL: You have been described by some as a renaissance man. Do you find one of your works more rewarding than the others?
HR: No. I am kind of in the mood of permanent gratitude. All the things I get to do I feel are amazing opportunities. It’s great to be on stage! It’s great to be on film and on the microphone! For me it’s a big stew that I am peculating in with all the other ingredients. The overall is the good part for me. I can tell you that they all have different levels of stress.

AL: From the films you have been in do you have one role that sticks out as a favorite?
HR: I think the one I had the most fun on was “The Chase”. That film was also the first film I had ever done. It was fun because it was a comedy and no one really took themselves seriously. The director allowed me to make my own lines, so a lot of what made it into the film I came up with. It was just really great to get that green light from the director and be able to provide my own input and ideas.

AL: How did you initially become involved in acting?
HR: The directors of “The Chase” were fans of my music and they came to me with asking if I would be in their film. I figured I had nothing to lose and didn’t really have a reputation or a real job! I have gone through life fairly independent and I feel one suites one’s self very well by saying yes to things. In the 1980’s I saw a lot of people in independent music who were more talented than I get hung up with no options because they never had a plan B. When music didn’t work for them they were stuck. I just started saying yes to different job options and working overtime at getting better at each one. Overtime a lot of things have come my way.

AL: You are also an avid traveler, is there one place you have been that is a favorite?
HR: No. It’s all kind of my favorite. There are some countries where I don’t know if I will be back only because I wasn’t struck to learn more about that area. For example when I was in Brunei, a very small benevolent country, it was like walking through a gift shop. You walk through to check it out and that’s it. I am more interested in regions than specific countries. I love to learn about the history of specific regions especially Southeast Asia and America’s history with that area. I really want to get back to Cambodia and Laos. I also find the Middle East and Africa very interesting and try to make it to those places at least one to two times a year. I have met a lot of great people and seen a lot of great places.

AL: How was your experience working with William Shatner?
HR: He is a wonderful guy. We have remained friends since that time and I see him quite regularly. He actually lives up the street from me. He seems to always invite me to his Monday night football parties. Even though I’m not really a big sports guy I always go as he has really nice friends and very good food. I think Bill kind of pity’s me as I don’t know a lot of people and am somewhat of a workaholic. I think he just tries to get me out of my house and interacting with other people. He really has a big heart and is truly one of the nicest people I have met. I feel very lucky to have him as a friend.

AL: Can you tell us about any of your other upcoming projects?
HR: I am going to be doing a lot of work with National Geographic this year. I have a show coming out next month on Nat Geo Wild about snakes. I have continued to talk with the people involved with that show about doing some more animal type shows. I hope to be able to shoot that over the summer and also hoping it takes up a good portion of this year. Next year I have been pretty much spoken for and am planning a large scale tour.

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Filed Under: Film Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: henry, interview, rollins

Interview with Eden Sher

Eden Sher plays the awkward yet lovable Sue Heck on Fox’s new hit series “The Middle”.  Movie Mikes had a chance to speak with Eden about the show as well as some of her other projects, which include working with Jay Leno.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about how your role on “The Middle” came about?
Eden Sher: I had auditioned for the original pilot a few years earlier but the show was never picked up. I got a call about going to the audition a second time and said ok. When I showed up at the audition there were two other girls who were much younger than I was. I figured that they would want one of those girls for sure. I decided I would give it a shot anyways and went in with my fake braces on and did the audition. After a few more auditions and phone calls, I got the part.

AL: What did you think the first time you saw the yellow sweat shirt?
ES: When I saw the sweatshirt the first day, it wasn’t really a big deal. I figured it was only going to be for one episode. Well it turned into this joke with the cast and crew that they started putting it in my trailer each day. Eventually what started as a joke turned into it being used in more scenes. The fans of the show really liked it as well and now I wear it almost all of the time. (Laughs)

AL: What is it you like about playing the Sue Character?
ES: Do I have to pick just one? (Laughs) It’s just a fun character to play and I kind of sympathies with the character as I am the middle child in my family.

AL: Do you have a favorite episode?
ES: Up until a few weeks ago I really liked the Kung Fu fighting episode from season one or the jeans episode. That episode Sue got to throw a tantrum which was great! However we just shot an episode which Sue has some really great moments.

AL: How was your experience working on “Weeds”?
ES: That was a really great experience and I loved working on that show. “Weeds” was a very different vibe than “The Middle”. It was a much more serious show. That was my first experience with a fully scripted show. I learned quite a bit by just watching some of the other actors work. A lot of what I learned working on “Weeds” has been very crucial in developing my acting skills.

AL: Can you tell us what it was like doing skits for Jay Leno?
ES: I had done that before I even knew that I wanted to act. Jay had come to my elementary school to film a bit for the show where he asked various kids questions. I happened to be one of the kids he talked to. He must have thought I was funny because they kept all of the parts I did in the show. I guess the bit ended up being successful and Jay came back to my school to do another one for Christmas. After that the producers of the show contacted my mom and told her that Jay really liked me and wanted me to do a recurring bit on the show. It was awesome! I got to be on the show with my brother and do a bit called “Just ask Eden and Cosmo.” Audience members would send in questions asking advice and we would get to answer them. At the time I was 8 and my brother was 10 (Laughs). We actually got to do that bit a couple times.

AL: Did you get to meet any of the guests from the show?
ES: I got to meet Michelle Branch and Pamela Anderson! Pamela is like the nicest person ever. She was great. My brother actually got to sit on her lap while she did her interview. It was really awesome!

AL: Do you have any other upcoming projects?
ES: I haven’t had time to audition for anything because of the shooting schedule on “The Middle”. I am attached to be in a film but there are still somethings that have to be taken care of before that gets started. Hopefully that will start in the spring time. We shoot like 15 hour days, so when I have some time off…I want to just relax. I do have a list of things I want to do in the near future like travel to Israel and a few other countries.

ES:

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Filed Under: Film Interviews Tagged With: released, trailer
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