Travis Van Winkle is the co-star in the new horror/thriller “247°F” with Tyler Mane and Scout Taylor-Compton. Travis is also known for his work in “Transformers” and “Friday the 13th” remake. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Travis about his new movie and also got a tip on his new pilot with Michael Bay called “The Last Ship”.
Mike Gencarelli: Can you tell us how you got involved with “247°F”?
Travis Van Winkle: I got a call one day from the casting director to see if I wanted to fly to Georgia. I think one of their guys had fallen out and my friend Michael Copon who is also in the film mentioned my name. They looked at my stuff and I got a call the next day
MG: What was it about the role that made you want to get involved?
TVW: As soon as I found out what it was about I figured I could handle sitting in a sauna for 3 weeks with pretty women in their underwear.
MG: How was it working with Tyler Mane and Scout Taylor-Compton?
TVW: It was great! They are great people. It’s really nice to work on a project with great actors. Those guys are wonderful human beings.
MG: Do you have any stories from shooting?
TVW: I remember sitting in a room that was not hot. It was just a stale cold room. Before each take they would spray us with baby oil and cold water. That didn’t really help us with the scene where we were supposed to appear hot. The physicality that happened in there was pretty intense. There was glass that would not break, I slammed my finger at one point and then I had to lift that furnace. Those scenes are fun as an actor. I told the director I was going big and if he had to bring me down he could.
MG: What do you enjoy most about working in the horror genre?
TVW: We all feel pain however in real life you don’t get the chance to go to extremes where your thrown on a hay bale spike or pick up a hot furnace. We don’t get a chance to do a lot of these intense things. To be able to create and do these types of things is fun. It’s almost like an accentuated version of life most people don’t get to experience. It is quite a ride! You don’t know how the hell you are going to do these things because it has never happened! As an actor it’s fun to think and explore how you would react in certain situations.
MG: What’s your preference between shooting TV and movies?
TVW: I love working since that’s where it’s at. Films have your for however many days where you just hammer things out. You get a chance to explore with a film as you are asked to improv more. The directors I have worked with in film have wanted me to just play and play. When it comes to TV there is more of a structure. A lot of writers are producers and they want their lines said. I understand and respect that. There are just different formats for each one. They are equally rewarding and satisfying. As an actor they are both playgrounds.
MG: Can you tell us about your upcoming television pilot?
TVW: Michael Bay has TV series on TNT titled “The Last Ship”. We just finished shooting the pilot but I am not sure how much I call really say anything more than that right now.
