Community Interview
The interview that James did with the community can be found under the cut. Thanks everyone who submitted questions, James for very kindly doing the interview and kristen_mara for setting it up.
How many of the underwater scenes in Phoenix Blue and Cucumber did you do yourself?
All of them. The Cucumber ones were basic diving and I'm PADI certified so that wasn't an issue and in Phoenix Blue I was given a 4 week crash course in free diving!
Were the scenes shot in Suspects in one take to keep up with the improvising aspect?
No. We kept shooting the scene until all plot points had been covered but were free to change how we did that drastically (if we wanted) in each take.
And assuming they weren't filmed chronologically how did you manage to keep up with the continuity of the dialogue?
There was no dialogue continuity - we shot many versions of a scene and the director patched them together in the edit.
Can you tell us about your role in Him and what attracted you to the project?
I play the father of a dispossessed teenager who has a telekinetic gift. What drew me was the juxtaposition of a supposed kitchen sink family drama with a paranormal backdrop.
What one thing would you tell your teenage self?
Don't smoke!
Do you have any plans to return to the stage?
LOVE to at some stage (forgive the pun 😉).
Which character, male or female, would you love to play and why?
Tough question. Anything that allows a sense of comedy, levity, wryness or fun really. Although I don't often get cast in those roles!
What's the main difference you've found working on a US show compared to a UK one?
More time to prepare on a British show but arguably more artistic room to experiment on a US one.
What kind of role/TV series/film is on your wishlist?
Comedy.
Do you prefer working on a film or a tv series, and why?
No preference. It's all down to the quality of the script and in the golden age of tv we're in, that medium often wins.
You are also an artist. What sorts of media, styles and subjects do you prefer working on and with?
How kind of you to say so! I love abstract expressionism and am constantly toying with new mediums. At the moment I'm working with reactive metal paints and plaster of Paris!
In Primeval, it seems that you had to hide how tall you were - how difficult was it to do that?
I'm a dab hand at that now. I just put my feet which are out of frame in a wide stance and that knocks several inches off!
What sorts of things have fans given you over the years?
Nothing too crazy, mostly nice letters of support.
What was your favourite role and why?
Loved playing Billy Collins in Chaos and Ralph Longshaft in Krod Mandoon. Pottinger was also a lot of fun.
With Chaos, any fun tidbits from behind the scenes with the cast?
Constant pranking. Mostly with Tim Blake Nelson.
What do you do to keep in shape?
I'm a slave to Tony Hortons P90x series.
Favourite food?
Rare Sirloin or ribeye steak!
And what's the story about the guinea pigs and the dog?
Hmm. My little shit of a Jack Russell Mr Hooper decided to murder my niece and nephew’s guinea pigs on Xmas day last year. Didn't add much to the spirit of Xmas!
How many of the underwater scenes in Phoenix Blue and Cucumber did you do yourself?
All of them. The Cucumber ones were basic diving and I'm PADI certified so that wasn't an issue and in Phoenix Blue I was given a 4 week crash course in free diving!
Were the scenes shot in Suspects in one take to keep up with the improvising aspect?
No. We kept shooting the scene until all plot points had been covered but were free to change how we did that drastically (if we wanted) in each take.
And assuming they weren't filmed chronologically how did you manage to keep up with the continuity of the dialogue?
There was no dialogue continuity - we shot many versions of a scene and the director patched them together in the edit.
Can you tell us about your role in Him and what attracted you to the project?
I play the father of a dispossessed teenager who has a telekinetic gift. What drew me was the juxtaposition of a supposed kitchen sink family drama with a paranormal backdrop.
What one thing would you tell your teenage self?
Don't smoke!
Do you have any plans to return to the stage?
LOVE to at some stage (forgive the pun 😉).
Which character, male or female, would you love to play and why?
Tough question. Anything that allows a sense of comedy, levity, wryness or fun really. Although I don't often get cast in those roles!
What's the main difference you've found working on a US show compared to a UK one?
More time to prepare on a British show but arguably more artistic room to experiment on a US one.
What kind of role/TV series/film is on your wishlist?
Comedy.
Do you prefer working on a film or a tv series, and why?
No preference. It's all down to the quality of the script and in the golden age of tv we're in, that medium often wins.
You are also an artist. What sorts of media, styles and subjects do you prefer working on and with?
How kind of you to say so! I love abstract expressionism and am constantly toying with new mediums. At the moment I'm working with reactive metal paints and plaster of Paris!
In Primeval, it seems that you had to hide how tall you were - how difficult was it to do that?
I'm a dab hand at that now. I just put my feet which are out of frame in a wide stance and that knocks several inches off!
What sorts of things have fans given you over the years?
Nothing too crazy, mostly nice letters of support.
What was your favourite role and why?
Loved playing Billy Collins in Chaos and Ralph Longshaft in Krod Mandoon. Pottinger was also a lot of fun.
With Chaos, any fun tidbits from behind the scenes with the cast?
Constant pranking. Mostly with Tim Blake Nelson.
What do you do to keep in shape?
I'm a slave to Tony Hortons P90x series.
Favourite food?
Rare Sirloin or ribeye steak!
And what's the story about the guinea pigs and the dog?
Hmm. My little shit of a Jack Russell Mr Hooper decided to murder my niece and nephew’s guinea pigs on Xmas day last year. Didn't add much to the spirit of Xmas!