You recently played the lead role of Brody in new film The 10 Year Plan. Tell us about bit about the movie’s story-line.
The 10 Year Plan is about two best friends who make what I call a desperation deal: if in ten years they are both still single, they will be a couple, so they don’t end up alone, pathetic and celibate. Of course when the time is up my character Brody, who is a lovable player could not think of a worse fate then ending up with the OCD, overbearing, sugary sweet best friend, Myles. As a result Brody starts trying to find his BFF a mate before it’s too late, hilarity ensues. I won’t give away the ending, although I am sure most of us have fallen for a best friend before 😉
The 10 Year Plan was filmed in a total of twelve days. How did you handle such an intense filming schedule?
Oh Lord! Well I don’t know that I did so much “handle” it, as try ferociously to keep my head above water for 12 days! No, you know what, to be honest the crazy filming schedule was one of my favorite parts about this movie. There was no time for messing around, sitting down, getting bored and certainly not crazy ass crane shots! Every moment was straight to the meat of story telling and everyone there was 100% focused 100% of the time. And honestly as an actor, that’s a gift. It’s not always as glamorous as we pretend :0). There’s a lot of sitting around, waiting for setups, there’s a lot of talking and chopping scenes into billions of shots and crazy sequences. When you are trying to honestly bring someone’s story to life, all that extra stuff can make it tough. This movie almost felt like working on a 12 day play! All out of order, and high pressure, but alive! Because of the budget of the movie, there was also a true “skeleton” crew! and not that I don’t love working on a big ole’ 200 person set, but there was something beautiful and intimate about never working with really more then 13 people. Of course the biggest influence of the 12 day shoot and my entire experience was the director, JC Calciano. He directs a set with such an ease and humor that everyone truly wants to make something beautiful for him. He directs his actors with just enough peripheral reminding of his vision, but never up in your face telling you how to stand, how to talk etc. I will forever be thankful for the experience he gave me.
You have a guest appearance in one of our favorite new prime time series “How To Get Away With Murder. What can you share about your character?
Well, I’m not suppose to say much. But, suffice to say, I had a lot of fun and got to be a little dirty ;). The Episode, which was directed by Eric Stoltz, was such a pleasure to work on. The set moves fast and they shoot one scene right into the next, which I think helps gives HTGAWM the amped up, high octane feel it has. Eric was such a pleasure to work with. I don’t think I have ever thought so much as an actor with a director. He asks questions, he challenges you to find new realities and it’s a blast! The cast were all lovely, warm and engaging! and I hope so much to get the chance to work with them again.
What influences your fashion choices, any favorite designers?
Well, comfort, practicality an durability influence the majority of what I wear. I don’t like to be restricted, hot or stuffy. I am a pretty active guy, I dance ballet, play tennis and Crossfit, so you can imagine the wardrobe is a little all over the place. If I want to feel sexy, manly, but still be able to dress up or down I love John Varvatos. If I really need to dress it up and cover my otherwise casual choices, I always go Armani. Last award season Barry over at Emporio Armani dressed me and I don’t think I’ll ever look back!
What else can our readers expect from you in the next year?
This coming month (Nov. 2014) my film Baby Steps will be announcing it’s release plan at the American Film Market in Los Angeles in conjunction with the Taipei Film Commission. We expect a few international festivals to be announced in November and a theatrical release plan! This film Follows the struggle of a Biracial, Gay, couple who decide to have a baby together and all the obstacles they must overcome both practically and emotionally. My Character, Tate, is the LA native of the couple and must also face the extreme loneliness of going through a giant life event almost entirely alone in a foreign land (Taiwan).
I also have an episode of State of Affairs airing on NBC, December 1st! I can’t tell you much about the episode but involves Katherine Heigl, being naughty and body art?
This January (2015) I will be shooting the lead in a feature film called (+)Positive written and directed by Joe Raffa. The movie follows the tumultuous journey of Christian (my character) and the 24 hours following the revelation that he is HIV positive. Christian must of course reconcile his own choices and decide how to proceed with some of the most important relationships in his life.
At the time of production on your upcoming release, Beautiful Ways you were diagnosed with breast cancer. How has that experience transformed you as a songwriter & performer?
Being diagnosed with Breast Cancer, having surgery, and going thru treatment was life-altering for me on so many levels. There was an enormous vulnerability that came along with the experience that had me constantly turning to trust, faith, and the people close to me, in hopes that all the unknowns would work out. On the other side of it all came an openness and profound gratitude that has wonderfully spilled over onto pretty much everything. My songwriting moving forward has enjoyed deeper introspection and flow. Also, my relationship with audiences and connection with singing and performance has deepened more than I ever could have imagined.
You are now cancer free and have expressed that your music helped you cope. Tell us about that journey.
Everyone’s relationship with music is so personal. We can time stamp pretty much every major event in our lives or a special moment in time with a song. As with most musicians, music has been an emotional outlet for me since the very beginning. In retrospect, it was extremely fortunate that we were making this album during such a crazy time. I was being thrown a lifesaver. Now my current songwriting gets to benefit from the emotional leftovers. At times, it has been very therapeutic.
You just released your single “Satellite” from the upcoming album. What inspired the track’s theme & sound?
I initially had the idea of writing ‘Satellite’ the day after I fell asleep while watching a television show about celebrity stalkers. My character in this song is completely lost in obsession. He (or she) is always watching, admiring, and romanticizing from afar; always moving through life without a compass; and always struggles to find a place of belonging. Satellite is rockin’ and has a lot of energy behind the track. Those who are familiar with my earlier stuff will know exactly where that comes from.
What was one of the defining moments that set you on your career path?
I am a schooled drummer and in my youth, I was painfully shy. Never in a million years would I have thought I would be a lead singer. While in college I was playing the drums for a band and we had a gig where our lead singer never showed. She was young and in love and had run off to be with her future husband. We were in a real bind so out of necessity, I ended up singing lead from behind the drum kit. We were able to pull the gig off without incident. Once the realization hit that we could make more money by me pulling double duty as drummer and lead singer, the rest is history.
What can our readers expect from you in the next year?
We have put together an incredible live band and I’m so excited to introduce them to folks. 4/5 of them played on the album. They are the who’s who of musicians who reside in South Florida and we are all great friends. My musical partner who co-produced Beautiful Ways with me, Jack Shawde is on guitar; Debbie Duke on bass; Bob Taylor on keys; and we have John Yarling & Jack Ciano playing drums for us depending who is available. We will be touring in support of the new album. Look for us coming to your city or town.
You are currently starring as Dash Hosney on the FOX hit show Red Band Society. What can you share about the series& your character?
Red Band is about a group of kids that live in a hospital due to their various illnesses. Dash is the hustler of the bunch. He can get whatever you need, whenever you need it. He suffers from cystic fibrosis and is an incredible graphic artist.
You also recently appeared in film “A Walk Among the Tombstones” alongside Liam Neeson. What was your favorite part of that that experience?
Working with Scott Frank and Liam Neeson. Top-notch writer/director and an A-list actor. Gained a lot of knowledge from both of them.
This November you will be releasing a new EP “Computer Era” including recently released along single “88”. What inspires you sound & lyrical flow?
I moved the release date back to Dec. 2nd and the EP is now an LP. I’m inspired by the Golden Age of Hip Hop, which started around 1988.
What influences your personal style, any favorite designers?
I like a lot of the earlier vintage stuff of Karl Kani, Polo, Hilfiger, Nike and Adidas. As far as the new stuff, I like Supreme, Stussy and Denim & Supply.
What else can our readers expect from you in the next year?
I’m launching my new website, www.gradeatribe.com, and my clothing line the same day as the album release. And, hopefully I’ll be going on tour in 2015.
What does it mean to you to get to be a part of the DC universe, at a time when comic book and superhero stories are so popular?
It’s a very fortunate position to be in and an opportunity to have the time of my life, given such an iconic and well written character. It really was all in the timing with how much DC is blowing up right now but also in me being ready, finally, to thrive in this kind of story. I feel honored really to be working with this calibre of people.
The comic version of your character Eddie Thawne has a lot of back-story. How much reading and research did you do to prepare?
I read a lot of comics (and there are so many Flash comics!) and still do and there is also masses of fiction on the web written around these characters, so in the end you kind of realize that there are SO many directions he could take. The main work for me lay in creating this very human and believable side to him. In doing so, it was about highlighting similar traits in ME in order to make an authentic, living breathing Eddie.
On “The Vampire Diaries” you played Dr. Wes Maxfield who is the primary antagonist for most of Season 5. What was the favorite part of playing such a diabolical character?
Where to start. There is nothing better than purging your demons through Dr Wes Maxfield. His softness mixed with his lack of empathy were thrilling to be part of. I loved messing with these beloved characters by being so incredibly damaged. Moving from a real place and escalating into psychopathic territory is quite the rush. I recommend it- but only the make believe kind!
You have quite a large social media following, how important is it to interact with your followers?
I hope they know how much I appreciate and care about my work and how much they respond to it.
What is your favorite social media platform or app?
Twitter. You get to really interact with people and connect, it can be fun and touching.
What was one of the defining moments that set you on your career path?
It was a play I did in Sydney called ‘Unrequited’. That was when suddenly, after years of banging my head against a brick wall, the cogs started moving and what I was potentially capable of started becoming a reality.
You are currently starring in MTV comedy series “Faking It” portraying stylish & popular student Shane Harvey. How does it feel to be part of such a groundbreaking show that effortlessly makes sexuality in high school a nonissue?
I feel honored to be a part of a show that is both meaningful and entertaining. MTV has a way of bringing up taboo conversations in an entertaining way. I think it is important for people in today’s world to be exposed to the truth of society. Faking It has so much heart and we all legitimately care about these characters.
You also recently starred as Tanner Daniels in the independent feature film G.B.F. which is sort of a flip of your character on “Faking It”. Which character did you relate to more in your personal life?
As I’ve matured, I would say Shane is product of who I have gradually become. It has taken some time to be like Shane. He is so willing to stand out and be the center of attention, all while being comfortable in his own skin, which I admire. Tanner on the other hand, is more of who I was in high school. He is more introvert and private.
In addition to your work in film and television, you are also a musician writing and recording under the moniker WILLETT. How do you find the time for both & what inspired your sound?
I always find the time to do the things that I feel most passionate about. I find inspiration from Freddie Mercury, No Doubt, and Glam Rock. I look for strong, emotional lyrics that I can relate to. Anytime I write a song, I look at it like a journal entry. My latest single, “Starting Over,” represents a theme that is constant in everyones experiences. It’s sort of like a profound truth – change is inevitable.
What influences your fashion choices, any favorite designers?
I love designer Bernhard Willhelm…I think his stuff his so edgy and fun! I’m currently inspired by adding touches of neons to my wardrobe. I also love rocking Nikes and incorporating athletic and more sporty pieces in my everyday wear.
What else can our readers expect from you in the next year?
Hopefully more music. I’m the type of person who doesn’t like to continuously do the same thing. I want my fans to be surprised and am always trying to give them something new and different to watch and hear. They should “expect the unexpected.”
Photography:
MARC CARTWRIGHT . KALIE JOHNSTON . KATE ROMERO . BEN MILLER . RUSSELL BAER . MALACHI BANALES
To Purchase The Chroma Edition Click HERE: