1) What was the interviewing process like to get the
role of Mike Celluci on Blood Ties?
I initially read for the part in Los Angeles. I then had two subsequent auditions in Vancouver. The final one in Vancouver was a
little unusual in that the number of people auditioning had been whittled down to three actors for each lead role, and the producers had all nine of us read with each other all day to get a look at our
chemistry and interaction together. It was a very long day, and you
may find it interesting to know that the actor who played Bridewell
in the pilot (wonderful actor named Michael), was the reader for all
of us when it was just one actor that was needed in the room for that particular part of the audition.
Christina and I just happened to meet at the airport on the way back
to L.A., and we both said we'd choose each other for our roles and both agreed that Kyle was the best choice for Henry. I kept teasing
Kyle in the audition that he looked and sounded like Stephen Dorf.
Just goes to show how smart Christina and I are. ;)
It then took two weeks for the producers to decide on me for the role of Mike. The waiting is always painful, but I'm very grateful I got the job in the end.
2) What was the first scene you filmed for Blood Ties?
We started shooting our episodes out of order because some of our sets weren't ready for the pilot. We shot episode number 6 first, but I don't remember which scene.
3) There is a lot of humor on the show but what's the
funniest thing that has happened on the set?
Every day is pretty funny actually! We have so much fun together,
I hope the chemistry shows. Christina, Gina and I have had the
giggles more than a few times during some scenes - actually, it's
pretty easy to crack those two up! Specific examples don't really translate well after the fact, believe me we lose it over the
stupidist things. Let's just say, Amy and Justin in make-up need to
stay close to dab watering eyes from laughing so hard when the three of us get together in a scene. I will say, keep your ears open for
one of my lines that goes "Why can't it just once have been the God of
fluffy bunnies and long walks holding hands?!" That was a tough one.:)
4) What are some of the things you like to do between
takes on the set?
If I'm not hanging out with everyone, I'm sleeping in my trailer.
I have a toddler and a newborn at home. You get the idea...
5) We have heard that Christina Cox adlibs some of her
lines, do you improvise some of your lines too?
Actually none of us ad-lib much. We may make the lines a little
more our own at times, but that's very different from adding your own stuff. You can't really do that in television, it's much more of a film thing where you may have more flexibility with a given scene - especially comedy.
6) Onscreen you all have great chemistry; did you know
anyone before you started filming the series?
I've not worked with any of the actors before. I worked with one of the other camera guys on a pilot for Sci-Fi called Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers, also shot in Vancouver.
(About Blood Ties - Mike)
1) What drew you to this role? Being a family man,
were you seeking a series role for the stability?
I always answer this one truthfully. There's only a handful of actors in the world that get to choose their roles. The rest of us
have bills to pay, and we count ourselves lucky when we get hired.
2) Mike is a very intense guy. How do you get into
character?
Mike's a pretty straight forward guy. He lives for his job, and he
loves Vicky. It may get a little muddled along the way, but if you work from there, it's very easy to see his point of view. One of the things I really love about this job is working with Christina. We
work the same way on set, and I love being able to interact with her and 'discover' our scenes in blocking. When you have a great team, it makes the job a lot easier.
3) Is there a favorite scene you've done that fans can
look for?
I was pretty excited to work with Julian Sands in episodes 7 and 8 - you guys are really going to hate me after 7! :))
4) Will we be seeing you do more action scenes in
upcoming episodes?
Christina and Kyle handle most of the action. I'm the dumb cop
who shows up after everything is over and says "what did I miss?".
5) Tanya Huff has described your character as the "straight man for Vicki and Henry", how do you see
your character on the show?
I agree with Tanya. I'm the guy rooted in reality (or perceived
reality). I remind Vicki of the world outside of the whirlwind that
is Henry. I'm her past, and one possible version of her future. I
represent everything that Henry isn't in one way, and yet, we both annoy the hell out her in other ways. Neither one of us is perfect or
the easy choice.
6) How did you celebrate getting the role of Mike
Celluci on Blood Ties?
Like every big role I get, I hang up the phone, turn to my wife, and let out a big sigh of relief.
(About You)
1) You are no stranger to vampire movies as you
starred as Lucy Lawless' husband in Vampire Bats
(2005) and now as Mike Celluci on Blood Ties, are you
a fan of the supernatural genre?
I guess I have done my share of supernatural projects, and yes I
would consider myself a fan of the genre. Although, any actor who's
done sci-fi knowingly cringes when watching Galaxy Quest. :)
2) You were born in Ontario, Canada but you have
worked in the US. Now you are back in Canada. How are
you enjoying working in Vancouver, Canada versus
places like LA or Wilmington for Dawson's Creek?
I love Vancouver. My wife and I recently purchased a house here and think it's a wonderful city for raising kids. L.A. is great, but
it's a harder life, especially for families.
3) You and your lovely wife, Becky Southwell, have
worked together on the Relic Hunter (episode 312:
Women What to Know), any possibility that you will be
able to work together on Blood Toes?
My wife has her hands full with her three kids (myself included) and her writing. :)
4) Soon you will be wrapping up filming season 1, any
plans for the hiatus?
I've just been offered a TV movie that shoots in Montreal this Spring. Other than that, I'm open for offers - and a second season of Blood Ties of course!
Discussion thread for this interview is here |
