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Tampilkan postingan dengan label Ross Thomas. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Ross Thomas. Tampilkan semua postingan

Senin, 23 Mei 2011

Interview Outtakes

Most of the time when I am conducting an interview with a celebrity, I have more interview material than space for printing the interview. Here are some blurbs from stars that did not make it to the print version of the interview, but were too good not to publish.

Jennie Garth
Jennie Garth (on deciding to compete on “Dancing with the Stars”): I had like a moment of insanity when I said yes to that. I didn’t realize, sometimes you get yourself into things and you are like, “What have I done?” And that was definitely one of those things for me, but once you are in, you can’t get out. I just had to keep moving forward. I had to keep going. It was go-time, and I had to go. It ended up going well — much better than I thought — but every moment, every turn, was unknown to me. I was in unknown territory. But it was fun, and it was exhilarating. It was challenging, and it was kind of freeing in that I really feel that I could do anything.

Jaime Pressly (on doing a wrap-up or reunion show for “My Name Is Earl”): I would be game to go back to that set and work with those people any day, any time. And I think everybody else that was a part of the show would say the same thing. It was the greatest job I’ve ever had and the greatest group of people that you could ever ask to work with. They all hold a very dear place in my heart, and I miss them all terribly.



Erin Karpluk
Erin Karpluk (on similarities between her and her character on “Being Erica”): I like that when life gets her down or she stumbles in life, she is able to pick herself up, dust herself off and keep going. So that is something that I have learned personally from her. I've heard from friends and family that there are certain quirks and mannerisms that are my own that come out in the character. Usually any kind of awkward moments she is having is probably pretty authentically Erin, because I find that I can be awkward in life, and I’m not afraid to make mistakes. That is something of me that I bring to the character. And then on a dramatic level, anything to do with family is something that I can just draw upon from real life. The one thing that Erin and Erica both are is we are very committed and empathetic toward our loved ones. My family and my friends mean more to me than anything. I feel very lucky to have that connection in my own personal life, so I can draw upon that in my acting experiences. The fact that I work with such wonderful cast members, it just makes it so easy for us to have that connection. It’s like a real family I have now when I go back to Toronto to shoot. It’s really lovely to go back to those actors and create those connections.

Ross Thomas (on working with Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid on “Soul Surfer”): It was a bit surreal, to be honest. They both are icons in their own right and a pleasure to work with. Helen is an avid surfer — surfing is what really brought us together. Dennis is interested in learning and getting good. At first, he played golf on his days off, but we got him hooked, and he became a surf junkie. I think that really carried over into our performances, that sense of family.

Jane Seymour (by Charles Bush)
Jane Seymour (on her children in the biz): My son, Johnny, one of the twins, is becoming a rock star. He is about to be signed by a major label. He’s writing this amazing music. He’s extraordinary. He’s the lead singer and the lead guitarist. I’m just in awe of his talent. Then my oldest son, Sean Flynn, he’s 25, he does the most extraordinary photographic art. Collectors have already been buying his stuff. He was studying to be a filmmaker and all of a sudden, the next thing I know, he’s doing this really unique, extraordinary photographic art. One of my daughters, Katherine Flynn, is an actress. She also writes great comedy. She ended up staring opposite me in a movie called “Perfectly Prudence” for the Hallmark Channel just recently. She was fantastic in it. She played my daughter. Of course, it wasn’t much of a stretch. But it was fun, because she had a lot of scenes with Joe Lando who, of course, was my “Dr. Quinn” co-star.

Heather Locklear (on flexing her comedy chops on “Saturday Night Live” in the ’90s): That was my favorite! That was my most favorite thing I’ve done where you could see that I’m funny. I had such a great time doing it. And that “Melrose Place” take-off was so funny. So perfectly perfect. I have a meeting coming up for something soon, something funny, so we’ll see.

Mark Pellegrino (by Eric Williams)
Mark Pellegrino (on the variety of the roles he’s played): Well, I’m glad that it is happening that way. Some folks would like to say that I’ve played bad guys. I think if I play the bad guy, I try to — I can never look at myself as a bad guy. I always try to bring out the good and the moral and the right that the person is going for, so hopefully any variety that I’m able to bring to a role just happens because I’m trying to find the human thing and not act in an archetypal way.

Eric Winter (on possibly working with wife, actress Roselyn Sanchez): You know, I don’t know. If the right project ever came up, and it made sense, then sure. I mean, we’re not completely against it, but it’s one of those things that a lot of couples — sometimes you keep it separate, but if the right opportunity presents itself, then who knows?
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Rabu, 06 April 2011

Interview: Ross Thomas' Inspiring Role

Most of us are familiar with the story of Bethany Hamilton: In 2003, the then-13-year-old was surfing in Kauai, Hawaii, when a tiger shark attacked her and ripped her left arm off just below the shoulder. Less than a month after her accident, sheer will and determination had her back in the water and on her surfboard. She has since gone on to win numerous championships and accolades.

Bethany’s story is coming to the big screen on April 8, when “Soul Surfer” opens nationwide. Ross Thomas — who is best known for his roles in "Beyond the Break" and "General Hospital" — co-stars in the film, playing Bethany’s older brother, Noah. Helen Hunt (below) and Dennis Quaid also star as Bethany and Noah’s parents. I spoke with Ross recently, and he told me all about the experience of filming this movie.

Celebrity Extra: I know “Soul Surfer” is about Bethany Hamilton, the shark attack and her inspiring recovery, but what can you tell me about the movie from your perspective?

Ross Thomas: Obviously the story is about Bethany and how she lost her arm in a shark attack, but it’s also the story of how she overcame all of the odds to come back and become a champion surfer. The Hamilton family is such a strong unit; they have a deep set of family values. They are a Christian family with a deep faith, and they rely heavily on that and really promote that. As a family, they have really helped Bethany become who she is, and they’ve always been such a source of support for her. The film kind of spans the early years and how they were as children, all the way up through the attack and then the aftermath of that.



CE: Did Bethany and/or the family come to the set while you filmed?

RT: Yes. It was really kind of neat because the family was with us the whole time that we were filming, which, I have to admit, was kind of intimidating at first, because I haven’t worked on a set where the real-life person I’m playing is right there. They were really respectful of the process. There was never any stepping on anyone’s toes.


When we first got to the North Shore of Hawaii, we got to spend some time with the family. We had a week or so of rehearsal and preparation before having to go into principle photography. One of the ways we really bonded, right off the bat, was to go surfing together. That’s such an awesome experience to go out and surf with Bethany Hamilton and with Noah and the whole family. That’s how we all bonded and became friends. I got to learn a lot about who Bethany is from sort of an inside view and get to know her. She is such an incredible woman.

CE: Tell me about Noah.

RT: Noah is the oldest of the three kids. He’s the quintessential big-brother figure. He was actively involved from the get-go with pushing Bethany to be the best that she could be and to dominate as a professional female surfer. When the accident happened, Noah was crushed to see her hopes and dreams come crashing down with such an unfortunate incident. 

However, that bond of the family and the strength of the family coming together really helped inspire Bethany to get back out on the board. About a month’s time from losing her arm, she was already back out in the water learning how to surf again with one arm. Noah and Timmy and Sherry and Tom were all a part of that, and they were all out in the water together working on different ways to help her relearn how she’d be able to do what she loves again.

CE: This is such a great role in such an inspiring movie!

RT: Yeah, it really is. I’ve been following her story since it happened, and then all of these years later getting the opportunity to be a part of making her movie is so amazing. Bethany is such a source of inspiration to millions all over the world — her story of determination and faith and hope. It was such a pleasure making this film.
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Senin, 28 Maret 2011

Q and A: Week of March 28

Q: I’ve seen a few previews for a new movie starring Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid about Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who lost her arm in shark attack a few years back. What can you tell me about the movie? — Deanna F., Daytona Beach, Fla.

A: I can tell you that you’d better bring some tissues to the theater with you when the movie, which is called “Soul Surfer,” opens nationwide on April 8. AnnaSophia Robb stars as the young Bethany Hamilton, who overcomes tragedy to achieve her dreams of becoming a champion surfer.


Ross Thomas (pictured with Dennis Quaid), who plays Bethany’s brother Noah in the film, told me: “There is a beautiful theme of hope and faith in the film. The Hamilton family is such a strong unit. They really all work as one; they have a deep set of family values. They are a Christian family who has a really deep faith that they rely heavily upon. They all exude a really high level of love and life. It’s truly inspiring.”

Q: I have been watching “Smallville” since it premiered back in 2001, so I am pretty bummed that the series will soon come to an end. Can you tell me anything about the show’s finale? — Jerry T., Madison, Wis.



A: Well, I can tell you that some bad guys from Clark’s past will return (as a few already have). And yes, that includes Lex Luthor: Michael Rosenbaum will be back for the series finale on May 13. You also will enjoy where the relationship of Lois and Clark goes, and producer Kelly Souders assures fans that “there is a very hopeful ending” to the series itself.

Q: I love ABC’s “No Ordinary Family.” Will it be back for a second season? — Trudy T., via e-mail

A: Things are not looking good for the freshman drama to make it to its sophomore year. Series star Michael Chiklis has signed on to star in Conan O’Brien’s pilot for CBS called “Vince Uncensored,” which focuses on a man (Michael) who decides to take a more honest approach to his life, work and family after a life-changing experience.

Q: Please tell me there will be a third season of HBO’s “Eastbound and Down.” I need more Kenny Powers! — Samuel D., via e-mail

A: You will get your wish, if only for one more season. Series star Danny McBride, who is also one of the show’s writers and executive producers, and writer, director and executive producer Jody Hill are said to be helming the third and final season in the Kenny Powers saga. Production on “Eastbound and Down” season three is tentatively scheduled for the end of this year for a 2012 premiere. I’ll be sure to let you know of any further developments, as I can’t wait to see how this hilarious and boundary-stomping series ends myself!
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