Movie: Exclusive Interviews: Michael Welch
BellaAndEdward.com: Did you enjoy your time on Joan Of Arcadia? Do you prefer working on TV or Film?
Mike Welch: "Joan of Arcadia" was the kind of experience that most actors dream about, but rarely come by. The quality of the other actors on that show inspired and pushed me every day. When "Joan" reached its’ full potential and showcased everything it had to offer at peak quality, I don’t believe there was anything better on television. Episodes "Jump" from season one and "No Future" from season two come to mind as good examples of "Joan" at its best… Actually, I think those are the ONLY two examples, but MAN those are good episodes.
Television and film are becoming more and more similar. I think "The Sopranos" really raised the bar and put television in a new category of artistic credibility. In fact, I think the future of most good, marketable, credible stuff is going to come from TV, not movies. I’m not an expert. In fact, I’m dumb as a rock in most areas. For example, I can’t figure out how a fax machine works. Vibrations through a tube? I’m sorry, you’ve lost me. But based on what I’ve seen over the past few years, quality American film is becoming less abundant than good quality television, that’s all I’m saying.
I don’t really care which medium I work in. I like variety and I like good material. Other than that, I’m not too picky.
BAE: Were there any funny moments on the Twilight set that you would like to share with us?
Mike/Mike: One day, we shot on the rocky Oregon coast in what appeared to be a class 1 hurricane. I wasn’t in the worst of it like our courageous crew, along with Kristen, Justin, Christian, and whoever else was in that calamity. Acting while engulfed by merciless nature is not something that can be learned in a book.
You may be wondering what exactly is funny about this. At the risk of tarnishing this "wholesome" image I seem to have attained somehow, I will tell you. Being in a safe tent just up the hill from where they were shooting, it was hilarious for me to see the comically distraught and run-down condition people were in after working out there, even for a little bit. I have never seen such miserable, empty, unforgiving expressions on people’s faces.
It was completely ridiculous that we were out there at all. These were clearly unworkable conditions to be filming in. Also, the tent kept trying to fly away in the wind. We had to hold it down and hope that it wouldn’t collapse on us. I tend to deal with absurdity like that by laughing at it. Granted, I was not actually IN the real mess, but we all watch Family Guy, you know the rules. If it doesn’t happen to you and no one was seriously injured, it’s funny. If you ever see me fall flat on my face, don’t help me. Laugh at me. It’s hilarious and it always will be. If laughing at the expense of others is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
BAE: Which scene from Twilight are you most excited to see on the big screen?
Mike/Mike: I’m pretty excited about the showdown between Edward and James. Two foxy, vampiric gentlemen battling over our helpless hero, the damsel in distress, I’m sorry, it doesn’t get much better than that. CLASSIC!
BAE: Do you think that fans will be happy with how close to the book the movie is?
Yes I do. The movie follows the book very closely. I don’t think every moment will play out exactly how you pictured it, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Hear me out… If people judge this movie based on how closely it resembles the images that were conjured up in their head while reading the novel, we’re gonna have a problem Twi-hards(lighters). It’s the soul that matters, and I believe we captured that. Catherine didn’t want to make a movie that just referenced the book. I’ve seen movies like that and they’re boring. You just sit there recognizing one reference after the other. No additional substance or meaning is brought to the table. It’s mildly interesting for a little while if you’re a hardcore fan, but that’s about it. She wanted to bring a NEW life to this story and these characters, while preserving the essence of the book. I think we did that and I’m pretty sure most fans will be happy. Now, if you’re the kind of person who likes the concert version of a song to sound EXACTLY like it does on the CD, and any live variation from the studio version greatly upsets you, you may end up a little disappointed. Other than that, I think we’re good.
BAE: If you could play any other character from the novel, human or vampire, who would you choose?
Mike/Mike: James. He’s a BAMF. (If you’re under 13, don’t look up BAMF. I’ll get in trouble.)
BAE: What was the most challenging experience during this movie? What about just being an actor in general?
Mike/Mike: I think the most challenging thing for me on set was to keep myself from falling deep into the spell of Robert Pattinson’s dark, yellowish, mystical eyes. ::sigh::
The most difficult thing for me about being an actor is finding balance. This applies on many levels. First of all, within acting itself, the challenge is to find balance in being simple and real, vs. being bold and big, and figuring out the appropriate times to apply each. Al Pacino deals with this balance in a very interesting and effective way. While acting, he’s either a notch above mumbling, or he’s screaming at you and spitting in your face. I love it! Also, I have to find balance between artistic integrity and pragmatism. The most respected artists in the long run are ultimately the ones who stay true to themselves. But I also understand that if I never "sold out" on some level, I’d be in my basement doing Shakespeare and never make it in this business. It’s tricky. Finally, finding balance in my own life between work, play, family, friends, mini-family (girlfriend and dog), and all the other things that make up life. Balance is key to all of it.
BAE: On set, who do you think was the closest to their character? Why and how?
Mike/Mike: I was. Mike/Mike is an unbreakable bond for life. Please try to see this movie on opening weekend. I really want to be Mike again. I like him a lot and I’m not ready to let go yet. Thanks Twi-hards! My girlfriend made pasta tonight. I gotta run. :-P Later Twi-nation! Stay in Twi-school! TWI!!
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