Aug 22 2010
Watch Robert Carlyle talking about the highlights of his colourful career in showbiz in this latest video featurette to be added to the sites media collection.
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Scottish actor Robert Carlyle says playing Adolf Hitler in the epic mini-series Hitler: The Rise of Evil has been his toughest role to date.
The star of hit movies including The Full Monty, Trainspotting and James Bond’s The World Is Not Enough told Yahoo! Singapore in an exclusive interview that it was extremely difficult to witness the reaction of the film crew when he was portraying the leader of the German Nazis in the 2003 TV mini-series.
“A lot of the crew working on set were Jewish and a lot of stuff were anti-Jewish, anti-semantic. I had to say all those stuff and I would spot some of the crew’s reactions. I know it’s not me but it’s really hard for them to accept,” said the 49-year-old, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland.
But the veteran actor said he made it a point to speak to his Jewish colleagues right after the scene was shot.
“I went down to embrace them and they were like, don’t worry, its fine. But it wasn’t fine, you know,” he said.
You can watch his riveting portrayal of Hitler here.
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When, in the Stargate Atlantis series premiere Rising, the Ancients city is in danger of being destroyed, our heroes use its Stargate to travel to Athos, another planet in the Pegasus Galaxy that, if necessary, they might be able to evacuate to. It is there that they meet Teyla Emmagen, the caring and spirited leader of the Athosian race. After one of her own kind betrays Teyla and the rest of the Athosians along with their human allies to the Wraith, she joins with the new residents of Atlantis to stop this parasitic alien race from once again culling the Pegasus Galaxy and, ultimately, reaching Earth.
As actress Rachel Luttrell grew more and more at ease playing Teyla over Atlantis‘ five years on the air, her character developed a close bond with her new teammates, many of whom became like family to her. How would Luttrell describe her onscreen relationships with the rest of the Atlantis crew?
“it’s funny, but as you were asking that question, and I’m not joking, literally so many faces came into my mind, and the very first one was David Hewlett’s [Dr. Rodney McKay],” says the actress. “I loved the relationship that Teyla had with MacKay. It was somewhat irreverent and yet lovable. My character would constantly roll her eyes, even if not physically but sometimes in her demeanor, at McKay, but it was always in a kind of affectionate way.
“I loved working, too, with Paul McGillion [Dr. Carson Beckett]. The relationship between his character and Teyla was also quite unique and lovely. I think from the beginning, she would go to Dr. Beckett and request help from him as well as advice when it came to her people. And then oftentimes off-screen, before we’d actually do takes, Paul and I would be in hysterics and laughing, which was always terrific.
“Colonel Sheppard [Joe Flanigan] and Teyla always had, I feel, a special and wonderful relationship that had so many dimensions to it,” she continues. “A lot of those [dimensions] were sometimes unspoken, but I truly appreciated that relationship. I mean, Teyla just had an instant affinity towards Sheppard and felt an immediate level of comfort with him that she didn’t initially get with the other team members. They had a deep friendship, understanding and respect for one another as well as a love for each other.
“With Dr. Weir, because Torri Higginson [Dr. Elizabeth Weir] and I started out as the sole female characters on the series, we had some amazing scenes together. It was always kind of great bouncing off the fact that here were these two strong female characters , both leaders in their own right, but coming from different backgrounds as well as societies, and still being able to arrive at decisions together. I always enjoyed performing with Torri and discussing our desire as characters to find an honest and deep respect for one another. I think we developed that, and I hope audiences were able to see it, too.”
In Atlantis‘ second season, Teyla found a true kindred spirit in Ronon Dex (Jason Momoa), whose planet was invaded and most of his race culled or killed by the Wraith. He initially took Teyla and Colonel Sheppard prisoner while being hunted for sport by their common enemy, but once they persuaded him that they could be trusted, Ronon decided to make Atlantis his own home.
“What an incredible relationship was formed there,” notes Luttrell. “Ronon and Teyla were the only two characters from the same galaxy and who shared a similar type of background, or at least one that was not dissimilar. They bonded on a level that the others simply could not due to their reference points, how they grew up, their understanding of the Wraith, and what it meant to them in terms of what these aliens did to their families and societies.
“I’m sort of touching on everybody, but what really stands out for me the most when I reflect upon the five seasons of the show, is that I had the opportunity to work with some really great and talented people. And the casting was such that although we were all so different, we all enjoyed each other’s company and this was, I think, reflected in the relationships that our characters had with one another. So I loved working with every single one of my fellow actors and watching how our characters’ relationships matured in their own way.”
Of all Teyla’s relationships, the one that she developed with the human/Wraith hybrid Michael (Connor Trinneer) eventually turned into an unwanted as well as dangerous one. “I don’t want to sound too gushy, but I loved performing with Connor,” says Luttrell. “The first time I met him it was great because he’s an extremely talented actor who enjoys getting into the story. There’s a certain appreciation and excitement when you’re doing a scene with a fellow actor who is really, really on top of things and interested in the various nuances of character as well as relationship. Connor is certainly one of those actors and was from the get-go with the Michael character.
“With Michael’s and Teyla’s relationship, that was such a crazy and wonderful journey. My character was, at least in the beginning, truly sympathetic to his plight, and yet here was this man, creature, or whatever who was for all intents and purposes a Wraith, and therefore an entity who decimated her people. That was quite compelling to play, and something that carried through to the end where, sadly, there was absolutely no love loss, certainly for Teyla, when it comes to Michael. However, in those last few scenes and working with Connor, it was fascinating to discuss the fact that Michael’s view of Teyla was that she could be his queen. She could be the one person who would understand him, and he really latched onto that. So for all his kind of diabolical undertones, and there were many, he honestly thought that their relationship could work.”
Although the Wraith were the primary antagonist on Atlantis, there were plenty of other adversaries that gave our heroes a proverbial run for their money. In the fourth season story Missing, Teyla and Dr. Jennifer Keller (Jewel Staite) are trapped off-world on New Athos and fighting for survival against the savage Bola Kai.
“Oh, my God, that was a wild and woolly ride, and for so many reasons,” recalls Luttrell with a chuckle. “Emotionally it was crazy because I was pregnant with my son Caden. At that point I had not told anybody, with the exception of our producers and writers, and this was the very first episode that I told James Bamford, our stunt supervisor, of my condition. So that was going on, and then Jewel Staite and I were carpooling for that entire episode. She would come very, very early in the morning over to my place and then we’d drive together because we were shooting on-location, so she was also one of the first people I told that I was pregnant.
“Missing was an equally emotional as well as physical episode, and I was dealing with my pregnancy and doing the biggest fight sequence that I had probably done to date. One of the bad guys that I took on was actually my husband [actor/stuntman Loyd Bateman], so there we were trying to pull that off, knowing what was actually transpiring for us on a personal level, which was very interesting.
“This episode was terrific insofar as where it put Teyla in terms of the fact that now her people are all missing. What an incredibly emotional place to find herself, and playing that off Jewel was just lovely. She is a wonderful actress and a riot to work with. Jewel has this wry sense of humor, and I can’t imagine going through that journey with anybody other than her because everything was an hilarious joke. It was pouring rain, freezing cold, there was mud everywhere, we were doing all sorts of strenuous stuff, and yet everything was funny with us, so thank God for that
“Also, the relationship between our two characters deepened. At the start, Teyla had absolutely no understanding at all of this woman and how inept she thought she was. Then, however, Keller totally rose to the occasion and found this inner strength. Perhaps it came though Teyla, or perhaps it was something that Keller initially had and she just needed it to be brought forth.”
In a late season one Atlantis episode The Gift, Teyla experiences some disturbing nightmares that cause her to recall a time when she and her father were captured by the Wraith and forced to undergo a series of genetic experiments. As a result, Teyla discovers that she has the ability to link telepathically with the Wraith. For a handful of scenes, Luttrell had to undergo some prosthetics work. That, however, was minor compared to her character’s transformation into a Wraith Queen in the year five story The Queen.
“I take my hat off to anybody who has to do that [wear heavy prosthetics], especially for an extended period of time because it’s incredibly grueling, and you have to be so much more animated as well as on the ball in terms of your convictions for your character and the storytelling,” explains the actress.
“To convey anything through that much make-up is a real challenge. On the other hand, though, it was deeply freeing because I had the opportunity to portray this other side of Teyla, because clearly this is Teyla, even though she has undergone this crazy transformation. Again, it was incredibly freeing to be able to perform in such a way that was dramatic, intense and full of centeredness. It’s a completely different skill set that you have to use as an actor, and I was happy to be able to explore that.
“Besides the make-up, there was the amazing wardrobe that Val Halverson [series costume designer] created for Teyla’s Queen, so when I walked onto the set I was already in-character. I wouldn’t want to do it again,” says Luttrell with a laugh, “but reflecting upon it, I do remember enjoying that aspect of it, although I would never have told anybody that while we were shooting,” she jokes.
“This entire experience was further colored for me by the fact that I was a new mom. I was recently asked by someone how Caden handled all the make-up, because he was with me every single day at work, and he was amazing. At first I was terrified. I don’t know how he would respond to me, and Joe Flanigan was [jokingly] adding fuel to the fire by telling me that I was going to have to pay for years and years of therapy for my child. However, when I walked into my trailer for the first time wearing all that horrendous make-up, Caden just giggled. He thought it was hilarious; here was Mom being crazy again.”
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Robert Carlyle talks about things to come in Stargate Universe season 2, his unique approach to acting and much more in this latest video featurette to be added to the sites media collection.
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Brian J Smith has revealed himself to be a slight Science Fiction geek in his latest interview courtesy of Agent DVD, the budding actor takes us backstage on his life, what’s in store for Stargate Universe season two and much, much more.
Agent DVD: Did you have much exposure to sci-fi before joining the cast of “Stargate Universe”?
BJS: I was a big sci-fi fan growing up. When I was about 9 to 13, I was a secret geek. I was big into “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” My dad still works at the convention center in Plano, Texas. He used to take me backstage to meet people like Brent Spiner. I loved the Romulans. I still think they are the coolest sci-fi villains I’ve ever seen.
Agent DVD: What’s it like being on the other side of the convention experience now?
BJS: It’s really trippy. Our life on the set is so insulated. We work so hard and such long hours that often times we forget people watch the show. We go to the conventions and the people there can talk fluently about small details. I’m flattered they caught it. It catches me offguard sometimes. When I shoot a scene I’m usually thinking about what I’m going to have for lunch, or what to do on my day off. So it’s gratifying to see people express their enthusiasm for the show. It feels good to have people excited by something you’re making. One of my favorite things is going to conventions. I encourage fans to go to conventions so you can see a different side of us as people.
Agent DVD: How did you end up on the show?
BJS: I studied acting at the Juilliard school in New York. We came out to L.A. to do a showcase and I met Paul Weber, who turned out to be casting director for “Stargate.” About two years later he was putting together the ensemble for “Stargate Universe” and he remembered me. So really I can trace the job back to school.
Agent DVD: What do you think of the rest of the cast?
BJS: There’s a young energy on set, and the pups are always looking for advice. Whatever they do to get right group of people together they’re doing something right. Sometimes we get tired and express our frustrations, but if we have any problems between us personally it’s because we care so much.
Agent DVD: What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from your more experienced co-stars?
BJS: Louis (Ferreira, who plays Col. Young) frequently tell us not to play our ego, to play the character. And it’s hard to understand what he means until you are in front of the camera all day. You have to avoid the tendency to want your character smelling like a rose all the time because you have a desire for the audience adore you rather than appreciate the character’s humanity.
Agent DVD: What episodes stand out to you?
BJS: In “Human,” Robert Carlyle gives one of the best performances you’ll see on a TV series in that episode. It’s film-quality acting. Just watching what he does with that character is amazing. He actually directed an episode for season two and did a fantastic job. He got us to a level of performance I think is extraordinary.
Agent DVD: How much research into the “Stargate” franchise did you have to do to prepare for the role?
BJS: They kind of made a point this was a different show than its predecessors and said to watch shows like “Friday Night Lights” and “The Shield” to get a sense stylistically of what they wanted to do in their approach to characterization, acting and the way the camera moves.
Agent DVD: A lot of people have been comparing the show to “Battlestar Galactica.” Do you think that’s fair?
BJS: I’m probably the biggest “Battlestar Galactica” fan out there. I watched all four seasons twice. But “Battlestar” didn’t invent this particular style. It took things ‘The Shield’ and shows like that were doing and brought them to sci-fi. I believe “Firefly” did those kinds of things as well. Stylistically that’s the way TV is these days.
Agent DVD: Aren’t there also elements of BSG in how SGU portrays the conflict between military and civilian?
BJS: It’s designed to not make an attempt to glorify or idealize the people who are in a situation like this. How would human beings behave in this situation? People don’t always just get along and sing “Kumbayah.”
Agent DVD: So, Lt. Scott hooked up with Lt. James in the first episode, but on the ship hooked up with Chloe, who is good friends with Eli, but he’s in love with her. What’s your take on the love triangles they have been throwing at your character?
BJS: I’ll stick up for Scott, obviously. What happened between Scott and Chloe is not like a first college love where you meet at orientation and hook up. Destiny is a pressure cooker. It’s a life and death situation. Both have lost parents and they may never see Earth again. It’s much more about a connection of the soul.
I think Scott is aware of how much Eli is enamored with Chloe. But he likes Eli. Yeah he can be annoying and he talks a little too much, but he’s a good guy. So it makes it tough.
But I don’t think you can’t mess with the friendship that Chloe and Eli have. It’s on a very different level.
As for Lt. James, that’s where I think Scott has been dumb and maybe not as sensitive as he could be. He needs to have a talk with her.
Agent DVD: One of the rules of “SG-1” was to avoid romances between members of the military. Why has this show moved beyond that limitation?
BJS: I think the Air Force knew coming in that this was a different kind of show. I think it’s unfair to any military branch to just present cardboard characters. I’m proud in how we portray the military. It’s a humane military, comprised of people making an extraordinary sacrifice for their country. They try to do the right thing. But soldiers get horny sometimes.
Agent DVD: How much can Blu-ray Disc improve the experience of watching a show like this?
BJS: I’m really convinced this show was meant to be seen on Blu-ray. It has a lot of texture that can only be seen on Blu-ray. You don’t just get better resolution and cooler graphics, you get more story.
It’s a very serialized show, and we frequently torture fans with intense cliffhangers. So I think it’s more satisfying to watch a show like this all at once.
Agent DVD: How well do you think the show progressed?
BJS: It was very important to the producers and writers to really lay the groundwork up front to establish these characters and create a world the viewer could be immersed in right away. Once they had done that after the first 10 episodes, they could really throw these people into some crazy situations.
I think season two is even more intense. It’s hard to differentiate what we’re doing in season two from that back half of season one. We all walked away from season one satisfied that we were making something special.
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