411 Movies Interview: Oliver James
Posted by Tony Farinella on 01.31.2009
411's Tony Farinella sits down with Oliver James for an exclusive interview about Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling!
Oliver James is probably best known for his roles in such films as What a Girl Wants and Raise Your Voice. Recently, he starred in the direct-to-DVD sequel, Without a Paddle. I caught up with Oliver James last week to talk about his role in this film and what it was like working with NFL legend Jerry Rice. I hope you enjoy my interview with Oliver James.
TONY: As an actor, what was it like entering this franchise?
Oliver James: It was interesting. There were definitely similarities about the first movie. For me, walking into it, it's a lot different because my perspective is performance. So I think from a production perspective and from a writing perspective, they had a lot more to do with the original and the format of this movie compared to that. From my perspective, it was really more about the current story and how to tell that best and how to go about serving that.
TONY: Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the first film project that you've been a part of in a couple of years. Were you rusty at all on this project?
Oliver James: No, because I'm always practicing my craft. I personally love what I do and I find it second-nature. No, it was just a joy to be back on a movie set again. It's not like I hadn't been acting in between. So it was great. It was good to be back.
TONY: In terms of your craft, what's changed since your last film?
Oliver James: I don't think you ever stop learning as a person and as a professional in whatever you do. There are things that I've done differently in every new job I have. I don't think you ever stop learning.
TONY: What was it like working with NFL legend Jerry Rice?
Oliver James: The funny thing was … being from England, I'm more of a diehard soccer fan. Everybody was going crazy about this guy Jerry Rice coming in, and other than the Google search I did on him, I knew very little about Jerry, which I think helped, actually. Had I actually been a huge fan, then it might have been a little overwhelming. But I was a fan afterwards, because he's a lovely guy. But it was nice. Obviously, he's a sporting hero of many people, so it was an honor to work with him, but it was nice to work with him on a normal level without that kind of preconceived idea.
TONY: What was it like working with your fellow costars in this film? I thought you guys had great chemistry on screen and it looked like you had a lot of fun.
Oliver James: Kris and Rik were really cool guys and we were lucky, really, because it's not often that you're on set and your relationship with your fellow actors is so easy. We would actually spend twelve hours a day working with each other and then we'd all go back to the hotel and we'd hang out. We'd have dinner. Like I said, we were lucky in that respect. I think that came across in the movie. And I think it's important to build those relationships. You're only as good as the people around you. And not just Kris and Rik, we had an amazing crew and we had supportive producers and a very proactive director.
TONY: In addition to your acting career, you also dabble in music. What do you get out of acting compared to music? What different needs do they fill for you?
Oliver James: I think, for me, they both go quite a long way back for me. I started doing both at quite a young age. Not seriously, but just for fun. The funny thing about music … a lot of people have spoken to me about my music and asked me why I don't pursue it professionally and why I don't do it more. I can't honestly answer you why I haven't tried that, but it feels more personal. I actually feel more self-conscious about my music. I'm more vulnerable about it. For me, acting has never been like that. It's always been accessible. Like I said, you're always learning and progressing. When I put on a character, I can kind of let go.
TONY: Going back to your acting career, a couple of years ago, you worked alongside Hilary Duff in Raise Your Voice . What do you remember about working with her during that period in her career?
Oliver James: I just remember that we had a fun time. It was the first time that I'd shot a movie in the states, and she was a very sweet girl. I think she was sixteen then or just seventeen. I just remember having fun working with her and her being a very nice girl.
TONY: You've also worked with Amanda Bynes, another very popular female actress, and it's interesting, because that was really your first breakout role. What do you remember about dealing with everything back then?
Oliver James: I don't really know how I did it at the time, because that really was one of my first acting jobs, actually. I mean, I'd done a few things before that, but it was like being launched out of a cannon. It was a completely different realm of reality. I think I just coped with it however I could. It was amazing. At the time, I was twenty-two I think and this was all new to me. I was working with Amanda, who was sixteen, seventeen at the time, and she'd been doing it all her life. She's a seasoned pro, and there was me at twenty-two and all new and green to the process.
TONY: How impressed are you with the way that Amanda Bynes and Hilary Duff have handled the Hollywood spotlight?
Oliver James: I think an acting career or performance in general, it's important to remember that it's a slow burn. It is a career, and if you handle it properly, it can last a lifetime. You can be performing and doing your best work way into your sixties, seventies, or however long you have the desire to continue with it. So I think if you approach it with the attitude that Hilary and Amanda have and there's a lot of young actors that take their craft seriously and I think that's important. I have absolute admiration for what they've done. It's not an easy business, so to have had success in it is incredibly commendable.
TONY: What was it like dealing with life after What a Girl Wants? Was it pretty overwhelming?
Oliver James: The funny thing is … I suppose I never really bought into that. I never became an actor to become famous. I did it because I genuinely love what I do. The strange thing is the life that I lead now and then when it just happened, it was very similar to the life I led before. I have a really amazing group of friends that I'm lucky to have, great family, and a nice life. So that outside reorganization was very bizarre to me, because it seems like it only exists online or very occasionally when I'll be out in London or Los Angeles and people will recognize me. It's actually quite strange to me. I don't think I've ever quite gotten used to that from whatever exposure I've had in whatever. It's always been slightly bizarre to me. The people that do come up to me and who have admired what I've done, they've always been so friendly and so amazing. I feel lucky that people can relate to what I do. It's a privilege, really.
TONY: Finally, what are your plans for the future and what are you currently working on?
Oliver James: There's an independent movie that I'm attached to, but whether it has its funding or not, who knows? It's tough financial times out there, so hopefully it will. But if not, I'm going to be spending my time in Los Angeles and looking forward to whatever's coming next.
TONY: Thank you so much for your time, Oliver. It was great talking to you. I appreciate it.
