INTERVIEW (AUDIO): Galactica Quorum (July 14, 2007)

Galactica Quorum (Episode 23)
Shore Leave 2007
July 14, 2007
0:22:30
20.7 MB

Source: Galactica Quorum

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The guys over at Galactica Quorum did an interview with Aaron during the Shore Leave convention.

You can listen to or download podcast #23 (that includes the interview with Aaron) at their website at the below link
http://www.galacticaquorum.com

Or …… I have edited it to just Aaron’s interview (22 minutes).
Right click on the link below to save it to your computer.

Aaron Douglas – Galactica Quorum (Episode 23) July 14, 2007

WARNING: There are BSG Season 3 Finale spoilers in the interview. Other than that, no spoilers.

http://aarondouglas.livejournal.com/30858.html

INTERVIEW (VIDEO): Autograph Magazine (July 13 – 15, 2007) Shore Leave 2007

Below is an old video interview with Aaron. It was done at Shore Leave 29 (July 13th – 15th, 2007) but was only posted online last month (April 2010).

 

Meet Battlestar’s Aaron Douglas

Mark J. Gross interviews one of the stars of Battlestar Galactica!

An edited version of the above interview appears in the Oct/Nov edition of Autograph Magazine. You can view the interview and the photo from the end of the video HERE.

INTERVIEW: Battlestar Cylons May Surprise

Battlestar Cylons May Surprise
By: Cindy White
Date: July 11, 2007
Source: SciFiWire

 

Cast members of SCI FI Channel’s original series Battlestar Galactica told reporters that they weren’t happy at first to discover that their characters were Cylons, but they have come to terms with the revelation in their own ways—and hinted the Cylons may not be what they appear.

“I’ve always thought to myself—I don’t know if I said it out loud, I must have—that I sure am glad I’m not playing a Cylon,” said Michael Hogan, who plays Col. Tigh, in a news conference in Vancouver, Canada. “I’m not happy about being a Cylon at all. But I don’t imagine any of us who are being picked to be Cylons are happy about it. But the scripts and what we’ve been doing so far are great, and the only way that I can deal with it is as a human being. So far, that’s all I’ve had to do. And I’m not sure what’s going on.”

Hogan added that the new information about his character has added a level of complexity to his performance and challenged him as an actor. “For Tigh so far, it is like a mental illness,” he said. “It’s like the ringing in the years and visions and constantly wondering what’s going on. So [in] almost … every scene we do now, it’s that thing where you’re thinking, … if you’ve had a personal tragedy happen to you, then you’ve got to carry on with life: You kind of realize, ‘Isn’t this amazing that I’m actually talking to people?’ But this is all going on inside.”

Aaron Douglas, who plays Chief Tyrol, said at the same press conference that he came across the information by chance early on and has had a little more time to process the notion. “I found out months in advance, accidentally,” he said. “I found a piece of paper lying around that I wasn’t supposed to read, but I read it anyways. And I said, ‘What the … is this?’ And [director Michael] Rymer went, ‘Oh, you’re not supposed to read that.’ … So I kept my mouth shut until it officially came out, and then I phoned [executive producer Ron Moore]. ‘What the hell is this?'”

Douglas said he didn’t like the news at first. “Because I thought you’re taking a fan favorite, a character that’s very identifiable, very human, that the fans really, really like, and you’re really marginalizing him,” he said. “So Ron spoke to me for, like, an hour and a half on the phone, and he explained the whys and the wherefores, and I was convinced at the end. Now I’ve embraced it, more than Michael has, I believe. And I don’t mind going down in history as one of the Cylon gods and one of the 12 Cylon human forms.”

Douglas also revealed a detail about the final five Cylons that had previously been kept under wraps. “The differentiation between the seven and the final five will become more clear,” he said. “We’re not like them. In all seriousness. We’re Cylon, but we’re not connected to these guys at all.”

INTERVIEW: Aaron Douglas, The Human Side Of Battlestar Galactica

Aaron Douglas, The Human Side Of Battlestar Galactica
By: Lisa Christensen
Date: June 28, 2007
Source: MediaBlvd Magazine

 

SCI FI Channel held the first ever Digital Press Event this past week, inviting 26 journalists from 21 websites to the Vancouver sets of their most popular shows. The highlight of the two day extravaganza was a tour of the Battlestar Galactica sets at Vancouver Film Studios, and a panel discussion with the cast of the show, including Aaron Douglas (Chief Tyrol), Jamie Bamber (Lee “Apollo” Adama), Michael Hogan (Col. Tigh), Grace Park (Athena/Boomer) and Tamoh Penikett (Helo). SCI FI Channel Executive Vice President of Original Programming Mark Stern moderated, and Network President Bonnie Hammer was on hand as well.

Aaron Douglas has been part of the MediaBlvd family from the early days of the network, hosting his official website there, and moderating his own community forum. His generosity and accessibility to the fans (not to mention his amazing comedic timing) has made him a fan favorite on the convention circuit, though the character he plays on the show, “Chief Tyrol” started out in the mini series as a rather small and minor role. He did have a memorable scene in that pilot where he depicted the angst and soul of a crew boss distraught at the death of so many of his men in a fire aboard the ship. It was this, and many other such “human” moments over the next 3 years that made the story of this character so compelling. The writers’ choice to include him as one of the “Final Four Cylons” revealed at the end of the season 3 has been much debated on the web.

The entire production crew has been very tight lipped over what can be expected in the upcoming fourth and final season of Battlestar Galactica, but Douglas did let it slip at the panel interview that over the course of the season it will be revealed that the final 4(or 5) Cylons are different from the other 7 models, they are not part of the other group. “The final 4or5. We are the gods, we are the originals”] During the panel interview, Aaron also described how he discovered that the writers had decided that Tyrol would be one of the final 5. “I actually found out months in advance (accidentally) when I found a piece of paper lying around that I wasn’t supposed to read, but I read it anyways and I said, what the *(&%! is this!” He went to Michael Rymer and asked about it, and was told that he wasn’t supposed to see it, and shouldn’t tell anyone.

When the news officially came out to the cast, Douglas phoned Ron Moore to plead his case against Tyrol being marginalized in this way. “You’re taking a fan favorite and character that is very identifiable, very human, that the fans really like and marginalizing him, taking away all the human stuff.” After an extensive discussion with Ron, he was eventually won over to Ron’s vision, believing that this new revelation about his character would serve to enhance the show in this final season”But now I’ve embraced it, I wouldn’t mind going down in history as one of the Cylon gods, and one of the 12 Cylon human forms”

Later in the evening, Aaron met with MediaBlvd Magazine for a casual conversation, over drinks, about the show, conventions, and what he would like to do after Battlestar. Aaron says he would really like to try a comedy series. With his quick wit, and comedic banter it doesn’t take much of a leap to see him in that type of role. Aaron has honed his stand up routine at the many fan conventions he has attended as a guest in the last 4 years. This year alone he has been to conventions in Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. He describes them as “Pants Off” events (yes ladies, he wears a kilt in the traditional way) and a chance to meet and interact with what he describes as the best fans in the world.

Douglas is off to Comic Con next month to launch the sale of the Chief Tyrol action figure (shown at the left) by Diamond Select Toys and will be signing them for fans. He is quite pleased with how they turned out. The face was modeled at last years Comic Con. Those on his Christmas shopping list should expect to see them under the tree Christmas morning. He also talked about where they currently are in the filming schedule, and although he isn’t allowed to give out spoilers, he did say that they just finished filming an episode, and signed the cover page of the day’s script for a souvenir, promising to send the full script once the episode airs. The cover page say’s “Six of One”, Yellow Revisions, June 12, 2007 Written by Michael Angeli, Season 4/Episode #4.

Aaron also leaked an insider’s tip, that the hotel that was chosen for the journalists attending the online press event was also the hotel that many actors, writers, producers etc… stay in, while working in town. The previous night, nearly the entire cast and crew of BSG had been hanging out in the bar, while the visiting journalists slept in anticipation of the very early start for the press tour the next morning.

Aaron announced that he was meeting the writer and director of the episode they had just finished in the bar shortly, and suggested that MediaBlvd join them for a few minutes, and have them sign the script cover page as well. Michael Angeli also wrote several episodes from other shows that MediaBlvd features, and will be the subject of a future feature in this publication. Douglas also provided introductions to the director of “Six of One”, Anthony Hemingway.

INTERVIEW (VIDEO): Yahoo! TV – Final Season Preview (June 26, 2007)

Yahoo! TV – Final Season Preview
(Sci Fi’s Digital Press Tour)
June 26, 2007
0:00:31
7.58 MB

http://www.aarondouglasfans.com/Media/Video/AaronDouglas_Interview_YahooTV.avi

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Yahoo! TV has posted a video interview with some of the BSG cast members talking about Razor and the final season.
Aaron is on screen at time stamp 01:37 – 1:56 and 02:09 – 02:13.

http://tv.yahoo.com/battlestar-galactica/show/36672/videos/5017806

NOTE: Do not watch this video if you have not seen the last episode of season 3.

EDIT: I downloaded the video and edited it to just Aaron’s scenes. Right click HERE to download it. LOL at the end of it because the video is on Aaron but you can hear Jamie’s voice saying “it gives me the creeps”. That’s because the next scene is of Apollo talking about how Helo and Sharon together gives him the creeps. And again, don’t watch this edited video either if you haven’t seen the last episode of season 3.

http://aarondouglas.livejournal.com/47385.html

INTERVIEW (VIDEO): Sci Fi’s Digital Press Tour – BSG panel (June 26, 2007)

BSG panel at Sci Fi’s Digital Press Tour
June 26, 2007

Part 1:
0:37:28
125 MB

Part 2
0:19:44
65.6 MB


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Thanks to Keith McDuffee at TV SQUAD, below are the links to the videos of the Battlestar Galactica panel at Sci Fi’s Digital Press Tour on June 26th, 2007.

Battlestar Galactica panel at Sci Fi’s digital press tour, part one – VIDEO
Battlestar Galactica panel at Sci Fi’s digital press tour, part two – VIDEO


Aaron Douglas, Michael Hogan, Jamie Bamber, Grace Park,
Tahmoh Penikett and producer Harvey Frand

 

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Source: IGN.com (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

INTERVIEW: Frakkin’ Sweet

Frakkin’ Sweet: The ‘Battlestar’ cast speaks out on having their own toys
By: Andy Livingston
Date: June 2007
Source: ToyFare Magazine (Issue #118)

 

 

 

 

 

JAMIE BAMBER (Lee “Apollo”Adama): “It’s really exciting. When I was a kid I had those kinds of toys—the Star Wars ones in particular I was crazy about. So it’s kind of a trip. They’re not genuine toys. I think they’re toys for adults that should know better, because our show’s a bit adult.”

 

 

GRACE PARK (Sharon “Boomer”Valerii): “I’m thrilled. I had a friend who always collected action figures and toys and stuff like that. So I always thought, When I get an action figure made I’m gonna send one to him. But it’s really strange when you experience something as a kid, and one day you step into that going, ‘Wow, I’m gonna have this soon.'”

 

 

TRICIA HELFER (Number Six): “I’ve seen pictures of the MiniMates (right), which are very funny because they don’t really look like you. I think it’ll be kind of cool.”

 

 

EDWARD JAMES OLMOS (Commander William Adama): “It’s great. I mean we don’t partake in any of the luxuries of having toys made about us, but I’m glad that people are finding them to be worthy of toys and stuff like that. It says something about the show.”

 

 

JAMES CALLIS (Gaius Baltar): “I’m very excited as long as I can get some commission on the merchandising. And I hope you buy lots of them.”

 

 

 

AARON DOUGLAS (Chief Tyrol): “When you’re an actor, you kind of have a few things that you’re like, ‘All right, I know I’ve made it.’ There are certain awards you want to win. But an action figure is really the deal, and I’m very, very excited. One of my closest friends in the world is Donna Soldano, who owns Art Asylum, and Donna is making the Chief doll, so I’ve got a picture of my action figure on my phone. And I’m showing everyone. And they hate me.”

 

 

[click thumbnails to enlarge images]

INTERVIEW (AUDIO): The Two Doctors Radio Show (May 20, 2007)

The Two Doctors Radio Show
May 20, 2007
0:21:26
19.7 MB
Source: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/thetwodoctors/2007/05/21/the-week-in-scifi

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MEDIA – AUDIO: The Two Doctors Radio Show (May 20th, 2007)

WARNING: There are BSG Season 3 Finale spoilers in the Episode Description below

Show Description: The Two Doctors; Mad Professor Jim Iaccino and Crazy Rocket Scientist Kenn Gold, discuss the latest happenings in SciFi, Horror, and Fantasy with each other and various guests.

Episode Description: Save Jericho and Aaron Douglas: Aaron calls in unannounced and is put on hold for over 20 minutes while fans talk about saving Jericho, and the guys talk about Supernatural with Jenn. He finally comes on though to break news about his role in Bionic woman, and lots of stuff about his being a Cylon Bastard.

Source: The Two Doctors

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Aaron surprised the hosts of the live radio talk show The Two Doctors on Sunday night (May 20th) with an unannounced and unplanned live call in. Aaron had been invited to call into the show anytime he wanted, but on Sunday’s show he waited in the queue for more than 20 minutes with fans of the cancelled CBS show Jericho, who were calling in to get the word out about their campaign efforts.

Source: MediaBlvd Magazine
http://www.mediablvd.com/magazine/Magazine-Home/mbnews7224228228.html

You can listen to or download the talk show at the below link
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thetwodoctors

The talk show goes for 1 hour and 41 minutes. I have edited it to just Aaron’s interview (21 minutes).
Right click on the link below to save it to your computer.

Aaron Douglas – The Two Doctors Radio Show (May 20, 2007)

WARNING: There are BSG Season 3 Finale spoilers in the interview.

P.S. In the interview, Aaron says that he is going to be in the pilot episode of the Bionic Woman.

http://aarondouglas.livejournal.com/24047.html

INTERVIEW (AUDIO): Supanova Pop Culture Expo 2007 (April 15, 2007)

Supanova Convention (Aaron’s Guest Panel)
April 15, 2007
0:46:03
42.1 MB

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Below is the link to the audio recording of Aaron’s guest panel at the “Supanova Pop Culture Expo” in Brisbane, Australia. This recording is of Aaron’s 2nd guest panel on Sunday, April 15th, 2007. Hopefully the 1st guest panel will also be made available.

Podcast description ………

Aaron Douglas Panel

This podcast features the chief of all things techy on the new galactica, best know as Chief Tyrol, but soon appearing in the feature film Blood: a butchers tale. This panel was recorded on the Sunday of Supanova Brisbane 2007!

Show Notes

> Battlestar and being the chief!
> anthrax… the band
> who is a giggler
> lookalikes?
> webisodes.
> building caprica
> wildest dreams?

http://aarondouglas.livejournal.com/34822.html

INTERVIEW: Battlestars in his eyes

Battlestars in his eyes
By: John O’Brien
Date: April 14, 2007
Source: The Courier-Mail

 

IF YOU ever wanted evidence that remakes don’t have to suck, look no further than Battlestar Galactica.

The original 1970s series was a huge hit, following on the heels of the first Star Wars movie. It starred Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict and Lorne Greene as leaders of the last colony of mankind fleeing the evil robotic Cylons and searching for the fabled planet Earth.

So when the idea of a reimagined Battlestar Galactica was first mooted several years back, fans of the classic series were up in arms – they didn’t want anyone tinkering with the show they remembered so fondly. And those who had loved Benedict’s portrayal of the gambling, womanising, cigar-chomping Lt Starbuck were unimpressed to learn the space cowboy would be a cowgirl this time out (played by Katee Sackhoff).

Star of the new series Aaron Douglas knows exactly where the fans were coming from. “Absolutely, and I was in complete agreement, because I’m not a big fan of remakes,” he says. “Things that have been done well before, why would you do it again? If somebody decided to remake Jaws I would be really offended. I think that great pieces of art should be left alone and people should come up with their own ideas, so I completely sympathise with the fans.”

However the new series has been so impressive that it has largely won over the sceptics, and drawn in a new audience besides those fans of the classic series.

Despite only the hardware bearing any real resemblance to the classic series, the new show’s dark feel and flawed characters have made for compelling viewing.

“I think the view I’ve taken now is that you need to really see them both for their own merits,” Douglas says. “Nothing that the new one’s done has taken away the greatness of the old show and the memories and the nostalgia of it. And there’s nothing that the old show has that will take away from the new one.”

“I see them as two separate entities that are great for their own reasons and stand alone on their own merits.”

As for his character of Chief Petty Officer Galen Tyrol, Douglas sees a simple man with a heart of gold in a complicated galaxy.

“The Chief is sort of the everyman on the ship,” he explains.

“He’s someone the fans really relate to because he’s just a very hard-working blue-collar guy who makes mistakes and owns up to them, and nothing’s done out of malice, he’s doing the best he can with the situation that he has.”

“He’s confused and he’s tortured by his demons and all of those great things, which makes him a very interesting character because he’s just a really ‘human’ person.”

Despite having made the role of Tyrol his own, Douglas actually landed it by default.

“I had originally auditioned for the part of Apollo, which Jamie (Bamber) got, which is great, because Jamie has to go to the gym and be thin, and I certainly don’t wanna have to do that,” he jokes.

“I got a call back for the part of (Lt Alex) Gaeta, and didn’t get that, and they just wanted to put me somewhere and didn’t know where, and the Chief was the last role that was cast and they didn’t have anybody for it, so they just offered it to me, and it’s grown into what it’s become.”

“He was pretty small in the mini-series, but the writers have given me a lot more to do, so it’s great.”

Douglas, a Vancouver native, has the luxury of living and working in his home city, which is home base for Battlestar Galactica, as well numerous other sci-fi and fantasy TV shows in which he’s had bit parts.

But for now the convention circuit is bringing him to Australasia.

“I love going to the conventions, I love meeting the fans, I love talking to them,” he says.

“They’re all so interesting and so passionate about the show and the character and the stories. It’s a lot of fun, it’s a great reward – you’re treated like a demi-god for a weekend, and they’re the best fans of any genre of television or film.”

“So I’m gonna get to go learn about Australian culture and New Zealand culture for the next couple of weeks, and I’m very very excited about that!”

 

Aaron Douglas is a special guest at the Supanova pop culture convention at Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds today and tomorrow. Details at www.supanova.com.au

 

[click thumbnail to enlarge image]

INTERVIEW: Aaron Douglas – gallactic amongst fans

Aaron Douglas – gallactic amongst fans
By: Scott Casey
Date: April 13, 2007
Source: Brisbane Times

 

Aaron Douglas, the star of science fiction favourite Battlestar Galactica, is taking time out of his busy schedule of fighting robots and defending the human race to visit his fans in Brisbane.

The Canadian native is best known as Chief Tyrol in Battlestar – a role which has launched him into science fiction stardom. The show won a cult following in its first incarnation in the 1970s – and the remake, in which Douglas stars, now has a massive following on the Sci-Fi Channel. Douglas has also had smaller roles in hit movies such as The Chronicles of Riddick and X-Men 2, and television shows Dark Angel and Smallville.

He spoke to brisbanetimes.com.au entertainment reporter Scott Casey this week.

 

You entered acting later than most of your contemporaries – what led you into an acting career?

For four years after high school I was a floor layer – I did a lot of construction work until my knees gave out. So I went and worked for a software company doing marketing, then a sports nutrition company… and quit when I was 26 or 27. After a year at acting school, I got an agent and here I am. My mom says I used to say I wanted to be an actor but I’m sure I wanted to be a lawyer…now I’d only be a TV lawyer. If I had to sit in front of a computer for 16 hours a day I’d want to shoot myself in the head!

 

Battlestar was your big break – why do you think the show has been so successful?

Battlestar’s popularity really starts with it’s great writing. It’s real human drama, with real human emotion, and the writers don’t pull an punches – they really tell it like it is, hold a mirror up to the world and start discussions. It’s just top to bottom an outstanding show to work. Compared to the other shite that’s on TV, you don’t have to go far to whip them.

 

How intense is the filing of Battlestar?

We take eight days to film each episode. When you are in scenes that are in different locations then you’ll work a lot – they go to one set and shoot all the scenes from that set, so if you’re in multiple scenes then you’ll work a whole bunch. Battlestar starts filming on May 14, so once we start we’re going we’ll shoot until March 2008, so we don’t really have time to do much else.

 

So here’s the Sci-Fi geek question, how would you react if you were fleeing the Cylons?

I hope and think that I’d respond in the same way that Tyrol does. He’s a pretty courageous guy and he’s tough – everybody’s a hero sitting on their couch but once the bullets start flying it really separates the men from the boys.

 

The Chief has developed a stronger role in the series, what do you think of that? And where is it going?

I have no idea where it’s going in season four, but I’m thrilled with what they’ve done with the Chief. He was a pretty small character in the mini-series and he wasn’t supposed to amount to much – he’s just grown and they’ve given me more to do. I identify with him in a lot of ways.

 

So what else is in the pipeline for you?

I just finished a film called Blood, A Butchers Tale, it’ll be out next year – it’s all green-screen like 300 or Sin City – a very stylised, comic book sort of video game look, it’ll be very cool. I play the Butcher in that, the main guy, so I’m looking forward to that.

 

Its been leaked on the internet that Battlestar is ending after the next season, how would you like to see it end?

I would like us to find Earth and then discover that Earth is completely populated by Cylons – that the people on the ships are the only humans left in the entire universe and the Cylons have been on Earth the entire time…

 

What are you looking forward too about the conference and about Brisbane?

I’m looking forward to seeing (Lord of the Rings star) Karl Urban again. I really want to see the sites, meet the locals and get a real taste for the culture, have a pint and talk sports. I’m looking forward to some sunny days…sunshine and a couple of beers, that’s all I need.

 

Aaron Douglas will be in Brisbane for the Supanova Pop-Culture Convention at the RNA showgrounds this Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15. Entry is $20 for a daily pass or $30 for the weekend. Children under 12 are FREE.

INTERVIEW (AUDIO): The Sci Fi Guys (February 2007)

The Sci Fi Guys (Series 1, Episode 5)
February 2007
0:13:09
12.1 MB

 


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As previously reported, The Sci Fi Guys did an interview with Aaron at the WOLF Pegasus 2 convention (Feb 2007) which aired on their website at 8pm Wednesday, May 2nd (UK Time). The radio show is now available to download from their website. The show is 1 hour and 55 minutes and you can download it from here http://stuartclaw.com/SciFiGuys.aspx

or ….

I have edited the show to just Aaron’s interview (13 minutes). Right click on the link below to save it to your computer.
Aaron Douglas – The Sci Fi Guys (Series 1, Episode 5)

http://aarondouglas.livejournal.com/21733.html

INTERVIEW (AUDIO): GoFy Radio (January 2007)

GoFy Radio
January 2007
0:22:59
21.1 MB

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GoFy Radio did a 25 minute interview with Aaron Douglas & Michael Trucco (Aaron sounds like he has lost his voice). The interview is in three parts and can be listened to/downloaded from their myspace page http://www.myspace.com/gofyradio I’ve downloaded the three parts and put them together. You can download the complete interview from HERE.

There are also three photos on their PICS page. If you don’t have a myspace account to view the photos, here they are :) Click on the thumbnails below for the larger versions.

About 6 minutes in, Aaron says that the actors have to wait until February 18th to find out if their contracts will be renewed. And he also says he has no idea if season 4 has been picked up.

http://aarondouglas.livejournal.com/12895.html

INTERVIEW (AUDIO): PvP Livecast (December 7, 2006)

PvP Livecast (#9)
December 7, 2006
0:29:38
27.2 MB

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“PvP Livecast” did an interview with Aaron on December 7th. The full show went for 1 hour and 45 minutes. I edited the audio clip so it’s just the Aaron part (29 minutes). Right click on the link below to download it.

PvP Livecast – Episode 9 (December 7, 2006)

Note: If you’ve seen all the episodes that have aired, then there are no spoilers in this interview.

http://aarondouglas.livejournal.com/11624.html

INTERVIEW (AUDIO): Secret Identity (November 29, 2006)

Secret Identity (#37.5)
Big Apple Con
November 29, 2006
0:13:02
12.0 MB

Matt sits down with the actor behind Battlestar Galactica’s Chief Petty Officer Galen Tyrol at the Big Apple Con for some insights into the best show on television! (Source)

INTERVIEW (VIDEO): mechwarrior58 (November 17 – 19, 2006) Big Apple Con 2006

Aaron Douglas (Galen Tyrol from Battlestar Galactica.) LIVE!

Video Description: At the The National Comic Book, Art & Sci Fi expo in NYC The star of battle star galactica gives a rare interview about himself & what is to come.

Webmistress Note: Is it just me or do you feel like saying to the person filming “please turn off the camera and leave Aaron alone”? This is just a little too painful to watch.

INTERVIEW (VIDEO): Unemployed Skeletor (November 17 – 19, 2006) Big Apple Con 2006

This is a short interview that Aaron did with Unemployed Skeletor at Big Apple Con 2006 (November 17-19, 2006).

Unemployed Skeletor Video Blog of Evil 39

NOTE: A huge thank you to Kevin Conn for giving me permission to post his video on here.

INTERVIEW: “Grendy” goes drinking with Helo and The Chief!

“Grendy” goes drinking with Helo and The Chief!
By: GrendyKhan
Date: October 13, 2006
Source: Ain’t It Cool News

 

I interviewed Aaron Douglas and Tahmoh Penikett at DragonCon in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend at the fabu Trader Vic’s over some Mai-Tais and something called a Blue Hawaiian. I looked for Elvis, but instead I got a fascinating conversation with two of BSG’s stars, and some insight into what makes them tick. Without further ado, here we go…

Grendy – How are you dealing with, or noting the changes in the fans of the show, in between seasons 1 and 2?

Tahmoh – in England the first season aired, it was still to a really small audience. And now here, you’d never really see people all dressed up like that before here, and I’ve seen everyone, even from the old shows. They’re even in the flight suits that they’ve invented and with helmets.

Grendy – Yeah, I know, (at DragonCon) I’ve probably seen about 10 Starbucks, a number of folks in the blue uniforms and a couple of burly guy-types in halfway wearing orange jumpers with the requisite two-tank tops look. They even sported the dog tags.

Tahmoh – …And that stuff takes a lot of work, ’cause our stuff’s pretty fancy in the show.

Grendy – You can find some things online, but not most of this stuff.

Tahmoh – Exactly. We just had one woman approach us, and said she’s been making a lot of gear for people, and that she’d not even seen the show. I said “You better get on it!” (smile)…and she’s been overwhelmed with requests for BSG gear.

Grendy – I saw some nice Starbucks, and a rally good Roslin yesterday. Though with that all you need pretty much is a blue suit and a red wig and glasses. She (the woman dressed as Roslin) got to meet Kate Vernon (Ellen Tigh) and was all geekin’ out over it.

Okay, on to the questions:

Aaron, since it’s known you’re a fan of the original show, are you still as geeked out about it, not that you’re two seasons in, and the third’s about to start?

Aaron – I really still love it for what it is. And I literally do, often times, probably more then I should, sit and reflect and go “I’m the Chief” it’s a remarkable thing to me. When it first started I kinda wondered… does LeVar Burton go “I’m Geordie”? that’s pretty cool. I’ll go down in history as The Chief. I mean there are police detectives and chiefs, but in these people’s lives, for the rest of my life, I’ll be the Chief. And I think that’s a remarkable thing, and it’s flattering and an honour and I am pleased about it. (Canadian spelling in deference to the fellas).

Grendy – Do you like that Helo became such a fan favorite (his fans in the miniseries made it known that they liked him, so Moore et all brought him back for the series despite his being left to face nuclear holocaust, thus changing the whole storyline of the show) I mean, did you have to leave a job in order to start season 1?

Tahmoh – I knew when I was in the miniseries that I would be dying. I’d accepted that. I die, you know? I didn’t get to do too many scenes with the other actors. When I read the script I said wow… when I read the script, and I got to the part where I tell Sharon to leave me on the planet…

Grendy – The big sacrifice

Tahmoh – Yeah, the big sacrifice. I said wow, I gotta have this. It’s mine. But the door was closed for me. (after that, as he’d been left on-planet) I got a lot of nice compliments in the end. “I really liked your work.” etc… But the thing about this business is you don’t put any weight on that until you have your contract. And even then, a couple of days in, then you can start celebrating the fact that you’re there. The reality of it.

I had gone on after the miniseries and gotten a regular supporting lead on Cold Squad. It was huge, and I was really excited about it. So it finished, and I was in LA for pilot season. Funny story: I was in LA for pilot season. I had a terrible audition. One of the worst of my life, and the casting director was a complete dick. And I was going: I can’t believe I’ve been getting away with this for so long, because I can’t act. I’ve been pulling a fast one over everyone, it’s horrible. And I get home and get a call from the executive director of Cold Squad and it’s like “Sorry buddy, we’re done.” as the show had been cancelled. The only thing that made me happy when I had that bad audition was ‘well, at least I have Cold Squad’ and it was a week later that Ron Moore called me up and said he’s got an idea for the storyline. So I am a very lucky guy.

[Aaron pipes up with “Cold Squad is the original show that Cold Case ripped off. Just wanted to point that out. (insert tone of Canadian pride here)]

Grendy – Well, we Americans steal everything.

Aaron – And they won’t admit it!

Tahmoh – and since it’s about a police unit that’s been doing these cases since the 40’s it’s appropriate that it’s set in Vancouver.

Grendy – are you from Vancouver ?

Tahmoh – well I’ve lived there on and off for about 10 years, but I am from the Yukon. Born and raised Yukon boy. If you know where that is.

Grendy – I do. I am not an American with bad geography skills. It’s west of Edmonton, east of Alaska

Tahmoh – Yep. (slightly surprised)

Grendy – I told you, I know my geography. Aaron, do you think, despite all the protestations of the chief, that he might be a cylon? An outside chance? Similar to Dean Stockwell? Or do you just think, no way…

Aaron – is the chief a cylon? No, the chief is NOT a cylon.

Grendy – That’s good, ’cause that would be lame. Oh, Sharon ‘s a cylon and I am a cylon and we both didn’t know it.

Aaron – I’d be pissed. I would stake an episode-fee on it. He’s not a cylon.

Grendy – as people, or characters do you think anyone else is one?

Aaron – (super fast answer) No one is. It is my belief that we’ve seen all the Cylons that we’re gonna see.

Grendy – What about that black male doctor on Caprica? He was an ‘outsider’?

Aaron – I think all the cylons have been revealed. There are 12, but what you’ll find out in season 3… …cylon models get what you call “boxed”.

Grendy – Like retired?

Aaron – No, they just turn them off. They take every single copy of that model number and put them in a box and turn them off. You can turn them back on… but they get boxed. One of the cylon models gets boxed in this year.

Grendy – Very cool. (inside my head I am figuring odds on who it might be)

Aaron – The four or five remaining models that you haven’t seen; they’ve been boxed. I think that they’ve been boxed.

Grendy – Yeah, if you reveal two or three a season, after a few seasons, you’re done, no more to show. And no where to go.

Aaron – See, the thing for me, you’ve seen all these scenes on the cylon ships, or the gatherings of them and you’ve only seen these specific characters, so if you suddenly introduced a Chinese guy, you’d be …’Where the hell has he been?’ If there are millions of copies of this model where has he been? You’ve seen 20 copies of Dorils, and 15 copies of Sixes. And it’s a little chintzy if you go with or say more of the cast is cylon.

Grendy – But I am sure there are people who watch everyone’s moves. To see if they’re showing signs.

Aaron – That’s part of the mystery. The possibility.

Grendy – I would love if it was Kandyse McClure, (Dualla) personally.

Tahmoh – wow, really?

Aaron – yeah?

Grendy – There are some long takes, like PT Anderson does in Magnolia, or Boogie Nights, that linger on her. And you see her thinking. There’s a scene in the head with Gaeta that might be telling… man, if she’s a cylon. I told my brother, if I am right about this thing…then man, you owe me something.

Tahmoh – Well the show does go in unexpected ways. The show is so awesome, it’s so unpredictable.

Aaron – The audience nowadays is so much more sophisticated.

Tahmoh – I have one coming up now that I am just dying to work on. I want something juicy.

Grendy – Is it a Helo-centric storyline?

Tahmoh – It is.

Grendy – I’d like to bring up something about the show’s storylines that you’re not going to see elsewhere, (by this I mean that other shows would not tackle this topic) and it’s not pleasant. The storyline where Grace’s character was attacked and raped….a friend of mine finally saw that episode…and frankly her first sexual experience was being raped, and she saw that episode… (before I can even finish Aaron and Tahmoh have looks of horror and shock on their faces and Aaron says “oh my fucking god” …{this puts both of them in the – these guys are real human, feeling, people, so it’s a sure bet they’re not from Hollywood-category}…and that episode just wrecked her. And she said ‘Goddamn… that show. And she thought it was really well done. How it was handled. The empathy, the class in which it was handled. If you see someone in that situation, that’s how you react, if you’re human. Whether you’re in love with the person or not. Now I knew this about her, but it’s not at my forebrain all the time… but to have her say that made me stop and think… god, yeah… I can only imagine that there were thousands of women and men who saw that…

Aaron – There are women who don’t watch the show anymore. Because they were so horrified by that. It’s real life. I am sorry, but…

(at this point, since we’ve somewhat referenced Abu Ghrab, I apologized as an American for our current administration. This led into a very off topic conversation about the current Canadian Prime Minister and how he’s a conservative…)

Tahmoh – More importantly… when that scene was happening, is it rape if it’s a cylon?

Grendy – Yeah, where do you draw that line for your enemies?

Tahmoh – And she’s talking to Apollo (actually, it was Adama) and she says basically, “What, it doesn’t count as rape, because I am a cylon’? These parallels are obvious to what is happening today. We have a lot of separatism in religion and politics in the world.

Grendy – I am with ya on that one…

Tahmoh – It’s sad. The fact is that so much of the west is ethnocentric.

Grendy – (somewhat sarcastically) Why should they care about other cultures, when they’ve conquered them all and made them assume their McDonalds and Starbucks cultures and ways of life? (And then here was digression about Dr. Joseph Lowery and how I’d met him recently, and his lambasting of Bush at Coretta Scott King’s funeral and more drinks were ordered.)

Aaron – …and how often are you going to have dialog with the president? In Canada you have to show up to the parliament and take heat from the other side. The liberals have lost hundreds of millions of dollars in scandals and we could not, in good conscience vote for them again. (Tahmoh’s father was a member of a leftist party in Canada) Just so we know, it is a minority, right?

Grendy – huh?

Tahmoh – A minority government…

Grendy – oh yeah. no one I know voted for that guy.

Tahmoh – He had all the money

Grendy – and frankly, they (democrats) didn’t present a viable enough candidate last time. saying “I am not George Bush” just isn’t enough.

Tahmoh – and wavering on topics as well.

Grendy – if bobby Kennedy was still alive he could have walked right into the presidency…

Tahmoh – yeah, for sure.

Grendy – okay, sorry for the digression. Now, if it’s okay, I’d like to talk about you some more. (they smile). Aaron, do you think, as a person or a character that Tyrol took up with Callie because it was “easy”? It’s not having to having to deal with the grief over Sharon v.1, and she’s just ‘there’ you know?

 

Aaron – I think that Tyrol has a genuine affection for her. He always has. it’s just been more brotherly.

Grendy – but that’s creepy if you marry her.

Aaron – I still think it’s a little creepy

Grendy – I mean, we’re in the South and all right now…

Aaron – But, no, the Chief is past Sharon . in as much as you can be. you carry that around the rest of your life. but you’re not …it’s not in the forefront of your mind. yeah. it’s as over as it’s gonna be.

Grendy – well, it could make for compelling television (I then have an aside to Tahmoh, who’s giving directions to someone on the phone. “We’re in the Hilton, at Trader Vic’s.” See, I told you I went drinking with these guys!) …but to watch you pine every week would get boring. with such as “Oh, I am sad, I am angry…”

Aaron – oh god yeah. we need to get off the Sharon story. there are shows that do that kind of stuff, year after year.

Grendy – and it becomes a mockery of the original story.

Aaron – so I am glad that they got off it. I am glad.

Grendy – how was filming the Kobol stuff? it looked cold and crappy.

Aaron – that was a lot of fun. April in Vancouver . high 60’s, 70’s. we were in the rainforest, beautiful. wardrobe takes very good care of us when we need it. I remember it raining but it wasn’t miserable.

Grendy – must have been nice to be ‘off the deck’ and out of the studio.

Aaron – it is nice to be out sometimes.

Grendy – (in regards to spoilers. I said I don’t want to know too much and how I dislike that crap).

Tahmoh – it’s always surprising to me how many people do want to know.

Grendy (I mentioned television without pity’s website, and how it gives you a 4-5 sentence synopsis of the show, and someone can read it and think they know what’s going on).

Tahmoh – I hate that.

Grendy – you can’t see the looks of longing. or see the violence.

Tahmoh – (adamant) – you can’t appreciate the story. you know the ending. what’s the purpose?

Grendy – Well, I do know the ending to the Bible, and according to that, it’s all bad news. (this makes them both laugh)

Aaron – well it’s a good thing that that’s just a made up collection of stories and has no relevance in the world.

Grendy – I am with you on that. ’cause given my ‘druthers, I’d rather sleep late on Sundays… Can you let me know, especially since we just discussed spoilers…. can you let me know if Helo and Sharon v.2 find out that the baby’s still alive?

Tahmoh – do I know? Yes, I do know. and ya know, I think as an audience member it’s probably a safe bet that I’ll find out, right?

Grendy – yes. but then where does that character’s loyalty lie?

Tahmoh – which character?

Grendy – Helo.

Tahmoh – well I think it’s very clear he’s a man of strong morals. integrity. values. once he knows his child’s alive he’ll do anything he can to save his child. Baby Hera ( p.s… her name is changed to Isis by Maya, her adoptive mother. and on an IMDB note, Maya is played be the same woman who is Deputy Lupo on Eureka on Sci-Fi as well) is an integral part of several storylines in season 3.

Grendy – as I would imagine. I think it’s clever to have Roslin teaching at the begging of season 3 and keeping an eye on her right there.

Tahmoh – season 3 is a two part. two hours one week and then the 3rd hour the next.

Grendy – I just got a DVR this past march, and that’s so handy. since I have a lot of jobs and work in theatre I don’t have to freak out if I miss it.

Tahmoh – isn’t it? I love mine too. Just got it 5 months ago. I have it loaded up. fights, mostly.

Grendy – like boxing? my roommate is a middleweight boxer.

Tahmoh – is he? yeah, boxing martial arts. I have the utmost respect for fighters and I love it. I love it (becoming really animated.) I have been into it for years

Grendy – what do you do?

Tahmoh – Muy-Thai mostly. for the last 6 or 7 years.

Grendy – that’s badass. (this is where I flash to how tall this guy is compared to my 5’1 self and think: man, he could knock my block clean off my neck with a kick)

Tahmoh – I spar a lot and stuff, but hasn’t gotten into the ring too much, just a couple of fights.

Grendy – So didja like Ong-Bak?

Tahmoh – Ong -Bak was incredible to me. The reason it was incredible is because I respect and love muy-thai so much. the amazing thing about that film is they show these ancient styles of fighting. they had, as you can see, no cables of nothing. (aside to Aaron, who doesn’t seem to have seen the film. “this guy is the most amazing martial arts star that has ever been”) the thing about it, they’re showing it’s traditional roots in there. those crocodile kicks…

Grendy – yeah, you’re not going to see that in a competition. did you know he’s got a new film coming out, The Protector?

Tahmoh – Yeah, I can’t wait to see it. You’ll never see those moves somewhere else. they are the moves that Thais used to use when they fought the Cambodians. the Burmese have a similar style, they don’t have Muy-Thai though. this is stuff that they would use to the death. so a lot of the stuff they showed in Ong-Bak, those were the ‘finishing moves’

Grendy – when I saw it about 2 years ago at BNAT it was the 2nd to last film we were seeing. we’d been watching movies since noon the say before and it was like 8 or 9 in the morning. you know, the final hurrah… and I went ‘oh my god, my head is exploding!’ when I/we watched it.

Tahmoh – to be honest with you, there’s not a film that’s ever compared to that, in terms of action/stunts. there’s not a stuntman who can do that.

Grendy – there’s your Jackie Chan’s and stuff, but Jaa’s so good…

Tahmoh – (interrupting ) yeah but there’s not a guy who can hold a candle to him.

Grendy – yeah, and he’s what, like 23?!?

Tahmoh – well, older now, that was done in 2003 in Thailand .

Grendy – at BNAT we sometimes see things that don’t come out ’til way later. Like The Decent, for example. We saw that last December. Not too good if you’re claustrophobic.

Tahmoh – I just saw that! Michael Trucco (Anders) is like ‘you gotta see this!’

[A brief explanation to Aaron about the film follows, ending with…]

Grendy – bad things happen…

Tahmoh – oh yeah, bad things happen.

Grendy – is Tyrol going to be leading the rebellion, like a 5th Columnist? (reminding all of you that this was done first weekend of September, and I am in fact, not an idiot to ask this a week after the season premier) Or is it going to be Tigh?

Aaron – I would say Tigh is the head, and Anders and Tyrol are sort of the right-hand men.

Grendy – Do you think if the events on New Caprica get resolved that Tyrol would be content going back to being ‘just the chief’ after leading the union and any events that follow?

Aaron – umm, I think if everybody gets off the planet, that you have to take up your former post. it’s the military. and if you’re on the ship, you might as well fix planes, since that’s what you’re good at.

Grendy – were you personally upset that they blew up your nice ship like 2 episodes after you created it? (this is a reference to the episode titled: Phoenix in which Chief Tyrol starts building a stealth-ship and is eventually helped by many of the crew, only to have it lost in the next episode when Apollo uses it to bomb the Resurrection Ship and it’s blown out from under him)

Aaron – (simply) YEP.

Grendy – I mean, you just damn built that thing!

Aaron – I know. I know (slightly grouchy about it) it took me six days to build that fucking thing (laughs) Yeah. Yeah, although it’s a really interesting story, and I really liked that episode where it got built and all… it was pretty sweet. it went out with a bang and it was used well, so I’ll take it.

Grendy – I was wondering if he felt bad about that…

In the scene in which you two had to deal with Grace’s character getting attacked, was that especially hard to film? Because I would imagine it would be difficult to do take after take on it…

Aaron – what you saw, what ended up I in the show, is such an infinitesimal part of it. they shot the rape all the way to the end. and so you’ve got Grace getting hammered by this guy, and taking it and taking it…

Grendy – it must have been horrible to watch

Tahmoh – oh yes.

Aaron – and kudos to her she did a wonderful job with it. she’s a wonderful actress and wonderful person . so yeah, any time you’re dealing with heavy deep and real stuff it’s hard.

Tahmoh – I mean, we’re sitting there listening to it. we’re there in the hall, waiting for our cue. every take. we’re listening to it start, and progress…

Aaron – (interrupting) … you wanted to go in before your cue to stop it. you really wanted to beat those actors. it was just wrong. We really wanted to fight them.

Grendy – yeah…

Aaron – it was really hard to shoot. and that’s just us talking. and what Grace went through, all for the sake of truth. Like Tahmoh said before, this is what happens in life. and we have to show it sometimes.

Tahmoh – On Battlestar we’re not going to give you a fluffy, sugar coated parallel. at all. when we do stuff like that it’s the raw deal.

Grendy – in talking with Kate about the abortion storyline… (see previous interviews with Kate Vernon and Richard Hatch in AICN archives)

Tahmoh – how those choices are made…Kids should not be watching this show.

Grendy – you’re to going to see this kind of content on NBC (parent company of Sci-Fi Channel)…

Tahmoh – oh absolutely. they wouldn’t do it.

Grendy – I think it’s excellent. on shows were a girl doest get pregnant she always magically miscarries before she can/had to make a choice. I think it’s great that your writers, and the people who defend them get these shows on.

The chief’s suicidal thoughts, and the beating of Callie, do you think that jives, with where he was going as a character? or did you feel that it was out of left field? Because you didn’t see the build up to that as an audience member.

Aaron – no, you didn’t see the build- up. And I said the same thing! I called them (I assume he means the show runners or Ron Moore) and I said: where the hell does this come from? And they said: he’s been having nightmares and sleepwalking. And so.. I kind of like it. You don’t see people in life, people you know in life… I mean you read about stuff like: the guy next door murdered his wife and family and hangs himself and everyone goes ‘he was the nicest man in the world, a nice family’. So, it was ah… interesting. Because you see him at work all the time. but you never get to see him when he’s off work. So obviously the chief’s been dealing with a whole bunch of shit. And the preceding episodes I’ve had maybe one line here or there. So it makes you go, it makes the audience think… if you don’t see someone for a while, who knows what they’re up to? I liked the episode.

Grendy – I remember my first reaction to that was: where did that come from? And then I thought about it. And it’s okay that we didn’t see that happening like 4 episodes of him waking up in a cold a sweat every night, for like 30 seconds at a time. Just have him finally freak out 4 episodes down that road. That would have been sloppy writing, to me.

Aaron – Yeah, I agree.

Grendy – how is working with Dean Stockwell? I mean he’s been in everything.

Aaron – he’s been in 150 films. I said to him, you’ve been doing this a long time. He said: there are 4 people on the planet who’ve been doing this as long as me, Me, Mickey Rooney, Elizabeth Taylor and Robert Blake. and I said: that’s pretty good company. Two of those people are insane.

Grendy – and/or should be in jail!

Aaron – he laughed. And then he said “Who’s insane?” I mean you can tell by watching him he’s been around.

Grendy – I remember watching The Boy With Green Hair when I was a kid with him in it, on TV…

Aaron – he’s a wonderful actor and person. He knows his lines. It was very cool to sit across from him and work.

Tahmoh – I am glad you said that. When I first met him. He had this huge monolog written for him. A really nice piece of writing. And he did it. First take. And Michael’s like… (Michael Rymer, series’ in-house director) (digressing a bit) …Michael’s an amazing director. He’s probably the reason the show’s been so successful. And good as it is, he’s devolved such a relationship with it over the years now that’s great. And Michael… he likes to kill it too. We’ get like a thousand takes done, right? You know, he’s just that strict. And Dean hit it on the first take and it was like bang-on. He didn’t even know what to say to him. he had no idea. he said ‘Do you want to try something different. ’cause that was perfect.’

Grendy – will he make an appearances this season?

Aaron – he’s back in seasons 3 for sure. (of course, reading this now, we all know what a rat-frackin’-bastard he is) he’s very important.

Grendy – I am glad that he’s willing to do another sci-fi show.

Tahmoh – he loves it. loves the show.

Grendy – he’s got a fan-base from Quantum Leap that may being new people to the show’s audience. speaking of other stuff… I would love to know and confirm that Eddie Olmos is not as full of gravitas as he is on the show. that maybe he smiles once in a while?

Tahmoh – oh! he does.

Aaron – as soon as you yell cut he’s giggling, and poking your belly. (yep, this is the same mental picture I am sure we all have of Tyrol and Adama’s interactions. though, maybe in yours you don’t here obsequious porn-like music in the background. Kidding!)

Grendy – because he’s got such a stately bearing an all.

Aaron – as soon as you yell action, he’s there. it’s like me, the chief’s always walking around scowling and pissed off. seemingly. he’s a goofball off-camera.

Grendy – any good practical jokers amongst the cast/crew?

Aaron – not really. no one really does that. we all have fun, it’s certainly not what the cast of Stargate SG1 does, or other shows I’ve been on. (which Aaron was on previously) like someone will Vaseline all the furniture in someone else’s trailer. that kind of stuff. or to pour liquid heat into costumes.

Tahmoh – we like to laugh a lot. sometimes we’re dealing with really heavy scenes. I remember being younger and being on set with older actors and being so nervous, so wound up that I couldn’t enjoy it. do every take. do it right. the first time I got onto Cold Squad I saw Matt Benning (on BSG he plays Doril) and he’s very tough and talented. and he’s dealing with a pedophilia story, and it’s really heavy… and right in the middle of it they’re making jokes in between takes. they’ve been working together for 4 years straight…

Grendy – …they’ve got a rapport

Tahmoh – a great rapport. and I am going ‘ how do they do that, joke around?’ and right up to action they’d be screwing around right up ’til the cameras went on. and you grow to realize that you can do that. you have to, that’s how it works. for these serious scenes you know? you have to.

Grendy – do you think Helo will be fully trusted again?

Tahmoh – no. never. you’re dealing with racism. prejudice. history and nature. there’s a certain animosity there. he’s never be trusted by certain individuals. but the fact is, those who know him, you know, will trust him. you get to see where he’s coming from. the Helo Sharon story is very much Romeo and Juliet.

Grendy – does Grace get to come out of the cage in this season? I mean I am sure it’s boring shooting in there all the time.

Tahmoh – uh. yeah. she does. Definitely. here’s a little spoiler. it’s not much of one. you actually get to see some tender moments with Sharon and I. I really fought for them. it got to the point where you … I actually said to David Eick, at the end of last season that you’ve got to show why they’re together. what actually keeps them together.

Grendy – … it has to be more then the baby.

Tahmoh – more then just screaming and yelling. and more then the baby. always fighting for each other’s lives you know. so this year. it’s great. I think everyone’s going to be really happy. I mean, they love each other so much…

Grendy – Explaining in a book or on film it’s really hard to show why these people are in love. It’s like you meet and 30 minutes later you’re in love.

Tahmoh – Exactly. You really have to show it.

Grendy – (When asked about Aaron’s party-guy rep. he said he didn’t know why he’s gotten this. I mentioned that Canadians in general (those I’ve met) are the most beer-drinkinest, pot-smokingest people I’ve ever met).

Tahmoh – Its true. When hanging out with our American friend James the last two nights, we’ve been going out and getting annihilated. And he’s all pissed, going ‘ fucking Canadians. I hate you. ‘

Aaron – He’s testing me all day long with ‘I hate you. I fucking hate you’ and I respond with ‘one more night buddy, one more and we’re all done here.’

Grendy – Well, in the wintertime, all the Canadians do is drink beer, be funny and play hockey. We had no hockey (the year of woe as some of us call it)… my friend Liz equated no hockey to PMS. She was cranky and moody and wanted to hit things all the time. I know we ‘only’ have the thrashers…

Aaron – They’re a great team

Grendy – In Florida, in April I took time out from visiting my 103 year old grandmother to visit the Stanley Cup when it was on display.

Tahmoh – You did?

Grendy – Hell yeah, I have pictures. But I wasn’t allowed to touch it as I am from a city that’s not yet won it. It’s weird; I work at a playhouse theater that you have to like Beastie Boys, NASCAR and Hockey to work there. And NASCAR is not just turning left at 200 mph I’ll have you know.

Tahmoh – Oh racecar drivers of that caliber, you have to be skilled… its way too fast. That’s rugged.

Grendy – There’s a term: “rubbin’s racin'”…it still counts.

Tahmoh – That’s some kind of theatre you work at.

Grendy – Yeah, we’re the most ‘butch’ theatre in town. (They laugh at this) (I also mentioned the improvised-wrestling show (B.R.A.W.L.) that we had just finished a run of, and how the Iron Sheik was at Dad’s Garage Theatre 3 weeks prior to him being at Dragon Con).

Tahmoh – We saw him! We were trying to do a radio interview and he was screaming! It was quite loud.

Grendy – Are you getting more recognition on the streets of Vancouver ?

Aaron – Not for me. There might be a bit of whispering and pointing, but they’re not going to come over to you. In America… it’s more space-invasion-y. Whereas in Canada… there’s so much shooting there it’s not like that. It’s like ‘hey Chief, love your show’ and “Thanks, man.”

Tahmoh – There’s definitely been a change.

Grendy – Like a quantum shift in audience size.

Tahmoh – It’s always very respectful and polite which I love. It’s my hometown. It’s funny, I’ve had two experiences in the last little while where I have had very large men, and I mean large men…come up and scare me. I was in LA and there was this like 280 pound man and I’d noticed him, because his back was so large. Michael Trucco (Anders) was on the phone with his back to me, and this guy comes walking up to me, really aggressively. And I go Jesus Christ, look at that guy and he comes right at my face. I am wearing shades. And he’s all: “Are you Helo?!?”, and I go: Jesus, yeah I am. (Sigh of relief)

Grendy – But you could bust out your amazing martial arts on him…

Tahmoh – But it’s hard when he outweighs you like 80 pounds and his back was the size of … (I say, “A Cadillac?”)… Oh my god, literally. Not fat, just pure muscle. It was cool, though. A good experience.

Grendy – (And after this it was time for the fellas to go to a dinner date that surely had more drinking involved (sorry, James). I have to say, Aaron and Tahmoh were very gracious with their time with me, especially after a day of panels and autograph sessions with hundreds of people. I saw Tony Jaa’s new film about a week after this interview, and I kept wishing I had seen it with Tahmoh, so we could geek out about how damn cool that guy is. These guys were pretty damn cool to hang out with too. Watch them fight the good fight against their robot overlords every Friday on the Sci-Fi Channel).

~peace out, GrendyKhan

INTERVIEW: Hail to the Chief

Hail to the Chief
By: Grant Gould
Date: October 3, 2006
Source: battlestar_blog

 

I have a big treat for you guys. In fact, this may be a LiveJournal first.. :) Aaron Douglas did an exclusive e-mail interview for our community, taking questions from myself and my two wonderful co-moderators. Without further ado, I’m very excited to present:

 

 

Aaron, we want to thank you so much for doing this interview. The members of the “Battlestar Blog” LiveJournal Community are all huge fans of yours and we sincerely appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions. :)

No problem.

 

First of all, how has Battlestar’s growing popularity changed your day-to-day life? Have you been getting recognized and approached by fans more often?

I don’t get noticed too much. I think it is because outside of the show actors are so out of context, in civies and look nothing like the character. And just because the show is critically popular doesn’t mean more people are watching it. Also, living in Canada if you are recognized most people will just point you out to their friends and leave you alone.

 

How have your convention experiences been this year (Comic-Con, Dragon-Con, etc.)? Any highlights or oddball encounters you can share?

I love going to cons. I love chatting with the fans about the show, life, sports, girls….. etc… usual guy stuff. All of the cons had their high points with very few disappointing pieces. The fans are always great.

 

 

Have you formed pretty tight bonds with your fellow castmates? Is there a lot of hanging out off-set, or do you try to keep your work life and social life separate whenever possible?

We actually do hang out with each other and we have great times. I am very honored to call Ryan Robbins, Jamie Bamber, Kerry Norton, James Callis and Kandyse McClure very close friends of mine. They are tremendous people as well as being wonderfully gifted actors.

 

So far we’ve seen Tyrol interact mainly with the deck crew and pilots. Are there any actors or characters on the show whom you haven’t got to work much with but would like to?

I have pretty much had scenes with everyone at this point. I guess I would like to spend some time with Kandyse but that is not going to happen anytime soon.

 

Do you identify in any way with Galen Tyrol? Are there aspects of his personality that you could say you share?

Tyrol and I are very similar people. That is why he is so easy to play. He talks like me, walks like me, drinks like me and smells like me….. well I guess I smell a little less like jet fuel but you get the idea. He is loyal to his friends, quiet and alone, keeps things close to the vest and only laughs if it is really funny…. just like me.

 

What would have been your reaction (not the character’s) when you found out Boomer was a cylon? Would it have been similar to the chief’s, or would you have looked at it from a different point of view?

I think if you told me my (right now non-existent) girlfriend was a machine that I would have had pretty much the same reaction. Disbelief, shock and more than a little anger.

 

What were your initial reactions when you first heard about the one-year jump? Do you feel any different now?

I liked it then and I like it now. I am surprised that so many people think about it and ask about it.

 

 

How does season three compare to the past two seasons for you?

I have more interesting things to do this year and the Chief has taken a bit of a different track. Season 3 is really dark and amazing and I am thrilled to be a part of things and in some ways really important to certain story lines.

 

In your opinion, how have the dynamics of the show changed now that so many of the characters are married and have families? How do you think having a family changes people’s perspectives on war?

It causes people to realize what a gift close friends and family can be and I think it helps us value the little things even more.

 

Looking over your work so far on Battlestar, is there a particular episode that really stands out in your mind as being a favorite, or one that you’re especially proud of?

Season 2 ep 9. Flight of the Phoenix. I think it was a wonderful ep written by Bradley and David and directed by Michael Nankin. It is a story within itself and could be shown as an ep all by itself to someone who has never seen the show and I think they would not be lost.

 

Aaron, thanks again for taking the time for us and for doing such an amazing job on the show. We’re all looking forward to season 3 and wish you the greatest continuing success. :)

 

~ Grant, Annie, and Alice, from Battlestar Blog

INTERVIEW: New Year Salute

New Year Salute
By: Steven Eramo
Date: October 2006
Source: Starburst Special #77

 

 

 

 

 

Battlestar Galactica actor Aaron Douglas lets us in on the current production status of the show’s third season.

Like the Everly Brothers song says, “Love hurts.” It can also sometimes drive you a little “crazy”. Battlestar Galactica’s Chief Petty Officer Galen Tyrol knows that all too well. He felt angry and betrayed when he discovered that his lover, Lt Sharon ‘Boomer’ Valerii, was a humanoid Cylon sleeper agent. However, when she was murdered, Tyrol realized that he never really stopped loving her. His emotions were further toyed with when another Cylon Boomer – who was pregnant by and in love with Lt Helo – returned to the Galactica from Caprica. Given everything he’d been through, it’s no surprise that by Galactica’s second season finale. Lay Down Your Burdens, the chief began to suspect that he, too, was a Cylon sleeper agent, and contemplated suicide in order to protect those around him. It was a terrifying time for him, but an exciting one for actor Aaron Douglas, who plays Tyrol.

“That [suicide] nightmare scene was a great deal of fun to shoot,” recalls Douglas. “It was done as a second unit piece with me, Wayne Rose, who is one of the show’s regular ADs [assistant director], and a very small camera crew on the hangar deck set. Because it was a dream sequence, we filmed a lot of it in slow motion using some weird lighting and camera angles. Also, I didn’t have any lines and had to remain completely expressionless. All I had to do is calmly walk up the steps, across the catwalk, climb up onto the railing and jump off.”

“Unfortunately, they wouldn’t let me jump, and I really wanted to,” smiles the actor. “There was a big air bag on the floor below, but for safety reasons they had a stunt guy do it. I was, however, all cabled up, and when I leaned forward into a fall, the cable would catch me when I was about 45 degrees out over the railing. You wouldn’t believe how tough it was to hop onto that railing and stand there without wobbling or looking awkward. I couldn’t even use my hands to help balance myself. How the heck can gymnasts do that? So all the emotional beats aside, climbing onto that railing was the most challenging part of the entire season.”

In part one of Lay Down Your Burdens, Crewman Specialist Cally (Nicki Clyne) finds Chief Tyrol lying asleep on the floor of the hangar bay and having one of his suicide nightmares. When she wakes him, the chief brutally attacks her. That scene was another tricky one for Douglas to film. “The biggest challenge there was not to actually hit Nikki, and I failed miserably,” he explains. “She either sat up too quickly or I misjudged it, and I accidentally smacked her. I think I may have hit Nicki’s hand, which in turn struck her face. Of course, I was mortified, but fortunately she forgave me.”

“These scenes were also tough to shoot because you had the rage of the nightmare and suddenly being awoken. They really wanted that explosive sort of waking up and me coming at her, but at the beginning we weren’t quite getting it. I wasn’t sure exactly what [director] Michael Rymer wanted, so we talked about it, and as a result I changed position so I was able to physically sit up when Nicki ‘wakes’ me up and then flip right over on top of her. It’s pretty gruesome stuff and very hard to watch, but I thought it turned out quite well.”

A repentant Tyrol subsequently goes to the infirmary to apologize to Cally for what he’s done. In fact, this unfortunate incident makes them realize how much they’ve always cared about one another, and not long after the two begin a romance and eventually marry. “That came as a bit of a surprise to me,” says Douglas, “Off-screen, Nicki and I are like little sister/big brother, and we’d even discussed how during Season One and at the beginning of Season Two, both our characters were like that as well.”

“When Tyrol and Cally got together I wasn’t sure at first whether or not I liked it. Honestly, I thought it was a little creepy,” he chuckles. “It works, though, and it makes sense, especially from Cally’s point of view because she’s been fighting for Tyrol all along, not to mention having been secretly in love with him all this time. It’ll be interesting to see where their relationship goes this [third] season, especially if my character is still dealing with his guilt over what he did to Cally, or if they’ve gotten past that and are now truly just a happy couple.”

While on a rescue mission in Lay Down Your Burdens, a military team aboard a Raptor accidentally discovers a planet that would make a suitable new home for Humankind. Most of the personnel aboard the Battlestar Galactica and Pegasus together with the majority of civilians decide to relocate to the planet, and a year later the colonists are still building New Caprica City. Life is far from easy, however, and in one scene Tyrol, now President of the Workers’ Union, is leading a rally, with a pregnant Cally by his side. This scene was based on real-life political activist Mario Savio and the “gears of the machine” address he gave on 2nd December, 1964 at the University of California at Berkeley.

Prior to filming that episode David Eick [Galactica executive producer] had his assistant send me a documentary about Mario Savio, which included this wonderful speech he gave at Berkeley,” notes Douglas. “After watching it, I phones David and asked him if I could copy some of Savio’s moves. David said that would be great, so I watched the documentary several more times to make sure I got Savio’s mannerisms down pat. Since Tyrol is no longer in the military, I was able to grow a beard and let me hair grow out as well, the latter of which gave me more of a Savio look. He was such an amazing speaker and person, so that was our little homage to him. David had wanted for a long time to incorporate bits of Savio’s speech into Galactica and he finally found a place to do so.”

During the hiatus between Season Two and Three of Galactica, Douglas shot a guest spot on the Canadian-made TV drama Whistler, starring Nick Lea of The X-Files fame. He also had a small role in the feature film Butterfly on a Wheel, and soon after that, production on Year Three of Galactica began. At the time of this interview, Douglas, along with most of the show’s cast and crew, were on location in Richmond Sand Dunes filming scenes for the upcoming third season episode Unfinished Business.

We shot the first two stories for year Three [Occupation and Precipice] as one, and we’re doing some second unit filming on them next week,” says the actor. “Work on episode three [Exodus] begins next week as well, and everything we’ve been doing for the past three days will be shown as flashbacks in a future story. I had to shave my beard off for these scenes, so that means on Monday I’ll have to sit in the makeup chair while they put a fake beard on me. Ah, the sacrifices I make for this show,” jokes Douglas.

 

SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE

Tyrol’s fears of being a Cylon, coupled with his attack on Cally, prompt him in the episode Lay Down Your Burdens to seek spiritual advice from Brother Cavill, played by veteran stage, film and tv actor Dean Stockwell. “Dean is just an incredible person,” enthuses Douglas. “We spent six hours together in a room shooting all the scenes with our two characters in sequence, and then they were sprinkled throughout the story.”

“It was a thrill for me to be sitting across the table from such an acting legend. At one point I asked Dean how long he’d been doing this [acting], and he told me it was something like 62 years. Dean said, ‘There are three other people on this planet who have been in this business as long as I have – Robert Blake, Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney.’ Wow!”

“In this episode, Tyrol exposes Cavil as a Cylon and he tackles him. Don’t worry, it wasn’t Dean, it was a French-Canadian stuntman. For the first take, I ran up and tackled him. He said to me, ‘You can hit me harder.’ So the next time I hit him harder, and again he said, ‘Come on, harder’. In the final take I really decked him and he loved it.”

 


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