Giles Alderson Interview

First of all could we start by asking you to tell us a little about yourself and what you do in your own words?
I am an actor and have been working professionally in London for eight years. I grew up in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, playing football most night dreaming of Wembley. I got into acting through College. Then went to Hertfordshire Uni gaining a 2;1 then to Drama school in London (D.S.L.)I keep up the football by playing for Arsenal ex pros and Celebrities whenever I can. We raise lots of money for charities around the UK. I was top scorer last season and it meant the world to me. Playing with these amazing players is sometimes enough but to score as well? It’s great. I love it and amazing lads. I have written my own plays and had them performed in London and I have worked in everything from Shakespeare to west end musicals to nice big feature films.

We recently watched and reviewed the movie ‘Night Junkies’ in which you played the lead role of Vincent. How did you find the experience of playing such a dark character and what kind of research did you do?
To be honest, I loved playing Vincent. He was so dark and interesting. He made me want to know what he was thinking. Why he was doing the things he was doing. What it would be like to be a’vampire’ and most importantly how I would cope if I was addicted to blood? But in a way it’s like being addicted to anything. It’s the same feelings. The same cravings and the same rush when you get it. Vincent made me want to be bad. Even though he’s essentially a ‘good’ character, he brought out some dark aspects in me. We were filming at night most of the time in February. It was cold. I was stood in a leather jacket, the wind whipping off the Thames into my face, with my own thoughts about how I’m going kill this person or drain the blood of the next to feed my addiction, it kind of gets to you, you know. Nothing too disturbing but definitely strange.

The role of Vincent called for you to use an American accent, did you find this came naturally or was it something you had to work hard to perfect?
My god, it’s always a challenge to pull of an accent. But for a film which is definitely going to America. I knew I had to work on it. I based it on a few people I love the sound of in films and TV. But Vincent has lived in Britain for years so he has become accustomed to the British sound. He uses that for his gain too so he couldn’t be sounding like a surfer dude or use a Brooklyn accent but something more transatlantic. But also Vincent is Vincent. He’s his own being. He’s a vampire. He’s different. He sounds different. That’s his charm.

What is your own personal favourite scene from Night Junkies and why?
The sex scenes! No not seriously, But I love the moment Ruby and Vincent get together in the Café scene which leads on to them getting it on. It was shot so well. It was actually both mine and Katia’s last day on set. I believe the whole film wrapped that day! But I feel we really captured some lovely chemistry and it was centered round drinking hot chocolates and eating muffins! Muffins can be sexy! It’s proved. Though I did laugh a few times while eating mine! We had some amazing dialogue to play with and by that point me and Katia knew each other very well and we happily bounced off each others little quirks and nuances. But the bullet scene and subsequent death scene(s) are also up there. I held my breath, both when I filmed that and at the screening. I did love filming the fight scenes. But isn’t that most boys fantasies? Getting to be action man. The hero. Getting the girl. Who wouldn’t want that?

You recently appeared in the movie ‘I Want Candy’ can you tell us a little about the film and your role in it?
I Want Candy is a wonderful little tale of two boys, Baggy and Joe, trying to make a feature film and only getting funding for it if they have renowned porn star Candy Fiveways (Carmen Electra) playing the lead role. Somehow, they manage to pull it off. This is where my Character Carl comes in. He auditions for the’ skin flick’ and gets the lead part playing opposite Candy in the porn film that Baggy believes ‘will be the first porn film that people will watch till the end’ It also has many British stars like Mackenzie Crook, Michelle Ryan and Jimmy Carr in it. I loved filming this. A lot of the cast were up and coming so we all gelled very well, playing Frisbee while not filming. You can imagine a film like that would be great to film. It was! It’s also an Ealing studios feature so to be at the studios making a film where some of the greats have been made me feel so humble. It was a wonderful experience. I’m very proud of it.

So, what’s next for you in the world of acting? Do you have anything in the pipeline at the moment?
Well, I’ve just finished filming one of the leads in a post apocalyptic thriller in Scotland called ‘A Dying Breed’, which is being worked on with special effects and edited at Pinewood at the moment. There are some big people behind it so it should be ready at the end of the year. Other than that I’m slated to be in ‘Croak’ a college comedy, a spy thriller called ‘The Moscow Rules’ made by the guy who I worked with on L.V.J and hopefully Night Junkies Unleashed. Fingers crossed for that.

When you are not working, how do you like to spend your free time?
I spend my time with friends and having fun with my girl. But mostly I’m writing or D.Jing. I working on a script for ‘The Busby Babes story’ at the moment so we will see what happens there.

Finally, seeing as we are an entertainment site we couldn’t let you leave before quizzing you a bit on your own personal taste. What are your favourite:

Movies – On the Waterfront, City Of God, Harsh Times and Freak Out
Actors – Leonardo Di Caprio, Marlon Brando, Kate Winslett and Tom Cruise.
TV Shows – Two Pints of lager and a packet of crisps, Heroes, Entourage
Bands – Third Eye Blind, Tankus the Henge, Nat King Cole
Favourite Games Console & Game – Playstation – Tomb Raider

Thanks very much for your time Giles, Damnthatsawesome.com wishes you all the best in your future projects!

Giles Alderson

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