(no subject)
Interview with Stanford on StarryMag.com.
Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?
A) "Nikita" is pretty much taking up my time. We had a full season last year and now we're back at it again full force. So, I haven't had time for much else.
Q) What made you originally want to be a part of "Nikita?"
A) I was a fan of the original Le Femme Nikita by Luc Besson and I was a fan of that type of genre for a long time. So, I thought that would be interesting to get involved with something in that genre.
Q) What is new this season on "Nikita" and with your character Birkoff?
A) Birkhoff is no longer with Division this year. He's off on his own and, hopefully, will be getting a little more field time.
Q) What keeps challenging you about this role?
A) One of the difficulties is that I rarely have scenes with other actors. A lot of the work for Birkhoff is me talking to people over communication devices in front of a computer screen. For so many of these episodes, when I go in to shoot it, it's just me reading my lines off against the Second A.D. who will be reading in place of Michael (Shane West), Nikita (Maggie Q) or whoever. So, I have to do almost all of my scenes alone. As an actor, that's a little challenging. You want to have somebody to work off of and react to.
Q) Will we get to see a flashback this season as to how Birkhoff joined Division?
A) As of right now, I have not read any flashbacks of Birkhoff being recruited, but I know they are getting into other characters' back-stories. I do know that Craig Silverstein and the writers have come up with a detailed back-story for Birkhoff. So, if they choose to, they can explore that.
Q) Will we get to see Birkhoff out in the field a bit more kicking some ass along side Mikita?
A) I hope so! He didn't do too bad last year. You're going to see him more active than he was last year. He's still a tech guy so to a certain extent he's stuck behind a computer, but I think they had a lot of fun last year when they were about to bring Birkhoff out from behind the desk. I think you'll be seeing more of that this year.
Q) What do enjoy most about playing this role?
A) He doesn't take himself too seriously and that's fun. Sometimes I take myself too seriously. It's nice to play someone who doesn't. And it's great because in the show there is a lot of smolder and quiet intensity - Birkhoff really breaks that up. I enjoy being the character who does that.
Q) How would you describe the Birkhoff/Michael/Nikita power of three?
A) Love triangle? No, really Birkhoff has an interesting relationship with Nikita. I think it's like the classic little brother relationship with Nikita where there is definite antagonism there and Birkhoff is a constant irritant, but there is a lot of affection there and you can definitely feel the love through all the turmoil.
Q) What has been your most memorable moment from filming the show?
A) I think the most memorable moment was the first day back on set where I came in and saw Birkhoff's new H.Q. I can't say anything more than that because it's a surprise. It's pretty amazing where he's ended up. I was delighted to see the embodiment of that.
Q) Why do you think people continue to tune into see "Nikita?"
A) In my opinion I think people, in general, tune into anything if they feel like a good story is being told. That's the bottom line. I hope and I think we are telling good stories and hope that will keep people tuning back in.
Q) You starred as Pyro in "X-Men." Any chance you'll reprise your role?
A) I don't think that's likely. There has been so many spinoffs at this point that they have plenty of other avenues to explore. I don't think there seems to be a lot of backtracking. I think they are moving forward and trying new stuff. Is it possible? Anything is possible. Is it likely? I don't think so.
Q) Where can people go online to learn more about you?
A) I don't know. There aren't a lot of resources out there. I am kind of a Luddite when it comes to things about myself. I play a big techy computer geek on "Nikita," but I've never been plugged into that. I don't have a Facebook account, either. I think the best way to learn about me is to go out and see things I've done. Rent my movies and watch the show.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) I'd like to thank them for being appreciative. It means a lot to me and everybody likes to be appreciated. I certainly do, too. I am kind of a private person, in general. That's just the way I am. I hope that my fans are fed enough by the work that I do that it's enough for them.
Which leads me to say: I love what they're doing with Nikita this season. I like this show despite myself... I think Traveler was very much in the same vein of Nikita and I couldn't make myself like it for some reason.. I think a lot of it had to do with the dialogue which.. I just. Can't. Stanford says above that most people respond to shows that tell a story.. But I respond negatively to shows I don't feel are telling a story particularly well.
Though, to be fair with Traveler, I think cutting so may episodes out of the season really prohibited how well the story could be told.. But it was also you know.. The fact that only one guy was writing all the episodes.. So no matter how brilliant the plot was, there was no one there to tell him when his dialogue got clunky or that things didn't make sense. Which I almost feel bad saying, because DiGilio seemed so passionate about his work...
But anyway.. I'm supposed to be talking about Nikita.. Yes. Nikita was good. Stanford has a little more to do this season.. And I honestly think this type of show is a good fit for him.. He can work, do his job, and still remain mostly anonymous. Not anonymous-anonymous.. But there are probably youtube sensations that get hit up on the street more than he does. And I'm sure he likes it that way.
BUT ANYWAY again.. Because I can't shut up tonight even though I have to get up in five hours to walk behind some 6 year old cheerleaders on a fire truck in a parade, what did you guys think of Nikita? Are you watching? I'm sure key scenes will be available on youtube, but you know.. I recommend giving it a try. It's not super hard to follow along with, if you just want it on for background noise, either, so..
Anyway. I also found these pictures and these pictures from upcoming episodes. Stanford is in a few of them. Well.. Mostly in the first batch.. I just included the second because I think it's cute they did a full on photocall for the episode. Suit porn, if you're into that.
Thanks to twitter for this.. Other people.. You guys never disappoint.
Xo
Ashe
Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?
A) "Nikita" is pretty much taking up my time. We had a full season last year and now we're back at it again full force. So, I haven't had time for much else.
Q) What made you originally want to be a part of "Nikita?"
A) I was a fan of the original Le Femme Nikita by Luc Besson and I was a fan of that type of genre for a long time. So, I thought that would be interesting to get involved with something in that genre.
Q) What is new this season on "Nikita" and with your character Birkoff?
A) Birkhoff is no longer with Division this year. He's off on his own and, hopefully, will be getting a little more field time.
Q) What keeps challenging you about this role?
A) One of the difficulties is that I rarely have scenes with other actors. A lot of the work for Birkhoff is me talking to people over communication devices in front of a computer screen. For so many of these episodes, when I go in to shoot it, it's just me reading my lines off against the Second A.D. who will be reading in place of Michael (Shane West), Nikita (Maggie Q) or whoever. So, I have to do almost all of my scenes alone. As an actor, that's a little challenging. You want to have somebody to work off of and react to.
Q) Will we get to see a flashback this season as to how Birkhoff joined Division?
A) As of right now, I have not read any flashbacks of Birkhoff being recruited, but I know they are getting into other characters' back-stories. I do know that Craig Silverstein and the writers have come up with a detailed back-story for Birkhoff. So, if they choose to, they can explore that.
Q) Will we get to see Birkhoff out in the field a bit more kicking some ass along side Mikita?
A) I hope so! He didn't do too bad last year. You're going to see him more active than he was last year. He's still a tech guy so to a certain extent he's stuck behind a computer, but I think they had a lot of fun last year when they were about to bring Birkhoff out from behind the desk. I think you'll be seeing more of that this year.
Q) What do enjoy most about playing this role?
A) He doesn't take himself too seriously and that's fun. Sometimes I take myself too seriously. It's nice to play someone who doesn't. And it's great because in the show there is a lot of smolder and quiet intensity - Birkhoff really breaks that up. I enjoy being the character who does that.
Q) How would you describe the Birkhoff/Michael/Nikita power of three?
A) Love triangle? No, really Birkhoff has an interesting relationship with Nikita. I think it's like the classic little brother relationship with Nikita where there is definite antagonism there and Birkhoff is a constant irritant, but there is a lot of affection there and you can definitely feel the love through all the turmoil.
Q) What has been your most memorable moment from filming the show?
A) I think the most memorable moment was the first day back on set where I came in and saw Birkhoff's new H.Q. I can't say anything more than that because it's a surprise. It's pretty amazing where he's ended up. I was delighted to see the embodiment of that.
Q) Why do you think people continue to tune into see "Nikita?"
A) In my opinion I think people, in general, tune into anything if they feel like a good story is being told. That's the bottom line. I hope and I think we are telling good stories and hope that will keep people tuning back in.
Q) You starred as Pyro in "X-Men." Any chance you'll reprise your role?
A) I don't think that's likely. There has been so many spinoffs at this point that they have plenty of other avenues to explore. I don't think there seems to be a lot of backtracking. I think they are moving forward and trying new stuff. Is it possible? Anything is possible. Is it likely? I don't think so.
Q) Where can people go online to learn more about you?
A) I don't know. There aren't a lot of resources out there. I am kind of a Luddite when it comes to things about myself. I play a big techy computer geek on "Nikita," but I've never been plugged into that. I don't have a Facebook account, either. I think the best way to learn about me is to go out and see things I've done. Rent my movies and watch the show.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) I'd like to thank them for being appreciative. It means a lot to me and everybody likes to be appreciated. I certainly do, too. I am kind of a private person, in general. That's just the way I am. I hope that my fans are fed enough by the work that I do that it's enough for them.
Which leads me to say: I love what they're doing with Nikita this season. I like this show despite myself... I think Traveler was very much in the same vein of Nikita and I couldn't make myself like it for some reason.. I think a lot of it had to do with the dialogue which.. I just. Can't. Stanford says above that most people respond to shows that tell a story.. But I respond negatively to shows I don't feel are telling a story particularly well.
Though, to be fair with Traveler, I think cutting so may episodes out of the season really prohibited how well the story could be told.. But it was also you know.. The fact that only one guy was writing all the episodes.. So no matter how brilliant the plot was, there was no one there to tell him when his dialogue got clunky or that things didn't make sense. Which I almost feel bad saying, because DiGilio seemed so passionate about his work...
But anyway.. I'm supposed to be talking about Nikita.. Yes. Nikita was good. Stanford has a little more to do this season.. And I honestly think this type of show is a good fit for him.. He can work, do his job, and still remain mostly anonymous. Not anonymous-anonymous.. But there are probably youtube sensations that get hit up on the street more than he does. And I'm sure he likes it that way.
BUT ANYWAY again.. Because I can't shut up tonight even though I have to get up in five hours to walk behind some 6 year old cheerleaders on a fire truck in a parade, what did you guys think of Nikita? Are you watching? I'm sure key scenes will be available on youtube, but you know.. I recommend giving it a try. It's not super hard to follow along with, if you just want it on for background noise, either, so..
Anyway. I also found these pictures and these pictures from upcoming episodes. Stanford is in a few of them. Well.. Mostly in the first batch.. I just included the second because I think it's cute they did a full on photocall for the episode. Suit porn, if you're into that.
Thanks to twitter for this.. Other people.. You guys never disappoint.
Xo
Ashe