Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject: Seater-Online Exclusive Interview With Michael Seater!
So, last week was amazing. Why? Because I (along with Fran of Seater-Online) got to participate in a interview with Michael Seater!
We had been contacted about 6 weeks ago for a phone interview, and despite one delay (Mike got his cell phone wet while at the lake ... the silly boy), we got to experience it last Monday! Mike was simply amazing! He was courteous, funny, and quite talkative! It was quite memorable.
So, over the past week, Fran and I have transcribed the interview, so that others can get to learn a little about Mike.
You were involved in this year’s DC Games, can you describe your experience there?
Well, I was at the Disney Channel Games as one of the commentators, so I was doing play by plays, what was going on at the games, doing run-downs of what had happened that day and interviewing everybody. At first, I thought well, I kind of want to compete. But then I got down there, and I ended up having a blast doing that without all the pressure of competing, because people do actually get very competitive. But it was really fun, because I got to know pretty much everybody that was down there and have a really good time laughing and chilling. I was actually down there with Adrienne who’s in the room in here with me. That was a good time.
Many are quite excited about the pilot for "18 to Life." What can you tell us about the show and your role in it?
"18 to Life" is a pilot for ABC in the States and CBC here in Canada. It’s about two 18-year-olds after high school who decide to get married off a dare. It’s a dramedy sitcom, so it’s really quirky and funny but with some more serious dramatic moments which makes it that dramedy sort of thing. I’m Tom in it, and I’m a guy who kind of never thinks more than two seconds ahead of time. I’ve got a really uptight family, and I end up marrying my next door neighbor who’s played by Stacey Farber from "Degrassi." Her family is all hippies, but she is much more calculated. So hilarity ensues as our family, our friends and ourselves deal with young love and being married at 18.
What can you tell us about your guest stint on "Family Biz?"
On "Family Biz," I am doing two episodes as Warren, who comes from the main character's past. He’s an overly enthusiastic intern in the family business. He’s kind of a disturber like Derek, but he’s a bit more of a keener like Casey, if you would. So mix those two together and you’ve got the character that I was doing on that show. My brother and I also wrote an episode [one that I’m not in] for them for Season 1.
What’s the latest word about the "Life With Derek" movie?
The latest word is they’re in the midst of/working on the script, and figuring out when everybody is available to do it. I don’t know the exact details of the script, but I know there are plans of a family vacation or going to camp. There are a couple of things that they're working on. I just got a call about the other day to figure out some details. It’s definitely in the works, but I can’t give you an exact timeline yet.
"Life With Derek" is popular not only for its episodes but for its podcasts as well. What would you say has been your favorite podcast to shoot?
Definitely one of them is "Marti the Executive Producer." They make Ariel the executive producer of the show, and Ashley and I are acting like divas. She tells me that we are lucky to work, "especially you Michael!" I thought that was hilarious!
I did like the one where I lived on the set for a while, and they filmed me which was kind of funny.
But some are hard, because you work five days a week, and then we go in and work on those on the weekends as well. So sometimes we work seven days a week, which makes it a bit tiring. But they’re a lot of fun, and you’re just goofing around all the time, so it’s kind of just like anything else I do on the set. You get to joke around, and I like them, because I know people who watch the show want to know more about behind the scenes and about who the cast are. So I like that we’re able to give people eyes into the show and to behind the scenes. I think that’s cool.
What sparked your interest in acting?
I don’t know. I think I was just born with it, because ever since I was little, I have been performing for my grandma at Sunday dinner and just having a blast doing that. I eventually started auditioning and got an agent and started doing it professionally. But it was something I always, always, always wanted to do for as long as I can remember.
You’ve been in a number of projects ranging from children’s sci-fi shows to darker adult dramas. As an actor, what would be the ultimate role you would want to play and why?
Well, I’ve always found Terry Fox to be one of my heroes, so to get to play Terry Fox would be amazing. It would definitely be one of the greatest things, and I mean, hey, my hair went curly in the last two years, so that makes me one step closer.
I don’t know if you guys know who Terry Fox is, but he started the Marathon of Hope for Cancer. He ran halfway across the country with a prosthetic leg - just a metal leg - and one good leg, and his cancer came back and he died during the run. It’s called the Marathon of Hope because he was spreading hope everywhere, and he was a really amazing person with an amazing spirit. So I think to play him would be outstanding.
Both "Life With Derek" and "Strange Days" have had their fair share of guest stars. If you had the chance to guest star on any show what would it be? and why?
I would want to guest star on “Skins." It’s a UK show on Channel 4, something 4 in the UK that I’ve started watching and it’s a really cool, crazy show.
What has been your most challenging role to date?
My most challenging role to date is probably the part of Owen that I did for "ReGenesis," because that had to do with some really eerie material matter that I had to work with, so that was definitely a challenge. Also, working with some really good people demanded a lot of me, so I thoroughly was challenged by that one.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Oh my God! Um, at some point sitting on a dock by the water in that year. Ten years, I don’t know man! So much changes in ten years. To think of where I was ten years ago from now, I never would have thought I would be sitting here talking to you.
I expect to still be acting, but producing and writing more and getting into directing. I plan to do a bit of everything on everything I do ten years from now. Hopefully.
It’s easy to see you have a love for clothing!
I do have a bit of an obsession.
When creating your outfits, do you have a source of inspiration?
Maybe Johnny Depp, because he’s cool and stylish. He’s probably the biggest inspiration, but I try not to dress for other people. I try to dress for myself. Whatever makes me feel cool, whenever I look at the mirror -- and not to see what other people see -- but I like to see “all right, this is cool" and I can feel confident in what I’m wearing.
Do you happen to have any hidden talents?
I can crump, but that’s not so hidden. I’ve probably done that in like five podcasts or something. I think I crump in Season 4 of "Life with Derek." Crumping is my hidden talent.
What is one thing unique about you?
I like to think I’m a fairly all around unique person … oh! My fingerprint!
Where exactly did the nickname McDikel (pronounced Mc-Dike-el) come from?
It was just a nickname, because everybody called me Mike, and then they called me McDikel and just put a Scottish-y thing in there. I really hated it for a year or two, but everybody kept calling me, and all of a sudden, it just became part of me. Now my company name is McDikel Productions. It’s just a nickname that I didn’t like, but now I guess I like.
But it’s unique!
Ah, see there is something unique about me! Who has a nickname that isn’t a real word? Me!
What was the most bizarre fan encounter you have experienced?
I’m bad at recalling what was the most bizarre one, but I had an interesting one just on my way over to this interview. I was getting a coffee, and this guy tapped me on the shoulder. He showed me (written on a memo in his Blackberry) "You look like Michael Seater," and I was like "Oh, hey, yeah I am." It turns out he was mute, and he couldn’t speak. I said "Do you have little kids?" and that’s when he said he couldn’t speak, so I kind of gestured "do you have kids?" and he nodded yes. I don’t sign, but I was able to communicate to tell them I said hello. He was very happy, and I was very happy. It was very cool.
What is a song that describes your life?
That's Just The Way We Roll by the Jonas Brothers. *laughs* I'm just kidding! I don’t basically jump on the roof with my brothers. I don’t know. That’s a hard one. I have lots of songs that I like. *pauses*... Yeah, let's just say That's Just The Way We Roll by the Jonas Brothers, because that’s the only thing I can think of right now! I might update that by the end of this interview.
What do you plan for your next purchase?
The next major thing I want buy in my life is a nice boat! I have a motor boat, but it’s not shiny. I don’t really know how to drive a boat, so I crash it into the dock a lot. I'd like a shiny Cobalt. That’s what I want.
USER SUBMITTED QUESTIONS!
If you were to run "Life With Derek," what changes would you make to the show?
*Jokes* Well, Derek would win the battle 100% of the time, and not just 98% of the time...
I like the show the way it is. If you changed it much, it wouldn’t be what is it was, and I don’t know if people would love it as much.
What is your opinion on the Derek/Casey (Dasey) pairing?
I understand why people want to see the forbidden love. Whether or not it’s going to happen at the end of the show, you’ll have to see. I think I’m forbidden to speak about that topic!
I think all the YouTube videos are hilarious, and some of them are very well done. I’m quite amazed at how many natural born editors are out there.
What is your opinion about the LWD following in general?
I think it’s awesome! It’s so much fun that people really seem to thoroughly enjoy the show, and I like that it’s relatable. I think a lot of shows have, not so much on gimmicks, but are really based on the conception of this weird thing, whereas [“Life With Derek”] is just about a family, and that makes it something that everyone can really relate to, whether you that have a big family or a blended family or a sibling you don’t really get along with. I think you don’t have to rely on other kinds of gimmicks, because it’s just a funny show about a family and a couple of kids and their friends. And the fact that it’s simple is what makes it good! I hope.
What drew you to the role of Owen on "ReGenesis?"
It was just a really interesting character, because he always had stories about the mole people in the New York subway tunnels. They had actually done research and found out about them, and I got to play one which was really cool, and he just had a really twisted sad story. “ReGenesis” was a really cool show to do that on, because it’s really smart and interesting and is not just driven by the science storylines. It’s also driven by the characters, and I really like that.
What is your favorite book? Why?
“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. It is basically the book I live my life by. It’s a story about a boy following his dreams and listening to his heart and watching for omens. That’s how I try and live my life -- in a positive way and learning from my mistakes. It’s a really really amazing book, and it’s a short read so pick it up, you can read it quick! I have about five copies of the book. I have my original copy, another copy with a different cover, two illustrated ones and a lender copy. I won’t give any of my good ones away to lend. I don’t want those lost, so I have one to spread the word.
Given you are a writer, what is your opinion on fan fiction?
I think fan fiction is really cool, and it’s great for young people to explore writing by taking something that already exists and has a formula of sorts that they can then work with. I’ve read some of them, and I know we did a podcast about fan fiction so we read a bunch of them. Some of them are really really good. Some of them are a bit creepy that go in a bit of a different direction, but I think they’re really cool. And if you love something so much, why not play with it and make up your own stories for it?
Do you practice any kind of method acting?
No, I’m not really into any method acting. Certain scenes when a certain something’s happening, I’ll just kind of focus on it and not really talk to other people if I really need to zone in on something. But for the most part, there’s two people on set. There’s me when the camera’s rolling, and then there’s me being me when the camera’s not rolling. I also like to save the performance. Often in rehearsals and stuff, I don’t do the full thing, and directors know that when they work with me. I don’t want to just use it all up.
Who’s your favorite "High School Musical" star?
Corbin Bleu, because he’s a really really really nice guy. He’s just a genuine nice guy.
In terms of acting, which do you prefer? Comedy or Drama?
I don’t really have a preference, because they’re both quite different. I love to make people laugh, and I love getting to work in comedy where it’s a bit lighter, and you joke around and have a bit more fun. But doing some more serious, dramatic stuff is really interesting as well. It’s still a lot of fun, but in a different sort of way. It’s hard to compare, but that’s what I like about “18 to Life.” It’s a lot of both, so you get the best of both worlds.. *starts singing said song*
Are there some up-and-coming actors that you think we should keep an eye on?
I think Kevin Zeggers is really awesome. He’s gonna do really really good stuff. I’m sure Joe Jonas has a future in him. He was quite good in “Camp Rock,” and he’s a funny guy. So watch him in acting.
What would you say was your most memorable moment on the "Life With Derek" set?
Holy! I’ve had a lot of time on that set, so to pinpoint one moment…
One of my favorite moments was when Ashley and I were being really naughty, and we heated up cheese slices on a light on the top of the living room stairs.
[We] then would try and throw them over into the school set and make them stick on the lockers.
That was hilarious!
As a person truly inspired by all types of art, acting included, I believe that there is a certain drive that keeps you going in that art that keeps it a still fulfilling attribute in your life. What is something that drives you to keep doing the amazing work that you do?
Why thank you! It’s just that I love it! I’m getting to have so much fun and a really really great life, and I couldn’t ask to be doing anything else. That’s what keeps me doing it. I couldn’t imagine myself in another line of work. It's just what I love doing, and so that keeps driving me, because I constantly want more.
Would you ever consider a singing career or a role in a musical?
I don’t think I would ever consider a music career. I love singing and stuff on my own time, but I don’t know enough about music to ask people to come spend money on an album that I wouldn’t know how to properly produce. But I would love to be in a musical at some point in my life. I love going to musical movies or musicals on stage. I think they are amazing and so much fun, and I would really love to do that at some point. I’d love to do a re-make of “West Side Story.”
The characters you've played are all very different from each other. Is that intentional? What attracts you to a script or character?
It’s not always intentional. Sometimes, it just happens. You’ve got to have faith in the people putting it together, and that they’re going to do a good job, and it’s not going to turn out to be a pile of poop! You go off a script and hope that the script’s really great. When I got the “Life with Derek” scripts, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do another kids show, because I’d just done two over the past five years before that. But I picked it up, and I was like “This is really funny!” I was laughing out loud reading the first couple of scripts, so I really wanted to do it. “Does it grab you from the page?” and “Do you think it will translate onto the screen?” is kind of what I think of.
Did you record the interview? If so, is it too much to ask if you would put the recording on youtube? _________________ "... I know that love is unconditional. But I also know that it can be unpredictable, unexpected, uncontrollable, unbearable and strangely easy to mistake for loathing."
These just add to the many reasons that Mike Seater is my favourite Canadian actor!! I seriously have to look up to him! I love how he plays such different characters! I also love how he seems so down to earth.
"18 to Life" sounds interesting. A dramedy! Thats definately the best of both worlds! drama and comedy are my two favourite tv genres!
And being nicknamed McDikel? lol, but I also have a nickname that my friends called me that I HATED for a year and a half! Now I love it only because it's original and it brings back lots of good memories with my friends. btw: the nicknames Ralph and its original because it wasn't like a similarity I had to a person named Ralph or anything.... it was an acronym for a Toronto Fair I went to once. BUt seriously who messes up R.A.W.F with RALPH? (only my friends could) jk!
Dasey? I like that it was brought up as much as I love how he answered it (okay nevermind, I would have preffered if he said 'yeah, Dasey is in season 4' or something similar). There are a lot of great Dasey videos on YOutube (though I have made none)!
Fanfiction was mentioned! I love fanfiction and am absolutely amazed that the cast and writers agknoledge it (I think)!
I like that Micheal Seater is more than a actor too! writing is my passion and I always enjoyed acting (like school play, local theatre, and my school presentaitions, nothing major) when I was MUCH younger (like grade 1- grade 3). I would still love it if I wasn't so self-conciece. *laughs at how things change* _________________ http://www.fanfiction.net/~allybooklover6677
~ siggy made by AngelOfMusic123
~ icon made by Reader134
DASEY ~ The exception to ALL rules!!
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