Q&A: Nick Stahl
June 18, 2008
By PETERSON GONZAGA
Entertainment News Wire
HOLLYWOOD _ In 1984, at the age of 4, Nick Stahl realized he wanted to act. In 1993, the native Texan got his big break, playing a fatherless boy opposite Mel Gibson in "The Man Without a Face." Another opportunity came in 2003 with the role of John Connor in "Terminator 3: The Rise of The Machines." Following that, Stahl moved to the small screen with a lead role on HBO's "Carnivale."
His latest film is a psychological thriller called "Quid Pro Quo," in which he plays Isaac Knott, a paralyzed public radio reporter who receives a news tip that takes him on a journey into an unusual New York subculture.
Sitting in a comfortable chair in his public relations firm's conference room, Stahl talks about why he chose to do "Quid Pro Quo," his take on "Carnivale" and his future with the "Terminator" franchise.
Q: Tell me more about Isaac Knott. What drew you to work on this film?
A: I just thought it was really unusual and unique, and I'd never read anything like it. The character was very complex, and it just looked like a real challenge as an actor to take on. It's such a unique story with a lot of plot twists, and the dialogue was great.
Q: Did you go through any process of dealing with the character's physical disabilities?
A: Yeah. I went around New York in the wheelchair and tried to manage that and to get comfortable with that so I would look like I knew what I was doing and not have to think about it. That was something concrete to focus on _ the physicality of it.
Q: Just being in New York must be hard for a physically disabled person. Was it really hard to be in a wheelchair?
A: Yeah, it's very hard. It's harder than what I had imagined. First of all, you don't realize that the city is on a slant, so your arms are pretty much dead when you get to the end of a certain block. And going uphill and curves are a challenge. I only had two weeks to do as much as I could with the wheelchair.
Q: With your character trying to figure out why another character wants to be disabled _ what is called a "wannabe" _ didn't that make you wonder why someone would want to be that way?
A: Sure. Psychological disorders. It's very real. I saw a documentary about "wannabes," people who want to be amputees or paralyzed. It's a very real subculture of people, and I think it just kind of falls in line with sort of odd psychological disorders that are different from everyone.
Q: Do you think Isaac had some psychological disabilities?
A: Of course. I think the whole idea of being paralyzed is a great metaphor for trauma and psychological trauma that you suffer at a younger age. I think most people I've met have that to some degree. Life is suffering. Dramatic events happen to you as a kid and it stays with you.
Q: How was it for you, going from kid actor to adult actor and taking on all these serious roles?
A: It's something that I feel lucky that I'm getting better at. I really do feel that with each project I do, I get more dedicated to acting. I feel that I learn things from every film that I do. People ask me a lot, "Why do you do a lot of dark-themed films and heavy drama?" The truth is, these were the films that were available to me, and when someone sees you doing darker movies, those are the movies that come your way. I would love to do a variety of things. I would love to do comedy, more commercial movies, and I think I will.
Q: Has anything come up in line with the "Terminator" franchise?
A: No. No. They're doing a fourth one. They're sort of retooling the franchise so John Connor is older, and there is a new director, so I think they are reconceptualizing it.
Q: Do you keep in contact with Arnold Schwarzenegger?
A: Ha. No. We don't text message or anything.
Q: Why do you think "Carnivale" ended?
A: It ended because there weren't enough people watching it. It's pretty simple and comes down to not enough people watching versus the amount of money they spend on each episode. I would say more people come up to me about that than anything else. It was on a premium channel, which narrowed the field of viewers off the bat. It never had the numbers that they wanted. But the fans that it had were very hard-core and loyal fans that loved it. It kept us going for two seasons.
Q: You mentioned you wanted to do more comedy _ slapstick or verbal jokes?
A: "Three's Company: The Movie."
Q: Playing Jack?
A: Chrissy.
Q: I see the resemblance.
A: Ha. Ha. Mr. Furley. I like all kinds of comedies. I would say I am more attracted to the quirky type of stuff like Wes Anderson-type movies or Tim Burton things. Coen Brothers I love. Sort of the more absurdist type of things. I'm a pretty tough critic on movies in general. I like seeing all kinds of movies and usually there are redeeming qualities in every movie. But I don't know. There are some comedies that are just intolerable and that are so stupid that I can't drag myself to sit through. So I don't see myself in slapstick stuff at all. I don't think anyone else would see me in that.
In this remake of the classic "Journey To The Center of The Earth," Fraser plays a science professor who's untraditional hypotheses have made him the laughing stock of the academic community. However, during an expedition in Iceland, he and his nephew find a major discovery that launches them on an exciting trip deep beneath the Earth's surface, where they travel through different worlds and non-existent creatures that you don't find on the surface of the earth. As the warm sun heated up the carpet, the talent were trying to find good shade to have their photos taken on the carpet. The general public would wonder why not a picture in the sun. There's more light. For an event photographer, direct sunlight ruins the photos as there are various shadows created on the actor's face. This time, the talent didn't mind taking directions from the event photogs as to exactly where to stand. It also kept them in the cool shade. For Brendan Fraser, he had some fun on the carpet as he took a camera from one of the photogs and aimed it back at us. It wasn't just any ordinary camera as it had a large obnoxious lens that you see photog use to shoot from far away distances. Anita Briem was a total hoot as she showed us her sexy side, her funny side and just plain excitement on the carpet. 
Josh Hutcherson took everything in stride, but when he saw Brendan on the carpet, his journey at the premiere became a reunion. 
The film opens up on July 11 at a theater near you with other theaters hosting the film in 3D.
The Wattles Mansion Italian Garden. This nice summer soiree was held at the Wattles Mansion in the Hollywood Hills. Having my good friends in tow, we decided to park my car instead of utilizing the valet. As we walked into the Wattle Mansion, we were greeted by the wonderful people of Burditch Marketing Communcations. After the brief informalities of checking in, we already had appetizers galore within reach. From the likes of lobster and cucumbers to prisciutto and an abundance of Italian cheeses. To clear our palates, we enjoyed the taste of various red and white wines. Once we filled up on appetizers, the hosts of the evening, informed us of all the great upgrades and new endeavors that Starwood Hotels has been working on in Italy and the Mediterranean. One standout news item that was announced by Starwood was the "Beat The Dollar with a Cool 20% Off From Starwood Italy" campaign. For a limited time Starwood Italy is offering special rates to its grand destinations of Italy when you book online. American guests will receive a 20% discount on room rates including 20% off found and beverages at the following hotels and resorts: • ROME: St. Regis Grand; The Westin Excelsior Rome; Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Center and Hotel Eden (not offering 20% off food and beverage; room only) • VENICE: Hotel Danieli; Hotel Gritti Palace; The Westin Europe & Regina; The Westin Excelsior Resort, Venice Lido; Hotel Des Bains, and Venice Lido Resort • MILAN: The Westin Palace; Sheraton Diana Majestic, and Le Méridian Gallia • ASOLO: Hotel Villa Cipriani • FLORENCE: Westin Excelsior Florence, and The Grand Hotel • SARDINIA: Hotel Pitrizza, Hotel Cala di Volpe, Cervo Hotel, and Hotel Romazzino This online offer is valid for bookings made from now until July 31, 2008 with reservations up until October 31, 2008. Potential guests must visit www.italiasummervacation.com and book through the website. Payment for reservations will be charged at time of booking. All reservations are non-changeable and non-refundable. Additional terms and conditions may apply. 
The Westin Excelsior Rome. After all wonderful news, we were ushered into the main grounds of the Mansion for some scumptious meal of various pasta dishes, fish entrees and a wonderful succulent rack of lamb. 
Image sitting in under stars feasting on Italian cuisine in front of the Wattles Mansion. Along the way I met a wonderful new friend named Fritz and Mateo. They both made the event more enjoyable as we laughed and drank vino. I topped off my dinner with a dessert cup made of milk chocolate filled with a cappuccino flavored cake and whip topping. Thank god I didn't have to take any photos or lose my voice with the shouts of "To Your Left or To Your Right. Over The Shoulder! Please!" 
I guess since I'm not going to make it to Italy this summer that this was the next best thing to it. La Dolce Vita!!! More about Starwood Hotels & Worldwide from their press info: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 153,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following renowned brands: St. Regis®, the Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced aloftSM and ELEMENTSM Hotels. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. 
