I recently got the chance to talk to Dean McDermott about his role in ‘Irvine Welsh’s Ecstasy’. Here, Dean talks about what it was like working with Kristin Kreuk on-set and how he got into acting in the first place…
Hey Dean. Thanks for taking the time out to talk to me about your new film, ‘Irvine Welsh‘s Ecstasy’.
What’s the general plotline surrounding the film?
The general plotline of ‘Ecstacy’ is a drug induced romance with a happy ending that only Irvine Welsh can do. He’s a genius, and it was such an honour to meet him, and be in a scene with him. Although it ended up on the cutting room floor, along with a lot of my performance. It was disappointing to have most of my stuff cut, but hey, I have a “cameo” in an Irvine Welsh film. That’s pretty cool to be able to say.
Tell us a bit about the character you play in the movie…
The character I play is the head of an advertising agency who is working on a campaign for Scotland Against Drugs, all the while keeping his wife Kristin Kreuk sedated and under his control with prescription anti-depressants. He thinks he’s the cat’s ass, but in fact he’s just an ass.
How did you get involved in the project in the first place?
The project just fell in my lap, I got a phone call from my agent saying I had an offer for a role in an Irvine Welsh film and if I liked the role it was mine. I didn’t even read the script, it was an instant “I’ll do it!!!”.
The film stars Adam Sinclair, Kristin Kreuk, Billy Boyd, Carlo Rota, Ashley Pover, Keram Malicki-Sanchez and Olivia Andrup – with Rob Heydon onboard as director – what was it like working with the cast and crew on-set? Any good anecdotes?
It was great working with Kristin, she was open and up for anything. Some actors are precious about what they want to do, or how others should “handle” them. She is a wee thing and was up for quite a rough face grab in one scene. Take after take she was a keener. She was like “bring it”. Both her and Rob were totally okay with going off script, and improving. My line: “I shag like a porn star!!!” was a hit with the audience. It was great to meet Adam, and Billy, and Carlo I’ve known for years. Such talented guys. Which reminds me, Adam wants me to teach him how to ride a motorcycle.
I have no good anecdotes as I was literally in and out for two days. From L.A. I arrived on set and started filming right away that day and then at it again early the next, then out that evening. I love to joke around on set, but I never got a chance to plot or scheme anything.
Let’s talk a bit about you Dean. What made you want to get into the industry in the first place?
In hindsight, I guess I always wanted to be an actor. I remember when I was a kid and we’d play cops and robbers, and it wasn’t your run of the mill bang bang shoot em up. I had plot lines and character arcs. It was pretty sophisticated for a 9-year-old. We were after drug lords moving 10 kilo’s of coke from the Florida Keys and I was a veteran detective who lost his marriage to the job and had a penchant for drinking. We’d have elaborate death scenes where my best friend and partner laying dying in my arms after being shot and vowing revenge for his untimely demise. Heavy stuff.
You’ve been in a number of different TV and film projects – which actors / actresses have been your favourites to work with so far and why? Any good stories?
I have been very lucky to work with such amazing people the list is long. Here’s a few: Kevin Costner, Ving Rhames, Paul Gross, Brian Dennehey, Eugene Levy, Leslie Nelson, Joe Montange, and many others. These people all shared the same M.O.; best idea wins. There was never any hierarchy or ego. If it was a good idea, it made into the project. That’s the best AND most creative way to work.
What’s currently on your I-Pod right now?
I have really eclectic musical taste. Right now I have rediscovered all my Jane’s Addiction album’s on my I-Pod. I’ve seen them three times, and they’re my favourite band ever! On the other end of the spectrum I’m loving Ryan Adams, Steve Earle and Neil Young. Throw in a little Pearl Jam and GnR, and you’ve got what’s on my playlist.
If you could have dinner with three guests – (living or dead), who would you choose and why?
If I could have dinner with three people living or dead, I would love to dine with Dean Martin, not just because he’s my namesake – (my Mom was a huge fan), he was my wife’s godfather. I would love to hear all the stories about old Hollywood, Frank, Sammy and Mr. Spelling. They just don’t make ’em like that anymore. I would like to also dine with Sir Anthony Hopkins, I would love to pick his brain on his methodology and try to learn how he makes his performance’s seamless and effortless. The most important person of all I would love to dine with is my Mom, Doreen, she never got to see or experience the success’ I’ve had. We grew up poor and she sacrificed so much for us so we wouldn’t go without. I would love to spoil her with the most elaborate, elegant dinner a person has ever seen and even that would be just the tip of the iceberg.
On a completely different note, I would love to race with Brad Pitt and Valentino Rossi, play hockey with Dion Phaneuf, paddle board with Laird Hamilton, golf with Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicholson, and cook with Jaime Oliver and Gordon Ramsey.
What is your favourite word?
I would have to say my favourite word is ‘f###’, seeing as I use it all the time. I know, it’s not a good word to use being a dad and around children a lot. I really try to watch when and where I use it. I’ve tried replacing it with the word fudge, but it just doesn’t have the same oomph or impact as f###.
What’s coming up for you in 2012?
As far as 2012 goes, I have a few irons in the fire in the realm of reality TV, music, cooking and scripted TV.
Thanks for the interview!
Matt J. Horn 