An Interview With The Brains Behind ‘Internity’ Joey Adams
skatronixxx
X
Privacy & Cookies
This site uses cookies. By continuing, you agree to their use. Learn more, including how to control cookies.
Advertisements
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Joey not smile! Then again if i had those pearly whites *jealous*
As part of the ongoing promotion I am doing for Joey Adams and ‘Internity’, I thought I’d offer you an interview with the brains of the operation Joey himself! Incase you need a remidner check out the video below *hint hint* check out the video!
OMG it’s Deanna Troi and Worf from Star Trek: TNG
As you know from previous interviews and articles, both myself and Joey have a lot of shared interested but I thought I’d give you an oppertunity to get to know him like I know him. He’s an awesome guy, so let’s help make his show a reality! Who knows if I keep promoting him, he may offer me a cameo in an episode haha!
I’ve wanted to be an actor probably since birth, but at least for as long as I can remember. I got my SAG card, (the American film actor’s union) in a commercial when I was five. As for writing, I never really intended writing to be my career, I still don’t. It’s just something I do as a hobby and, occasionally, I get other people involved. [laughs]
2) You’re currently working on ‘Internity’, how would you describe your character and the show? Also as ‘Internity’ is your brainchild how did you come up with the idea for the show?
The show is about group of intern doctors at a Portland, Oregon hospital trying to survive “intern hell,” which is the rough patch of a new doctor’s life where they work insane hours and feel like they’ll never get their medical license. It’s a play on words; the “eternity” of being an intern. My character, Dr. Nate, is a twenty-five year-old intern who was just promoted to Chief Intern. The problem with Nate is, although he’s very bright, he’s sort of an overgrown child who hasn’t really matured yet. His emotional development seems to have stunted in primary school. His other problem, he’s fanboy and pop culture junkie. He’s prone to daydreams, night dreams and imagined fantasy scenes which include the real actors from his favorite television programs, films and comic cons in guest star roles. It’s sort of a T.V. fan’s dream really. We’re using this as a device to give us the ability to have, essentially, every actor, character, movie or show we’ve every loved featured on our show! [laughs]
We’re trying to do something new here, which is, we want to make the first actor-created, fan-funded television series ever picked up by a network. As you know, we’re raising money on indiegogo.com. We have some great cast involved, Marina Sirtis from ‘Star Trek: TNG,’ Jim Beaver from ’ Supernatural,’,Carla Jimenez from ‘Desperate Housewives,’ Richard Ruccolo from ’Two Guys, a Girl & a Pizza Place,’ Julie McNiven from ‘Mad Men,’ and our director, Michael Dorn, who’s also from ’Star Trek.’ We’re asking fans to support us by chipping in as much as they can and we’re offering some great rewards on the website for those who back us. So, fans get to be producers on a new television show and get some cool merchandise, too. Plus, I’m sure your readers would appreciate seeing a show about a fanboy. 🙂
I think that’s a pretty awesome line up for a show if you ask me
3) I studied television technology and production, so I know what it’s like being behind the camera as well as in front of it. How do you find it? Do you prefer being onscreen or behind the screen?
Well, you are far better equipped than I am, sir! [laughs] I was a theatre major in New York City. I always wanted to work on Broadway, so film and television, although I was always a fan, was something which never really occurred to me could be done as a profession. I did small parts here and there when I was a child and a few more when I got to New York of course. Needless to say, my technical capabilities are very limited. I will say, people behind the scenes never get the credit they deserve, as I’m sure you know. Actors get the accolades and fanfare, but you have to remember there’s a usually a crew of fifty or more people working very hard to make that actor look good on screen. I directed a short film, which I also wrote, when I was at NYU. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I will say, personally, I find it much easier in front of the camera. Of course, anyone who’s seen my work might say they prefer to see me behind it!
4) Your parents wanted you to be a Doctor, how have you found the experience on being on a medical set? I could imagine it must be a surreal feeling.
I think you’re referring to the ‘Internity’ cast interview video we did. I was teasing, but it’s true. I think most parents are a bit disappointed when they find out their child wants to pursue a career in the arts. Mine were initially let down, but now they support me. My family is all from the UK. In Britain, theatre and film actors receive a certain degree of honor and respect. It’s not the same in the States unless, perhaps, you’re someone who’s quite famous and successful. When I was growing up, other kids wanted to be doctors, I always wanted to play a doctor. So, I’m extremely excited to take on this role. I’m ecstatic to be working with this amazing cast and I hope fans will turn up and contribute and get us on the screen. ‘Supernatural’ and ‘Star Trek’ are shows known for their devoted, very vocal fans. I was doing the math the other day. I realized if we found about 2,400 fans of either of these shows, combined, around the world, who went onto the Indiegogo website and got our DVD perk, we could make a new show with all of these great actors and many more to. Certainly, there are 2,400 people out there in cyberspace who care, right? Your website probably gets more than that per hour!
We have a really great group, I’m extremely proud to have them involved. We all want to play doctors on TV. [laughs] In seriousness, I think we’re onto something really special here, something you haven’t seen before. My hope is fanboys, fangirls, and, just fans of good television in general, really, won’t miss out on the chance to be a part of this. Marina Sirtis has said on Twitter several times, that, if all of her followers gave just one dollar, we could do this immediately. We have some great ideas and scenes planned for future episodes. You may have heard, there’s an Internet campaign happening now to get the BBC to cast Marina Sirtis as the next Doctor. Therefore, we HAVE to do a ‘Doctor Who’ episode, or Marina will kill me! I believe Julie McNiven mentioned how much she wants to cosplay Amy Pond when you two spoke. We’ve also discussed ’Star Wars,’ ’ Sherlock,’ ‘ Downton Abbey,’ and of course, a ’Supernatural’ themed episode as well. Personally, I want a ‘Being Human’ episode. So, there’s quite a lot to be excited about for the fandom, regardless of which side of the pond they’re on. Now, if the fans will just help us make our pilot, we can go on to make all of those episodes and many more!
5) It took a little bit of digging but I found that you were in a film called ‘Duress’, which is quite a lot different from ‘Internity’, how did you find that experience?
Skat, you must have powerful contacts in very high places! [laughs] That film wasn’t released in the U.S., well done. ’Duress’ was a horror film I had a very small part in a few years ago. It stars Ariel Winter, who’s on the series ‘Modern Family.’ She’s fantastic in everything she’s in, by the way. I took the job, spoiler alert, because I die in the first few minutes. I always wanted to be killed in a horror film! [laughs] It’s a badge of honor for an actor.
The experience was great, but I almost died in real life during shooting, actually. There’s a scene where Sakis Rouvas and Martin Donovan, the male leads, dispose of my “dead” body. I was wrapped up, rather tightly, in this plastic tarpaulin in the middle of the desert. Long story short, I would’ve suffocated if not for the special effects make-up artist, Judy Staats, and wouldn’t be speaking to you now [laughs]. Judy is now a good friend and she’s going to be our make-up artist on ‘Internity.’ The moral is, save my life and I’ll keep you in a job!
6) If you could be in one existing film, what film and character would you choose and why?
There are so many! I mean, I’m a fan of film, which one of the reasons I was drawn to writing a show which allows me to recreate iconic scenes with the actual actors who appeared in them. ‘Star Wars’ is the first which comes to mind. I suppose every young boy wants to be Luke Skywalker. If not Luke, then maybe Marty McFly in ‘Back to the Future.’ Something more recently, would be anything Chris Pratt is in. Mind you, I’d never be cast in any of those roles, but a boy can dream. I know you asked for “one,” I’m getting carried away, but I’m also obsessed with spy movies. I would give anything to be in a Bond film, even if I only played a corpse. Hey, I have experience!
7) If I remember right you were also in Bones, would you want David Boreanaz to make a cameo in Internity? If so, would you prefer Angel or Seeley Booth to make an appearance? Or perhaps a cross of the two? I’d want to see a vampire Seeley Booth for one!
You know, I played an med student on ‘Bones,’ I completely forgot about that. Well, here’s a secret I’m telling only you: I’ve never seen ‘Bones,’ not once. Not even the episode I was in! [laughs] I hope this doesn’t come across as rude, I certainly don’t mean it that way, but I find police procedural dramas to be incredibly boring. I always know who’s guilty within thirty seconds, so I can’t watch them. Therefore, I would say ‘Angel’ David Boreanaz gets my vote.
8) What can we expect to see from you in the remaining months of 2015 and into 2016?
I’m going to make ‘Internity’ if it means I have to sell my organs on the black market! [laughs] So, I’m going to spend a good deal of this year doing everything I can to make this show happen. I believe in it, I adore our cast, I know fans will love this show if they give it a chance. If we’re lucky enough to raise the funds we need, I hope to report back to you in the New Year filming is underway!
I also have a new play out soon, which I wrote, and I might be headed back to Broadway in another show. You’ll be the first to know if it happens.
9) Tell our readers one fun fact about yourself that they may not already know?
The real reason I could never have gone to medical school is I faint at the sight of blood. It’s really embarrassing. I’d like to think of myself as a pretty tough guy, but it’s true. A few times now, I’ve gone to the doctor for a check-up or donated blood or something, and I’ll tell them I can’t look at or see even one drop of blood. They always think I’m making a joke. Inevitably, I see the blood and end up on the floor, out cold. It’s happened five or more times now. I don’t know if that’s a “fun fact,” but it’s a ridiculous yet true fact! [laughs].
The other thing people might not know about me is, I was a double major. I just finished a Ph.D. in pediatric psychology and I’m currently an intern completing the licensure process. It’s not the same as being a medical intern per se, but I have a pretty good idea of what they go through!
10) Finally what advice would you have any advice for an upcoming actress or actor or writer?
Well, I’ll preface this by saying if you love the arts, I mean REALLY love them- if there is nothing else in your life that would make you happy other than writing or acting, nothing I or anyone else may say will stop you.
Most importantly, you have to get an education. There is far too much competition to think talent, no matter how great, is enough. It’s simply not. The best actors and writers never stop taking classes- never. To be a brilliant actor or writer, quite literally, takes a lifetime. You mustn’t stop learning and working to improve, ever. Supposing you’ve studied properly and have a strong foundation of training under your belt, I would say the next best advice is to do it. DO anything you can! Write stories on scraps of paper. Create an imagined history for the person sitting next to you on the bus. Buy a used video camera and start recording your own readings, performances or plays. If you’re a shy person or you’re afraid of public speaking, read books out loud to yourself until you’re no longer shy.
Audition for EVERYTHING you can, even if you think you’re wrong for it. Auditioning is a learned skill and it needs constant practice to keep you sharp. Make a YouTube channel and post videos with your friends. Practice creating characters and accents. Pick an accent to work on when you have a day off. Go around town behaving like this character and speaking in this accent. Who cares what others think. This exercise isn’t about fooling anyone, it’s about learning to be fearless and knowing what “fearless” feels like in your gut. Once you leave fear behind, there are no obstacles.
Beyond this, I advocate making your own content. The Internet has become an equalizer. Technology is relatively cheap now, you don’t need to spend a lot to make a quality film or videos. You can stage a play almost anywhere, it doesn’t have to be a proper rental theatre. There are a million ways to get your work out there, take my show for instance. We’re avoiding the typical pitch to a studio route because we want to keep artistic control. You have to be creative and constantly try to think of new ways to do old things.
If you know in the deepest reaches of your soul you MUST do this with your life, then don’t let anyone stop you. Trust me, at some point, even people who love you deeply will tell you to give up. You can’t listen to the voices of the vultures and the naysayers. Get out there and do it no matter what they say. Don’t ask for or seek permission from anyone. If your talent is your gift to this world, then it’s yours to give. You don’t need someone to tell you it’s okay to share it. Trust if you’re following your path, the right people will find you when you’re ready to be discovered. The “believing” is perhaps the most difficult task, but arguably, the most essential.
Allow me to be an example for your readers to remember: I wrote a story I wasn’t sure anyone would like or even understand. I wrote it with a bunch of my favorite actors in mind, all the while assuming they’d never do it in a billion years for a myriad of reasons. I took a risk and sent my script out to those actors. A few I knew a bit, most I didn’t know at all. To my surprise, they all said yes! I’m a complete unknown, but it didn’t matter, because they were drawn to the story. The point being, if you do the work, the right people will eventually find it.
So, my advice is, work as hard as you possibly can. Push yourself farther than you thought you were capable. Keep doing this until you’re entirely convinced you’ve honed your craft, whatever it may be, to the absolute best of your abilities. Once you’ve done this, and you believe in yourself because you know you did the work and put in the hours, nothing- and no one- will, or can, stop you.
There we are readers, Joey ! Who will be next in our series of cast interviews with the cast of ‘Internity’ ??? Let’s wait and see 😉
Interested in seeing what the show will be like? Here’s two spoilers into the mind of Joey Adams
Liked those videos? *Puts on serious face* We need to help Joey get this project up and running! If you have the time and the money PLEASE support him to make this show a reality. You can do this by supporting his campaign at:-
If you’re unable to contribute at the moment, that’s cool, I know he’d still appreciate some likes/shoutouts/favs/retweets as any publicity is always GOOD publicity 😛 Check out the links below and share with as many people as possible. That’s a thanks in advance from Joey and us at Skatronixxx.Com 🙂