Interview: Eric Balfour
The 24 and Haven actor stars in new sci-fi film Skyline. We find out what the Strause brothers have in store for us!
You've seen him as Milo Pressman in 24, Gabriel Dimas in Six Feet Under and an unfortunate victim in the actually-quite-good Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, and now Eric Balfour is breaking out as a leading man in two exciting new projects.
Currently starring in Syfy's Stephen King adaptation Haven, he's soon to be seen on the big screen in Skyline.
The latest film from the Brothers Strause, the alien invasion thriller hits cinemas on 12th November. We caught up with Eric when he was in London, where he explains what it was like working with Colin and Greg Strause after their Alien vs Predators: Requiem disaster, coming back for season 6 of 24, and his surprising dream job.
You're in town to promote both Haven and Skyline, so it's been a year of sci-fi for you. Were you a fan of the genre?
There are classic films I loved in the genre, like I loved the Terminator and Alien movies. I was always a fan of classic horror and supernatural sci-fi worlds. I mean, The Exorcist is one of my favourite films ever. So yeah, I would say I'm a fan. I don't think I search out science fiction solely because it's science fiction, like some other people. I'm a fan of things that are good, and this type of genre is a perfect form for filmmaking because it's exactly why we make movies - it feeds our fantasy and our imagination.
Can you tell us about your Skyline character Jarrod?
He's a perfect archetype for a character in this type of movie, because he starts really as a boy in some ways, and through the course of the events in this movie, he has to learn to become a man and find his voice. He's a young artist and painter in New York, not dissimilar to me, he's very critical of himself, and not as confident in his own abilities as he should be. So this event that happens, this massive alien invasion, is just a catalyst for him to take charge of his destiny.
Is it true that the trailer shows only what is a small part of the film?
Yes, it's absolutely true. The filmmakers were very adament that they wouldn't give away the plotline of the movie through the trailer. None of like that, seeing the trailer and feeling like you don't need to see the movie. So while, yes, we wanted people to get excited about what they're going to see in the film, there's so much more going in the story and the character arcs of the story that is not revealed in the trailer. We really believed in the quality of the story and didn't feel we had to sell our souls to get people in the theatres. We know that when other people see this movie, they're going to be totally satisfied. Nothing is going to sell the movie as well as people going to see it.
Do you feel Skyline is going to bring something new to the alien invasion genre?
Yes. First of all, it's one of the smartest takes on the genre I've seen. The classic genre has been told many ways, but I feel, not unlike 28 Days Later and District 9, we've found a unique way of infusing new life into this type of world.
Is this your first time working with visual effects on such a big scale?
Yes, absolutely. It's one of the more exciting things you get to have happen in your career. As an actor you really are melded into this giant world you could never be a part of in real life. It would be like I imagine some actors get to play some old Greek period piece, or a superhero. It's so outside the realm of possibility, you're watching it going, I can't believe that's me in that world!
Will anything top seeing the mask of your face in Texas Chainsaw Massacre?
That was one of the scarier, more disturbing moments of my career! Actually, Brad Fuller, the producer, has that mask in his office. So whenever I go visit I have to stare at this strange version of my face in his office.
Even though it's an FX-driven film, did the Strause brothers keep the independent spirit they strived for?
There's no joke about that, this movie was made independently. Unlike most independent filmmakers, Greg and Colin have tools at their disposal most people don't. But I don't care who you are, when you're writing cheques like that and it's coming out of your own bank account, you're taking on a big risk. But through that risk comes no compromise, and this drive and desire that they infused in all of us. In some ways, this was going to be their calling card. They felt they had very little control over Alien vs Predator: Requiem, and I agree. Because I found them to be amazing directors who were really thoughtful, and really knew what they wanted, and they got a lot of shit for a movie they had little control over. So they knew going into this, if they didn't make this great, this could be their last chance. People who are under the gun, in front of the barrel it's a special place to work.
What was the atmosphere like because of that?
It was fantastic being on set where there were only five people making decisions. The two writers, the two directors, and the producer. And us actors I suppose. There was no 25 emails and phone calls, and some silly little conversation about some thing we would just look at go, no that doesn't work. Change it. That was it. That gave the movie a clarity. It gave it balls, I don't know how else to say it. Decisions are made in our industry because you have all these people sitting in a room, and on each side of the table, you have one half of the room going, well I don't like that, and the other half saying I don't like this. And all they end up picking is the thing that neither of them hate the least. Not the thing that somebody says, no, this is the best way to do this. It becomes compromise. On this film, there was no compromise. This is the movie they wanted to make, the way they wanted to make it.
Did this give you more freedom than you've ever had as an actor?
In some ways, yes, because if I had an idea, the guys I needed to talk to about it where standing in front of me each day. Sometimes the producer was acting as the first AD, or the boom operator, or the actors were working as the script supervisors, and handling the special effects. We're running round fixing wardrobe issues and props, so everyone lent hand. So to now see the level of promotion we're getting from Universal is such an amazing validation.
With 24 and Six Feet Under, you've been in two of the greatest televsion shows of all time, but what do you wish you had been in?
The only thing I wish I could be on, but I'm not talented enough, is my guilty pleasure, So You Think You Can Dance? I grew up a dancer, but have nowhere near the talent the kids on that show do, but if I could go back I would train harder and be a dancer on SYTYCD.
What was it like coming back for season 6 of 24?
Something that had been in discussion for several seasons. I did the first season of the show, then was fortunate, or unfortunate, enough to be offered other shows that I was a more leading role in. You know, you take the risks you take. I never wanted to live my life in fear, so when I had those opportunities, I took them. The producers of 24 were very gracious, so always said, if we can figure out another way to bring you back, we're going to do that. It was discussed over several seasons, and the timing worked out for season 6. We always said it was only going to be a one season arc, because as much as I could not be more honoured to work with those guys, especially Kiefer, I always dreamed I would have the opportunity to have the lead of a show, and that was Kiefer's show. The biggest difference is what a phenomenen it was. In season one we were in a little studio and no one knew who we were. Season 6, we had all these huge celebrities, athletes and politicians coming down to the set just to meet us. Every day you felt like you were on the Universal Studios backlot tours and you were one of the attractions. I had an amazing time. They were a little unsure of how my character would leave the season. Producer Howard Gordon called me one day with and idea. He said you can finish out the last two episodes of the series and you can let Milo disappear into the ether again, but we want to something special and have him go out with the proverbial bang. They told me what was going to happen, and I thought, let's do it!
How do you balance being in your band Born As Ghosts with acting?
It's not been easy to be honest. My band has been signed to finish an album for almost a year now, and hopefully when I get some time I'll get to do that. I've been in the middle of developing a television show in the US, and it's a musical based-show, so a lot of my attention musically has to go to that. It's in the early stages, but I'm excited because I'm going to get to wear lots of different hats, and write and produce and direct. That's sort of my dream.
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