Chat transcript — Tribeworld chat

Question - Tom

All questions and answers are originally from Tribeworld BB Cast Chat (January 16th, 2003).

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Q. What was it like playing a physically handicapped character?
T. Excellent. Because even though it leaves you restricted in some areas you develop in other areas for example, your hands, voice and face become so much more important.

Q. What is/was wrong with Ram that led to him having to use a wheelchair?
T. Unfortunately that's something that I can't reveal at this stage but if you hang on to series 5 you'll get the full story.

Q. What do you like and dislike most about Ram?
T. I love his vibrance and dynamics and his will to suceed. I hate what he sometimes does to reach that success.

Q. Are you arfaid of heights?
T. No, not at all.

Q. Do you have animals?
T. No.

Q. I am curious in the course of playing Ram have you picked up useful computer skills? Or maybe some net savvyness?
T. Unfortunately no, I know the basics about computes.

Q. If there was a Idols/ Popstars in New Zealand — would you take a shot?
T. No, I'm afraid not. Even though I think there's been some good things that have come out of the concept I don't see myself as a manufactured pop boy.

Q. Do you want children? How would you name them?
T. Definitely, I always joke around with my mates that I'll have a family quite young and I'd love to have heaps of kids but I guess that would depend on my partner — can't have kids myself!! Huey, Duey and Louey — nah, just jokes. I've always liked the name Brooke and for my first boy Levi.

Q. How would you describe yourself in 5 words?
T. 5 WORDS hmmmmmmmmmm .. getting slightly closer every day

Q. Do you want to come to Germany? (perhaps on the tour)
T. I'd love to!

Q. What are your hobbies?
T. My hobbies — I like golf and knitting.

Q. Who do you think is the most beautiful of the tribegirls?
T. Better say Meryl and ... Danny James

Q. What part of Ram's character do you like best?
T. His diversity and sharp mind. His thought process is a lot quicker than mine will ever be.

Q. And what part do you hate?
T. The fact that he finds it hard to be honest, not only to others but to himself.

Q. What music do you like?
T. Hip Hop and R&B and Elvis too!

Q. Do you have a girlfriend? (no we won't marry you, just interesting to know )
T. Not at the moment.

Q. Do you like Lord of the rings?
T. Yes bit I'm not a huge fan.

Q. If you had seen The Two Towers in cinema were you jealous of Legolas?
T. Oh yeah, what a great role!

Q. Do you like the techno outfit?
T. Yup, but it's a bit tight — black lycra's not something I'd normally choose to pick.

Q. What do you think made Ram the way he is today?
T. I think he has had a lot of emotional pain. He had a tough time before the virus hit with a militant upbringing and confusing experiences. With all of this in mind and a physical disability on top of that, Ram has created this ugly false persona.

Q. Are you planning a career in movies or music in the future?
T. Well hopefully movies. That is def my first love, but who knows which way life is going to take me coz I also love music.

Q. Is the Techno outfit as restrictive as it looks?
T. Oh YEAH!

Q. Would you consider a move overseas if it benefited your career, or just for a change.
T. Definitely!

Q. What's the funniest blooper that's ever happened to you on set?
T. When my wheelchair got stuck on (thanks to Meryl) and I went straight into a computer desk loaded with equipment!

Q. What's the best dream you've ever had?
T. One where I am 40 years old without a worry in the world!

Q. Are you still in some sort of school, and if so how do you combine your schoolwork with your acting work?
T. No, I'm not in school now but the cast that are do their work via correspondence schoolwork and have tutors that help them between scenes.

Q. Can I ask..do you ever have a fear of being stalked?
T. No, it's not really something that's on my mind we're pretty isolated down here in little old NZ so it's not on my priority list but thanks for worrying!

Q. What kinda music are you into, I'm guessing rock.
T. I am big hip hop fan especially the old school hip hop and I perform with my family in a hip hop band where I am the front man called Slash MC!

Q. If you know can you tell me the name of James Napier's Band?
T. Oops, I am not sure what James is upto with his music line up!

Q. Sometimes an actor will talk about their character being a part of themselves, or them being a part of their character. Do you feel like Ram is any part of your personality, or that your personality is part of Ram's? The same for the character you play in Revelations.
T. Yes I think that there is a little bit of Ram in everyone. Whether it be a small amount or a large amount will depend on the personality but I think as an actor you have to keep pulling things back to yourself because that's the only way it can truly be real.

Q.Who are your favourite artists or styles of art?
T. I must confess I'm not a massive follower of the art world but I enjoy anything that is a bit "out there".

Q. What was it like for you trying to get into the acting world, and what gives you strength to make it through the hard times? What advice would you give to someone who wants to be an actor?
T. Great question! I think first of all you have to believe that you have something to offer that is going to be superior to circumstance in other words you have to know that you're going to make it through, no matter what. I was lucky enough to pick up one of my first auditions which made me see the light at the end of the tunnel very early on. But I still have long and short term goals and that's what keeps me going.

Q. How was is to sit in a wheelchair during the shooting?
T. Well it was a problem because I had to use my upper body strength but it made me innovative to help me to tell the story in a different way

Q. Do you enjoy travelling? If so where's your favorite place in the whole world?
T. My favourite place in the whole world which I have been to would have to be Samoa which is an island in the South Pacific, great people, great weather.

Q. Cabbages — yeah ok YUCK!! So what's your fav food?
T. Pumpkin — generally I'm not fussy with my food. Pumpkins the only thing I won't eat.

Q. Do you surf?
T. Well, yeah I can stand up and do a little bit but I'm no Kelly Slater.

Q. Best tv kick ass babe: Sarah Michelle Gellar a.k.a Buffy OR Jessica Alba a.k.a Max from Dark Angel?
T. Def. Jessica Alba

Q. Which do you prefer to play, sinner or saint?
T. Sinner

Q. Have you only ambitions in drama or music, or have u ever aspired to be anything else (astronaut, brain surgeon the usual)?
T. Well when I was a boy (like every Kiwi Lad) I hoped to be an All Balck which is representing NZ in our national game, rugby union.

Q. As you and all of sundry know, a tour is planned for this year, though we don't know whose going. If you are by chance one of those who come to England, you got the balls to come party with us fabulous people? (those of us legal of course)
T. Bring it on baby!

Q. Ever since your sexy little ass has been in the limelight of television, have u ever come across a scary or somewhat over obsessive fan? (And no im not auditioning for the position!!)
T. Not yet...

Q. Fave beverage of the intoxicating range:
T. Stella Artois

Q. Do you have any aims to go onto Uni in the future?
T. Possibly but not at this stage — I'm enjoying just concentrating on my career but I'd love to go when I'm older just 'cause I feel it would help my growth as a person.

Q. The fellowship of the ring OR The Two Towers?
T. Fellowship.

Q. Can you tell us anything about t5... even if its just a tiny bit of info? Please?
T. Well I have to be careful not to reveal too much but it is all very exciting of course. As far as Ram's story goes he manages to meet up with some new characters on the show which has made it very interesting for me.

Q. If you could travel anywhere where would you go? Have you ever been to the U.S? If so where?
T. Yes I have been to the US, only to California and Florida but there are so many more places I'd love to visit in the US. I'd also love to go to Europe because I've never been to that part of the world.

Q. If you could play any character in any show who would it be and why?
T. I think every actor longs to work on the silver screen so I'm not sure on the tv level but I'd like to get into feature film, in particular drama.

Q. Do you like it to play Ram in The Tribe?
T. Of course! It's great, there's many differerent dimensions to Ram which keeps it exciting every day.

Q. Who's your favorite character in The Tribe?
T. There's a new character coming up in Series 5 called Slade. Ram and Slade spend a bit of time on screen together and he seems to be a pretty cool character.

Q. How is it to be evil?
T. I actually think being the bad guy is the most fun because it allows you to take a step out of your own life and have fun.