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'The
Guardian' has been airing every Sunday at 8 pm from 7 July.
The protagonist Nick Fallin played by Simon Baker is an
ambitious corporate attorney who has to do community service
due to a drug conviction.
The latest Australian to create waves the other side of
the Atlantic, the Golden Globe nominated Baker is being
tipped as the next big thing after fellow Aussie compatriot
Russell Crowe. In an email interview with indiantelevision.com’s
Ashwin Pinto, Baker held forth on Nick Fallin, his
career and the pressure of being a star.
How did you get the
protagonist’s role in ‘The
Guardian’?
The President of CBS, Les Moonves, gave me a script
to read and I loved it.
What is the character Nick Fallin
like? Are you anything like him in real life?
He is a guy that has been emotionally detached
from life to a degree and he is seeking to find his way
back. No, I am not like him at all.
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"Nick
Fallin (The Guardian) is a guy that has been emotionally
detached from life to a degree and he is seeking to
find his way back. I am not like him at all"
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Do you do a lot of improvisation on the set to get a feel of what the
director is looking for and how you can maximize your potential on screen or do
you prefer to have the cards laid out on the table in advance
going into a shoot?
A little bit of both. You have to do your homework, but still
have to remain open.
What
has the critical attention you have received for playing
Nick Fallin done for your career? Do you find high quality
roles coming your way?
It has opened a lot of doors.
Which actors did you idolize growing
up and did you always know that acting is what you wanted
to do with your life?
Yes, I always knew that I wanted to act. Dustin Hoffman, Steve McQueen, Gene Hackman,
Robert Redford, Ben Kingsley, Anthony Hopkins, and Russell
Crowe, all of the obvious good guys.
Can you give a contrast between
working in America versus Australia in terms of professionalism,
infrastructure and most importantly available opportunities?
There are far more available opportunities in America. Professionally,
the two are on par. The
infrastructure is much larger in the States – it is more
of a cottage industry in Australia.
Your resume mentions Ang Lee’s
‘Ride with the Devil’. Is he very much in sync with the
needs of actors?
Ang Lee is wonderful to work with, a real pleasure to me.
I think he is more in sync with the needs of the
film, which is what I want personally as an actor from a
director.
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"Believe
none of what
you hear and only
half of what you read and
always keep a
sense of humour
about yourself"
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How do you deal with the pressures of fame and stardom? For
example, how do you feel being voted one of 50 most beautiful
people in Hollywood by People Magazine?
Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you read
and always keep a sense of humour about yourself.
Australians such as yourself, your co-stars in ‘L.A. Confidential’
Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and James Cromwell have crossed
over and made a huge impression in America both critically
and commercially. Are Australian films and television serials
getting a similar exposure to a worldwide audience. If not,
why?
No, they are not. These
stars aren't getting attention as playing Australians, but
as playing Americans. Australian film and serials are getting
exposure with a worldwide audience, but not as much as those
specific actors (Crowe, Pearce and Cromwell).
Why not? Because Australia doesn't have the infrastructure
to mobilize their products as well.
How did you manage the transition
from supporting roles (as in L.A. Confidential) to that
of the lead protagonist?
It seemed a natural progression, not something that I was
consciously aware of at the time.
What
are your future television and film projects?
I am considering a few different options.
Why
do you think ‘Guardian’ will do well in India?
There are certain universal themes within in the show that
people will identify with.
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