Smart filmmakers pay special attention to who they cast in supporting roles. The more talented these actors are, the easier it is to establish that world and take the audience on the journey.
So, it makes sense that veteran character actor Serge Houde has been getting more and more opportunities to strut his stuff. He is currently in theaters opposite Kevin Spacey in Barry Sonnenfeld’s newest family comedy “Nine Lives” and appearing in a recurring role on Hallmark Channel’s new series “Chesapeake Bay”. Also, he just finished shooting a role alongside Emily VanCamp in the French Canadian film “Pays”.
Serge is probably most recognized for his touching portrayal of Joseph Gordon-Levitt‘s Alzheimer’s stricken Dad in the Golden Globe nominated drama 50/50; and more recently for playing Judge Roy Parker in Hallmark’s award-winning western series, When Calls The Heart.
Serge Houde recently took time out of his busy schedule for an interview:
What can you tell us about “Nine Lives”?
SERGE: Well I don’t want to be the one ‘letting the cat out of the bag’ …so to speak, but let’s just say there’s a parallel storyline in the film that involves a ‘difference of opinion’ between Kevin Spacey, Robbie Amell, Mark Consuelos and myself. Kind of like: while the cat’s away, the Board Members will play!
Did knowing the film was a family comedy factor into your character preparation or did it not matter?
SERGE: I felt it was best to just play it straight and let the lines and situations do all the rest.
Tell us about your first impression working with Kevin Spacey?
SERGE: Focused, Funny and Friendly.
Does director Barry Sonnenfeld stick to the script or did he give you freedom to play?
SERGE: We all strayed pretty close to the script. At least in the scenes I shot we did.
Any fun stories from the set you can share with us?
SERGE: When we began filming the difference of opinion scene mentioned above, after we did the first take, Barry Sonnenfeld quietly walked by me and whispered “Give it to him!” So in the next take, I raised my intensity. Spacey’s eyes instantly lit up and he began filling the room with a roar of energy. I was awestruck! ‘Look what he just did with that line! Did you hear the twist he gave that word. Did you see that look?’. Then a sinking feeling came over me ‘Hey, I have some more lines coming up here! Stay Focused!!!’. That had never ever happened to me before in all my career. Kevin Spacey is that mesmerizing!
I remember seeing Spacey sitting in the middle of the film set, surrounded by the usual chaos and cacophony of the film crew feverishly setting up for the next shot. He was quietly consulting index cards, which he kept in his suit pocket. I asked him if he wouldn’t rather be sitting somewhere quieter. I could see what looked like the upcoming scene handwritten on the cards. He replied ‘Not really. I often place myself in a busy or noisy environment when learning lines. It helps sharpen your focus.’ I thought of it for a few moments and then went and found my own chair and started reviewing my lines. 😉
I was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity of working with Barry Sonnenfeld. He brings such a playful energy and intensity to the Set. He wore a tie every day, which I found totally disarming. Instead of a Director’s chair, he has a horse saddle mounted on a short pedestal with casters and a fake tail on it. One of the highlights was when he invited me to actually to sit on it and try it out. It was very comfortable by the way. You can’t help but love the man and admire his amazing body of work.
You’re also appearing in the Hallmark Channel series, “CHESAPEAKE SHORES,” tell us about that.
SERGE: I play Del Granger, the Office Manager at Capital Management in Baltimore. Impressed by Abby’s smarts, I try to entice her to leave the New York City Office and transfer to our Baltimore Field Office, where she would be closer to family and friends in Chesapeake Shores. Of course my real motivation is to have this rising star on my team and I’m delighted when she accepts the offer. In a sense, my character becomes something of a mentor to her. All my scenes were shot with Meghan Ory (Abby O’Brien). Ory played Red Riding Hood/Ruby Lucas in the hit series “Once Upon A Time”. Apart from her obvious beauty, I found her extremely talented and very professional.
How did you get into acting?
SERGE: I started acting when I was 35, after having been a wild life Photographer specializing in bears (National Geographic) and an award winning Advertising Executive (IKEA). I was doing some background work on the TV series Wise Guy and the Director kept looking at me and eventually called me over and asked if I could walk over to a car, lean in and ask the occupant if he wanted to wait or go for something to eat? I said ‘Sure’ and we shot the scene in one take. The guy in the car was Jonathan Banks (Mike from Breaking Bad). I thought to myself ‘I can do this!’ and some 160 IMDb credits seem to prove me right 😉
Overall, what’s been the biggest surprise for you as an actor?
SERGE: Realizing that the hardest part of an Acting career is not the actual work itself, but accepting the fact that most of the time you won’t be working! And despite this, to remain positive, confident, prepared and passionate. The mental game is a very important aspect.
What’s the best piece of advice you can share with aspiring artists?
SERGE: Get out now while you still can! But if you tell me ‘I can’t. I love this work. It’s my passion’ then I’ll say OK, but now dedicate yourself to it. Lean In, Learn and Play.
Lastly, we can’t let you go without asking…what’s your favorite comedy film and why?
SERGE: That would have to be Joel & Ethan Coen’s Raising Arizona (1987), and guess who was the Cinematographer? Barry Sonnenfeld!
As for the ‘Why’, it was the introduction of the Coen Brother’s unique comedy style. The weird oddball storyline told in a totally refreshing style with amazing characters and hilarious situations. I remember thinking ‘Who could have come up with these ideas?’ It was like nothing that had been seen before. Kind of like what Quentin Tarantino did a few years later when he came on the scene with Reservoir Dogs.
