The Tufts Daily
6
Weekender
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Interview | Aaron Paul
Aaron Paul discusses making ‘Need for Speed’ by
Timothy Charouk Daily Staff Writer
Following critical praise for his complex portrayal of Jesse Pinkman on the acclaimed TV series “Breaking Bad” (2008-2013), Aaron Paul now has his first major lead with the upcoming film “Need for Speed.” The Daily recently participated in a roundtable interview with Paul, in which he discussed the pressure that comes with headlining a movie, classic car films and what the future may bring. The Tufts Daily: You’re known for a lot of indie work, or supporting roles, but this is your first major lead. Are you starting to feel the pressure of it? This is your movie, your name is on the marquee. Aaron Paul: The more I do interviews like this, [the more I say], “Yes.” People always ask, “Are you feeling the pressure? How are you taking all this pressure?” But honestly, I try not to think about it too much. And the film comes out soon, so we’ll know [then] if it does well or not. The movie speaks for itself. I think it’s a fun movie, and I think it has a great story. [The script] surprised me when I read it.
TD: Is this something you want to keep doing? Being the lead in a big budget film like this? AP: Not necessarily — it depends on whether or not the character is there. Right after “Need for Speed” I did a film that we did for around $400,000. It’s called “Hellion.” [It’s a] super small, low-budget independent [film], and I love making those movies. I’m just trying to mix it up [and] try something different. TD: Having played the video game, I had my own expectations going into the film, but what really surprised me were the car crashes. It really made you think about the impact of street racing. Despite the coolness of the street racing, these crashes seemed so real. Did that realism draw you to the film? AP: Yes, I agree with you. This film does not condone street racing whatsoever. That’s why Scott [ Waugh], our director, wanted everything to be practical, [with] no [computer-generated imagery (CGI)]. We’re used to watching films where there’s a lot of [CGI], which is fine, but they’re lying to us. I loved that they wanted to do a sort of throwback to how car movies used to be done, like “Bullitt” (1968) or “Vanishing Point” (1971). That’s what they pitched me when they sent me the script. Scott grew up on the sets of those movies, and I loved that he wanted to do it [practically].
Gage Skidmore via Flicker Creative Commons
Aaron Paul explains part of his pre-production process for ‘Need for Speed.’ TD: Were you thinking you wanted to get into the world of action? AP: I knew I [wanted] to do something lighter because I had been part of a show that was so heavy for so long, [which] was amazing. We were such a family, and in between takes we were having the best time. But the character was just so heavy, so tortured. I wanted to do something that steered far away from that sort of thing. Will I play more tortured roles? I’m sure. For some reason, I like to put myself through that. I wasn’t searching for this. It just came my way out of nowhere, and I’m happy it did. TD: You’ve worked opposite the of Bryan Cranston and Christian What was it like to be the lead? was it different when you didn’t someone like that to play off of?
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AP: It’s all the same really. We have a stellar cast, but it’s kind of strange to be at the top of the call sheet. The pressure is slowly seeping in. It felt the same, though. The goal is to just get lost in the moment and [to] believe [in] what’s actually happening. Working with Bryan made every day a master acting class. I would not be the actor I am today without him. Working
opposite him for six years, you naturally become better at what you do. Christian was just incredible to watch. TD: Since you had to do a lot of driver training, is this the most pre-production you’ve ever done? AP: Yes. I had to gain a lot of weight to do this movie. If you watch the final season of “Breaking Bad” you can see that I slowly start to balloon out. I loved all the prep, though. Every day that I went out to the [race] track I got just a little better. I learned something new. There are tracks all over this country, and you can go there and take courses to learn how to race. It’s actually a lot easier than you’d think. To slide the car around is super simple, [like doing] a reverse 180 or even a full 360. TD: What was your favorite car to drive in this film?
Believe it or not, spring break is once again upon us. Ah, spring break: the only time of year that Florida isn’t the worst state of all time. Though some of us will stay local and endure the overcast skies and chilly air of Medford and Somerville, many will head to tropical locales to enjoy the sun and surf. Whatever your situation, the Daily Arts Department has compiled a list of artsy activities for you to do while enjoy your week-long exotic siesta.
9) Watch “Spring Breakers” (2012): This modern day classic has all of the necessary spring break elements: former child stars doing weird sex things, ragers on the beach and James Franco in cornrows. 8) Take artsy photos: We can’t wait to see your “creative” Instagram post of your pale, pale legs with a Jodi Picoult book on your knees and the beautiful beach as a backdrop. #blessed 7) Read the Bible: #literallyblessed
Star Aaron Paul calls ‘Need for Speed’ a homage to classic car films.
TD: Are there any particular directors that you look forward to working with in the future? AP: There’s so many. I just worked with one of my all-time favorites, Ridley Scott. He’s such a legend. But I would love to work with [Steven] Spielberg. He [was involved with] this, but he didn’t direct it. Paul Thomas Anderson, Wes Anderson, Nicolas Refn, [Quentin] Tarantino — there’s so many great directors that I would love to work with.
Top Ten | Artsy things to do this spring break
10) Make Pintrest crafts: Good luck. You know as well as we do that trying to make a Pintrest craft is like trying to finish a game of Monopoly: It’s just not gonna happen.
Courtesy DreamWorks Pictures
AP: My favorite car, hands-down, was the Gran Torino. We all wanted that car so bad. There’s two identical Torinos that they gutted and remade to use in the movie. They ended up wrecking one of the cars during the first race by accident. Then Scott and I fought for the second one, but neither of us got it.
6) Start that blog: You have a lot of amazing things to say about the system, education, your step-dad and the prison industrial complex. Now is the time to make your voice heard. Speak your truth.
5) Go on a Netflix binge: You hated everyone obsessing over “House of Cards” (2013-present) this past February. Well, it’s time to drink the proverbial Kool-Aid (and also the real Kool-Aid because it’s probs gonna be, like, hot). 4) Play barbershop with your hairy legs: Let’s be real people, shaving your legs during the winter is a joke — ain’t nobody got time for that. After peeling off your jeans and your thermal underwear (which may be fused to the skin in certain places at this point), feel free to get creative with some designs. 3) Get ignored by your family: Now that the jolly holiday season is gone for good, nobody’s going to be happy to see you — not even the family dog. 2) Consider cutting your hair super short but then back out at the last minute: After one too many breakdowns on the makeover episodes of “America’s Next Top Model” (2003-present), you back out. You could only pull it off in the ironic Lena Dunham style anyways, and you’re just not brave enough. 1) Get drunk: C’mon, let’s be real. We’re all just counting down the days before we can leave our right minds. Just be safe, dummies! SPRING BREAK 2014 FOREVER. —compiled by the Daily Arts Department