Phillip Lewitski – Utopia Falls

By starrymag | March 11, 2020

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you have been busy working on?

 

A) I’m very excited for the new season on “Vikings” to come out. I spent some time last year in Ireland shooting it and it hones in on some very powerful historical facts that I think are a lot of the time forgotten. Later on this year I will be shooting a feature film that touches on some very important topics that hopefully will stir up conversation around what it is focused on. I can’t give any more details about this film.

 

Q) We’re seeing you now on “Utopia Falls.” What made you want to be a part of the series?

 

A) When I first saw the cast breakdown it was very attractive for me to see how diverse the cast was. When I asked about it, the producers expressed that they wanted to dive into each of our cultural backgrounds throughout the series and to me, that was very intriguing. I also come from a very big musical background so when I saw Apollo’s musical background it was very exciting to dive into that. This show has also hit a very unique niche that I’ve never seen before so after reading it I knew there had to be some very creative minds behind it.

 

Q) How was your character Apollo originally described to you?

 

A) He was very specifically described to me at the beginning, but as we started shooting the creator of the show allowed me to explore my own feelings on the character and put my own spin on things so a lot of what you see on the screen is me.

 

Q) What did you find challenging about portraying him?

 

A) The most challenging thing I found playing Apollo I can’t actually say because it would be a huge spoiler but anyone who has seen the show probably knows what I am referring to. Besides that, I would say some of the drum sequences I shot had very difficult rhythms but I had an incredible team behind me who took me through everything step by step during pretty intense rehearsals. All the timing for the beats had to be exact so that it would match up in post. I also had an incredibly talented drum double who we didn’t end up using much but he turned into an incredible teacher and friend on set.

 

Q) Apollo can play any instrument by ear. What is your personal connection and background in music?

 

A) This was actually one of the most pulling things I read about Apollo; the fact that he could play any instrument by ear. Music has always been a huge part of my life. Growing up I learned to play the violin piano, and drums. My teachers would always get mad at me though because I would always learn the song by ear. I never read sheet music. They were frustrated because that was their job to teach me how to read music, but (again) I found it was easier to learn the songs by ear. To this day I learn all my songs by ear and so it was really easy to relate to Apollo in that way.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on this series?

 

A) I flew in from out of town to shoot this show so although some of the other local actors knew each other I didn’t know anyone going in. It didn’t take long before we all became really close friends and still months after we’ve wrapped, we are all in constant communication. Two of the actors moved to Los Angeles so we hang out here a bunch as well.

 

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to film?

 

A) There were so many amazing moments on set with everyone but one that really stuck out for me was the discovery of my past and ancestors in The Archive. It was a very moving part of Apollo’s life and I felt very connected to it. That feeling that you’ve been in the dark hidden from the truth is a very confusing place to be and I could really relate to where Apollo’s head would be at in a moment like that.

 

Q) What do you hope people take away from watching “Utopia Falls?”

 

A) I hope that people can come together more despite their differences. There are so many divides in our society today that shouldn’t be there at all. This planet would be a way happier place if we didn’t discriminate against each other based on race, sexual orientation or gender.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. What kind of feedback have you received to viewers of the show?

 

A) I have been very happy with the reaction of the fans. People are really getting invested in the characters and the show as a whole. I have received messages from people who have had personal experiences related to what Apollo goes through and that’s always a good feeling to know that I touched someone out there who is or was going through a similar struggle.

 

Q) What advice would you give to up and coming actors and actresses?

 

A) The one thing I always say to anyone thinking about pursuing this industry is that if this isn’t everything to you don’t go through with it. Your passion and commitment to the craft has to be 110% there. This industry will eat you up and spit you out and if you don’t have that burning flame inside of you to pick you right back up after you get knocked down, you won’t survive.