Adrian Voo – Amateur Night

By: Lisa Steinberg

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

A) The next film release will be a teen comedy called Little Bitches. It’s like a modern day Mean Girls type of movie. I’m in Savannah right now filming a movie with Michael Caine and Katie Holmes. It’s very fresh so I don’t know if they want to keep it hush for now, but it’s called Coup D’état. It is the same writers and directors as Amateur Night.

Q) Was it a coincidence or did they select you for this second film?

A) Jason Biggs is actually in this movie as well. That was totally coincidental because I don’t even have a scene with Jason in this movie. I just knew he had a small role in this and I would come in a day or two as well. I just came from set and it was incredible watching Michael Caine. This is a guy that I literally studied. When I went to acting school, there was a class called “Acting For Film,” and the text book was basically Acting For Film by Michael Caine. So, that was pretty mind blowing for me to actually be working with him in a movie.

Q) Talk a little bit about your upcoming movie Amateur Night and about your character Dan.

A) The movie is about this father who is down on his luck who ends up driving three hookers around Los Angeles. It is based on a true story and how I come into play is that I hired these hookers for my bachelor party. Chaos ensues!

Q) What made you want to be a part of the film?

A) The actual true story took place over the course of ten months, but the movie takes place in one night. What drew me to the movie was I just loved the story, how original it was and different it was. Just reading the reviews right now, people can’t seem to wrap their minds around the fact it is actually a true story. Jason Biggs was cast in it and I’ve been the biggest American Pie fan since 1999. I was like, “I get to be in a movie with him? Yeah. Sign me up!”

Q) Did your character evolve or change from the original breakdown of him to who we get to see in the movie?

A) Yeah, I think Dan lets loose a lot more than I thought he would. He is this type-A guy who completely organizes the party and have everything under control versus what happened in the movie where I kind of joined in once I was surrounded by all of these extras and everyone is yelling and chanting. I got caught up in it!

Q) Was there anything you added to Dan that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) It was weird because the writers (who are also the directors) said when they wrote the script they really had in mind more of like a big bulky frat boy type to play this character. But when I auditioned and read for it, they said that I put a spin on it that none of the other candidates went there. So, I think I made him a little more sensitive and put a little more heart into the character in the sense that I think a lot of people would think he just organized this bachelor party. I really had in mind though that I was doing this for my best friend. So, I really wanted to give him the best send-off that he could ever have. I think bringing the heart into that character that was a little bit out of the box because I was definitely not the guy they imagined who would play the best man.

Q) What was it like working with Jason Biggs?

A) Jason is incredible. He is an amazing actor. I think a lot of people don’t give him enough credit for his acting. I’m kind of guilty of that because I’m one of those people that knows him from American Pie, but he brings so much depth to the character in this movie that was just amazing. Especially an actor of his status, you say his name and everyone thinks of the movie he was in. But he was always the guy first on set and quietly to the side waiting to be called. He was never the actor in his trailer getting his nails done or having massages. I found that to be really refreshing because sometimes a lot of actors, especially those who have reached icon status. But Jason was awesome.

Q) What was your most memorable scene to film or behind the scenes moment?

A) My favorite scene was Janet Montgomery essentially holding the whole party hostage. She grabs me by my hair and slams me into a table. I just thought that was the most fun part of my time shooting on set. It’s a little bit of stage combat. Every time I would slam myself onto the table, I would cup my hands so I wouldn’t make a clunk onto the table. Janet would just freak out like, “Oh shit! Did I just hurt you?!” [laughs] She was a sweetheart. I love her.

Q) The film involves a lot of comedic timing. Is that something you had a natural gift for or have you had to work at it?

A) I studied it. Comedy is the hardest thing to do. I think everyone who does comedy will tell you that comedy does not come naturally to people. It is more o fa skill you master over time. For me, I studied comedy with The Groundlings Theatre Company and they are very famous for improv style of comedy. It kind of helps you to get you into the character and moves the scenes along. It always keeps you present. It is definitely something I am still learning.

Q) What kind of feedback have you gotten from the movie?

A) I think it has been overwhelming. The press for Amateur Night has been a God send. Just the fact that we worked so hard on this film and the whole world knows about it, I think it is incredible. I think the fans are really, truly enjoying this film.

Q) What have you taken away from working on Amateur Night?

A) That’s a hard question. You learn so much with every single project I take on. I become a better actor in a sense that whatever I practice and learn I take with me onto the next project. So, I learned so much from this – comedy, timing, work ethic, dealing with press, etc. I just learned so much.