Alex Neustaedter – Colony

By: Lisa Steinberg

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

A) Two years ago, I shot a movie called Ithaca that was directed and stars Meg Ryan. Tom Hanks, Hamish Linklater and Sam Shepard are in it. It’s a movie that takes place in 1942 on the home front in America. After that, I did “Colony.” Then, I did a movie called Shovel Buddies, which will be out this year. I also did a movie in November, that I can’t talk much about. I don’t think they have released it yet, but it takes place in Montana. It’s kind of a hunting/survival story.

Q) What will we learn about your character this season on “Colony?”

A) What is really interesting about Bram is that he kind of has his own subplot to the main plot. They tie-in intricately to the world around them that the characters are living in. You learn more about the character, how adventurous he is and he is trying to figure out who is a part of the occupation. It’s a huge question mark throughout the entire show. You’ll learn more about the character how he never sits back and wants to take things into his own hands.

Q) Was there instant cast chemistry when everyone began working together?

A) We have a great chemistry. They (Sarah Wayne Callies and Josh Holloway) are both such great people so it is really hard not to respond well to them and have that chemistry. What is interesting is we shot the pilot and then I think seven months later we started to shoot the season. We said, “hi” and “bye” after we shot the pilot so we had to reconnect when the show got picked up. It was a lot of fun! What is so great about them is that they are definitely leaders on set and you can see that from how they carry themselves and the precedent they set for all the other actors.

Q) Did the description of character change from audition to on screen?

A) I wouldn’t say it did terribly or dramatically. I think when I auditioned it was the pilot and he was a little bit more innocent. He didn’t know as much and wasn’t too concerned with really discovering everything he could right then and there. As the show kind continues on, he started becoming much more aggressive and risk taking in that sense. So, I think it is a good change and it evolved in a good way. It’s evolving in a sense that he is becoming more mature and more of a man almost every episode with his choices and decisions to help his family out.

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

A) I like to think I did. I think I really relate a lot to his adventures and work he is trying to accomplish. We know his interest level in this occupation. I think what I did try to add was really the connection, struggle and tug and pull with him and his parents. In terms of me questioning my parents, we have our arguments as do most sixteen year olds. I try to make it as real as possible and try to make it so that people would understand where he is coming from and how violated he feels sometimes. It’s such an empty feeling not knowing what your parents are doing and where they are late at night. In this world, anything can happen. Someone can die in an instant and that is a crushing feeling for anybody. Having that empty feeling and not knowing where his parents are all that time really weighs on him. I think I added a little more intensity in that sense.

Q) Is there anyone you wanted to work with more or didn’t have any scenes with that you’d like to work with?

A) I only have one scene with Proxy Snyder (Peter Jacobson). I have a girlfriend in the show and I have a lot of scenes with her. I meet a teacher who I have some really good scenes with. He’s kind of another father figure in that sense. I didn’t really know where the character was going to go from the pilot in terms of what the creators had in mind. I’m so happy though with where it went.

Q) How do the dynamics shift with your character this season?

A) In the pilot, he is very concerned about this parents and I think that stays true throughout the entire season. But he grows more and more independent and he starts going behind his parents’ backs and doing things he probably shouldn’t be doing in terms of trying to understand the occupation. It’s something really interesting to him and it should be because he is forced to live in a world he obviously doesn’t want to live in because all of his freedoms are taken away from him. He is very interested in trying to figure out any way he can as to who this occupation is and I think you will see him growing more and more coming episodes because of his brother’s loss and his brother being missing. As an older brother, that can destroy you in terms of the emotional toll it takes on you. I think that is a big motivation that becomes increased during the season trying to figure out where he might be or what is going on with Charlie.

Q) What do you think it is about “Colony” that has already captivated so many viewers?

A) I think because it is such a real show. It feels it could actually happen. I’ve talked to some people and they say it scares them. The way it is shot and the way the chemistry is between the characters and just the entire setup of the show is very possible. It’s a very scary moment. I think the way the creators created the story and the motivation behind it makes it so real for the audience. We don’t know too much about what else there is, but I think that this really explores if there was something else what could possibly happen. Thankfully, whatever these things are (if they exist) aren’t trying to wipe us out yet. I think it is very scary and I think you see that from the characters and the way they have to behave in this occupied world. It’s very different and strange for them. I think people watching at home will have the same questions about who they can trust and what they would personally do in this situation. You can really put yourself in these people soon. Would you join the resistance and fight or join the occupation to have some safety and security? Overall, I think it is because it is so real in that sense.

Q) What are some moments you are most looking forward to fans getting to see?

A) I can’t really talk about it too much, but I will say that the scenes with my teacher throughout the season are interesting as that relationship grows. It’s a lot of fun to work with Josh and Sarah. So, all the scenes that we have were a lot of fun throughout the season as well. It’s interesting because Bram kind of has his own take on the world and when he confronts his parents they have a different outlook on what they want him to do. I think that those are my favorite scenes.

Q) What do you think you have taken away or learned from being a part of the show?

A) Well, it’s my first TV show that I have done continuously. So, it is good. It’s a different style of filmmaking in that sense. As much as they try to make it like a film set, there are some significant differences and I think that is what is so interesting for me. It’s so completely different. As the episodes come through and I read them, I learn more about what the creators have in mind for the character in the future and also what happened with the characters in the past. It’s also how the relationships grow and it’s interesting to see how that evolves and grows throughout the show. Also, in terms of if it ever happened to me, I think I would have some pretty good skills I have learned throughout the show. [laughs] I think I might be able to survive for a little bit.

Q) Since you are a part of social media, are you enjoying the instant fan feedback you have been receiving?

A) Yeah! It’s been really cool. It is very interesting because I never really had that to an extreme, but now people are messaging me. Friends and family and people are starting to watch the show and it is great. Who doesn’t like hearing from people who are watching your work and liking it? That’s one of the best parts – the connection you have with people who like your work and are fans. I think it is great! I welcome it. I can’t wait to do one of the Comic Cons and get to meet some of them. It’s really interesting to see peoples’ reactions to the show.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure fans know about the show?

A) Just get ready for the ride! It’s going to be crazy. There are going to be a lot of twists and turns you won’t expect. You really can’t take your eyes off the screen for a second because you will miss something. It will get much more intense throughout, but there will still be a grounding of what this is really like living in this occupation. So, I say just be ready because it is going to get wild.