Amir Arison – The Blacklist

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) I started work on a documentary, it’s been almost a year and a half now. I was asked by a nonprofit company called Angelight Films that is run by Stephanie Angel, whom I actually met on “The Blacklist” when she worked as a script supervisor in Season 3. We  got along really well and she had  started this nonprofit that works with kids between the ages of five and eighteen who have or have had a brain or spinal cord tumor. What she does is she goes in (and she gets matched through hospitals or a social worker) and the kids  get to make a film about anything that they want. If they are younger there is a worksheet that helps them draw out from  their imagination. She had made twelve of those short films and asked me if I would make number thirteen. I had been directing on my own a little bit, sort of developing as a director when not acting. I’ve been acting since I was eight years old; professionally I started doing some commercials in Florida when I was sixteen years old. As a career, I’ve been doing it since I graduated college. I’m also a big advocate of art access and education to those who may not have access due to socio-economic income, location or disability. This was the first time I had the opportunity to work with someone who was in the hospital and didn’t have access to performance or rehearsals of any kind.  So, this was totally right up my alley. I had found out from Stephanie that all the kids she worked with previously had gotten better. I was like, “Well, that’s incredible! And it sort of coincides with my theory that creativity has the  power to heal. I know that it  spiritually, mentally and emotionally has that power or that potential power. Now, I’m like, “Does it have the power to actually heal, literally,  physically?” Not to pretend to play  doctor or God or anything like that, I don’t  think that hope and creativity trump  [laughs] Done right though, my belief is that it can’t hurt. She sent me the picture of the girl, Tati, and I was instantly like, “This girl has a sparkle to her. ” I immediately thought, “If I’m going to go in and work with her on her short film and develop it with her, then I would also love  to document it, too. I want to document her creative process while  also tracking her health.” And her family agreed and I’ve now  been working on it for thirteen months. While she was in and out of chemo we developed her short film. She wanted to do a fashion called “Tati’s Fashion Show.” We  got professional designers and  a professional crew. Her favorite actress was Raven-Symoné and I had worked with her so I had Raven Facetime her and give her some advice. We got to go to New York Fashion Week for research. She got to do her fashion show and we filmed it and I got to document the whole thing. We had a little red carpet for her and then we did a friends and family screening documenting the whole thing. Along with the creative process, we documented  her health and the nuances of the toll childhood cancer takes on a family. The mom is really the main character in many ways.  It’s really a lot about motherhood. Knock on wood, Tati is now in full remission now and just went back to school. It’s like the best thing ever! I’m mostly done with production. The family has become like best friends of mine. We’re  still trying to raise funds and start the pre-editing process while I look for a world class editor and post-production producer and stuff like that. I’ll probably be working on it for another year or year and a half. When not working on “The Blacklist,” it’s my passion has sort of given me great perspective on things. I hope that it helps Tati and her family, but the surprise is how much it helped me.

Q) What can you tease is new this season on “The Blacklist” and with Aram?

A) Every year has been this very new, exciting adventure and aspect of the show and new things for Aram…Since the exit of Samar (Mozhan Marnò) last season, it really put Aram in a whole new mental playing field. Utter devastation and utter loss – to the point where he wasn’t even afraid of Reddington (James Spader). It’s sort of given him a certain level of Fear and nervous energy has always been a huge part of who Aram is. When I spoke to the creator (Jon Bokencamp), he said Aram  still is who he is, but when the moment comes he absolutely is very clear on his purpose. He had to let Samar go and his purpose is to save lives and help the task force. That was always his goal, but it’s next level now. He’s willing to put his life on the line without question, as opposed to the really anxious and nervous way before . I always  loved how Aram was braver than he realized. It’s almost like now he knows he is brave and he’s got to do what has got to be done. In that, there is a whole lot of new stuff to explore . He still gets anxious about all of the little things in life and I think people saw (and I’m not giving anything away) a new girl emerges – way earlier than I had ever expected. [laughs] I was like, “Samar just left!” So, there is a new girl in the picture and there are all kinds of wild things that I never expected in store. Then, of course, there is the A-plot with Reddington and Katarina Rostova. That’s  absolutely fascinating and gets wild and crazy. I think it’s going to be really rewarding to the fans that have been with us the whole time. It really taps into what goes on with the original mythology  of the show.

Q) Was there anything you added to Aram that wasn’t in his initial breakdown?

A) In general, the writers start learning the actor and the voice of the actor and with the character, they all start merging. I guess if you ask the writers that,  they’d say they sense the essence of the actor and work with that. I’m sort of speaking out of turn from what I’ve heard them say…But one little thing I’d say I did is I added the word “Mister” every time Aram refers to Reddington. Then, they kind of kept that and ran with it. He’s the only one who refers to Reddington as “Mr. Reddington.” [chuckles] In the beginning Aram  was very respectful and fearful and always wanted Mr. Reddington to  know how reverent he was of him and his power and his reach. So, every now and then in the writing the “mister” won’t make it into the script and I’ll be sure to say it. It’s always like, “Oh yeah, of course.” Everyone refers to him as “Reddington” and Aram refers to him as “Mr. Reddington.” I think that’s sort of effected their  Aram is always in awe of Reddington’s intelligence and power and aware that he can have anyone killed and anything done in a moment. And I think Reddington is sort of amused at Aram’s sort of innocence and also respects Aram’s ability on the computer and to sort of get things done. It’s been great!

Q) How much of a say have you had in the character development of Aram?

A) We have amazing writers. They really just know how to do it. Sometimes I’m surprised at sort of the jump that Aram has taken. Then, I think that’s my job to kind of fill in the gaps and make sure the logic behind the lines of what I’m doing is filled with backstory and you hope it comes through and translates on the screen. Once in a while I’ll call the writers if I have a question. They’ll be like, “Your concern is valid and it will get answered in two episodes.” I’m like, “Oh, okay, great.” Or, they’ll be like, “Oh, that’s a good point. What do you think it should be?” Once in a while I’ll pitch…never a storyboard or a change or anything big, but maybe just adjust the line a little bit to make sure it shows some of the detail of where Aram has been versus  where he is now. Once in a while I’ll pitch a joke or I’ll improvise a joke and they’ll allow that. That’s always fun. But I really only  reach out  once in a blue moon. Everyone does their job so  well and, again, my job as an actor is to take what is given and deliver it as best as I can. They’ve  actually been really appreciative, they’ll say, “Great catch! Thank you.” So, its’ a dream job. Our writers are so cool and open. I still can’t believe I have this gig.

Q) What can you tease are some upcoming favorite moments from filming or some upcoming episodes you are excited for fans to see?

A) If you watched the third episode, I worked hard to make sure it made sense for the character when the new lady almost drowned in  a room full of “enemies” rooting for her death…Aram had to singlehandedly take out three guards, rescue  her from the glass box and hold everybody at bay. Everybody started referring to Aram as “James Bond.” It showed Aram’s training, his fearlessness and thinking in the moment. It’s this huge action sequence and it was figuring out how to get there and executing it was really, really fun and really different. There is something coming in a couple episodes that is a total trip. It’s really awkward, funny and dangerous and very Aram. I don’t want to give away too much, but it does involve the new girl. Her name is Elizabeth Bogush and she’s an incredible actress. She’s been a great addition  to the show.

Q) What have you personally taken away from your time working on “The Blacklist?”

A) So many things…Just the sheer practice of being on set and on camera, going on seven years now with the show. One of the most comfortable places for me to be is on set. So, I just feel you could put me on any set with any actor and any director and I would be psyched. Like Aram, I think I would be fearless. As an actor, you always have to have a little bit of butterflies as you’re preparing a new role and when you’re in a new environment. That’s natural, but I would dive head first into any experience. I’m also pretty grateful for the sheer time to develop a character and consistently be on set with the same family this long. Also, “The Blacklist” has allowed a platform for me for the things  that are really important to  my heart,  Arts access and education, Mental health awareness, and animal rescue and I get to speak out on behalf of those causes. It’s just immeasurably rewarding.

Q) What is a piece of memorabilia from your time on “The Blacklist” that you some day hope to keep for yourself?

A) I don’t know what I’d like to take with me. I haven’t thought about that. Maybe Aram’s swivel chair. I just think the experience and the friendships. Maybe that’s a hokey answer. I’m leaving with friendships and a ton of episodes. I’ve been given more than I could have asked for already.

Q) You have been a part of a number of great shows. What have been some of your favorite projects to have worked on?

A) I really loved working on “Law & Order: SVU” I was on for a few seasons as a reoccurring emergency room doctor. And I really consider that almost like a grad school in television acting for me because there was so much medical jargon to say while walking and talking and standing opposite two stars – Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni (when he was on the show). You have to get it. You don’t get a lot of takes. Time is money. TV goes fast. So, just getting prepared and handling that was sort of an immeasurable learning experience. I enjoyed that. I loved working on “American Horror Story.” I loved working on “Girls.” I got to improvise with Lena Dunham. On “American Horror Story” I got to work opposite Jessica Lange. These are things I never thought would be possible. There is a play that I worked on in New York called Aftermath and it was at New York Theatre Workshop, which is an amazing company.  They are really dedicated to artists and they commissioned the writers to write a play about Iraqi refugees living in Jordan. And they went to Jordan and got real life interviews. I sort of helped develop the piece once they were pairing down the interviews of what the play would be. I played one of the roles  Iraqi dermatologist who loved American things, was really arrogant and loved to make jokes, but he hated the war. There was something about playing a real guy on stage. It sort of gave it a  higher purpose. Whatever was going on in your life (actor troubles or personal troubles), and you’re playing a survivor of war, it just  gave the experience a higher purpose. I had to dedicate  the show to someone who is actually going through the experience, surviving war . I just loved that show and I loved that cast and crew. Something about that experience.  Also, the role itself  was really great, it had great comedy and great drama and great pathos. It was truly a  really rich part. I’ve even spoken to that writer and discussed coming back to that show because there is a lot of material that wasn’t used in that play. We could mine that role and see what else was said, if there is  something more to say with the role . Maybe If they could even find him  again and find out how he is doing and what  his point of view is today. I want to visit that role again. I just liked that part so much and that experience.

Q) You are an incredible supporter for various causes. Why is it so important to you to give back?

A) Once I learned the fact that when I’m in a position to give is, the fact that I get to be a benefactor is sort of an endless reward in giving. It creates a high in you and sort of once I discovered that magic, it’s actually quite healing. There is a double benefit. You get to help someone or an organization and by doing so it ultimately helps you. I remember when I was in a rut. It was a big lesson for me…My first pilot was a pilot called “Insecurity” and it was for TBS, but it didn’t go. I felt like I had taken ten steps forward and then like fifteen steps back because I was barely getting in the audition  It felt like I was back to square one. It probably wasn’t, but that’s how I was perceiving it. It was really hard to get my mojo back because I was so dejected. My mom had  empathy for my situation, but in a way she  didn’t. She said, “Go volunteer. Go give back to those in  need.” I went and worked with these fifth graders that had written screenplays and got professional actors to perform their sketches and plays in front of their families . I remember driving in LA and I was so happy on my way home. I was like, “This is the best day I’ve had in LA. s like, “Why is that?” It was  outside of oneself.  can be very sort of self-involved and I think the key to acting (and even life) is getting  outside of oneself. It’s something I’ve sort of figured out recently in a bigger way. And selfishly it just feels good. Creative projects really help, too. I think working on something creative is literally a form of therapy. It’s an outlet.  That’s why Arts Access and Education mean so much to me. Now, I have a dog too and I truly realize how much I love my dog that I can’t even imagine a dog not getting rescued. That is why I’m passionate for stuff like that. It’s personal, it’s the right thing to do, and the reward is in the doing!

Q) Where can people go on to learn more about your documentary?

A) If anyone is interested in knowing more about the documentary, they can to tatithedocumentary.com.

Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your work?

A) Thank you! Thank you so much! I always dreamed of being able to work in this business and be a professional actor. The fact that I get to do it only happened because people watch and support.  Thank God! Thank you!