Andrew Bowen – Po

By starrymag | April 22, 2016

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

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

A) Well, I have been doing a lot of voiceover work. I played a small role in The Tribes of Palas Verdes, which I shot last month. I’ve spent most of April just promoting films Holidays and Po.

Q) Please tell us the premise for the film Po and about your character Jack. 

A) Po is the story of a father who’s loses his wife to cancer and now has to raise his nine year old son with Autism alone. The film is this beautiful, heartfelt and honest look at the real struggles parents face raising a child in the spectrum. One of the narratives in the film is you get to see the world “through the eyes” of Po, the film’s Autistic lead (played by the remarkable Julian Feder). Jack plays a very important role in Po’s journey. I can’t give away to many details because it would take away from the film, but Jack is the film’s “light.”

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

A) Well, I have a son with Autism, so does the director John Asher, the writer and Christopher Gorham who plays Po’s father in the film. The script was amazing. It was so authentic and had so much heart. I would have helped in any way to get the film made. I just got lucky that John wrote such an amazing character in it for me. I’m very proud and honored to be a part of the film.

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

A) This would be so much easier to answer if the film was out. Yes, as an actor you always add texture to things. I got to play five different incarnations of the same character so I had a lot of room to play, but we stuck pretty close to the script. It was all there on the page, which is such a gift. I just made sure I was in line with John’s vision.

Q) What did you find challenging about the role? 

A) Again, I wish it was out…There are so many cool things I could talk about. It was challenging in many ways, but also incredibly fun as well. I just tried to make sure everything Jack did was authentic.

Q) Was there instant cast chemistry when everyone began working together or did it take some time to develop?

A) Well, almost all my scenes were with Julian and Caitlin Carmichael (who is also amazing in the film) and we all hit it off right away. They’re both just great kids, full of life and incredibly talented. We shot the Land of Color stuff two weeks after principal photography wrapped so we were just this small troupe of gypsies rolling up the California coast making magic.

Q) What was it like working with director John Asher?

A) I’ve worked with John a bunch of times before, we’re good friends and it’s always such a joy to work together. He’s one of the funniest people I know, yet has laser focused when he’s directing. Po really is his baby and an incredible showcase for his talents as a storyteller.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming?

A) All of them. Again, when you see the film you’ll understand. We shot one sequence at Oceano Dunes Preserve near Pismo Beach that looks like a massive desert. That was so cool because we all felt like we were on Tattonine shooting Star Wars.

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from watching Po?

A) An exceptional movie going experience, a better understanding of Autism and perhaps some motivation to get involved in dealing with this crisis and making sure there are programs and research in place to help and support this amazing kids and their families.

Q) Your movie Holiday was also recently at the Tribeca Film Festival. What kind of feedback did you receive from audiences?

A) People have loved it. We’ve been getting great reviews, too! If you’re a horror fan, Holiday has something for everyone. I’m just so glad people are getting to see and enjoy it so much.

Q) You have great comedic timing. Is that something that you find is a natural ability or have you had to hone it?

A) I mean, with any skill you always have to hone things. The moment you stop learning is the moment you stop growing and I think the work suffers. I was born a goofball. Comedy is a part of my DNA so for me timing was something I just always had a natural feel for. It’s hard to explain…I’m just very lucky and grateful to have it.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to interact with fans?

A) It closes the gap of distance. The great thing about social media is that you can connect with people all over the globe without having to get on a plan. I love my fans. It’s really nice to know that people out there enjoy your work. I mean, my job is to entertain folks so to know it’s working and people are enjoying what I do is pretty awesome. Very grateful for them.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of your work?

A) Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!