Andy Bean – Here and Now

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) I just finished up shooting a pilot with a friend that was looking to get off the ground. It’s called “Trying.” Then, other than that, I’m on the hunt for new and exciting projects.

Q) Please tell us the premise for the show “Here and Now” and about your character Henry.

A) On the surface it is about a progressive multi-ethnic family in Portland, Oregon. Also, we follow a Muslim psychiatrist who is seeing one of the family members, Ramon (Daniel Zovatto). Ramon is seeing things that people in the family aren’t. Obviously, it takes place in very much the present day of society and America. So, it kind of touches on and reflects certain issues and conversations that I think are very important to have right now. Fundamentally, with all of that aside, it really is about (I think) people trying to figure out how the past effects our future. I think it’s very poignant with the title “Here and Now” as it’s very much about present living and trying to be a better human being in the process amidst the chaos in our society. Henry is kind of an enigmatic serious fellow. He begins a relationship with Ramon. They meet at Henry’s coffee shop/laundry mat. Henry becomes this caregiver and this life raft for Ramon in the beginning stages of going through all of these hallucinations and anxiety. Henry has got his own things working against him, which we will find out later. It’s really that Henry and Ramon find refuge in each other in troubling times.

Q) What made you want to be a part of this series?

A) I mean, it is kind of just obvious. Alan Ball as the writer and the showrunner…He’s just done some of the most magnificent stories from the silver screen to the small screen. The fact that he was at the helm of this was extremely attractive. Then, the pilot itself…When you read the script, everything was just so rich and every character was just so full, complex, cracked and flawed and what is great is when you enter the show in the first episode everyone is in full blown crisis, which I found to be…For me, when I watch something I don’t want things just to be handed over and everything is figured out for me. I enjoyed jumping in and seeing everyone being in mass crisis and see them work themselves out of it. So, really it was just the writing was so rich and the character were so rich. I was just insanely lucky to be a part of it.

Q) Was there anything you added to Henry that wasn’t in the initial breakdown for you?

A) [laughs] Alan was very specific at least on the physical look. He wanted the character to have a beard, which thank the Lord I could grow a beard. I don’t think they knew before casting me if I could grow a beard. [laughs] Tattoos and all of that…Physically, he was someone who fit into the landscape of Portland, but also just comes off as a bit nomadic and free spirited. When it comes to the character himself, I feel like saying what I brought to the role for me was uninteresting. All I could say is that what was important for me to bring was sincerity and kind of a day-to-day decisiveness to the guy. I think he is a guy that wakes up and has no plans. So, I wanted him to be kind of a free and loose spirit, but also be very decisive and direct. Really it was just a sincerity for Henry and Ramon.

Q) What have you found challenging about your portrayal?

A) With acting, what is challenging is trying not to suck. You just hope you show up on the day and it all works out. Other than this mountain to climb of not being bad, I think what was challenging was just making sure that the relationship between Henry and Ramon, and also to himself, was just as honest as it could possibly be. That was both the most challenging part and the most gratifying part.

Q) Was there instant chemistry when you began working with Daniel Zovatto?

A) Daniel is by far one of the greatest human beings. He’s a terrific actor and he’s insanely present, he cares and is enthusiastic and smart. I can’t say enough about Danny. You work on a lot of things. We made a decision early on that we’d like to portray this relationship in perhaps a different way then maybe I’d seen before. Hopefully we did that. When it comes to the chemistry and the rapport, that was very easy just because of how great a guy he is.

Q) Talk about working with iconic actors Tim Robbins and Holly Hunter.

A) Well, they obviously are who they are because the way they work and more importantly who they are as human beings is just so rare and special. I was fortunate enough to have just a little scene with Holly in the first episode and she was just so unbelievably giving and present and earnest. That’s both as an actress and human being. The same thing goes for Tim. They are amazing examples to have on set of being successful in your profession, but even more so as a person. It creates a climate for all of us younger actors and really put all of the energy into the work that it’s really special to have a set where everyone is just an amazing human being. The tremendous takeaway from this show is that we’ve all kind of created a little family and everyone is just having a love fest with all the actors and crew. It was just an amazing experience.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming “Here and Now?”

A) I had never been to Portland, Oregon before so when we all went up there just in the beginning for the first episode we were all just getting to know each other. We had some great and wonderful times doing the town. I think there is a moment in episode two where we shoot a scene near a waterfall and I think we were just walking up to the waterfall where we had a moment thinking, “This is just insanely beautiful this is and how unbelievably lucky that this gets to be our job.” It was just breathtaking and beautiful. That certainly stands out as a moment of gratitude.

Q) What makes HBO the perfect fit for this series?

A) I think HBO has a track record of creating shows that are obviously very character driven with complex flawed characters who are figuring it out. It requires from the viewer to be patient and to live with the story as opposed to the story coming to them. You kind of have to elevate yourself to the story and get on the ride and go for it. I think that this show is not easily categorized. It’s a lot of things. It deals with a lot of things. It’s ambitious. I think it’s perfect for HBO in the sense of it is not going to unfold immediately and not going to unfold in a way that is easy. I think it’s going to require your attention and a conversation. I think over a course of time it just builds and builds and builds and becomes more fascinating and more enriching. I really can’t wait for people to watch the season and see what people think because it’s really amazing the story that Alan unfolds throughout the course of the season.

Q) You often take on dramatic roles. Is there something about this genre that really draws you to it?

A) I’ll take whatever work I can get. [laughs] Do I take on dramatic roles? I think if you talk to my friends they would probably say I was one of the strangest, weirdest people and a bit of a clown. Maybe this is my way to vicariously balance out my life with more serious characters. Dramatic/comedic, it really doesn’t matter. It’s really actually all the same. It’s fun. It’s fun to have a job. I think the result is that you play these roles, but I think at the end of the day it’s whatever you find interesting, captivating and challenging. If you’re fortunate, you have the opportunity to dive in and have the opportunity to play that. There is drama and comedy, but I think at the end of the day if you can’t make someone laugh unless it’s true and honest. So, I think they work side by side. I don’t think there is that much difference between the two.

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

A) Well, that’s implying that I’m needed. [laughs] I consider myself in that same category of up and coming and just trying to make it work. So, I would say what I would hopefully want someone to say to me and I’d want to say it’s a tough racket and basically be kind to yourself. Love yourself. Work very hard and embrace your weirdness. Embrace the thing that makes you a little odd. Go for it. Be patient with yourself.