Interviews - Movies
Ben Ratner – Hall Moniter
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Q. What are some of the recent projects that you’ve been working on?A. I’m about to play a psychiatrist on the “Stargate” series. I don’t usually go out for the Sci Fi stuff, as I look exceptionally ridiculous in the space suits, but this is a fun part and I am glad to do it.
Q. We know you just recently co-stared on the show “Da Vinci’s City Hall.” What made you want to be a part of that project?A. To be a series regular on an intelligent, challenging show was a great opportunity. Nicholas Campbell is a truly amazing actor and I learned a lot from going toe to toe with him for 13 episodes.
Q. What is it about that show that you think continually had viewers tuning in?A. People who wanted a little bit of an intellectual challenge along with their entertainment loved the show. There has been no other series that dared to so realistically take on current events in civic politics. If that sounds boring, you should probably be watching another show!
Q. Do you have a most memorable moment from working on this show?A. Improvising with Nicholas Campbell was always a blast. We would just keep going until the director said cut, and quite often bits and pieces of that stuff ended up on screen.
Q. When taking on a role, how do you transform yourself into that character?A. Depends on the character. Too long and actory to get into, but one thing is to infuse a little animal life into each character. For example, in “City Hall” I was “The Cat That Swallowed The Canary.” Always has a barely suppressed grin and a little bit of a secret. In the film Last Wedding I was a beagle. Very still, very focused, with a slightly inquisitive head tilt. If all else fails, just learn the lines and try not to knock over the lights.
Q. You’ve done acting, directing and writing. Is there anything else you’d like to try your hand at?A. At this point, enough is enough. I’d like to go to Italy and eat Spaghetti for a few weeks.
Q. When writing, where do your inspirations come from?A. I am primarily inspired by my own experiences and the people around me. The script I am writing now is a period piece about an amateur boxer set in Toronto in 1936, the year of the Berlin Olympics. The research has been interesting, but the part I am enjoying most about the script is writing about the boxing, which I know well, because I was a competitive boxer as a teenager.
Q. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?A. Spending time at home with my girlfriend…a drink before and something to eat after.
Q. Do you have a latest obsession? Are you into any particular book, sport, music group or activity?
A. I’m still obsessed with my Ipod. Every time I create a new playlist it’s like a new lease on life.
Q. Now that it is 2006, what are you most looking forward to this year?A. This year’s goal is to complete last year’s goals.
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