Dylan Riley Snyder – Kickin It

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

A) We’ve been working on Season 4 for a little bit now. It’s been so much fun to be back and see the family and to be in that environment again.

Q) There seems to be a fair amount of changes coming this season.

A) Most definitely! The big changes that are here this season is a change of scene. We no longer have the regular dojo that you know and the regular Falafel Phil’s and the mall courtyard. Everything is now based off of this dock by the beach. We have brand new dojo that is like a dojo and gym at the same time. The wharf has that beachy smell and you can almost smell the salt in the air on the sound stage. We have a bowling alley there so we really upgraded our sets and where we have our scenes take place. The other change is that our character personalities. We’re growing! We’re growing a lot and we’re showing that!

Q) We know about the exit of Olivia Holt, as well.

A) It was sad to see her go, but we see her every day. It’s not too bad! She only works across the lot from us. I don’t know how that will be for fans without her, but we’ve had episodes without her before and I’m sure we’ll do okay.

Q) What is new this season with Milton?

A) He’s being paired a lot with Jerry (Mateo Arias) this season. It’s because they found the smart and the dumb, the yin-yang of it, really works well together. Also, part of his growth is he is learning a lot of morals and he’s able to teach them really well. He and Jerry kind of work well off each other and you are going to see that a lot this season. He’s grown into this really confident character and has higher self esteem now. He can accomplish many more things now and he’s so smart. He doesn’t have the fighting skills or strength that Jack (Leo Howard) has, but he makes up for that with his mind. It’s a really nice character to play and just being able to have him get more comfortable with being that person has been really fun to play off of and finesse with the character. It gives me a lot of options of how to play him.

Q) What is your favorite aspect of playing Milton?

A) I would say my favorite aspect is that I still get to keep him young. He is a kid and I am, too. I love being a kid so I get to be myself when I am him. I get to keep him young and youthful. Even though he’s getting into this really grownup world he has his moments, his little slips of being youthful. I like playing around and I am comfortable messing up. It doesn’t embarrass me. It’s just fun! That has just kind of been my attitude toward the entire show. It’s not just a job. It’s my hobby and that means I get to have as much fun as possible. I don’t rely on it for fame. I just want to have fun with my life and that’s how I see the entire show. It’s fun! I think that’s the moral that we’re trying to teach everyone. It’s about having fun, letting loose and being comfortable with the friends that you have.

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

A) I would say that he has a little bit of a bite to him now. He is this nice character, but he gets frustrated (it seems like a lot). When he gets frustrated, the lines they have on the page he gets mopey. Just adding that little bit of pepper he becomes this, “You don’t want to make him angry” character where he’ll bite your head off if he needs to, but it is not going to do much. That’s something that I have quite enjoyed and the writers, too. They have started to embrace it and added it more to the script about how he handles frustration.

Q) Last time we spoke, you mentioned Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas may or may not appear on the show. Who can you tease we will get to see guest star this season?

A) The only one that I can tease is Leo’s father, Todd Howard. We had a pretty good time working with him. I actually wasn’t in the story line, but I got to watch him. He’s a pretty Hulk-y guy so you can’t miss him. Just be looking out for him! You can’t miss him!

Q) Do you have any quick fashion tips for guys you can share with fans?

A) Something that I have always relied on was the use of vests. Vests are your friend! Putting one over a button-down shirt, for my body type (tall and skinny) makes you look really good. It makes you feel good, too! Bowties are good. Learn how to tie them as soon as you can. Wear them for special occasions. Don’t just randomly go out wearing them. Every once in a while it’s nice to have change because everybody wears ties. You just want to look nice. You never know who you are going to run into or see. That’s kind of a life lesson. Always be ready for something!

Q) What are some of your upcoming charity projects?

A) On March 16th, I’ll be in Westbury, New York doing Kids Carnival For a Cure. It’s a diabetes research organization that is helping to find a cure. I’ll be there doing a meet-and-greet with them and having fun with kids. Check it out at http://www.diabetesresearch.org and you’ll find it. Come on by and it’s all for good! It’s for a good charity and my grandfather has diabetes so it hits close to him. It’s something I want to help out!