Harvey Guillen – Eye Candy

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) How has “Eye Candy” evolved since you originally became a part of the show?

A) We shot the pilot over a year ago with Victoria Justice and I and different cast members. From the original pilot, only Victoria and I were left. Then, the storyline is a little bit different and the character veins. It’s been in the making for some time. It’s been so long in the making that it is been a journey. We’re glad it is finally here! We shot the pilot in November 2013 and then waited until November 2014 to hear we got picked up. We had to wait to start shooting. So, the cool thing was that we had a quick turn around date. Once we got the ball running, it was here before we knew it!

Q) What has been the evolution of your character from when you first auditioned to what we see now on TV?

A) Originally, my character was named Juan in the pilot and he was already working in the Cyber Crimes Unit, this underground kind of hidden department of the NYPD. That was kind of cool because it was made up of young, hip and tech savvy kids. The jokes were a little different and the character was just different where the jokes were too easy, cheeseball. We changed the character when Christian Taylor came on. We changed the name to George and he doesn’t work at the Cyber Crimes Unit. We both work in an IT department now and we basically help solve the crimes the NYPD can’t, won’t or didn’t. We help solve the crimes by helping to find loved ones who disappear somehow in connection with internet correspondence. The cool thing about George is he is really kind of a genius. He’s a hacker and kind of pretending to be a mediocre every day IT guy, but is really working there so he can have access to all of their equipment, facility and have the opportunity to log in and hack into different things easier. He kind of took this job as an alias and decoy. I think that’s so that we don’t care about the department, but we’re just so good at what we do that we can do both in our sleep. We actually use the equipment to solve mysteries and find out who this killer is. 

Q) Did it take some time to build chemistry with the new cast members?

A) It is weird because we came so close with the first cast from the pilot. We are so proud of everyone who was in the cast and everyone understands that things can change every day. It’s the way the business works sometimes. They’re all doing new projects now so everyone is fine. Then, the new cast members are awesome. I couldn’t imagine now the show being with anyone else because we all gel so well. We’ve become really good friends. The cast is so perfectly gelled together and everyone is so great. And I’ve been working with Victoria since the original pilot and the chemistry with her is a great rapport. We played on that for this pilot and they made us partners in crime. The chemistry is really good together and people keep texting me after the episodes air saying that they really like the scenes with Victoria and I together. It’s just like being with a sister. She makes it so easy to have that. It plays really well with our characters.

Q) Will we get some backstory on George this season?

A) Absolutely! There is an episode coming up where you find out how Lindy and George met. It will show the audience how far they have come. We have a flashback and things aren’t always as they seem. There is something that you wouldn’t expect and that’s how they come together. I really love that episode and it is one of my favorites because it shows the backstory and how the characters are different. It shows how George’s personality was different. Sometimes you meet people online and they can completely change the way we look at things. We find out who George was and how sometimes meeting the right person can bring the best out of you.

Q) “Eye Candy” is kind of a new show for MTV. What makes the show such a great fit for the network?

A) I think it is a great step starting a new genre for them. I think “Eye Candy” is the first show to present that. People have said it is like watching a short movie every episode. The lightening and the way it is shot is very beautifully done. It’s darker and grittier. It’s a great addition to the family for MTV. I feel like they have “Teen Wolf,” which is highly successful and then comedies like “Awkward” and “Faking It.” I think it will start a new tradition, if you will. The show is very dark and luckily George brings a comic relief. The story and the message the show is saying that it is kind of how the world is right now because with social media we give so much away. We post everything. We post who we are meeting. Who our family is. We post where we are going. You are leaving yourself so vulnerable to any wicked ideas they may have towards you. Twenty years ago, ten years ago we weren’t living in that world. We kind of make this map out for someone to become a target.

Q) This is our first look at you in a dramatic setting. Were you looking for a change?

A) I feel like I want to do everything, not just comedy. I have gone back and forth when I did “Huge.” Alistair was kind of endearing, quiet and loved LARPing. There were always layers to characters that I loved to play. From there, I’d go to something like a farce or something over the top. I became the comic relief on “The Thundermans” as their superhero cousin  who happens to be a multi-billionaire. There are all these different characters that I love to play because I also want to push myself. With George, I like that he is the comic relief, but has very dry humor and he is very, very smart. He sees things that others can’t. He’s kind of in his own little world so he will see things. It is a cool challenge to be that character who lives in his own world and be that genius.

Q) Have you enjoyed reading the scripts and trying to figure out more about the killer?

A) It’s so funny because with every episode we got we would not know who the killer was. We didn’t find out until later so just as the fans are finding out we were going through that while we were filming. We would show up and would look around the room trying to figure out who it would be. Every episode gave us clues that would bring us closer and closer and I thought that was a great idea because it keeps you on your toes and keeps the characters honest. So, even if you ended up being the killer, you weren’t the killer acting like a normal person. It was really cool actually watching it flourish.

Q) How has it been getting to interact with all of the show fans via social media?

A) It’s so cool to talk to the fans. It’s great to talk to them, hear who they think the killer is and hear their logic. We get to hear their point of view and you may realize, “Wow! I never thought of it like that.” It’s like they really try to do the work and put all the pieces to the puzzle. We’re only a couple episodes in and they are already devoted to trying to figure out who the killer is.

Q) Who are some guest stars you can tease are in store this season?

A) For this season, I think we will have a lot of guest stars who are amazing. They are awesome playing their characters. They are all amazing actors and kind of crucial to the storylines. As we get further into the season, you’ll see their faces and they will add to the storylines. You have to tune in on Monday nights on MTV!

Q) Will we be seeing you in any more upcoming independent projects?

A) I tried to balance things out. I’m always doing projects on the side and helping friends with their indie films. When I read a script and I believe in the project, I am all for it. I’m also writing a lot and working on shorts. I just collaborated with my sister on her first short that she wrote and she is only seventeen years old. I helped produce it and it’s already won first place at the International Children’s Festival. It’s a major thing! And for her to start off at such a young age is so great. I really believe in the script and I asked, “Why didn’t you tell me about this sooner?!” She said, “I didn’t think you would do it.” I told her to always tell me because it never hurts to ask. That’s my motto! If I’m doing a project, I will ask my friends to be a part of it. It never hurts to ask! I love collaborating with my friends and doing cool indie stuff. I’m also still recurring on “The Thundermans” and the show creator told me recently to let them know when ever I’m in town because they would love for me to come back. I like working with nice people and I’m always doing different things. I’m always keeping myself busy!