Harvey Guillén – Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

By starrymag | January 26, 2021

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) There has been such acclaim for the wonderful work that you’ve been doing through “What We Do in the Shadow.” And what a season it was for your character Guillermo!

A) Yeah, it was so great. I had no idea they were going to go in that direction and to leave with such a great cliffhanger. It just shows body positivity in someone in a badass role that traditional by Hollywood standards would not be placed in that role in that action, movement, martial arts and fighting combat and all of that are traditionally given to someone who looks like me, who has a background like me. So, for me to play that, and play it so earnest and honest to who Guillermo is and he at his core is still himself and is just a badass without knowing that he is a badass.  I think it’s a metaphor for a lot of us.  Sometimes we are put into a box and we are told that you’ll never be more than this because of whatever statistic or your looks or what not. At the end of the day, we are more powerful than we think, and we just have to completely allow ourselves to pull away at that layer that is inside of us.

Q) It’s really so gratifying on so many levels to see that level of representation whether it’s Latinx representation or body positivity as you mentioned. To see that positive influences and heroes and the owner of our stories and have that represented so well. The team behind “What We Do in the Shadows” is spectacular.

A) I think everyone’s chemistry is just so fantastic. I was talking to Natasia [Demetriou] today and everyone’s character is so perfect for them. I can’t imagine anyone else playing these characters.  And the cast, we are pretty small. There is only five of us.  And we can just improvise for hours and we have.  In the past we have done takes where they will never see the light of day, but we did it for sixty minutes straight of improvising.  The chemistry is just through the roof.

Also, going into “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” I almost didn’t get a chance to play because they had asked me to read for the role and the schedule wouldn’t allow for me to do it anyway. So, the first time I said, “No, unfortunately I am not going to be around because I am going to be shooting for ‘Shadows.’” As luck would have it, things shifted and scheduling for the production and whatnot with “Shadows” got pushed and moved around to early this year. We’re about to start.  So, at the very last minute – at like the 11th hour right before – we had said no twice already….We said “no, we can’t,” which really kind of was for me was so hard and I love the idea of doing a musical having done musical says college and I was in the school’s musical theater. So, for me, it was like “no, I really wanted to do this and the schedule just wouldn’t allow it.” At the last minute it was like musical theater gods just said, “Alright, this once.”

Q) You and I have obviously talked for quite a long time. We talked like from “The Magicians” and stuff. You’re constantly looking for this like window where a musical will open up and then the heavens heard!!

A) Constantly. I was thinking this is the year and I thought it would happen actually with “The Magicians.” I thought it would happen and I was talking to Sera [Gamble] and I was like, “You know, I do musical theater.” And they were like, “Oh, good to know.” Then, the next season would come. I think one reason for the musical episode I was not around because I was actually shooting “Shadows” and so when the opportunity finally came around it was after years of putting that seed in their brain of like “Musical theater, yes, of course!” Then, they finally came around and I couldn’t do it.

But the universe threw me this curveball with “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” and I love it.  The show is so great and it has such heart.  George is such a great character and I think we can all relate to him. And it’s a musical! And to be able to sing and dance.  When I compare Guillermo and George, they are both really likeable lovable characters, but they are different.  George is very outgoing, eccentric and bubbly and Guillermo is more to himself and endearing. There’s different layers I got to play with both of them.

Q) We talked about this great stunt work that you got to do for “Shadows” and that type of choreography, and the choreography of a dance number is similarly so beautiful and poetic with its expressionism as well. How does the expressionism with the choreographing of stunt work really compare and contrast with that of the expressionism of the choreographing of a dance?

A) It’s so funny because I was super excited to work with Mandy Moore, who is an Emmy Award winning choreographer. And I was excited because I haven’t danced in so long. It’s just different. Tig [Fong], who does the stunt coordination for “Shadows,” it’s all physicality as well. For me, I call it both dances they’re both different dances.  You know it’s like learning the Waltz or learning like how to Cha-Cha.  They’re just different usage of the rhythm of it. With a stunt, you have to be alert because even though it is a movement that has been pre planned, things shift sometimes. You know, it’s live theater and so you have to be alert and aware so you don’t hurt the other person that you’re doing this imitation combat with. And with the choreography, Mandy Moore is just amazing.  I am so excited. We have such great numbers.  We started off with “Hello Dolly” for the first number and it such a great number to start with. Then, she choreographed “Don’t Cry Out Loud.” She choreographed everything.  But like I’m super excited for episode 4 where people get to see this great number that I do with Jane [Levy]. I think it’s episode two is “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing,” I think it is.  That one is really cool and exciting to do.  The choreography for that was amazing, so I am super excited about that.

Q) I did read a teaser that episode four is a big one for George and very secretive in that regard.

A) The first episode that we saw was a great introduction for George and two and three are great. Four is another little nice button for George.

Q) You talked about the differences in your character Guillermo from “Shadows” and George here from “Zoey’s,” but with regards to George I also read that Austin Winsberg said that he was actually looking for a “Harvey Guillén type” for this character. You auditioned and had the audition sides, what was this breakdown like and how much of yourself really was embodied by what they had down?

A) First of all, I was flattered that he had said that because it’s always weird to hear that. It’s only happened like twice where someone has sent me a breakdown for an audition and it’s said something like, “Looking for this character, think Harvey Guillén.” I was like, “That’s so funny that they are looking like a character that thinks like this person.” But most of the time, it’s like, I didn’t even hear about this role and they are looking for a person like me. [laughs] Sometimes I think, “Do I have to ask to audition to play myself?”

Like I said, the first time they reached out I had said no because the schedule wouldn’t allow it.  Austin had wanted me to do it and had went to the casting director and he asked my agents if I would sing.  Because no one has heard me sing, so they don’t know that I do musical theater because I don’t really do it often.  I realized that’s right, I don’t have anything online or anything that shows I actually can sing.  I understand their trepidation wanting to just offer the role for a musical number on a musical show to someone who never sings.  That hasn’t stopped people before. Tons of people do musicals all the time and you’re like, “Yeah, they’re just a name, but not a great voice.”  But I didn’t want to be that.  So, first I turned it down and then they kept looking for a “Harvey Guillén type” and I know people who auditioned for that role for George.  Like I said, eventually the schedule cleared up and at the last minute I think they were about to offer it or ask someone else at the last minute and they checked in again and they were like, “Are you absolutely sure?” I mean, Austin went as far as asking his buddies and the networks were talking to each other. And there are all these logistics that go into making the schedule and being able to do a project.  So, it is just funny to think that they went to all of these extremes and at the last minute they were like, “No, I don’t think Harvey’s going to be able to do it,” and literally the day they were supposed to start I was due to be on a plane to go to Vancouver because of quarantine being fourteen days.  At the very last minute, I am telling you at 10 PM the night before we got the green light like “Yes, okay, the schedule has changed for ‘Shadows’ and we will be shooting next year and it will be three months to shoot.”  And as luck would have it, I think I was on a plane to Vancouver to shoot during all of Fall and then got back home for the holidays and then just in time to go back to shoot “Shadows.”  So, everything worked out.

Q) I imagine the people you know who auditioned just being like, “So, Harvey, how do I play you…”

A) George, he’s so eager to please and we have all known people like that. People who are so bubbly and great and welcoming, but there is something about it where it’s almost like you don’t have to be nice all of the time, you don’t have to be so sweet. You don’t have to be an overachiever because you just want them to feel comfortable.  It’s people overcompensating when there is no reason not to like them.  For me, with the direction of George, I get to show that to the point where the audience from the get-go is almost a little bit like, “Woah.”  The way that she stands out if you notice the color pallet that SPRQ POINT are clean colors. Everyone is pretty much in solids.  Like Jane is in pinks or in teal.  There are certain colors that pop up that all of the characters wear; they have a signature pattern or what not.  And no one really does big, bold patterns at SPRQ POINT.  They are all solids.  When we were talking to wardrobe, with that first shirt you see George in it was a crazy fruit shirt and it’s this giant pattern that is pretty big.  We talked about even the details like that. I was like, “I think this is great for him.”  They wanted to put a denim jacket over it, which would have it so hot to dance in. But a part of me was like, “No, leave him in a shirt because he is so big and it stands out.” I think at first Austin was a little concerned because it’s such a loud shirt. We want to put something that will cut off it being so loud.  I was like, “No, I think that’s great. I think we show him that loud and then as the season progresses, we show him more comfortable and he doesn’t have to be so big and broad.  Even the details of the clothing were important, and I am glad that people pointed out like someone said on Twitter, “Woah, George’s outfit! I love it; it’s so bright!”  I was like, “See, you love this person off the bat because they are being themselves.” It might be a little too much for some people, but then you scrape away at the layer of the fruit you find out there is more.  You peel away the banana or orange peel and you find out there is another layer.  That was the metaphor for George’s whole approach.

Q) I love that the series has these great layers to its expressionism. There are these dance numbers, which is a form of expressionism, but there is also the emotional expressionism. And, of course, you are talking about the wardrobe expressionism. These color pallets represent these different characters and it just reminded me when you were talking about George’s wardrobe and Jane’s, the line from Lauren Graham’s character where she says, “I think it’s cute that you shop at Etsy.” It all just adds to this great expressionism where it’s not just the movement, it’s all these pieces that make “Zoey’s” such a smart series.

A) Yeah, it adds so many layers to it. Again, we know with Jane, her pallet. So, it’s like everyone has their own style and what not.  So, I like the way that every detail has been thought of.

Q) You talked a little about George with these colors and how he is shy and to himself initially when we meet him. It’s interesting that he has these counterparts in the office who are the direct opposite. These tall, good looking guys Tobin (Kapil Talwalkar) and Leif (Michael Thomas Grant) and George is a bit antithesis of these guys.  What kind of dynamic will we see between the team?

A) It’s trying to play the traditional work formula of the Alpha male and we also have a dominant female in the show. With the boys, it’s like trying to be part of a Boys Club. Have you noticed in the show the boys dominate the floor basically and wanting to be a part of that? Whether you find yourself sharing ideas or what not, it doesn’t even matter, it’s just being part of a team. Even though you don’t necessarily love soccer, you still want to be picked for soccer. You still want to be picked for the team.  With George, it’s not necessarily that the wants to be involved in every element of Leif or anyone’s life – he wants to be included.  He just wants to feel included, especially being new at any situation.  Being the new kid in school, being at a new job, anything.  It’s always the longing of wanting to be accepted and longing to be included.  So, when he goes along with the tiger thing and he gets scratches, he still doesn’t speak up. He just laughs it off.  It’s a true way of bullying.  When you are an enabler to your bully, it’s not because you agree with the bully.  It’s that you would rather not cause more commotion and rock the boat even more because you are already barely making it as it is.  You are already taking on water in the boat and you don’t want to rock it even worse.  It’s like just stay still until the storm passes until the next one.  You are never out of water.  So, what you have to do is you need to find that ground. You need to find that island and that safety.  Maneuvering through those waters sometimes can be difficult.

Q) With Zoey being the boss now and we saw this great tender moment between she and George, but yet she is a figurehead in the department. As much as this really sweet dynamic has developed so far between the two, how does that complicate things for them? When it comes to conflict, Zoey isn’t that great either.

A) With Zoey it’s so interesting because you notice that because of what has just happened with her father that she has been at home and mourning for the last couple of months and weeks and what not. And if you think about it, the first time that she’s actually let another human being completely in to the idea of love and embrace and acceptance is that embrace with George. We don’t see her hug too many people.  She doesn’t wake up in the morning and right off the bat hug her mom and her brother who are there and excited and Mo (Alex Newell) is there.  Everyone is encouraging her to get up and go on with her life and are cheering for her and championing her.  Because she doesn’t always necessarily show that side, she’s not always that emotional or vulnerable of a person like that.  But when she does give in it must feel amazing to give to someone who has no expectations from you or can’t use this for later divides or what not or taking it the wrong way.  It’s a genuine human contact hug and the idea that sometimes all you need. And we see that at the episode one of this season where that hug is just so great.  It’s great for the both of them for different reasons.

Shooting that scene with Jane, the first time we did it that was the first scene that I shot when I got to set. It was the finale of the first episode.  We both cried after the first take. We both cried.  She wasn’t supposed to be crying because she’s listening to George tell this story.  But she cried and I cried and it was just that we had found this great moment with these characters because they had both found a place to feel and to release what they had been holding on to for different reasons.  We are all going through different journeys, but we can find common ground and we both need something at the same time, which is that connection or that human contact.  It was very nice.

Q) That sweet moment with that exchange where it feels full circle in a sense. Skylar’s [Astin] character Max has given her this superhero and then she gets that affirmation again from George with that sentiment that makes it feel so heartwarming and reminds Zoey that she is a strong person. As much as she has been upset and has been grieving, she’s still a strong person at her core and can handle anything when it comes to these realities once again.

A) Again, this compares to George and Guillermo, you never know who you are a hero to. To Zoey, she had no idea this new guy at SPRQ POINT saw her in such high regards. And, also, the things that she does naturally because she is a good person have a ripple effect and they did effect George and he overheard that conversation.  It’s a small act of kindness like that that are gigantic and that’s the actual line and it’s true. It’s small acts of kindness of not seeking out accolades or affirmations, just doing small acts of kindness without expecting anything in return is what makes this world go round and keeps us human.  If we all just feel a little more of that just naturally it would go a long way.  And it does go a long way, it means the world to someone else.  Your small act of kindness that you can brush off and be like, “Oh, I did that.  Who cares?”  It’s like, it meant the world to someone.

Q) I mean, the George hug is something that just seems like it would be an instant lift. I likened it to the Ella Lopez hug – Aimee Garcia who plays Ella Lopez from the show Lucifer. That’s a big high standard and is quite coveted.

A) Yeah, I’ll take it! I am so glad to play a character like George. And also my contribution during these crazy times as an artist is entertainment and distraction and escape.  We have people who are risking their lives everyday at the forefront to keep people safe and stay healthy.  As an artist you need to remind yourself the thing that we do is entertain, and if I can create content and make a distraction or escape for a short period of time, because we all need it.  We are all in need of a distraction and escape, and if that’s what you get out of watching the show, then we have done our part to just for a brief second take you away to a different world for a little bit.

Q) For myself, I am really drawn to your expressionism through your craft whether it’s your acting, your comedy, or musicality and through Instagram and the “What We Do in the Shadows” podcast that you had way back when quarantine was initially happening. I admire that so much. I wanted to ask how your expressionism has evolved and what do you really gravitate towards with that energy?

A) You know, it’s so funny you say that because I tend to lean on the positive side of things and I know things aren’t always positive and sometimes I have bad days too. But there is always going to be a silver lining. Like whenever things get bad, you have to think of things that way because once you give in to defeat there is no coming out.  Once you give in to the events of home-grown terrorists, once you give in to that and you throw in the towel you let them win and you let them take away your joy and take away your pride and take away your heart.  No one can take away those things for me unless I give them up and I won’t give them up without a fight.  It would mean that I just create more positive content and create a safe place for you to feel an escape then I will do that because you’re not going to take it, you’ll have to strip it out of my hand because I won’t let it happen.  I try to make my page a positive place for people to look at and to escape for a little bit.  I also share reality.  I definitely share the events that happen.  I am not blind to what’s happening around the world.  I will also share in doses like this is what happening, but also here is something funny or here is something cute.  If you focus on nonstop negativity than you are going to let that takeover and I won’t let that takeover.  I am going to acknowledge it, I am going to address it and I am going to fight it.  I am going to do what’s right and try to live by example, but also I want to make sure that you remind yourself that life is also this and not just one thing.

Q) I know you are someone who has a lot of irons in the fire, as they say, and you are constantly thinking of something creatively to do. And I absolutely loved your podcast Behind the Shadows which got me through some tough days at the beginning of quarantine.

A) We are going to try and make it work. We did that through the pandemic and obviously everyone is at home. Schedule wise we are trying to see if we can make it work to do it again because we are going to start production for Season Three of “Shadows” soon and maybe we can do it simultaneously or we can record it after the shows. We are trying to see scheduling.  It’s all about can we lock in people who are not all over the world and some things are opening up again people’s schedules will be less easy to manage.  We are definitely trying.  The fans should know we are definitely trying.  We will hopefully find a version of it that works and works with everyone’s schedule.

Q) Every season of “Shadows” your work and talent has really up’d the bar and my continued admiration. And I am truly just so thrilled to see the deserved acclaim coming your way that it just makes my heart feel full seeing come to fruition.

A) Well, thank you. I appreciate you as a supporter and loving the content that I create. We both know I try to create content that is different and still layered characters, which so far (knock on wood) which I can say I have accomplished.

Q) Is there anything else that we didn’t touch on that you would like to tease or mention to fans? Is there anything coming up beyond “Zoey’s” that we will get to see you in?

A) Well, “Zoey’s” has premiered and there are some cool projects coming up and those I can’t announce yet. But I will soon. The one I am excited about is a comedy that I did called Werewolves Within.  Werewolves Within comes out later this year as a special event.  I will leave it at that.  It will have its world premiere and special event.  I am really excited.  The cast is amazing.  It has Michaela Watkins and Cheyenne Jackson plays my life partner in it.  It’s just a really fun comedy and Josh [Ruben], the director, was amazing and great.  I can’t wait for people to see it.  It’s another ensemble.  I have been very fortunate this last couple of years – I have been working with ensembles that are so talented and great like “The Magicians” and “Zoey’s” and “Shadows” and now this.  This project is really exciting because everyone blends so well with their characters and their personalities, which is not always the case.  I am really excited for that one, it’s coming out later this year.

Q) I am ready for you to get into the foray of voiceover work and comics and anime.

A) Oh, you will! Let’s just say there are three projects that are coming out later this year that have not been announced yet, but I have already recorded.  You see me in the recording studio and you’re probably like, “Why is Harvey in the recording studio like every week?”  For the last couple of weeks, I have been going to the recording studio so often and the answer is that it’s not just one project, it’s three different ones.  I have been in the recording studio which has been perfect during this pandemic because it’s so safe.  You walk in and no one is there.  You walk into a room and they are behind an eight-inch glass window and you’re good and they just clean it out for the next person.  It’s just perfect that way for voiceovers.  Yes, you will definitely be seeing and hearing my voice.  I wonder if I didn’t even announce it that people could recognize my voice because there are different characters.  But, yes, you heard it here first!  There you go, you got the exclusive.  I haven’t told anyone.  You’ll definitely be hearing some voiceover work this year.