Joe Abraham – UnREAL

By starrymag | March 5, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What was the audition process for “UnREAL”like? 

 

A) The audition was pretty straightforward…It came through my agents and I was asked to prepare a few scenes between Norman and Serena (Caitlin FitzGerald).  The casting director, Karina Walters, was awesome in the room and the whole process was the best.

 

Q) Your character Norman is described as a horse jockey. What else can you tell us about him? 

 

A) Norman is a very cool character…He gives zero consideration to his size even though everyone else around him does.  It doesn’t faze him in the least and that is a fantastic quality.  Everyone in the world has got some reason to be insecure and what would seem like the most obvious one for Norman is the one that is farthest from his mind.  He came to play and he came to win, no matter what. Confident, a little arrogant, and a whole lot of swagger…I dig that about Norman.

 

Q) Did you do any research about horse racing in order to prepare for the role? 

 

A) Yes I did…I looked into the type of physical shape these guys have to be in and the demands that are placed on them regarding their strength and especially their weight.  These guys are truly (like Norman says in the show) elite athletes that workout like crazy.

 

Q) Norman gets kicked off early on due to height differences. Did he get an unfair chance at love?  

 

A) In his mind he had as good of a shot as any other guy there…if not more so because Norman looked at them as a bunch of meatheads that were likely underestimating him.  But the producers didn’t see it that way. So, yeah, the deck was stacked against him from the start.  He was there for “good TV,” but nobody was looking at him to actually win…except Norman himself that is. [smiles]

 

Q) Some of the “UnREAL”cast stays the same from year-to-year, but there are also lots of newcomers every season. What’s the environment and dynamic like on set since the cast is so mixed in terms of how long they’ve been working together? 

 

A) Our group was (and is) amazing and I had the best time getting to know all of the guys who were contestants along with me.  We became a “wolf pack” pretty fast…It was also a blast talking with the core ensemble about previous seasons and the stories about putting the show together in the earlier days.  Everyone is open and right from the start it was a new family…That is the environment that all of the creative staff, producers, director, writers, etc. all fostered and I had a wonderful time being there.

 

Q) Do you have any favorite stories or memories from filming? 

 

A) Yeah, when I was wrapped and all done shooting everyone came around and cheered and did a big sendoff.  It was pretty special.

 

Q) Talk about working alongside Constance Zimmer and Shiri Appleby.  

 

A) Well, you’re talking about two consummate pros…so it was awesome. I had more contact with Constance than Shiri just because of scheduling and how it was shot.  Constance is a gem of a human being and would often laugh about how mean she had to be to me.  It was fun watching them on the monitors when I wasn’t in the scene…I am always studying other actors and it was a treat watching them work through scenes, find new things, etc.

 

Q) Who did you become the closest with while working on set? 

 

A) The other guy contestants…we all were having a blast watching each other work and just naturally got along really well. Several of us have kept in touch since we finished shooting and it was like old-home week when we all got to hang at the premiere event for Season Three.

 

Q) What do you think it is about “UnREAL” that makes it such a fan favorite program?  

 

A) I think it’s a blend of shock and awe moments (like the one I had) and also the investment the audience has into the characters…They are well written and very well performed so fans are going through the chaos with people they care about and want to see what happens next with them.  The writers keep the crazy moments coming and keep the audience guessing…It’s just a wild irreverent ride that people love being on!

 

Q) Besides “UnREAL,” what projects can fans see you in next?  

 

A) I have a feature film out in the festivals right now called Still Waiting In The Wings where I got to play the lead bad guy.  It is an endearing story about a group of people working to make their performing dreams come true and the comic wackiness that ensues as my character comes in to stir the pot.

 

Q) You’re very active on social media about your acting experiences. What advice would you give to up and coming actors?  

 

A) I would say 1) Study your craft and get some solid training underneath you… looks and charm will take you only so far.  After that you have to be able to deliver compelling performances through different characters and that requires skill.  2) Know that it is show businessand you must approach it as such.  I co-authored a book titled The Thriving Artists, which goes into the crucial business elements an actor needs to address in order to succeed both artistically and financially while building a career.  If you don’t have your business and financial life in order it puts you at a disadvantage… So, before you get a headshot and resume and try to get in front of a casting director, make sure that you are trained and have a good handle on your business…It makes you walk in a different confidence, and you immediately become more cast-able.  You go from looking like a desperate “starving artist” who is dying for a job to a Thriving Artist who is empowered and has something more to offer.  And 3) KEEP AT IT!  A large amount of the joy must come from the pursuit of the work, in addition to working on a live set.  Just keep doing the work, keep sharing your talents with people in the industry who need you, and the breaks will come.  Stay open, stay positive, and stay tuned in to the “Anything is Possible” network! [smiles]