Max Ehrich – The Path

By starrymag | April 25, 2016

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

Q) Where were you and what went through your mind when you got the news about your fourth Emmy nomination?

A) I was actually at my place with my girlfriend. My phone just started blowing up with all of these tweets congratulating me. I was super excited and surprised because the years before I had a lot more material to choose from. I flew in to shoot so the scenes I did shoot were all jet lagged and exhausted. I was very surprised and excited that I had gotten the nomination.

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

A) Right now I’m really focusing on my music. That’s something that will come out later this year. It’s not a surprise, but I just want to keep it under wraps a little bit until we release it. That’s been my main focus these days.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) We use a multitude of instruments and I write the songs and co-write on every song. Then, I’m working with some awesome producers who have worked with Flo Rida and Skrillex. I’m just super excited about it.

Q) Will you be releasing clips or teasers?

A) You’ll see…

Q) You often play such strong compelling characters. What about these characters makes you love playing them or draws you to them?

A) They are all so different and more of them are pretty damaged. That’s really a fun role to play when there are a lot of layers that you keep exploring and finding, especially on projects that have great writers and fellow actors and actresses. They are all such great projects I’ve worked on in the past few years. I’ve learned a lot and feel like I’m growing as an artist. That’s all I can ask for.

Q) Please tell us about your series “The Path” and about you character Freddie Ridge.

A) It’s about a fictional movement, Meyerism. I don’t want to give away too much, but it is a group of people who have a similar belief system and the higher up you go on the ladder the closer you are to the light. People could compare it to enlightenment. I am a young drug addict and my family has a lot of money. They want to promote this movement in exchange for them healing me of my drug addiction. Watch the journey of my character as he struggles to recover from his addiction.

Q) What kind of research did you do for the role?

A) I watched a bunch of documentaries – the Kurt Cobain documentary, the Amy Winehouse documentary and Requiem For a Dream. I listened to a lot of dark music to get into that mindset. I tried to find that within myself and bring that out.

Q) These characters have a lot of layers. How did you get them all to shine through?

A) I really used music to help that shine through. I listened to music that I thought the character would listen to. The way I dive into a character starts with their thoughts – what they are thinking and their view on the world. So, I do the research ahead of time by trying to put myself in their shoes and create some memories so that I when I am the character I know where I have come from and how I view the world. Music helps me get there a lot, journaling and mediating.

Q) What have you taken away from your time working on the series?

A) I have worked with a lot of talented actors and actresses, but what I have taken away from this experience is that people are so interesting. The artists that have had the most success and most accolades are the kindest, humblest people. It’s so interesting because I’ve worked with some people before that aren’t at the level that Aaron Paul and Michelle Monaghan are at and don’t have the same grace towards everyone that they have. I remember sitting in the hair and makeup trailer and just learning my lines. Aaron Paul was on the other side of the trailer, but he made it a point to come over to me and have a long conversation. He really didn’t need to as we didn’t have a scene together, but that just shows you the kind of person he is. They are all so kind and what I took away was that great artists are kind people.

Q) Is there anyone you wish you had gotten to work with on “The Path” that you might have not gotten to film with?

A) Hopefully, the show goes for another season and I would love to work with Aaron. I had some great scenes with Michelle Monaghan. So, I’m happy.

Q) What do you hope resonates with fans when they watch the series?

A) I think it is important that you question everything in life. That’s what “The Path” does – it makes you question your belief systems. So, I hope they take away from it not accepting things as they are. Always ask questions and never do something just because someone else is doing it.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to your work and interacting with your fans?

A) I truly love them. I love them because they have been with me on this journey that I have been going on and they follow whatever projects I go to. It’s just so exciting to share the new projects with them and even just to hear their response when I tell them, “Good morning.” At the end of the day, I’m just a human being. I think sometimes people view others who are somewhat in the spotlight as nonhuman beings. Recently, my phone was dying and I took a screenshot of it being at 1% while I was looking around for a charger. I just wrote, “When your phone is about to die and you’re having a heart attack.” I got hundreds of responses to that! I just enjoy relating to people and it’s really nice. It feels like this support group and it’s great. I’m really thankful for them!

Q) Is there anything else you’d like us to be sure we share with fans?

A) The one thing I want to make sure is that with my music, I know I didn’t talk about it much, but I want it to be a surprise. Music was my first passion. When I was four years old, I played the piano. It’s not just something I’m doing like another actor who wants to make some quick music. It’s been my passion and I’ve been waiting for the right time to put my music out there that I’ve been writing for years. So, I’m really excited to share that with everyone.

 

 

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/maxehrich

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxehrich