Tyler Hynes – UnREAL

By starrymag | March 5, 2018

By: Taylor Gates

 

 

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

 

A) It was a last minute decision I believe during Christmas where my mother, bless her heart, decided to do the audition tape with me on her farm outside of Ottawa, Canada. I decided on a whim to give Billy a bit of a southern accent. I had to flirt with my mom in the scene on camera as she played he bachelorette character, which is always awkward and a few weeks later I’m on set. [wink] Welcome to Hollywood!

 

Q) Your character Billy is described as a conservative race car driver. What else can you tell us about him?

 

A) I think he evolved from a Jeff Gordon type race car driver into somewhat of an alcoholic careless and reckless participant on the show. I remember being in the car as we’re all pulling up in the first scene and taking in all the different characters on the show and how the actors were playing them and deciding, “Ok, Billy can be this guy. I’m gonna take him over here.” Our job is to add a bit of spice, ground the character a tiny bit and serve to forward the story for the main cast on the show. So, I approach roles like that by seeing where there’s an open lane that’ll contribute to the narrative and driving in it, to use a racing analogy. [wink]

 

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

 

A) It wasn’t a role that really demanded that. The most I’d say was driving a recklessly up to Whistler while we were shooting in Vancouver. [laughs]

 

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) The series regulars were very inviting and kind, there were a few stand out people who were a blast but in this circumstance we had a bunch of guys coming on and that can be a bit of a disaster but we were lucky to have a great group. All the boys became friends and we still stay in touch. Roasting each other on group chat and running around LA a bit when we’re all in town. It was good fun.

 

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

 

A) Just a few of the boys and I roasting each other constantly. Watching off camera as we shoot scenes or interviews and just taking the piss out of each other. We were put in some pretty funny and ridiculous circumstance and it was fun to watch all of us struggle and play in that. [smiles]

 

Q) What was the most rewarding and most challenging part of being on UnREAL?

 

A) Some of the relationships and a friendship that have stayed. There’s a few of us that are pretty tight now.

 

Q) How would you describe season three in three words?

 

A) One word: Hectic. [smiles]

 

Q) You’ve been acting since you were a kid, even winning a Young Artist Award. What got you interested in becoming a performer?

 

A) I had a discount at a theatre company when I was young and my parents stuck me in to get rid of me in the summer. We were broke. The rest is history. [winks] It came naturally and then you reach an age where you really start to look at what you’re doing and decide it’s something you care about.

 

A) You were in Len & Company, which is one of my favorite movies. What was it like being on that set and working with Juno Temple?

 

A) Juno was actually one of the rare actors who caught me off guard and actually threw me a bit when we first started acting. And I told her this. She’s so present and sharp that it snaps you out of it because it’s a rare thing to have an actor be that alive and fresh in a scene.

 

Q) You’ve worked in many aspects of the entertainment industry. In addition to acting, you’ve written, produced, and directed several short films. Has working in these other areas informed or changed the way you approach roles?

 

A) It has. It’s very humbling and difficult doing those other roles. Acting for me is somewhat simple and effortless by comparison. To produce and direct well and efficiently and effectively takes a great deal of logistics, focus, management, and perseverance. It’s a different discipline and, don’t get me wrong, acting can be a difficult one as well, just for very different reasons.

 

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

 

A) I just wrapped a film called Peace that’s a World War 2 drama with some great young actors and a talented writer/director by the name Robert David Port. It’s a raw, realistic look at the life and struggles of a group of young soldiers led by my character Sgt. Reece.  It was a bucket list type role where we got to be out in the cold, in the beautiful unforgiving wilderness living in WW2. It was a good change of pace from “UnREAL.” I’ll tell ya that.  No abs and studios on that set. [laughs] Maybe a few abs. [winks]