Q&A with Aaron Chen, ‘Sebastian’

How did you feel when you first read the script for Make That Movie and what made you want to get involved?  

I must say I was extremely excited to read the script. Sam to me and to many across the globe, is somewhat of an interesting fellow. I was giggling for like 15 minutes just from the first page, it had me seriously creasing and cracking up. Then I realised I opened the wrong email and it was a bank statement I had gotten (I’m not really intelligent and Sam has in the past told me that I don’t really understand movies, for example he said that Minions was a little advanced for me).

 When I finally opened the actual script what I found was something really gorgeous and magical, I was ACTUALLY laughing hard. And you might be saying well, you laughed at a bank statement. I was just doing that to be polite, but this one got me really rolling around for like 17 or 18 minutes. 

 What made me want to get involved? What a question! It was the combination of the allure of the opportunity to work on a funny, meaningful script, some elite level cast members and crew, frequent flyer points, and getting to see some of the absolute best Premier Inn’s across the British Isles.

Tell me about your role in Make That Movie – what’s it like playing Seb and how would you describe him?

He’s called Seb, he’s a cretin, and his family have a credit card. He kind of does whatever role Sam tells him to do. It changes week upon week according to the whims of the production and it’s not helpful for anyone. He’s Chinese.

 What surprised you most about Sam’s creative process once you were actually in it?

Nothing too much surprised me. I worked with this fellow before on an Alien production in 2016. I guess he has grown a lot as a performer and creator in that time whilst still maintaining his razor sharp edge. I often saw him lying down due to what I can only imagine to be tiredness. He has become professional and relaxed.

Sam’s work has a very specific tone that’s hard to define but incredibly unique and distinct - what does it feel like from your side as a performer?

It’s the same as other television but it’s good! It’s got good writing and it probably speaks more about other television that it doesn’t have a specific tone! From my perspective, it’s a very funny and interesting script. I learn the lines, figure out the beats of the jokes and say them. I guess Sam wanted me to be extremely cretinous and kind of not a nice guy, which is different to other roles I have had, not cute at all! Which I really enjoyed tackling.

What was the filming process like in general? Were there moments where you weren’t sure if something was scripted, improvised, or just… happening?

It was mostly scripted and we had the opportunity to improvise lines. Director Joe was incredibly safe and creative. He loved the days when there were animals such as cows on set, as they are who he consults with his decision-making process. One time he saw a rock and they poured fake blood on it, and he was seriously laughing at the rock so much we lost a day of shooting. No one else really got it but director Joe saw something in that rock. I guess he was right as that rock later on went to become the star of Project Hail Mary!

Was there a particular moment or scene when filming that’s most memorable for you and why?

There was male full-frontal nudity one day. It was interesting. Every day had its fair share of surprises. One day they had an ice cream van and let’s just say I got the lime rickey and we’ll leave it at that for now. Ok fine, you want to hear more? There was vanilla soft serve and crushed lime ice element. That’s all I’ll say for now. Fine, I got it in a cup.

Tell me about the rest of the cast – what was it like working with everyone?

Sam Campbell can hold it all together team captain, like Son Heung-Min. Helen Bauer makes me crack up all the time, she really is the backbone of the whole team, not afraid to launch it into the net like Brennan Johnson. Lara Ricote can carry the ball up the field, great at holding the ball up and is very efficient at laughs per minute. She is also a Latin Cristian Romero. Finally

David Hargreaves has big mitts, is a tall fella and the spiritual leader - Vicario surely.

And there’s all the guest cast. Omg.

What do you hope audiences take away from watching Make That Movie?

Take only footprints, leave only memories. How about audiences get to have a big laugh and learn to love again! That’d be really good.

 Finally, can you describe your own movie idea in a couple of sentences?

Inception meets fast and the furious.