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Shout Out 2
Behind The Scenes of Lights, Camera, Action!
AMC's Colin Egglesfield Shouts Out About His Life in Show Biz!
AMC's Colin Egglesfield Shouts Out About His Life in Show Biz!
By: Jaclyn Lattanza, TeenNewsNet Entertainment Correspondent
Sophomore, Comswogue High School, Port Jefferson, NY
Colin Egglesfield, born in Michigan, stars as Josh Madden in ABC TV's Soap Opera, “All My Children.” Growing up outside of Chicago, in a “farm town in the middle of nowhere (Crete, Illinois)," Egglesfield enjoyed playing sports with his younger brother, such as football, baseball, and biking. While studying Pre-Med in college, Egglesfield heard about a model search on the radio and went to check it out. Looking to make some extra cash, and also having a friend who supported the idea, Egglesfield decided to audition. Who would have thought that hearing this commercial would change his life? Today Egglesfield is recognized as a top male model having six magazine covers and a complete calendar of his own in 2002. If that isn't enough, People Magazine named him one of the top 25 sexiest men in the world for their November 2005 issue.
For most being a top model would be enough. However, Egglesfield wanted to get more out of his career than just posing. After many years as a model he decided to audition for TV commercials. His record of good luck continued as a short while after he was signed by an acting agent. Although he currently acts for a soap opera, Egglesfield said that he would definitely consider a role in an action movie. A big James Bond and Bourne Identity fan, he thinks that it would be cool to play a similar character. Actually, Egglesfield filmed an action movie in Thailand called Vampires: The Turning, released in 2006. In the film Egglesfield plays a kick boxer turned Vampire. He learns the only way to find his missing girlfriend is to become a creature of the living dead.
Besides acting, Egglesfield manages his creation of Shout Out! Clothing. Who knew you could wear a shirt that says whatever you want, however you want? Well, these shirts give everyone the opportunity to, just by rearranging Velcro letters! Visit their website to check it out, http://www.shoutoutclothing.com!
According to Egglesfield, on the set of “All My Children,” the cast members are all friendly to each other. In fact, some of them are best friends. They occasionally accompany each other to dinner or go out for drinks. Behind the camera, I had a pleasurable opportunity to talk with Egglesfield about his life on and off the set.
Q: What are some of your hobbies besides acting?
A: I like to run. I have run 4 marathons and hope to run another one. I also started a business called Shout Out! Clothing. It gives everyone the opportunity to wear a shirt that they could make say what they want by moving around Velcro letters.
Q: Are there any connections between “All My Children” and your real life?
A: Yes, on “All My Children,” I went to medical school and became a doctor, and in my real life, I actually planned to do the same thing. My TV Father was a fertility doctor and Obstetrician and my Dad is an Obstetrician in real life. On the show, I take care of my sister’s sons. In real life, my sister has 3 children of her own that I like to take care of. Last but not least, I have a beautiful mother both on and off of “All My Children.”
Q: Was it hard starting to act?
A: Yes, it was difficult, but worth it. Really good actors make it look easy. It is very competitive and a lot of fun. When you are acting, you have a feeling of what is right and what is wrong, and you have the freedom to decide. Some people don’t like the unpredictability of it.
Q: How do you remember all of you lines?
A: Practice! Practice! Practice! It used to take me a very long time, from 4-5 hours, when I first started acting. Over time, your brain gets quicker. Now, I only need 1 hour. There is a lot of pressure to get things done on time.
Q: How do you prepare before filming?
A: Before filming, I go into my dressing room and do a couple of voice warm-ups, followed by some stretches to loosen up. Acting is all about being relaxed; you should feel no tension! I also try to rehearse with my scene partner.
Q: Do you get nervous?
A: Yeah, but that is the fun part. If I do not get nervous, then it would show I do not care as much. Getting nervous is most important because when I’m nervous, I do my best work, knowing that people are counting on me
Q: What happens if you mess up during filming?
A: The directors yell “Cut!” and then start “Take 2.” We, the actors and actresses, usually get 1 or 2 takes, but after we screw up 3 or 4 times, the directors get mad. They start questioning our behavior.
Q: What do you like most about acting?
A: I like the freedom I have while shooting a scene, and the connections made with the person you are acting with. “Being in the zone” is also an exciting feeling during filming.
Q: What is it like watching yourself on TV?
A: It is weird. I am very critical of myself while watching the TV. It is very frustrating because I can point things out that I think I could’ve done better on. You get a chance to see what works and what does not on film.
Q: Do you like the role you play on “All My Children”?
A: Yeah, he is cool. He is interesting, intuitive, and strong-willed. He takes care of his sister’s 2 boys, he kidnaps girls he likes, and drugs his mom. He has a mischievous side.
Q: Do you feel your personality and your character’s match?
A: Yes, in some ways. I have a mischievous side like Josh; I like to tease people the way he does. Although, I would never go as far as kidnapping someone I like or drugging my mom.
Q: If you could play a different character who would it be?
A: I would like to play the role of Aidan Devane, acted by Aiden Turner. Aidan Devane is a private investigator. I like the Cops and Robbers kind of thing, because it is exciting.
Q: What gave you the idea to start Shout Out! Clothing?
A: When I was filming a movie in Thailand, I saw a girl wearing a Velcro shirt; however, it was poorly made. I knew that I could make it with better materials. When I got back to LA, I made a sample and created my own t-shirt design business. As an actor, you can be out of work for months due to auditions. You need some way of earning money. Shout Out! is successful but, is still financially “in the red.” It is said that it takes up to 3-5 years to earn back the money you put into a business. I am 4 years into this business. Macy’s just recently accepted my design and will now be selling Shout Out! Clothing.
Press play below to view Colin Egglesfield as Josh Madden, on the 7/26/2006 episode of All My Children, when he finds out Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) is his biological mother:
