Titanic is currently on the tip of everyone’s tongue throughout the world lately, with its 100year anniversary just gone by and with the re-release of James Cameron’s hit movie Titanic in 3D, and lets not mention those who claim didn’t even know Titanic was real..yes I’ve seen THAT photo on Twitter!
So I caught up with one of the stars of the movie ‘Saving The Titanic’ Actor Chris Newman to talk about what it was like aboard the infamous ship on set, what its been like co starring with such amazing actors throughout his career and why he prefers an airbrush gun to a makeup brush!
So Chris, Titanic has reached its 100 year anniversary and you bagged a role in “Saving The Titanic” Its been aired in the US and UK aswell as Ireland and I’m pretty sure I saw you being dubbed in German! Amazing! How does it feel to be starring in a movie on a subject so current?
It’s great to be involved in something that there’s such a big buzz about. Obviously there’s a bit of a concern that people will be sick of hearing about it as there are so many Titanic films/tv programmes on at the moment but our story gives people a whole new perspective on the disaster. Everyone knows the story of the Titanic but not many know the story of the men below deck.
I loved the way it showed a different side to Titanic , from the tragedy and love story its known for, to showing the heroic side of the bravery and selflessness of the engineers, were you surprised when learning of this for your role?
Like most people, everything I knew about Titanic came from Cameron’s film. I knew nothing about the crew members who gave their lives to save hundreds. Personally, I think that makes a better story than a fictitious romance but that’s just me!
Speaking of current, the clothes you wore in Saving The Titanic weren’t! Was it strange being transported back in time in an outdated outfit or are you used to it by now?
I’m used to playing dress up at this stage but it’s always fun to wear things you wouldn’t normally get the chance to. The comb-over took me right back to the days of filming “Song For A Raggy Boy”!
What was the most uncomfortable/strangest outfit you had to wear?
The electrician’s uniform in “Saving The Titanic” was very uncomfortable because the engine room we shot in was like a furnace. The make-up girls would have to keep wiping our faces and re-applying our make-up! It was pretty hard to breathe aswell with the top button closed
Tell me about your own personal style off set?
I’m awful when it comes to style. I’m the type of guy who’ll alternate between 4 pairs of jeans for years! If I see a t-shirt or jacket I like, I’ll buy it. Shopping is one of my least favourite things in the world though.
Any guy I have applied makeup on love the feel of a makeup brush, and I for one love to wear makeup, how about you? Does it make you feel extra pretty! ☺
I really like this new airbrush gun that’s being used now! It makes me feel super pretty! The makeup brush can sometimes make my skin feel dry. I like the air brush gun because its quick and gives my face an extra glow!
Twitter is a great way for fans to keep up to date with their favourite actors/models/celebs, Do you feel any pressure knowing you have fans pretty much watching your every update?
I never used to censor myself on Twitter and always said I wouldn’t but the more followers I get, the more I have to think before I tweet. I have alot of journalists and radio DJs following me now so I definitely need to be careful with it.
Any strange/interesting tweets from any dedicated fans? Gone are the days of sending underwear via fanmail..or are they!?
It always means alot to me when someone takes the time to say they enjoy my work. You’re always going to get a few crazies though. There’s a girl from Brazil who tweets me at least 5 times a day. She means well but it can be a bit much!
You have starred alongside some high profile actors such as Saoirse Ronan, Robert Sheehan, John Rhys Davies, Cillian Murphy and Brendan Gleeson, how was that? I can imagine I would be star struck!
It’s always great getting to work with people you admire and respect. Just watching how they conduct themselves on set is a lesson in itself. I worked with Saoirse when she was about 10. She is such a lovely girl but none of us could have imagined how quickly it would all happen for her. Robbie Sheehan and I go back years. We did Song For A Raggy Boy together when we were 13 so it was great to play brothers in Love/Hate. A personal highlight of mine was having dialogue with the Oscar winning actor Jim Broadbent in Perrier’s Bounty! The guy is a legend.
What actor did you most enjoy working alongside, and who were you most surprised of?
When I worked with Iain Glen (Brother John) on Song For A Raggy Boy he scared the shit out of all of us. He stayed in character for the entire shoot and didn’t speak to any of us. The fear you see on screen is 100% real. As soon as we finished the shoot it was like meeting him for the first time. He was a completely different person. He even brought all of us out for a meal. I really respected his dedication to the role.
I was surprised by Cillian Murphy. In a good way! I don’t really know what I was expecting. He’s someone i admire alot and I love the diverse roles he’s done. I was a little intimidated about meeting him but you honestly couldn’t meet a nicer guy. We sat talking about his family and how he found living in London. A really genuine guy.
Was it strange dying in the first episode of Love/Hate especially seeing as the whole first series is pretty much about the mourning and revenge of your death? I for one found it creepy even seeing you in the coffin!
When we did the first series of Love/Hate, none of us could have imagined how popular it was going to become. We knew we had a great cast and script but we didn’t know how the public would react to it. I remember I was only home from LA after 4 months and my agent rang me saying there’s this new gangster show being made for RTE and that I was too late to audition for any of the lead roles but there’s this part at the start that they think I’ll be perfect for. I read the script and didn’t care that I was only in a few scenes, I just wanted to be involved.
Lying inside a coffin was difficult. Especially trying not to breath too heavy incase the audience could see my chest move! I think my parents found it a bit more traumatic than I did. I actually have the mass card that was used with my face on it. Creepy.
You recently starred in a music video how different was that to being on a movie set?
It’s pretty much the same except there’s no dialogue involved! It’s also alot quicker for this reason.
What would be your dream role and who would be in it with you?
I’d love to play a character that’s going through something really tough. I’m not that interested in comedy acting. I’d much rather do something really dramatic and push myself to the absolute limit. Daniel Day Lewis would be my dream co-star. Not only is he the greatest living actor, he’s also, in my opinion, the best of all time.
What’s the best and worst thing about being an actor?
The best thing about being an actor is getting to do things you wouldn’t normally get to do. I did an American Sci-Fi film called Ferocious Planet and I played a US Marine. I got to run around in all the gear shooting guns! The worst thing is the rejection and waiting for the phone to ring. Torture.
Can you tell me about any upcoming roles you have?
I just finished the second series of “Trivia” for RTE. It’s a comedy/drama so it was different to my usual dark, depressing work!
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions Chris! Looking forward to seeing more of you on our screens!
Check out Chris on IMDB
View his amazing new Showreel
And if you’re a Twitter head like me, Give him a Follow You wont be disappointed, he’s absolutely hilarious!
Rob Kelly’s new music video The Real Thing featuring Rebecca Creighton starring Chris Newman;
