Sablegreen’s Exclusive Interview With Colin Ford

Interview with Colin Ford
 
One aspect of the series that has always impressed me was the ability of the casting department to successfully locate high quality child actors and actresses for “Supernatural.”  Many of these young performers have been nominated for awards subsequent to their “Supernatural” roles.  And a number have gone on to win those awards for their “Supernatural” characters.  One such actor is the very talented 14-year-old Colin Ford, a very nice young man who agreed to do a summer interview with us.
 
Colin recently won a Young Artist Award for “Supernatural,” and has been nominated for six other Young Artist Awards, demonstrating he’s a performer worth keeping an eye on.
 
Not only is Colin incredibly talented, but he’s also incredibly adorable, and once you read this interview, I think you will agree he has been gifted with an incredible personality as well.  
 
Colin has been in four episodes as young Sam and all have received high praise from critics for the fierce performance this WeeChester delivered. Colin Ford does an awesome job of showing the innocent young Sam, accurately mirroring the mannerisms and dynamics of his adult counterpart. Nowhere was his acting more awesome for me than the fireworks scene in “Dark Side of the Moon.” When the boys lit up the fireworks and young Sam started dancing in the middle of all those sparks, I got all teary-eyed. 
 
We were lucky enough to catch Colin between jobs for this interview.  He has just finished production on two films, “We Bought a Zoo,” and “Eye of the Hurricane.”   Here Colin tells us a little about himself, his passion for acting, his hectic schedule when filming, insights into his role of young Sam and some of his future plans.  The big question for many “Supernatural” fans is does he want to come back to the series?  Read on and find out!
 
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Since 2008, you have been nominated for 6 acting awards.  Last year you won for Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actor 13 and Under,   for young Sam Winchester in “Supernatural,” and this year you won Best Performance in a DVD Film, Young Actor for Jack in “Jack and the Beanstalk.”  How did winning those awards make you feel?

Winning an award really makes you feel fantastic all over. While I act because it is my passion, it is very nice to be recognized by outsiders that they enjoy your work. I love to entertain people with my acting. I was particularly excited to win for my portrayal of young Sam. I really enjoy working and being a part of the show. After School Special was a great role, I really enjoyed the experience of bringing young Sam to life. 
 
Tell us a little about yourself.   You knew you wanted to act since the age of four, so what got you interested in acting at such a young age?
 
As a young boy I loved being around lots of people. I loved to entertain. My mom told me that I liked having my picture taken and that I constantly told her that I “wanted to be on TV” so one day I auditioned for a very small part in a movie called Sweet Home Alabama, and I got the role. 
 
What is it like being a child actor? 

I love being an actor because it allows me to travel to exciting places, it allows me to entertain others and it allows me to experience other personalities in the characters that I portray.  
 
Do you find it hard to juggle homework and an acting career?
 
As I get older, it is incredibly hard to juggle homework and my acting career. Education is very important to me; I think it makes a person well rounded. 
 
What do you like to do when you are not acting?  Do you have special hobbies or special interests you enjoy? 

I play football, basketball and golf for my school when acting jobs don’t take me away. I also in my spare time work as a DJ. I love music.
 
How did you find out about the part of young Sam Winchester?  What was the audition process like?  How did you feel when learned you had been chosen for the role? 

Yes several years ago I had to audition for the role of young Sam. It took several sessions but I literally fell in love with the role. My first episode was A Very Supernatural Christmas.  I was extremely excited when I had learned I had booked the role and I was excited to work with Ridge Canipe who at the time played young Dean. 
 
Did you enjoy playing young Sam and do you find there are any similarities or differences between yourself and the character?
 
I love playing Sam!  In every character I play I try to find similarities and differences in myself.  I think Sam is smart and seems to value things like family, relationships and education.  These are qualities that I value as well. Differences, I have no siblings unlike Sam and my family isn’t as cool because we don’t hunt demons….
 
How did you prepare for the part of young Sam?  Did you get any help from Jared on playing the role?
 
To prepare for young Sam I literally watched several seasons of supernatural (one episode right after the other). It was important for me to study the mannerisms of adult Sam so that I could properly play him as a child.  Jared and I did talk a bit before I filmed so that we could discuss the character. Jared is a super nice guy and he put me at ease right away. 
 
You have performed in four episodes of the “Supernatural” series so far, “A Very Supernatural Christmas”, “After School Special”, “When the Levee Breaks” and “Dark Side of the Moon”.  Which episode did you enjoy the most and which challenged you the most? 

I think After School Special was one of my very favorites. It was fun to really portray Sam in school. In addition, it was great because I met Brock Kelly, who played young Dean.  
 
In “A Very Supernatural Christmas” and “After School Special” you played opposite Ridge Canipe and Brock Kelly in their roles as young Dean Winchester.  You had some very powerful scenes in both episodes. What was it like working opposite them?  

Both of these actors are really great. I have no siblings so when I worked with both Ridge and Brock it was like having an older brother for real! I remember when we were not working we hung out together. They are both very talented! 

In “When the Levee Breaks”, young Sam meets a very desperate adult Sam.  That was a very intense scene.  Was it difficult for you to confront the adult version of your character?  How was it playing opposite Jared Padalecki?
 
This scene was very intense! I won’t say it was difficult confronting my older me…just different. It was really cool because I was “having an intense conversation” with myself. Working with Jared was great, because usually when I am working ….Jared is not. It was really awesome to have a scene with him. 

You shot an extremely memorable fireworks scene with Jensen Ackles in “Dark Side of the Moon”.  What can you tell us about the scene?  Did you have as much fun filming the scene as the fans had watching it?  How was it to play opposite Jensen? Did he give you any acting advice? 

This was a very cool scene. I remember it was pouring down rain and very cold. We had to do a lot of takes because of the rain.  I think they were blowing dry my clothes with hair blowers during takes.  The rain was so intense that I got to stay and film a few extra days in order to get that scene just right. It really turned out great. Working with Jensen is always a pleasure.  He is a very good actor. 

 

Since you have acted on the show, do you follow the series?  If so which is (are) your favorite episode(s)?
 
I actually do follow the show. I have all the previous season on DVD. I am a little behind on this current season because I have been working a lot and have had lots of homework! However, I have them all saved on my DVR and plan to catch up on all the episodes during the summer.  I would have to say some of my favorites are “Crossroad Blues” from season two, and “Scarecrow”. I love “The Kids Are Alright” from the third season. From the fourth season I guess my favorite would be “Are You There God? It’s Me, Dean Winchester”. The last two seasons it’s hard to pick, they were all so good!

Do you have a special moment or experience from “Supernatural” that you would like to share?

I love the show so much and I love coming to Vancouver. Everything is special about the show: the actors, the crew and especially the fans! I really appreciate how the fans support me in the role. 

Last year you did an episode of “Hawaii Five-0”.  You were really great in it!  How did you like Hawaii?  Did you take a few extra days and see the sights?  What was it like working on the series and which cast member did you connect with the most?
 
Working in Hawaii was spectacular.  I filmed on Oahu for about 10 days, however, my filming schedule was really great and it allowed me to have lots of downtime. During my time off I had a surf lesson, did some skim boarding, and even swam with the dolphins. The weather was perfect!  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to stay longer due to another commitment but I hope to return soon and just vacation. 
 
You have performed in many genres in your acting career from Family and Fantasy to Sci-Fi and Horror.  Is there a particular genre you have a preference for?  

No, I don’t really have a favorite; I really enjoy acting and the differences each character and jobs bring to me.  They are all lots of fun to be a part of. 
 
At the tender age of 14, you are a veteran to the acting profession.  What is in your future? Will you continue in your acting career, go to college, or both?    If you plan to move on from acting, what profession would you like to enter?
 
I certainly want to keep acting for the rest of my life! I really can’t see myself doing anything else. I would love to attend college and continue working as so many other actors such as Reese Witherspoon, Natalie Portman, and Jodie Foster have. I like to write so if I am not in front of the camera someday perhaps I will write scripts or even direct. I really want to stay in the film business. 
 
What are some of your upcoming current projects?  You have two movies “We Brought a Zoo” and “Eye of a Hurricane” that are due out this year.  What can you tell us about them?  Do you have any other projects you are interested in?

I am really excited and can’t wait for everyone to see “We Bought a Zoo”, directed by Cameron Crowe.  It is scheduled to be released on December 23, 2011. I was so fortunate to get to work with someone I have always respected, Matt Damon. He has a great personality and work ethic and I learned a lot from him. The film has something for the entire family; it will make you laugh and cry it’s both a drama and a comedy.   I got to film with some really cool animals.  My other costars were Scarlett Johansson, Patrick Fugit, and Thomas Hayden Church.  
 
I am not sure of the release date of Eye of the Hurricane but it too is a family film. I actually play a bully in the film, which was a new type of character for me. I got to work with Melanie Lynskey a very fine actress who played my mom in Sweet Home Alabama. It was a nice reunion to see her again after 10 years. 
 
Currently, I am enjoying my summer vacation and looking for my next role. I would love to return to do an episode of Supernatural. I love working on the show and I love visiting Vancouver!
 
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Well, I think it’s safe to say, we would all LOVE to have you return for another episode of “Supernatural.”  Hopefully TPTB would like you to return too.
 
I and all here at The Winchester Family Business wish to send a special thank you to Mr. Ford for taking the time to participate in our interview.  And to all our viewers, I hope you had as much fun reading this as I did writing it!  More fireworks anyone?  Hehehe  

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