[Interview] Michael Welch: kriselen

Name: Michael Welch
Date: January 2005
Official Site: Website


Plays Luke on Joan of Arcadia
Plays the drums as a hobby

Michael Welch
What makes actors so good is not so much the perfection in the execution of a role, but having the passion in what he does and loving every part of becoming a character. That is the impression I got when I talked to Michael Welch-his love for what he does, and his passion to become the character he portrays. "It was really fun and challenging to do that because I never done anything like that before. I did my research on it and visited an autistic school. I talked to the counselors and observed the kids, and from that I developed my own character and figured out how I wanted to do it," said Michael, as he talked about his part as an autistic kid in the independent film The United States of Leland. Michael admitted that doing the research was as much fun as the part itself.

Currently, Michael is on the hit CBS show Joan of Arcadia, playing the role of Luke, the somewhat ignored middle child who could be stereotyped as a "nerd." Michael, who was a little leery about such a stereotypical role, was easily won over after a run through of the script. "So I started reading the script, and when it got to page 11 where the guy said, 'I am God,' I was like, whoa. Then I knew where it was going. I thought CBS just needed a replacement for Touched By An Angel, but it was much more than that. I also saw Luke as cool person-not really a geek at all. I could relate to him and saw him as a sarcastic, ignored middle child that happens to have a passion about science. I remember in the audition that a lot of people had the pocket protector and the tape around the glasses-the normal "geek" stuff. I just went in there with jeans and T-shirt and did the part the way I saw it. The first script is what initially attracted me. The script was beautifully written," explained Michael.

Joan of Arcadia is a show that is not centered around teenage angst and heartache, which has become the basic plot point of every other show targeted to the young adult demographic. Joan of Arcadia takes people deeper than that. This probably attributes to its strong following-a show with depth and a realism that has not gone unnoticed by viewers, or even to the show's actors for that matter. Michael talked about how the show even teaches him lessons about life: "One lesson that has really got me is that you have to see where you can do the most good. There are a lot of situations in life that doesn't appear to have any solution to them. It's been an on-going theme on the show. Life is all about choices and we do have free will, and you kind of have to think about the chain reaction of how things are going to affect you and the people around you."

So where will we see Michael in five years? We could all wish that Joan of Arcadia will still be in the cards, but whatever he does, it will be something he is passionate about, because it is his passion for acting and the roles that he takes on that has brought him such success thus far.

Interview

You have played a lot of diverse roles thus far in your career. What has been your favorite role?

Michael: Other than Joan of Arcadia, I think my two favorite roles I have done-it's a tie-I did this movie called United States of Leeland and I played an autistic kid and it was an independent movie with Kevin Spacey and Ryan Goslin. It was really fun and challenging to do that because I never done anything like that before. I did my research on it and visited an autistic school. I talked to the counselors and observed the kids and from that I developed my own character and figured out how I wanted to do it. Doing the research was as much fun at the part itself. The other favorite is definitely the most recognized one after Joan of Arcadia is Star Gate SG1. I played a clone of Colonel Jack O'Neil, which is Richard Demandesin's character. So I basically had to be him. The whole process of watching tapes of him and really figuring out his character-it was really cool. The people were really great too so those two would be my favorites other than Joan of Arcadia.

It seems like you put a lot of research into your roles. Is their a specific type of role you really want to do, but haven't gotten to do yet?

Michael: This is going to sound weird, but I would love to play some kind of psychopath. I haven't done that yet. Some kind of serial killer because I would never do that in real life, so that is the fun of acting is that you get to do things that you normally would never get to do. So that would be definitely something I would love to try.

So is acting something you always wanted to do?

Michael: Absolutely. The only other thing I could see myself getting into professionally is either writing or directing in movies or television. Acting is really it. The only other thing I'm close to being good at is playing the drums and I'm definitely more passionate about the acting. Drums are more of a hobby.

So you would never join a band?

Michael: I was in a band with a bunch of other actors before so the four of us were focused on acting so the music was more of our back up thing. So we would meet once in a blue moon just to jam together and do a couple gigs, but it wasn't anything serious.

So your character on Joan of Arcadia is really evolving in the 2nd season. What initially attracted you to the role?

Michael: I read the breakdown and the description of the characters first. I read the description of Luke and they described him as really nerdy, loner, has no friends type guy. So at first I said this is something I don't really want to do because I don't like playing nerds-playing stereotypes. I saw that Joe Montania and Mary Steinburgence were attached to the project. So I decided to give it a shot since I'm sure those two wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't halfway decent. So I started reading the script and when it got to page 11 where the guy said, "I am God," I was like whoa. Then I knew where it was going. I thought CBS just needed a replacement for "Touched By An Angel" but it was much more than that. I also saw Luke as cool person, not really a geek at all. I could relate to him and saw him as a sarcastic, ignored middle child that happens to have a passion about science. I remember in the audition that a lot of people had the pocket protector and the tape around the glasses-the normal "geek" stuff. I just went in there with jeans and t-shirt and did the part the way I saw it. The first script is what initially attracted me. The script was beautifully written.

What direction do you want to see Luke move towards?

Michael: He's changed so much since the first episode. He is totally a different person, but he is still "Luke." To be honest, I love where the writers have taken it. I trust them. I love all the stuff I have with Grace this year and the relationship between Luke and Joan. They kind of dropped the relationship with Luke and Kevin. Honestly, my number one request would be to see more family stuff with Luke in it. I love doing the high school stuff, but I think the really core of the show started with the family stuff. I think that is where the "soul" of the show is so I would love to see it go back to the basics as well.

One thing I like about this show is that it's not stereotypical. What is one thing you learned from being on this show?

Michael: We have a lot of great lessons on the show, but the one lesson that has really got me is that you have to see where you can do the most good. There are a lot of situations in life that doesn't appear to have any solution to them. It's been an on-going theme on the show. Life is all about choices and we do have free will and you kind of have to think about the chain reaction of how things are going to affect you and the people around you.

You do a lot of charity work, especially with Kids with a Cause. How important is that to you?

Michael: I don't necessarily have a responsibility, but I have a unique opportunity to really do some good. That's why I think so many celebrities become activists because we really do have an opportunity to change the world for the better. It's really important to me because I guess my parents did a good job raising me (laughs). They taught me the importance of giving back and I've been unbelievably luckily. I'm so blessed so I have no reason to not give back. Honestly it's for selfish reasons (laughs) because if I didn't, I would feel bad because I really do have an opportunity to help. The important thing though is to find good charities. There is so much I want to help with and I just want to do it all, but I see now that I can't do that. I'm looking it all areas to see what I really want to focus and help in, but charity work is definitely important to me.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Michael: That's a great question. Career wise, I really don't know. So far, I have been consistently working since I was ten, so I hope to continue to work. I just don't know in what field of the entertainment industry. I could be in plays or on another show. Or I can become one of those cool independent actors that do 4-5 movies a year, but no one really knows who they are.

I've noticed you have done a lot of independent movies.

Michael: Yes, but it's not really by choice. I'm kind of in a position now, with Joan of Arcadia, to be a little pickier with the roles I want to take, but everything up until Joan of Arcadia was, "I auditioned for it, I got the role-and its work." When an actor begins his career, they can't really turn anything down. I would love to do independent movies and pretty much do it all. I want to explore everything and not get caught in one thing. After this show is over, I won't do another role like Luke for another five years at least. So I really have no idea where I see myself in five years. So I'll just keep working and see where it goes. It's going to be fun.

Who are your inspirations, acting wise?

Michael: Originally, I got into acting through comedy. My biggest comic influences were Jim Carey and Robin Williams. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective really kind of launched my career. I also love Edward Norton and Kevin Spacey.

What message would you like to give to your fans?

Michael: Thank you! The fans are just the people that enjoyed what I do. I can't tell you have appreciative I am of them. It's really amazing especially between Joan of Arcadia and Star Gate, the fans have really helped my career go forward. So the fans are really important and I really do appreciate what they have done for me. I started this website for people who watch Joan of Arcadia to go see what I'm up to. They can check it out at www.michaelwelchfanclub.com. By the way, I didn't pick that name so it will probably be changing very soon (laughs).