Exclusive: Interview with Antonio Elias of Star Trek
When you see "Star Trek" (not if, but when, because everyone should see it – read my review here), keep your eye out for Officer Pitts, a Starfleet officer played by the talented Antonio Elias.
Elias has scored roles in several TV shows, including "Ghost Whisperer," "Moonlight," and "Private Practice," and is well on his way to becoming a household name with his role in "Star Trek," his first feature film.
Read on as Elias talks about working with J.J. Abrams, why he loves "Indiana Jones," and his upcoming film "Spoken Word."
JANE: You really caught the acting bug early on (earning your SAG card by the age of 10!). Did you ever consider other careers, or did you always know you’d pursue acting?
ANTONIO: I think at one point I thought about being a doctor or a lawyer, but I think everyone has ideas like that at some point. I was really young when I had those thoughts, definitely before I started acting. The only other thing I seriously considered was archeology, but that was mostly influenced by my love for the "Indiana Jones" films when I was younger. Those films are some of the ones that inspired me to be an actor in the first place.
JANE: Your ABC pilot, "A House Divided," wasn’t picked up, but the casting director April Webster later cast you in "Star Trek." How important are all of those connections as you’re coming up in the business? Seems like you just never know when even the small connections will pay off big-time later.
ANTONIO: I really believe that every relationship one makes in this business, no matter how small, can pay off. That’s why I try and take advantage of every opportunity I’m given, because you really never know. And I really just like to get along with everyone I work with. The whole experience for me is really fun, and my relationship with April Webster is a perfect example. I will be forever grateful to her, and I hope I can keep that relationship for many years to come.
JANE: I’m sure everyone is asking this, but what’s it like being part of "Star Trek" history? Were you an avid follower of the TV shows and movies prior to being cast in this movie?
ANTONIO: I never saw reruns of the original TV series growing up, but I did see all the films and a few episodes of the later series like "The Next Generation," etc. I was more of a "Star Wars" fan growing up, to be honest, but I did like "Star Trek," and I understood how important it was and how much cultural weight "Star Trek" has. To be a part of it is amazing. It’s an incredible honor.
JANE: Talk a little about the experience of filming "Star Trek," working with the other actors, and working with J.J. Abrams.
ANTONIO: It was so much fun. A surreal experience. I never thought my first feature film would be something so huge, let alone "Star Trek." That definitely took some time to really sink in. All the actors I worked with were great. Faran Tahir, who plays Captain Robau, is an amazing actor. I would just sit back and watch sometimes. The guy is great. Chris Hemsworth is great, too. J.J. Abrams is awesome, a genuinely nice guy. He really knows how to communicate with actors, and I could just tell how much fun he was having during filming. I think the entire cast felt it, and that energy made it an even more positive experience.
JANE: Talk about Officer Pitts, your character in "Star Trek." Is he a Starfleet officer?
ANTONIO: Officer Pitts is a Starfleet officer aboard a Federation Starship, although I’m afraid to say which one, because I was sworn to secrecy by Paramount, so I’m not sure what I can and cannot say. It’s tough being so excited about something, but at the same time not being able to say much. Lets just say that during the part of the film I’m in, some really cool stuff is going down and some cool characters are being revealed.
JANE: Did you meet any of the original "Star Trek" actors (such as Leonard Nimoy, also in this movie)? If so, what was that like?
ANTONIO: Unfortunately I didn’t get to meet Leonard Nimoy. That would have been awesome. I did get to see Zachary Quinto in his full make up, and that was really cool. When I first saw him, I had to do a double-take because he looked almost exactly like a young Leonard Nimoy.
JANE: Tell us a little about "Spoken Word," set for release in 2010. Have you started filming yet? What’s it like working with film festival rock star Victor Nunez?
ANTONIO: I filmed "Spoken Word" during March and April of last year, and they finished post production on it this past February. It’s doing the film festival circuit right now, and the producers are still seeking distribution, I believe. That was another great experience. Victor is a great director, too, and knows what he’s doing. It’s a much smaller story than "Star Trek," for sure.
It’s about a San Francisco spoken word artist (Kuno Becker) who returns home to New Mexico to be with his dying father (Ruben Blades), only to find he loses his "voice" as he is sucked back into the dysfunctional life of drugs and violence that he left behind. I play the younger brother of Kuno Becker’s character. Our three characters definitely have a strained relationship, to say the least. They have a lot of pride, guilt, and a little shame mixed in that hinders them from really expressing how they feel during such a difficult time. But during the course of the film, they find a way of getting past all that and finally come together.
I think there is a lot in there as far as the family relationship goes that some people can really relate to. Working with such successful actors like Ruben Blades, Monique Curnen, Miguel Sandoval, and Kuno Becker was another amazing experience. They are all such talented, successful actors, and it could be a little intimidating at times, so I really made sure I did my homework and tried to do my best. It was so inspiring to be there and to see how they all work. I definitely learned a lot about myself as an actor, and I’m truly grateful for that experience.
JANE: Your press kit says you could watch "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" a million times and never get tired of it (me, too!). Is that your favorite movie? If George Lucas and Steven Spielberg had added a part for you in that movie, what would it have been (in your perfect dream world!)?
ANTONIO: I would love to be a really cool sidekick character. Not some comic relief sidekick, but someone really cool. Someone that’s riding along with Indiana Jones the whole time. I couldn’t think of anything better
JANE: Anything else you’d like to add?
ANTONIO: Just that I’m truly grateful for all that I’ve been able to do so far, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. And go see "Star Trek," because the movie is great, and people are going to love it.
JANE: Thanks so much!
Photo Credits: Dennis Apergis; Star Trek, Copyright, Paramount Pictures
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Action/Adventure, Celebrity Pictures, Drama, Film, Film Genres, Film Industry, Interviews, Movie Sequels & Prequels, Movie Stars, Movies, Now Playing, Personalities, Science Fiction, TV on the Big Screen
0 opinions for Exclusive: Interview with Antonio Elias of Star Trek
No one has left a comment yet. You know what this means, right? You could be first!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: