David Blue, Star of SGU: Stargate Universe (INTERVIEW)

David Blue is a bit of a new kid on the block and seems to have caught a few eyes with his latest role as Eli Wallace on SGU Stargate Universe. For the TV buffs who aren’t down with the sci-fi, you might find Blue recognizable from his memorable role as Cliff on Ugly Betty.

Check out below to see how David Blue stays on the cutting edge.

13 Questions with David Blue

1. How do you keep your work on the cutting edge?

I hate to sound like an addict, but I think it’s important to stay connected to the pulse of the world and to what’s out there right now. Watching some of the usually, more well-done shows will inform you as to what’s going on in the world. More than that, though, I think intuition plays a huge part. If YOU find something intriguing, chances are someone else will as well! But in the end it really boils down to never being complacent. You think you’re the best at what you do? Stay that way! Always be learning, always be moving, always strive to do more. That will separate you from the pack.

2. How do you reset yourself to become creative? Do you have any rituals?

I try to force my boundaries. I think if you live too comfortably, you can become complacent. Finding the things that scare you…the things that really push you to the boundaries of who you think you are… those are the things that challenge you. Aside from that, I find music is incredibly important to me. I listen to it on the way to set everyday and between scenes.

3. What is an example of a time where you have thrown away an existing idea to force yourself to find something new?

Every day! The one good thing about working with a group of such talented, well-trained performers is the level of creativity that I’m surrounded with. Every time we rehearse I’m constantly surprised by some choices my cast-mates make. And by being prepared beforehand and trusting my co-workers, I find things changing in the moment. You end up having to throw away some things you were going to do in the scene because it doesn’t fit anymore. And that can be quite exciting!

4. How did you get involved in acting and what motivates you to continue?

I’ve been acting in some form or another since the second grade. Back then, it was something I loved to do after school and on weekends. As much as I loved it, I never considered it anything more than a hobby I was passionate about. It wasn’t until I was deciding on colleges that I began to think of this as a potential lifelong career. To be honest, I didn’t think anybody would be willing to pay me. I’m incredibly lucky to be working in this industry, and I try to remind myself of that often. I get to play in a sandbox with some amazingly talented people, meet some of my favorite performers and experience some amazing things I’ve only dreamed about. It’s pretty motivating.

5. How significant are the topics of cool hunting and trend spotting in the world of entertainment?

They’re essential, really. Not only when you’re talking about what to wear to events and style, but also as far as the characters you play. It’s so important to know what’s on the mind of the world when you’re representing that world. Also, as a writer myself, it’s very important to know what’s considered cool when I’m setting up the worlds of my scripts.

6. How do you define cool?

Anything I do? Heehee. Kidding. I think cool is a critical mass type situation. There’s a pulse to the world and cool comes from a general push towards something. I’m constantly surprised by what becomes "in" these days, but then we all find ourselves drinking the Kool-Aid pretty quickly. Personally, I just do what I enjoy. If somebody else says that’s cool, then more power to them. In the end it’s all about personal happiness.

7. How do you define a trend?
 
When enough people start to move towards something specific, I think it gets defined as a trend. Though these days some people just throw the word around, I think it’s more about a group of people’s acceptance and commitment to an idea.

8. What is the coolest aspect about the upcoming season of SGU?

I feel like season 1.5 is a roller-coaster ride. Now that we’re getting to know the characters, there are some amazing outside influences that mix things up. It’s interesting to watch how the dynamics change and people adjust. More than anything though, especially the first few episodes coming up, I feel like it’s impossible to peel your eyes away from the screen.

9. Professionally, what do you want to be doing in 10 years?

I’m lucky that I’m doing what I love. I’ve been trying to put my hands in some more cookie jars these days and expand myself creatively. That’s naturally led me to directing, writing and producing. So, hopefully in ten years I’ll be juggling a rather busy film/TV acting schedule as well as directing and producing some projects.

10. If you weren’t in entertainment, what would your dream profession be?

When I was younger, I used to dream of being an Astronaut. Being up there, working on ground-breaking, world-altering things would be amazing. Not to mention how utterly amazing it would be to look down on Earth while in orbit. Sometimes I look at the photos that the Hubble sends back in such awe. I want to be hurtling towards those amazing things.

11. What are your favorite hobbies?

I love working out. Running, hiking, snowboarding, etc. I’m a huge computer nerd, something I spend far too much time doing that. And whenever I get the chance, video games are always in the back of my mind. There are some really great games that have come out recently that I’ve been dying to play. But we have such an intense schedule, it’s sometimes hard to find the time. Reading falls right into that category as well.

12. If you could work with anyone in the world, who would it be and what would you do?

Give me some Johnny Depp! If I got cast in something directed by Tim Burton, co-starring alongside Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr., Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Daniel Day Lewis, Peter Saarsgard, Jason Bateman, George Clooney… that’d be a great movie. I love watching movies and television, so it’s hard to narrow it down. I love watching someone’s performance and just falling in love with the little moments they give us. It inspires me. And to work with those people would just be like a brief acting class.

13. Who is your favorite actor/actress of the moment, and what makes them cool to you?

I’m obsessed with Michael Emerson. He’s so wonderfully brilliant on "LOST" that I don’t even know how to handle it. Every time he appears onscreen my eyes are just drawn to him, waiting. I have so much respect for him as an artist. And I’ve read interviews he’s done where he talks about his stage background and experience. It’s all inspiring.

For more from David Blue, check him out on Twitter @DavidBlue.