By April MacIntyre Aug 26, 2010, 5:57 GMT
One of the most deserving ensembles of drama, AMC's "Breaking Bad" is up for an Emmy this weekend, and for Monsters and Critics, this series along with 'Sons of Anarchy," and "Dexter" were the top three for the category; egregiously, SOA never made the nominations' list.
Breaking Bad's RJ Mitte - Zooey Magazine Launch Benefiting the Farm Sanctuary - Arrivals - 8443 Warner Studio - Culver City, CA, USA © Tommaso Boddi / PR Photos
"Breaking Bad" stars Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, RJ Mitte, Giancarlo Esposito, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt and Bob Odenkirk who collectively killed it dead and stomped this past season, from the opening scene where the Mexican hitmen crawled to a rural, dusty death deity Santa Muerte, to the finale where Jesse's ready to murder. The cast performances and the writers went to places that reveal the malleable qualities of human emotions, ethics, morality and survival when personal decisions spiral downward and coffers swell.
Part of that cast is RJ Mitte, the son of Walt who is left behind by his father. The Louisiana native is an anchor player in the edgy "Breaking Bad" that sees his dad, faced with terminal cancer, secretly take on a double life to ensure the financial security of his wife and children after he is dead.
The illicit drug money becomes an albatross of guilt and a siren of power and ego to Walt, and Walt Junior seems left in the lurch this past season.
Mitte's character Walt Jr. was created by showrunner Vince Gilligan, as a teen who navigated life with mild cerebral palsy. In real life, RJ Mitte also deals with mild cerebral palsy but imbues Walt Jr. with realistic affectations to add a bit more to the role.
Heading to the Emmys this weekend to cheer on his nominated castmates ("Jesse" Aaron Paul and "Walt" Bryan Cranston) and the show, RJ Mitte was able to catch up with Monsters and Critics and talk about his character and the series pre-Emmy bash.
Monsters and Critics: Your character Walt Jr., has much more pronounced CP symptoms than you have, from what I understand from past interviews. What movements, things do you add to give Walt Jr. an authenticity in this role?
RJ Mitte: Well it's mainly with his speech and the way he walks where I've had to use past memory and regress to add authenticity to Walt Jr. It's been a lot of work and kind of an eye opener to see what I could have been like if I did not work on my body the way I did.
M&C: This past season was a really heavy one with lots of action; tell me which episode was your favorite - in retrospect.
RJ Mitte: Yes it was heavy. It's really hard to pick just one favorite episode...I'm such a huge fan of the show. Every episode delivers. You never know what's going to happen so when we get the scripts, we just read them crazy fast. We're all dying to know what's next.
M&C: RJ, your castmates, can you tell your fans what it is like on set working with Bryan, Aaron and Anna? "Hank" is awesome; does Dean Norris cut it up on set too? Does Bob Odenkirk crack you up?
RJ Mitte: They are so amazing. We have so much fun together and it's always a great time to see what we get to do on set. Bob is funny...he's a very smart guy. Dean's a great guy. The material is so intense that we all try to have fun and cut up on set.
M&C: What do they use as "stunt" Meth? Do you know what the art department's prop master uses for this?
RJ Mitte: I don't know.... I know they make it themselves. I think its rock candy sometimes.
M&C: Where do you hope Vince Gilligan takes your character in the next season, if you could dream out the arc you would feel rings true for Walt Jr.?
RJ Mitte: Anything could happen with Walt Jr. Whatever I could dream up wouldn't compare to the amazing stuff Vince and the writers will come through with. I'm happy to play whatever is in store for Walt Jr. I know it will be exciting.
M&C: Your comic instincts are really good. You catch people off guard and you lay in the lines just right. What is the prep for actual filming, is it first table reads, then rehearsal or do you just read the scripts given and "go"?
RJ Mitte: We do have rehearsals for each scene, but we just go for it most of the time. I think it's the best way to do it... anything could happen.
M&C: I read that Vince Gilligan wrote the part of Walter Jr. to honor a handicapped friend who had passed away, did he ever give you any insight to who this was, and what he hoped to accomplish by casting someone who had a challenge?
RJ Mitte: Yes. Vince really did want to honor his friend by creating the role of Walt Jr. and he's really accomplished that and more, I think. We've had an incredibly positive response from viewers. Visibility is so important in getting the public to understand and accept that people with disabilities don't have to be defined by their disability and that they can still contribute and accomplish so much.
Because of the show, people get to see that. It's also allowed me to become active with I AM PWD, which advocates for inclusion in the media for performers with disabilities. It's a campaign sponsored by three entertainment industry unions -- SAG, AFTRA and Actors' Equity. It's really cool.
M&C: So how does a Louisiana boy deal with the arid climate of New Mexico? You must miss the food. Tell me about where you come from, and if you are now based out west or still have Louisiana roots?
RJ Mitte: New Mexico's climate doesn't bother me anymore. The things I miss most about Louisiana are the great fishing spots and the music scene. I know how to cook a lot of Louisiana's cuisine so I make it myself. I am mostly based out of LA right now, but I'm always traveling.
M&C: Have you had any other projects come to you after this role on "Breaking Bad"?
RJ Mitte: Yes. I have other projects that I am working on right now. I can't say too much about them, but it's going to be very interesting.
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