The temperature just keeps rising this weekās with ourĀ Hollywoodās HottestĀ week and you guys just canāt get enough.
TodayāsĀ Hollywoodās HottestĀ spotlight is moving onto the dashing and talented Nicholas Downs. A producer, writer and actor in Hollywood Nicholas enjoyed his breakthrough with the J.C. Calciano movieĀ Is It Just Me?
We caught up with Nicholas to talk about the continuing rise of his career, find out about his web seriesĀ Steam Room Stories, and to find out what heās got coming up.
How are you today? Where does this Q&A find you?
Doing very well thanks. Iām in my home in Los Angeles between auditions and found some time to answer your questions while enjoying a cup of tea.
You first came to our attention in the romantic comedy ‘Is It Just Me?’ How important a role has that movie played in your career?
Iām very proud ofĀ Is It Just Me?Ā and my role in that film. Not only did I get to play a character Iāve always wanted to play but I have had such great response to it. Weekly I get messages from fans telling me how much they like the film and my role in it. I appreciate each and every one of those messages.
Since ‘Is It Just Me?’ your career has been going from strength-to-strength. What has been your favourite job since then and why?
I have enjoyed working on films, TV shows, web series and a play since then. Iād say two that really stick out are a play I did in Los Angeles calledĀ The Girl Most Likely To, where I played three roles and my episode ofĀ Castle, where I got to work with Nathan Fillion and Susan Sullivan.
Your partner in crime on a lot of your projects is director, writer and producer JC Calciano. What is it about working with JC that you enjoy so much?
We pretty much agree on everything, we have a very similar way of working and vision. Itās actually a rarity when we donāt agree on something, and thatās a hard thing to find. JC is not only a collaborator but heās also a very good friend. Heās very talented and I completely respect him as a filmmaker.
You are a producer and writer for the hit online series ‘Steam Room Stories’ which we regularly feature. Tell us about the series and how it came to be.
Itās a web series that takes place in a steam room at a gym, need I say more? Ok I willā¦It came about when JC and I were looking to find ways to promote our films and get more fans. We came up with the idea forĀ Steam Room Storiesand kept the setting simple with a little skin thrown in to boot. Before we knew it, it took off and had a life of its own and has become quite popular. You can check it out atĀ www.steamroomstories.com.
What do you look for when selecting your next project?
Projects and roles that excite me are always great and if they can help to further my career and push me to the next level thatās a bonus. To be honest, work is work, but I have gotten to the point in my career that I wonāt just do anything, Iāve been a bit discerning lately, I think one has to when building a career.
Do you have any desire to try directing in the future?
Iāve given that a lot of thought. And Iād say yes. It seems quite a number of actors have made that jump. It seems like a very fluid transition from acting. I feel acting will always be my number one, but directing does seem very creative and perhaps I could direct something Iāve written.
Something on the forefront of every American’s mind right now is the Presidential election and debates. What things do you want to see change post elections?
Less division. Right now itās all about winning. It seems there is always a run off, or election. It would be great if it stopped being about whoās on top and who controls what house, and politicians get together and do the most good for the people. Thatās what it should be about, but at the moment itās about winning, not about the people.
What are your plans for the next six months? What’s in the pipeline work wise?
To continue looking for good projects to act in. Continue to work with the various filmmakers and producers Iām currently working with on various projects, from web series to feature films. Iām currently working with four different filmmakers/writers/directors/producers on varying projects on both an acting and producing level. And to continue to push my own scripts and see about getting them made as well.
What will you be doing for the holidays this year?
Spending it here in Los Angeles with my family. I think we are hosting Thanksgiving again this year! Thatās what I get for making a good turkey last year.
For more on āSteam Room Storiesā head over toĀ www.steamroomstories.comĀ and to keep up to date with Nicholas follow him on TwitterĀ @NicholasDowns