Cameron Bender GilmoreGirls.org Interview, 02.13.07

Cameron Bender GilmoreGirls.org Interview, 02.13.07 ...




During Gilmore Girls' seven season run, Rory Gilmore has had no
shortage of potential suitors. Dean, Tristan, Jess, Logan, and Marty
were all captivated by the studious blue-eyed beauty, with some having
better luck at wooing her than others. But what happens with the tables
are turned and Rory finds herself drawn to someone new? Tonight's
episode, 'Farewell, My Pet', marks the debut of teaching assistant
Tucker Culberston, played by Cameron Bender. While Richard Gilmore
recuperates from surgery, Tucker fills in as professor for Richard's
economics class and quickly charms Rory.


Does this mean the end of Rory and Logan is near? Will
Jess and Dean fans everywhere rejoice? GilmoreGirls.org sits down with
Cameron to get the inside scoop about his time on Gilmore Girls and
acting plans for the future.


Heidi of GilmoreGirls.org: How did you get cast for the
role of Tucker Culberston? Had you watched the show prior to being
cast?


Cameron Bender: Jami Rudofsky and Mara Casey, the
casting directors, brought me in straight to producers. I hadn’t seen
them in years, maybe since season one. So I owe a lot to them
remembering me and trusting me enough to deliver without a pre-read
audition. Luckily, I wore my lucky audition glasses that brought just
enough geekiness. I’ve only watched a couple of episodes over the
years, but I’ve had friends who are loyal followers who kept me
updated. Of course, I’ve been watching since I was cast.


Heidi: Part of TV Guide's episode summary for
'Farewell, My Pet' states, "While Richard recuperates from surgery, a
new professor (Cameron Bender) takes his place and steals Rory's heart
with his charming ways." That's quite a sentence! It's no wonder that
Rory and Logan fans are already weary of Tucker. How does it feel to
play a character who is a perceived threat to the Rory and Logan
relationship?


Cameron: I’ve been bumping around the chatrooms and I
already know and respect the power and passion of the Gilmore Nation.
The 'Rogans' (aka Headliners) are already up in arms by the threat of
Tucker, but I need them to know not to worry ... yet. And to the
already dedicated 'TRockers' or 'Rockers' or 'RoTAs' (Tucker's a TA)
who are supporting my character without even seeing him, I want to tell
you I appreciate the love. I won’t forget you! It's actually been fun
with people bashing on my character based on a synopsis and a really
bad picture that I took on the set for my own files. I never intended
that to be an official CW picture, I just wanted something to put on my
IMDb page. I’m interested to see if they all feel the same after the
episode airs. Either way, if they’re talking about Tucker, it can’t be
a bad thing.


Heidi: Gilmore Girls has a very dedicated fan base that
is quite invested in the characters on the show. How do you think fans
will react to Tucker and his role in relationship to Rory?


Cameron: People have very strong feelings about these
characters. They feel like they’re old friends. I understand their ire
towards any threat. They are responding like good friends and I respect
that. To be honest, I don’t know where the writers will take Tucker,
but I can let the fans know that if anything, Tucker’s appearance
strengthens Rory and Logan ... for now. So please don’t hate him yet. I
would just like to bring a message of peace and love to the Rogans and
the Rockers. You are all Gilmore Girls’ fans, you all love the same
show ... don’t lose sight of what you have in common, rather than
focusing on your differences. Viva la Gilmore!


Heidi: Being a graduate of Michigan State University,
you know what it's like to be in a college atmosphere. Are any parts of
Tucker comprised of people you knew in college?


Cameron: I was in the Honors College at MSU and chose
to live on the Geek Floor (Honors Floor) of our dorm. My roommate and I
had girlfriends, so consequently we were King of the Geeks (I’m not
sure how great that is). But I truly loved those people; they were
great and had the best computers and stereo equipment. And I’m a geek
in many ways so I fit in okay. I knew a lot of people who were much
smarter than me. Tucker is also smarter than I am and likes economics
enough to teach it. That’s the biggest difference between us because I
hated econ and I was horrible at it. Rock on, Tuck. Work that supply
and demand. He even dresses like some of my preppier friends from Geek
Floor.


Heidi: As a former mascot at Michigan State and founder
of an a cappella group (the Accafellas), it sounds like Cameron Bender
would make a nice character addition to Stars Hollow. You'd be a
perfect fit. How could the real experiences of Cameron benefit
everyone's favorite Connecticut town?


Cameron: Cameron would make an interesting character in
Stars Hollow; too bad I’m already playing Tucker. Maybe Cameron
Culbertson is his twin brother? I think Cameron would bring my weird
intensity and passion to the town. Things would definitely not be
boring with him on the case. I always like to be the center of a lot of
action, and if there isn’t any, I’ll start it up myself ...


Heidi: What was it like working with Alexis Bledel? Is
there a cast member who you haven't worked with yet that you'd
especially like to have a scene with?


Cameron: Alexis is a very warm, generous, talented
actress. She seemed very thoughtful and sincere. Careful and quiet at
first, she must meet hundreds of actors every year, but she was so kind
to me and made me feel comfortable right away. Having her stare deeply
into my eyes wasn’t too horrible either. I’d love for Tucker to meet
Lorelai. Perhaps they could hit it off and she and Rory could fight
over him. Kidding! Kidding, Rogans and Lukelais! Tucker is not a threat
to anyone!


Heidi: It's fair to say that many Gilmore fans are on
the edge of their seats waiting to hear news about whether or not
season 8 will happen. When you were on the set did you get any feeling
as to how likely it is for the show to continue beyond this season? If
the show does come back, would you be interested in having Tucker
become a recurring part in Rory's life?


Cameron: I wish I had some info for the fans. I know
what its like to be freaked out that you might lose a favorite show.
But when I was on set, I got no indication that anyone was even
concerned with that. It was a wonderful set, it really felt like a
family and I could tell people cared about each other. Because of that,
I was really sad leaving, even though I was there such a short time. I
would love for Tucker to come back, perhaps become the grandfather’s
protégé? Definitely not as a romantic threat ... unless the show needed
the spice. I would love to come back in any capacity.


Heidi: A fair bit of luck has rubbed off on actors
who've appeared on Gilmore Girls, many of whom have gone on to star in
their own shows. Do you hope this role will open new doors for you?


Cameron: I know it will; it already has. On my
auditions, casting directors always ask me about my experience and
role. The show has a great reputation around town and Mara and Jami are
famous for finding young male talent. Alexis has been a bit of a
'king-maker' as well. I know the experience has already benefited me. I
hope I can keep their streak alive. We’ll have to do a follow-up
interview after my own series gets picked up in the fall.


Heidi: Gilmore Girls is often defined as a 'dramedy'.
Do you find it more difficult to take on a comedic role with
quick-witted banter or a dramatic role heavy with emotion?


Cameron: Gilmore Girls was tough because it’s a
dramatic role with quick-witted banter. The dialogue is so great
though, so much fun to say, except for my name 'Tucker Culbertson'. It
took me a while to wrap my diction-lacking tongue around that. Drama
seems to be easier, in general for me because you can take your time
and really feel it. Sitcoms especially are all timing and transitions.
I really have to work at that.


Heidi: The GilmoreGirls.org Forum has a few aspiring
actors and actresses that would be interested to hear what it's like to
begin the process of making your way onto the Hollywood scene. Do you
have any personal experiences that you'd care to share?


Cameron: Be patient with yourself. Take the time to
build a perfect team for yourself; agent, manager, teacher, etc. You
want everyone to work well together, believe in you, and work their
tails off. Be professional, be on time, and be prepared. This is your
job. Surround yourself with creative people who will be positive
influences on you and keep you going (make sure they aren’t all
actors). If you get to know writers and directors, they sometimes just
include you in their projects. Put yourself out there. Do student
projects, independent films, get tape and experience everything for
yourself. But always believe. If this is your passion, your dream, go
for it and leave yourself no 'outs', no 'fall-back plans', because when
it gets tough (and it will, trust me), it's too easy to fall-back to.
Stay positive, build your momentum, and remember that it’s a marathon,
not a sprint. Okay, enough of the seminar.


Heidi: During the first season of Veronica Mars, you
appeared as Nathan in the episode 'The Girl Next Door'. Now that you've
covered both shows on The CW's Tuesday night lineup, do you have a
favorite on set memory for either show? What were the differences and
similarities between the two jobs?


Cameron: We shot Veronica down in San Pedro, California
by San Diego. It's such a great city and was fun in general just to be
there. Plus, like me, Kristen Bell is from Michigan and we just hit it
off. Nathan was a snotty character, so it was fun just to play a jerk
and get 'mine' in the end. Gilmore Girls was shot at the Warner Bros.
lot which is by far my favorite studio lot in Hollywood, so I just
loved being there. My dream is to have an office there and show up for
work everyday in Burbank. Maybe ride my bicycle from place to place.
Being on location versus a stage are two totally different beasts. It's
much more exhausting and high-energy when you're on location, while
it's much more chillaxed on a set. There are pros and cons for both,
but to be honest, every time I show up to a set ready to work it’s a
joy and pleasure no matter what.


Heidi: What other projects are you currently working on? What are your aspirations for the future?




Cameron: I did a small scene in Smother, a film starring Liv Tyler,
Diane Keaton, and Dax Shepard. I worked one day, but it was a lot of
fun. Another rich jerk character, always a good time. Pilot auditions
are in full effect right now and I hope to book one in the next few
months. Plus I’ve been making various short films for contests with
friends, for things like the Independent Film Channel, the Beastie
Boys, FX, a local radio station and so on. I love just grabbing a
camera, shooting for an hour, editing for a night and having something
awesome to show for it. There’s nothing like the energy on a set with
friends, shooting something you all came up with together. That’s the
dream. The biggest thing I’m working on right now is my friend Matt
Gren’s project Gabriel. We’re currently trying to lock down a location
to shoot. I believe we found my female lead today. We are trying to
sell a short film based on a scene from the feature to help sell the
project. That’s been taking up a lot of time and energy, but it's such
a great project. I’m loving it. You can see some of the things I’ve
done on my bizarre page at www.myspace.com/cambender.



Heidi: What do you like to watch on TV?




Cameron: Scripted stuff, that’s for sure. I hate reality TV only
because as an actor, every reality or game show is one less show that I
could be on. I try to explain to my Mom that she’s killing her son by
watching Big Brother. Kidding! I love my Mom; she’s awesome. But back
to TV, I watch a lot of HBO. They really put out the greatest
programming. Deadwood is my all-time favorite show, period. Extras,
Curb Your Enthusiasm, Rome are all great, and I’m looking forward to
Sopranos ending on a high note. When it comes to broadcast TV, I only
really watch Lost and 24, but only if they stay good. Sporting events
never let me down, even if my teams do.


Heidi: Considering that you're a Chicago Bears fan, I
offer my condolences. Will next year be 'the year' for Da Bears? Are
you a big sports fan in general?


Cameron: Thanks for your kind thoughts. This week was
kind of tough. I can’t defend Rex [Grossman] anymore, even though I
still think he can be a good quarterback. I thought next year would be
the Bears’ year; this Super Bowl was gravy, but yes, I think Da Bears
will be back in a weak NFC. I know it's boring for a lot of girls, but
I do love me some sports. I really get into it. I’m difficult to watch
games with and stay away from me if my teams lose ... Michigan State
anything, Detroit teams, and the Bears. I really believe it goes back
to cavemen days. We all belonged to tribes and clans, and you would
defend to the death. Well, teams allow you to pick your tribe, pick who
you will fight for, and as Jerry Seinfeld says, you’re really only
cheering for uniforms because if a player leaves your team you hate
him. People just like to feel like they belong to a group bigger than
themselves and sports allows them to do that. Too philosophical an
answer? Probably.


Heidi: When you have downtime, how do you like to spend it?




Cameron: I love movies, sports, my friends. I like reading and learning
and doing crossword puzzles when I’m on the stairmaster. I don’t go out
to clubs much anymore. I feel I’m getting too old to wait in line to
pay $20 to get in somewhere. But on a typical day when I’m not
auditioning too much, you’ll probably find me chilling at the coffee
shop down the street, writing or fooling around on my MacBook, and/or
playing my PSP. Maybe drawing in my sketch-pad if I’m feeling creative.



I just wanted to thank GilmoreGirls.org for the
opportunity to share a little bit with the audience about my
experiences and myself. I don’t know what the future holds for Mr.
Tucker, but I know I personally would love to see him come back and
play a part in their lives, this season and the next. Thank you!


Heidi: GilmoreGirls.org would like to sincerely thank
Cameron for participating in this interview. If anyone would like to
discuss Cameron or Tucker, you can do so in the 'Farewell, My Pet'
thread on the GilmoreGirls.org Forum.


Credit: GilmoreGirls.org