James Vanderbeek: Interview with ultimate tv



When James Van Der Beek got a concussion at 13 years old and wasn't able to play on the football team, the world of TV won a small victory. Van Der Beek tried out for the school play instead and eventually moved from community theatre to "Dawson's Creek." James plays Dawson, an aspiring filmmaker with a severe Spielberg fixation. He grew up comfortably with his loving parents, and as we meet him, he is oblivious to the fact that his outwardly perfect life is in for some drastic changes.

UltimateTV: Do you feel any added pressure being THE Dawson from "Dawson's Creek"?



James Van Der Beek: I don't really have to carry the show, it's an ensemble. Kevin Williamson [the writer] is the real star.

UltimateTV: What would you say "Dawson's Creek" is about?



James Van Der Beek: Dawson's Creek is an hour drama series of four teenangers in a suburb of Boston coming of age...Dealing with teenage issues. So in other words sex, sex, more sex. It's honest and it's fairly resonsible without being preachy.

UltimateTV : How has starring in this show changed your life?



James Van Der Beek: I was an English major - "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man." I can afford to eat, now. It's funny... being in the show was our day to day reality. Now it's getting weird. It's really comforting that it's all done. Fortunately, the distraction comes after the work.

UltimateTV : What kinds of mistakes does Dawson make on the show?



James Van Der Beek: He makes any number of mistakes. The mistakes Dawson makes stems from ignorance. The whole boy girl thing....He's finding his way.

UltimateTV : Do you think you are presenting an accurate portrayal of how it is to be a teenager today?



James Van Der Beek: I think so, yeah. Absolutely. I think it has a lot to do with the writing.

UltimateTV : Have you ever been compared to River Phoenix?



James Van Der Beek: No. Although Entertainment Weekly called me Ethan Hawke with better hygiene.

UltimateTV : If you weren't an actor, what would you do with an English major?



James Van Der Beek: I'd probably be a teacher. Middle school teacher. I had a real mentor from middle school, and it's such a miserable time for any kid.

UltimateTV : How often do you get recognized by fans on the street?



James Van Der Beek: Not yet.

UltimateTV : Is "Dawson's Creek" looking for the same audience as 'Buffy?'



James Van Der Beek: I think so. They're both high school. We were thrilled to follow 'Buffy.'

UltimateTV : Do you go online?

James Van Der Beek: I actually don't have a computer. The internet is also much more important to this industry than it's given credit for.

UltimateTV : Do you really not want to be on the cover of Tiger Beat?

James Van Der Beek: Oh, geez. It was taken a little bit out of context. [Entertainment Weekly] asked me if I was excited about that, I said I wouldn't consider that the apotheosis of my career. It's not why I started acting.




This excerpt is from the official Dawson's Creek © Website.

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