Cult Comic-Con Panel
Paul Wesley’s Panel at the Chicago Convention in April 2012
Was it easier to play a wolf [in Wolf Lake] or a vampire?
PW: (laughs) Yeah. I went from playing a wolf, to an angel [in Fallen], to a vampire…. I’m going to be a succubus in my next series. [audience laughs] Playing a wolf was easier – it was more innate – animalistic.. Vampires are more like… poets, so it takes more work. [In Wolf Lake] I could act more aggressive – like an aggressive high school jock – and get the job done.
What was it like working with the dolphins on Beneath the Blue?
[Audience and Paul laughing] It’s a lovely family film; nice times in the Bahamas. Here’s the thing: I did it like five years ago and CW decided to air this film of me swimming with dolphins in a baby blue bathing suit. (laughs) I’m like “what the hell?!” I’m trying to be this badass vampire – people tune into CW on a Thursday night expecting a TVD re-run of Ripper Stefan – and here I am, petting dolphins. [Audience laughing] It was a lovely experience but I feel like it could have stayed in the video section [at a movie store]. I mean, it’s “Stefan the Ripper!” then me [pantomimes swimming]. WTF? (laughs)
What is your favorite TVD episode?
1920’s Ripper. Definitely. It’s so great because it’s uninhibited Stefan – just pure dark and evil. No conscience. It was the antithesis of Season 1 and Season 2 Stefan. It was lovely; I’d love to revisit that era again. Also love doing scenes with Klaus. [In a girl voice:] ”He’s so hot!” [audience cheers]
If you could be any other supernatural being, what would you be?
What other supernatural beings do they have? [Audience suggests some, including a fairy] Ooh, a fairy! Yay! (laughing) Actually, I think Stefan should be a fairy. [audience laughing] Great. That just became a huge opening for the rest of the cast to rip on me. [in a mocking voice] “Ooh Paul said he wanted to be a fairy.” Let me leave myself wide open for that. Thanks. (laughs)
Who is your favorite actor to work with?
Matthew Davis Panel at the Chicago Convention
If the TVD cast was stranded on a deserted island, who would survive and who wouldn’t make it?
Paul and Ian would be the first to go. Zach and I would survive.
What 3 words describe you?
Random… Thoughtful… Umm… [Audience member yelled “Indecisive!”] (laughs) Yeah, indecisive.
How difficult is it to play a psycho?
Not very. Pretty easy actually. My mom called me up and told me that I play a psycho very well. [audience laughs] It’s a lot of fun. It’s not that hard. You can just enjoy it and it’s basically just stopping the pretense.
What is your guilty pleasure?
(laughs) “I don’t think I can say that in front of all these women. Next question.”
You were great in Urban Legends. Were there any of the legends that you believed in?
(laughs) I don’t remember many of them… the babysitters getting phone calls from “Upstairs” was cool. I forgot I was even in that movie.
How is it different between shooting TV and shooting Film?
The speed. TV is quick. You shoot 8-10 pages in a day. In film, you’ll shoot about 1 page a day…. It is a blessing and a curse for creative development…. Unfortunately, the actors – I think – get short-ended because you are rushing through moments. You have to be on-point right away. Film gives you more time to really explore. But TV has been a blessing. I’m looking forward to doing some films.
What is your favorite movie quote?
Shit, I’m so bad at this. [Steven] McQueen is so good with stuff like this. Uhh “I think we need a bigger boat.”
How do you get into character?
That’s a long and complicated answer. Character work involves understanding the archetype of your character; what your character represents. You creatively physicalize who you believe to be the body of the character: create a link to the root; lines and behavior and circumstance. It’s about channeling these archetypes.
When I had a chance to play Klaus… they had envisioned a sort of Jim Morrison costume originally for the decade dance. So, it was like trying to embody Jim Morrison — in a the form of a crazy, maniacal vampire.
What was it like acting opposite Reese Witherspoon [in Legally Blonde]?
