A Chat With Actor and Producer Nicholas Downs
Interview by Frank Chille
It’s hard to believe the holiday gift-giving season is upon us and a wonderful gift idea for someone in the LGBT community (or mainstream) is a new DVD called “eCupid.” This delightful movie deals with all the mishaps and pitfalls that is called modern-day gay dating! The film is part comedy, part drama, and all romance. Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing for Gay Parent magazine, Nicholas Downs, co-producer of “eCupid” and star of last year's hit gay comedy, “Is it Just Me?” to discuss his latest project.
Gay Parent magazine: What is it like to be behind the camera as a co-producer, as opposed to being in front of it, ala Is It Just Me?
Nicholas Downs: eCupid was the first project I ever worked on where I was fully behind the camera. Other projects I've been a producer on I've also had an acting role as well. It's definitely a whole new world and in a lot of ways a lot more work. I'm one of the first ones on set and one of the last ones to leave, and once I'm there it's pretty much non-stop. Don't get me wrong, when you are a lead on an indie project you are definitely on the go, but as a producer there's pretty much no down time. It's definitely “using the other side of my brain” and more than just being an actor, but it's one I can tap into. And I've found producing to be a great compliment to my acting.
GPM: Is It Just Me like eCupid seems very timely as far as today's gay dating scene is concerned. Where did the idea for these two films come from?
ND: JC Calciano, writer/director/producer of both films, is the mastermind behind the ideas. And yes I agree, both films are very timely with today's dating scene and how we all communicate with one another; emails, texts, Facebook, etc. JC loves to take classic stories, Cyrano de Bergerac/It's A Wonderful Life and put an updated, modern twist on them. He comes up with such wonderful ideas and I'm very happy to be apart of his team.
GPM: I thought eCupid was very charming and down to earth; in your own words, why would a DVD of eCupid make a really nice holiday gift for that special someone?
ND: Well, not to sound too biased but it really is a great film. One I'm quite proud of. It's the type of film you could give anyone, friend, partner, sibling, parent. It's filled with hope and love and a sense of being with the ones you love, perfect for the holidays.
GPM: Do you feel attitudes have really changed in Hollywood, concerning gay parenting, and gay issues in general?
ND: I absolutely do, on gay issues overall and issues on gay parenting. As with a lot of civil rights issues, they don't change overnight and so we still have progress to make, but it's a good time to live especially when one is around to witness the progress and see the change. More and more same-sex couples in and out of Hollywood are having children and showing everyday that they have lives and live just like everyone else. We visited our friends Bryan and Frank recently and their triplets, what beautiful children and such an amazing family! You could just feel the love they have as a family.
GPM: When we spoke earlier, you mentioned that you and your partner have been together for some time; do you feel the two of you would make good parents, and is that something that you see happening sometime down the road?
ND: I've been with my partner Nick Maricich – yes we both have the same first name, people like to call us The Nicks – for going on 8 years now. I do think we would make good parents, especially Nick. We have both talked about the idea of having kids one day and it's definitely something on our radar. We just bought our first house a few months ago so for us at the moment it's about stepping stones.
GPM: If the two of you did decide to raise a child, what do you feel is the most important lesson in life you can give that child? Do you feel this would be more of a challenge because you two would be gay parents?
ND: It may seem simple and slightly cliché, but it is, do unto others, as you'd like to have done to you. There are so many ways to say it but just about every culture has a way of saying it. It's so to the roots basic but says a lot. It's about respect and treating others well, no matter their background, race, or whatever. Just think if we all did this a little more how much better we'd co-exist. And how we raised our children or the lessons we instilled in them would have nothing to do with us being gay, we would just be their parents.
GPM: Finally, there is a series of public announcements called It Gests Better, which is attempting to show today's young LGBT teenagers that it does indeed get better for them; what advice can you offer to these young teens who may be struggling with their identity?
ND: I think the It Gets Better campaign is so powerful and important. I did a similar video for The Trailblazer Campaign (view it at http://youtu.be/GXJyK5qqdt0). I remember growing up in Iowa knowing that there was something different about me compared to the people around me but not knowing what it was exactly or how to define it. I did get bullied some in school and called names, but I don't think the name callers really even knew what they were saying. They were just being mean. The title of the It Gets Better campaign is so perfect because it does. Just remember, as bad as it can get sometimes there are other groups out there beyond what can seem like a very small limited group with a very linear way of thinking. There is support, such as The Trevor Project, and know in some way we have all been where you are now and we've come through it and so will you.
