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Interview with Michael O'Laskey who plays McLain Evans in The Sensei
By Thomas Howard., Jr., Webmaster
T: Hi Michael, it's Thomas with the Matthew Shepard Foundation. How are you?
M: Hey, Thomas. I’m good. How are you doing?
T: Good, good. Thanks for chatting with me today.
M: No problem at all.
T: So our conversation is going to go on the Foundation’s website for young people, MatthewsPlace.com. I guess we’ll start with, a lot of the work we do is around bullying, and young people being picked on for something that might make them different. Was there a time in your own life when you were marginalized or picked on for something that made you different?
M: You know what’s strange --- and it seems, sort of a problem that not a lot of people face --- but as a young actor in my career, I was in things that got a lot of heat when I was in high school. When I was young I was in “Power Rangers” and I was in “3 Ninjas,” and it actually seems like a problem … because in high school I was picked on a lot for having been in such things like that. I didn’t go to my own prom because no one wanted to go with the Power Ranger --- things of that nature. But yeah, not so much bullying in the same sense, but I was picked on a bit in high school, and made fun of a lot for the things I did as a youth in the movie industry.
T: Do you think there may have been some jealousy involved in that?
M: It’s hard as a kid to be told that. I, as an adult now, looking back, obviously see the jealousy, but I do definitely understand that it’s hard to see that jealousy when you’re a kid in that situation. But now when I look back on it, definitely, yeah I could definitely see the jealousy when it comes to that kind of thing. Because growing up at that point, it’s definitely hard to see --- once you’re in the position all you see is that the people are making fun of you.
T: And that gives you an interesting perspective now. What thoughts, or ideas might you give to a young person who is feeling like they’re continually being bullied in school?
M: Yeah, I mean the best advice that I can give just from a personal perspective is pretty much just, it’s a wait-it-out kind of thing. You know what I mean? Its not nearly as tough of a situation at least in my space looking back on it. It’s definitely something that you kind of grow out of. Now looking back on it one of the things I did as a child, it was one of the best experiences in my life although I hated it when I was in high school. So one of the things I say --- I grew out of it, I stopped caring what people thought about me and now I have taken my career to different heights. And I’m able to use the very thing I was bullied for as a kid to bring me great joy and great happiness.
T: Well, what would you say to the bullies?
M: I don’t know, it’s hard to say. I guess, look at me now? I don’t know. The very thing that I was made fun of and picked on for, is not only bringing me great joy, but is an actual, prosperous career for myself.
T: So, did you learn anything about yourself playing McClain?
M: One of the things that I learned playing McClain was, how far I’ve grown since my time in high school, when I was feeling those feelings of resentment, how different of a person I am now. How much more confident I am since that time. Because by playing this character, I really had to tap into those feelings of uneasiness and being uncomfortable, and then allowing people to gain that power over me, and allowing them to pick on me. Because that’s what I learned about myself --- and the reason why I’m different is that I don’t allow somebody to have that kind of power over me and my emotions. So, it was very interesting just to tap into that as a kid once more.
T: Well, and there’s a very distinct growth pattern for McClain during the movie. What would you say was the turning point for that character? Where he realized that, yes, I can stand up and be strong for myself?
M: I call it finding that medium for yourself. In McClain’s specific situation it was martial arts. He dove into something that he liked and found great passion and great love in, and used that to grow himself and gain confidence through that. And I feel the same thing can be said with any person in any similar situation --- really find something that you like and that you feel very passionate about ,and do that. You can find strength through that whether it be marital arts in this case. It could be music, it could be drawing, and it could be acting. I mean, the possibilities are endless. Really just find that thing that makes you happy and you find great power and strength through that.
T: In your opinion, what do you think is the overall message of the film?
M: The overall message I believe is hope, you know what I mean? Just live life and you’re going to find your passion through whatever that is. The overall message --- I think it has a lot of messages to it, but overall it’s just hope, tolerance and acceptance.
T: Now here's a thought about Diana. Why do you think this project was so important for her as a writer, a director, an artist, a person?
M: The story as a whole just reflects a lot of things that Diana went through, not only as a woman but being part of a minority, being bullied as a child, things of that [sort.] And it’s a great pet project for anybody whose gone through being shunned in any kind of way. And I think to a point everybody has felt those feelings. And that’s the great thing I think that Diana has done. Not only has she done a film from the perspective of somebody who is not necessarily powerful, but she’s also done it from the perspective of people who are powerful. And you see through the movie how the people who are being bullied and the people who are doing the bullying, it all comes from a place of insecurity. So even the people who are perceived to have power within this film, you actually find out through the story that their whole reason for putting people down or for bullying people, it actually comes from a place of insecurity. Which I think is really great about the film. And I think it was a great way for Diana to show that.
T: Did you have a trepidation or fear about playing a gay character?
M: You know, it’s funny, I get this question a lot, in different ways. People will say, “How was it playing a gay character and everything?” And my general answer to that is, I actually didn’t play McClain gay, you know what I mean? His problem in this film --- I think the least of his problems is being gay. The problem is being bullied. In his self-confidence and allowing people to take that kind of control over him. So I didn't really think of McClain as gay at all, his big problem was that bullying aspect. What I wanted to come over with the character was that his problem was just being bullied. So that’s the way I played it.
T: Well I ask that because, I travel around and talk to a lot of high school kids and the number one excuse I get for why they don't stand up for LGBT issues or someone being picked on is because people are going to think that they’re one of them. Does that make sense? So I think the big question is, I have someone who would be a supporter of equality and someone would be a straight ally, but why are these issues important for you to talk about regardless of what other people might think about you for talking about them?
M: I think I’m a little lost on the, the question there. If you could rephrase that I can answer it clearly.
T: Well I guess my assumption is that you are an advocate for equality.
M: Right.
T: So why do you feel these issues are important to champion regardless of how someone might think about you for being a supporter of equality? Does that make sense?
M: Yeah, and I get what you’re saying. I think it’s odd. I don’t think I come from a place of worry at all, [about] what people might think about me. My job was to bring this to light and to play the character as true to his problems as possible. Really there’s no fear of that. I didn't care whether or not people think I’m gay. In fact, one of the things that I do in a lot of interviews is, I have gotten that question --- people have asked me if I’m gay --- and I actually don't answer the question. Either way the reason is because I don't think it matters. If you think I’m gay, that’s fine. If you don't that’s great as well. It doesn’t really matter to me. So by playing a gay character, it means absolutely nothing. It was just playing a character to me. Does that make sense?
T: No It does make sense and I think, I think the mentality that you have is very important, because a lot of the young people that we talk to haven’t reached that place yet. Where they don't care what someone thinks about them. Does that make sense?
M: I understand. Yeah.
T: So the idea that they have someone who feels that way is, I think, an important message that someone is going to take away from our conversation --- which I think is us trying to provide resources for young people who realize it’s OK to stand up for what they know is right regardless of what other people think about them.
M: No, it makes complete sense and I would love to be that kind of person for somebody.
T: What would you hope people will take away from watching the film?
M: One of the problems I have with “The Sensei” is that there is so much to take from it. To say any one thing that people can take away from this film, would feel like [saying] that one is more important than the other. But I have to say, it’s the overall feeling of tolerance. Even if you weren't to agree with a certain lifestyle, that’s OK, that’s all tolerance is. It’s just to be aware that there are opposing views out there and not to put somebody down for those. I hesitate to use the word tolerance because I prefer the term acceptance, because just because somebody doesn’t believe what you think or believe in a lifestyle doesn’t mean it’s a bad way to live. That’s what I love about this film --- just acceptance of viewpoints no matter where they come from. So that’s what I hope people take from the film, different shades of color, and acceptance.
T: Well, and Judy would say that you tolerate a cold but you don’t tolerate people.
M: Exactly
T: To tolerate means that I can still hate you as long as I don’t express the hatred. So, what are you working on now?
M: Well, we have a few things in the works, one of which is sort of like a pilot series we’re working on and talking about. We are also at the same time scouting locations for a, not necessarily a reality show, but a reality-based travel show. So we have a couple things in the works that hopefully you guys will see coming on in the near future that we’re really excited about.
T: Well if we can support you, just stay in touch and let us know how the Foundation can keep you part of what’s going on.
M: Oh most definitely, that would be great. I would love you guys’ help and support in everything we do.
T: Thank you so much, Mike. Have a great afternoon.
M: All right ,you too. It was a pleasure talking to you.
T: You too. Buh-bye.
M: Buh-bye.
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