Theodore Bouloukos
He played in Christopher Birk‘s Dollar Baby Willa as Phil Palmer.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Theodore Bouloukos: I’m Theodore Bouloukos, and I’m an actor based in New York City.
SKSM: How did you become involved in Willa Dollar Baby film?
Theodore Bouloukos: I was cast traditionally, through the audition process.
SKSM: What do you think it is in the story that attracts people so much?
Theodore Bouloukos: The fact that a ghost story is really a love story, I suspect.
SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?
Theodore Bouloukos: I auditioned, yes, as I mentioned previously.
SKSM: You worked with Christopher Birk on this film, how was that?
Theodore Bouloukos: This was his first directorial effort, so he was very collaborative in his approach to developing each character, which was quite nice. He was very professional and solicitous. I enjoyed working with him.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Theodore Bouloukos: Well, owing to budgetary reasons we were forced to shoot in two stretches, in June and then in August. But I had another role for which I had to shave my beard, so when we resumed shooting Willa in August our makeup lady had to find and fasten (with glue) a beard resembling mine; and its texture was so clearly not my own, I found it amusing to wear.
SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?
Theodore Bouloukos: I remain quite close to the cinematographer Nathaniel Kramer, who made Willa an absolute visual feast. We’ve since worked together on a TV pilot and another film. He’s really a buddy of mine. The actress, Susan Kirby, who played my wife remains connected to me through social media, as do Christopher and the assistant camera, Lewis Smithingham; actually, Lewis is another friend with whom I have fairly regular contact.
SKSM: What are you working nowadays?
Theodore Bouloukos: I have numerous film projects in various states; others hitting the festival circuit; and my own participation in a documentary that a lovely British filmmaker, called Charlie Williams, is doing about me and my life as an actor. He was the editor of a film of mine, called Bag Boy Lover Boy, and he somehow found me worthy to pursue as a subject: that of struggling, working New York actor. I think my being one at age 55 intrigued him more so than the usual fodder that feeds this trope.
SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?
Theodore Bouloukos: I’m a fan of his critical writing and short stories, mainly; which I realize receive less import than his novels, especially those adapted to screen.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything else you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Theodore Bouloukos: No, I think you covered the waterfront, as they say. Thanks! Visit my website!
