BREAKING THE STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN ALBERTA
Professional Actor, script writer and movie producer residing in Calgary, Alberta with his beautiful wife and new born daughter, Hayden.
You can see Doug recently on Netflix Hell on Wheels as The Line Foreman, on El Chicano Movie as LAPD Sargent, on Netflix Damnation as Black Legion Soldier, on CMT Bobby Wills music video “Tougher than Love” as the Father, and Government of Alberta TV Commercial “Economic Diversity” as the Rancher.
Doug on HELL ON WHEELS
February's Dog Directed by Candace Gonzalez and created by Paul J. Chinook, will be in Alberta theatres this year. Stay tuned for the trailer.
February’s Dog takes place in Alberta in modern time and is set against the beautiful and iconic back drop of the Canadian Rocky Mountains under a shroud of winter snow.
It follows 2 uniquely different, yet typical men. Dale Walters is a very charismatic and lighthearted man that works hard to enjoy a life of adventure and excitement. Nigel Loggins is a military veteran that is quiet and calculated in his approach towards life. The film opens with these two men as they are finishing up work on a Friday. They get called into the office at the end of the day and are laid off by their boss Arthur Newbury; a very clean cut, to the point, middle aged manager. They are told abruptly by Arthur that this is just temporary, and that they will be back at work in 3 months as soon as market oil prices recover.
Dale and Nigel leave and begin their own unique journeys in the world of unemployment. The Alberta economy turns very bad and the downturn lasts longer than anyone anticipated.
Tell us about your role in February's Dog
My roles with FD have been many and varied – from script writing to set creation to even executive producing – whatever has been required. I became involved in FD back when Paul had first created a rough script draft. From there we have pushed and pulled each other all the way to a motion picture. Specifically to the film, I play the character of Arthur Newbury – who is the area supervisor for Apex Oil, and Nigel (Kevin Davey) and Dale’s (Paul Chinook) boss. Art creates the impetus to the whole chain of events that transpire in this film. Arthur is very conflicted as he is the opposite persona to the cold “Big Oil” company that he represents. He struggles internally and feels very responsible for the employees that he counts as friends. Like many people in life, he is not in tune with the signs of Mental Health issues and misses them completely.
Bryce Chinook Photo of Doug Wilson, Kevin Davey and Paul Chinook
What was your first feeling about your character when reading the script?!
Honestly, my first feeling about my character was that there was too much of him in the initial script. The initial storyline was about Nigel and Dale and how they individually reacted to the same setback. I felt Arthur was convoluting that story to a certain extent, so some of my script rewrites reduced Arthur’s involvement to a more supporting role. Arthur plays a role that many people who are supervisors or bosses have to deal with – where does the line between boss and friend exist? Arthur is a good guy caught in a tough situation.
What was your experience on set like?
I love to be on sets where everyone is a tight, cohesive team whereby everyone feels safe and supported enough to be able to relax and be positive individuals. I can tell you that I have created some lifelong friendships with some of the cast members and the production crew of FD. One film day comes to mind on set at my actual home – the laughs and love that was shared in the room were very palpable and as a result the ideas, energy and the acting was top notch and made for a wonderful day and experience – very memorable. Another day when most of the cast were together filming a large bar scene was another time where not only fantastic work was done – but new and old friendships and kinships were created or built upon. And isn’t that the point of life – to create in a wonderful environment? Just perfect.
What do you think audiences will think of the film?
I hope that they love the realism of this film. I must admit that I am nervous that some might find it too real. That is always the conundrum of trying to recreate real true to life concepts – is it too real?
For better or worse, we are still in the entertainment business, and we still have to entertain while we educate and illuminate. As they say, we first have to get them into the building. I hope we have struck the right balance – suffice it to say that there was much angst created in attempting to strike the right chord. I hope we have. I hope everyone goes to this film to decide for themselves. They won’t regret it as the film is very thought provoking. It is a true original and I think a different movie experience than anything they will ever see.
Doug was thrilled to have his family join him on set and act in several scenes as Arthur Newbury’s family. This is actually both Katherine and Haydens second film feature.
What is your advice for new artists/actors?
I think the first thing is to ask yourself if you are a fan of film? Do you have that passion? If you don’t then probably just move onto something you do have passion for. If you do, then I would greatly recommend you take the process that I did – just start as a background actor and immerse yourself – watch everything and learn while you are on set. Film making is fascinating – from sound to light and everything in between. Watch the main actors closely and learn from them. Take as many classes as you can fit into your schedule, especially those offered by the local Talent Casters – those people are VERY key to your future success. Lastly, say hello and be kind to everyone from key grips to gaffers to AD’s to makeup and wardrobe people. Over time you will get to know many of them personally and you will be amazed at how it will help your career.
What hobby do you have that you think helped you with your role?
Nothing directly for this character, but indirectly everything! Does that make sense? Because acting is such an intense art – to really do it right you need to go for it and open yourself up. It is thrilling but can be very nerve wracking. Further - at least when I write or prepare as an actor - I really get immersed and it really takes up my entire thoughts and emotions. So I feel that any hobby that can get your mind away from your preparation is a fantastic way to let your mind just relax and recharge. I play a lot of hockey – as a defenseman and as a goalie – it’s wonderful. I don’t get to do it as much as I used to, but LOVE driving race cars and of course motorcycles. And love to fiddle with a guitar while I mull life over. All that being said, I think my 9 month old daughter has become my biggest hobby, though!
What actors are you inspired by?
Kevin Costner would be one that instantly comes to mind. His blockbusters have been a part of my life growing up – Dances With Wolves, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams - wow. Was fortunate enough to meet him on set this year and hear him converse face to face along with my friend Kevin Davey (Nigel). Mr. Costner was so honest and forthright in his own assessment of himself as an actor, in short – he stated how hard he had to work at acting, that it wasn’t natural at all – he had to show up on set day one having already memorized his entire set of lines for the whole movie just so that he could just concentrate on his acting itself. This amazed me. Others of note I really appreciate – Robert Downey, Jimmie Stewart of course, and anything Jackie Gleason ever did! (If you want to see pure comedy genius, view the scene in Smokey & the Bandit where Jackie’s character comes out of the bathroom – it is absolutely brilliant).
CAST TABLE READ
When did you first get into film and TV/ the arts?
Oh boy, that goes way back. I was an extra in a 70’s Disney Movie called “The Boy Who Talked To Badgers”. I was about 7! A bit later on I was an extra in the first SuperMan Movie. Most recently, though, I really got more seriously involved in the mid 2000’s and signed on with an Agent. I have been fortunate enough to get some speaking roles in commercials and join ACTRA as a professional actor in 2017. I’ve been able to log over 300 days on set and have loved every minute of it.
What do you have coming up for 2020 in your life/career?
That’s an easy one to answer – in April 2019 I became a father, so 2020 will be an amazing year on the family front!! Because of this I have scaled back my acting schedule significantly, becoming involved in only select projects like Feb’s Dog. Going forward, I really did enjoy script writing and because of my FD work have had two offers to write for other projects so that’s really exciting that others see some talent in my writing. Also of course, there is the potential for future collaborations with my friend Paul J Chinook, and also have been asked by the Feb Dog Production company to consider some future collaborations with them. This is all very exciting. Further, from time to time I do background wrangling for a casting director friend which is always a blast!
What is your social media for fans to follow you?
Twitter: @DougWilsonRocks
instagram: DougWilsonRocks
LAST DAY OF SHOOTING FEBRUARY'S DOG WITH MOST OF THE CAST AND CREW
Starring and created by Paul J. Chinook as (Dale Walters Writer/Producer), also starring Kevin Davey as Nigel Loggins, Quinn Teechma as Emily Walters, Doug Wilson as Arthur Newbury, William Webster as Jedd Wilson, Sarah Wheeldon as Kate Carter, Jill Maria as the Store Clerk, Sheridan Peirens as Tamara, Dan McDougall as Pastor Frank, Felipe Paredes as Jimmy Walters, Scott Dumas as Fertility Doctor, Stephanie Wilson as Marv’s Diner Waitress and Marianne Hutchings as Nurse Jean.
Production: Jose Luis Gonzalez Cinematographer, Directed by Candace Gonzalez and LnC STYLE as the 1st AD. Paul De Toit Schreve Sound Technician, Camera Operator Derek Wilder and Mardell Chinook Executive Producer.
BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS BY BRYCE CHINOOK
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