“Stick to your Dreams”: Big Changes in the Career of Actor Robert Nolan

I interviewed a Toronto actor for this piece. Robert is very talented and very nice. It was a pleasure to talk to him. Enjoy.

Who doesn’t love the internet? Youtube and other sites can make anyone popular. It happened to Felicia Day, star of popular online musical “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” and web series “The Guild.” Up-and-coming actor Robert Nolan will perform in “RED: Werewolf Hunters,” a movie of the week on the SyFy channel starring Day.

“I get to have a scene with her,” he says, excitedly. Nolan's character originally died in the script, but now he gets to run into Felicia Day’s character, who points a gun at him. He also has two lines and a scream.

The film will be great for Nolan’s career. He explains that fans of Felicia Day, whose character is based on “Little Red Riding Hood” in a war between humans and werewolves, will watch the movie. Since he has a scene with her, fans will get to see him too.

“Acting is a relationship business,” he says.

This will be Nolan’s first performance in a science fiction film, a genre he loves. His eclectic career includes roles in the theatre as Norman Bethune in “Bethune,” and in a film for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) as a father whose daughter has been killed by a drunk driver. He has performed in various television series and has also played Hitler in a comedy.

Nolan explains that acting for film is different than acting for theatre. He sees them as two different art forms. Because it isn’t up close like film, theatre acting requires volume and a clear voice. Ironically, Nolan says this softly. He’s a bit shy and doesn’t boast about his career.

“With theatre, you can’t make mistakes.” He notes, adding that he enjoys the challenge and wants to do more of it.

“RED” doesn’t only interest him on a performance level. It will allow him to become part of the actors union, ACTRA – which means higher pay, but will also mean he won’t be allowed to do independent films. It’s a bittersweet career transition for Nolan, who has worked on many independent projects.

“I used to say, ‘sure!’” Nolan recalls, about the many projects students from film programs asked him to perform in. He has since learned to be selective. “It’s hard to say no,” he says,but if the script is not good enough, he won’t do it.

This high standard of work takes priority over the prospect of getting his own following, like Felicia Day has. Nolan wants to make sure that he will also become known for “good work.” The story and role motivate him in all of his roles. In “RED,” the challenge of his action performance excites him that much more. Despite his consciousness of Day’s fame, he won’t be starstruck.

“She’s creative. She doesn’t need an ego.” Nolan has met Day and is confident her easygoing personality and professionalism will make her a pleasure to work with.

To learn more about Robert Nolan's work, check out his website. You can catch Felicia Day’s performances at her website. “RED: Werewolf Hunters” will air on the SyFy channel on October 30 at 9 pm/8pm central and later that night at 1 am.