Read our exclusive interview with Australian actor Byron Brochmann, who has a recurring role as the Tower Guard on the new FOX mystery sci-fi series ‘Terra Nova.’ The show follows the Shannons, a family living in 2149, who travel back in time 85 million years to prehistoric Earth to join Terra Nova. The colony of humans is given a second chance to rebuild civilization and save humanity. Brochmann discusses with us, among other things, what attracted him to the show, which airs Monday nights at 8/7c, and what it was like transitioning to a sci-fi series after appearing in numerous war projects.
ShockYa (SY): What was it about ‘Terra Nova’s subject matter that you found appealing, and convinced you to audition?
Byron Brochmann (BB): Well, actually it’s being filmed locally where I live in the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. Having something so big come to where I live is great. I mean, we’ve had many here before, but another Steven Spielberg one is better as well. Working on a production like this, being done by FOX, I knew it would be quite big, but you actually don’t know the scale until you step on set, and see the actual sets you’re working with. Not only that, in terms of the characters, and how many cast and crew are involved as well. But I mean, it’s one of those things you can’t really turn down, you want to do it.
SY: Touching on the subject of filming in Australia, what is it like shooting ‘Terra Nova’ there?
BB: It’s great, apart from the weather, which is good or bad sometimes. It’s actually quite good. As you’ve probably seen, the locations and the sets you see on the show, it’s quite spectacular. The Gold Coast, where we’re filming, not only that, but Queensland and Australia itself, there are a lot of locations that substitute for other parts of the world, so it’s actually quite great. With the Gold Coast, it’s a great place to film, because generally, the weather is quite good, about 80 percent of the year.
SY: Like you said, Steven Spielberg is an executive producer on ‘Terra Nova.’ You previously worked with him on last year’s mini-series ‘The Pacific.’ What was it like reuniting with him for ‘Terra Nova?’
BB: I haven’t actually met Steven myself, but I mean working on his productions, on ‘The Pacific,’ and now with ‘Terra Nova,’ I’ve been very fortunate. It has been a great experience, and I hope it’s not the last one, and there are more to come.
SY: You play the tower guard on ‘Terra Nova,’ but you’re primarily known for your acting in war drama television projects. What was the transition like, going from war series to a sci-fi show?
BB: I mean, it is quite similar. In the next episode, you’ll see a bit of marching and a bit of military discipline with what’s going on. It is similar, but it is different in terms of doing something like, say ‘The Pacific’ or ‘Kokoda,’ because they’re period, and set back in the ’30s and ’40s. So you have to stick to a strict regimen, not only in terms of how you even say things on camera, but also how you act physically and hold your weapon, and your mannerisms, and marching. With ‘Terra Nova,’ it’s very much the same, but not to the same extent, because it is set in the future. So it’s scripted in a way that in the future, it’s not so full-on, in terms of how you do things. You still have to do things, in terms of what the commander tells you, because there is that rank that is still available in the future that is used these days, and what there was in the past.
SY: Was it the transition like, going from period pieces from the past to the future?
BB: Personally, I think it was fine. As you’ve probably seen, I’ve done war productions and documentaries and shows and films like that, so for me, it was fine. Obviously, there’s a certain level that you have to bring to the role and to the character to make it believable. But I had no problems, no issues with it, basically.
SY: Since you only appear on two episodes of the series, while the main cast has already signed onto the full season of 13 episodes, what was your working relationship with them like, given that you’re not on the set as much as they are?
BB: It was awesome. When I met Stephen (Lang), Shelley (Conn), Jason (O’Mara), Naomi (Scott) and Simone (Kessell), I work with them pretty much more than anyone else. They’re just a great crew. They make you laugh, they’re professional, they’re talented, obviously. To be honest, there’s not one bad thing I can say about them. Working with them has been a dream, has been amazing. Working with Jon Cassar, directing, is a privilege in itself, it’s been awesome.
SY: If you were asked to sign on to expand your role, would you be interested in filming more episodes?
BB: Oh, for sure, definitely. That’s something that I hope will happen, and we’ll see how it goes. But most definitely, I would love to do that.
SY: Jason O’Mara, who plays father Jim Shannon on ‘Terra Nova,’ is known to American audiences for his ABC sci-fi series ‘Life on Mars.’ How do you think Jason’s experience enhances ‘Terra Nova?’
BB: I’m not too sure, but from what I know from working with him, he’s definitely a leading man. You can see why he got the role. Playing the father, as well as the local cop, and things like that, it’s not an easy role to do in life in general, I guess, but (it’s tough) as an actor as well. But as you can tell, as he comes across on screen, he’s amazing. He’s definitely a leading man.
SY: Were you a science fiction fan before you signed onto ‘Terra Nova?’
BB: Yes, to some degree, yes.
SY: Where did you get the inspiration for your role of the Tower Guard? Did you look back at old sci-fi shows or movies while preparing?
BB: I kind of compared it to ‘Stargate,’ and how their military was portrayed in their series. In terms of anything else sci-fi, I can’t really recall where there’s been so much of a military element. But with that series, that did help. That’s probably where I gained most of my influence from, in terms of this role on ‘Terra Nova.’
SY: It’s been reported that ‘Terra Nova’ has more than 250 sets, and FOX spends $4 million and six weeks in post-production for each episode. Do you feel the show is ambitious for FOX, a broadcast network?
BB: No, not at all. I mean, basically, you can see for yourself where that sort of budget has gone. I didn’t know the budget was that, but you can see where it’s gone with ‘Terra Nova,’ in terms of the CGI and the sets. Also, how different elements, like the story and characters, are brought in each week, which also contribute to taking a chunk out of that budget. I’m not too sure, but it’s come across great, and they definitely put the money in the right place.
SY: How do you think ‘Terra Nova’ compares and contrasts to other sci-fi television shows and movies?
BB: I mean, it is similar in some elements. But as you know, it has that family part of it as well, and it always goes back to that in every episode. It also comes down to the time slot and the network, but it definitely has changed, in terms of other sci-fi shows that you would have seen on TV before. This one has a family element, so a broader demographic is going to tune in. But aside from that, the sci-fi element, mixed with adventure and the locations, actually appeals to a broader viewer base than some other shows do these days.
SY: Do you have any interest in returning to the sci-fi genre in the future?
BB: Yeah, definitely. I mean, if the character is something that I can relate to, and it jumps out at me and appeals to me, sure. I’m definitely willing to take a look at something in terms of sci-fi, whether it’s film or a TV show.
SY: Do you have any upcoming projects that you can talk about?
BB: Not that I can really talk about, but I do have two. One’s called ‘Blood Money,’ which is an Australian-American oversees production. Also, ‘Any Questions For Ben?,’ which is an Australian comedy. They’re on my IMDB as well, but I can’t actually talk about them, because it’s a little bit too early.
Written by: Karen Benardello
