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Your new movie Boardwalk Winter - in a few words, what's it
about, and what can you tell us about your character in it?
Boardwalk Winter is a fresh take on the romantic comedy genre. It
blends humor, heart, and a bit of nostalgia. It is set in a beach town
during the off-season, where two people—both a little lost—find
themselves unexpectedly drawn to each other. My character, Cole, is at a
crossroads in life, trying to figure out what’s next while wrestling
with his past. He is witty, a little guarded, but ultimately a romantic at
heart—even if he doesn’t know it yet. What
did you draw upon to bring your character to life, and how much Chris
Maher can we find in him? I always try to find something personal in every role I play, and with
Cole, it was that feeling of being in between phases of life. This is
something I think a lot of people can relate to within their own life. He
has got a sharp sense of humor which I connected with and put a lot of
myself into when playing the role. That push-pull between being
independent and wanting real connection is something that resonated with
me. So, yes, there is a bit of me in there, but I also loved discovering
the parts of him that were not like me at all. How did you get involved with
the project in the first place, what drew you to it? I was originally introduced to the film and director by the leading
lady, Natalie Veater, who plays Fern in the film. The script really grabbed me.
It had that perfect mix of charm, depth, and humor, and the dialogue felt
so natural. It was like you were eavesdropping on real conversations. I
also loved that it was not a typical rom com; it had a bit of an indie
sensibility to it; something that felt grounded and real. Plus, I had
heard great things about the director, Jonathan Fox. After we spoke about
the film, the character, and subjects inside and outside of the film
industry, I knew this was going to be something special. To
what extent could you identify with Boardwalk Winter's approach to
the romantic comedy genre?
I love that it does not just rely on tropes. It is romantic, yes, but
is also about timing, missed chances, and personal growth. It doesn’t
feel like a formulaic love story. There is a real emotional core to it,
and I think that is what makes it stand out. The project is funny, but in
a way that feels natural vs. forced. I appreciated the fact that it didn’t need to
include crude humor or sex, and that it is a good family film that anyone can enjoy.
What can you tell us about Boardwalk Winter's
director Jonathan Fox, and what was your collaboration like? Jonathan is fantastic. He has such a clear vision but also gives actors
the freedom to explore. He really understands people and relationships,
which is why the film feels so authentic. On set, he created this
collaborative, relaxed atmosphere where we could try things, make
mistakes, and find the magic in the in-between moments. My favorite part
was being able to be on set and laugh about everything in front of and
behind the camera. A few words about the shoot as such,
and the on-set atmosphere? It was such a great experience. Shooting in the off-season gave
everything this quiet, moody backdrop, which added to the film’s
atmosphere. The cast and crew were incredible. Everyone was genuinely
excited to be there, which makes all the difference. Some of my favorite
moments were just in between takes, laughing with the cast, and soaking in
the surroundings, despite some of the very cold and windy days on set. Any
future projects you'd like to share? Absolutely! I am about to start in a science fiction romance film
called Nova. I also have another project in the works as a producer called
No Dogs Die which I am really excited about doing soon. I love acting, but
I also love getting involved behind the scenes and bringing great stories
to life. What got you into
acting in the first place, and did your receive any formal training on the
subject? I have always been drawn to storytelling. Growing up in a small town,
movies were my way of seeing the world beyond my surroundings. I started
acting in school, then took it more seriously as I got older. I’ve
trained in various ways starting in college with formal classes,
workshops, and of course, just being on set and learning from incredible
actors and directors. Some of the other classes I took as an actor, and
even writer, was at The Second City Chicago, Vagabond Studios,
The Actory and Green Room Studios - along with workshops in New York, London and Miami.
What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to Boardwalk Winter?
I have been fortunate to work on some super exciting projects, which
range from independent films to action-packed thrillers. Some of my
previous films—Blowback, Mojave Diamonds, Locked In and
Canyon of the Dead—have done well at festivals like Cannes and AFM, which has been
amazing to see. I love exploring different genres and pushing myself in
new directions. How would
you describe yourself as an actor, and some of your techniques to bring
your characters to life? I like to keep things natural and grounded. I always start with the
script—understanding not just my character, but how they fit into the
bigger picture. I am a big believer in listening—real acting happens in
those in-between moments when you are reacting rather than just delivering
lines. I also love finding the humor in a scene (including dramas) because
life is funny, even when it is messy. Actors (and indeed actresses)
who inspire you? So many! I admire actors who can disappear into their roles—people
like Gary Oldman and Joaquin Phoenix. However, I also love those who bring
a unique energy to every performance, like Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling. I
try to emulate their careers the most. Your favourite movies?
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Lord of the Rings trilogy will always have my heart. What a dream it
would be to be on that epic film set. Aside from that, I love The
Matrix,
The Watchmen, Kingdom of Heaven, Fury, and pretty much any medieval war
film. I hope to be in one like it one day. ...
and of course, films you really deplore?
I try to find something redeeming in everything. Yet, I will say that
if a movie feels lazy—like it does not respect its audience—that is
what frustrates me the most. Another thing I hate to see in films is if
it’s meant to be an action film and they don’t give time, respect or
quality attention to the action sequences in the film. I want to scream
through my screen at the director to say, “THAT’S WHY I’M WATCHING
IN THE FIRST PLACE!” Your website,
social media, whatever else? You can find me on Instagram @ChrisFredMa
- I am always posting about upcoming projects and behind-the-scenes
moments, feel free to say hi there - or at IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6681923/ Anything else you're dying
to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask? I am excited for everyone to check out
Boardwalk Winter, but I’m more excited to get started filming for the upcoming films, Nova and No Dogs
Die. If anyone reading has any questions about getting started in the
industry, feel free to message me on Instagram! Thanks
for the interview! THANKS FOR THE INTERVIEW!
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