One great side effect of the found footage movie genre is that we get to discover new stars with each one. If theyre trying to pretend this is footage from someones camcorder, whether theyre lost in the woods or running from monsters, the actors have to look like people you wouldnt recognize on the street.
Project X is a huge Warner Brothers movie and weve got an exclusive on the three stars. Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper and Jonathan Daniel Brown play three high schoolers who throw a party to improve their social reputation. The party gets out of hand with naked girls in the pool, people stuffed into ovens, cars driven into the water and a flame thrower.
Mann plays the host of the party, named Thomas after himself. Cooper plays Costa, the bad influence friend who insists the wildest extravagances will guarantee them hot girls, as if he knows. Brown plays JD, sort of the quiet one who goes along with everything, but in real life he did the most talking.
The three actors are working as a set, so I made it a foursome. When they were told a reporter from SuicideGirls was coming, Mann and Brown got excited. Thomas, youre not old enough for a subscription, you naughty boy, but we appreciate the love.
SuicideGirls: You guys know Suicide Girls?
Jonathan Daniel Brown: No them personally? I would like to.
Oliver Cooper: They were filling me on it.
SG: Do you have any favorite Suicide Girls?
JDB: Id have to load it up and then make a 20 minute decision in the bathroom.
SG: But theyre youre type of girls.
JDB: Tatted up girls?
OC: I like tattoos.
JDB: Jumbos Clown Room.
OC: Jumbos Clown Room, thats a good place.
JDB: You heard of it?
SG: Of course I have. They dont actually take their clothes all the way off though.
OC: No, but thats actually, I kind of prefer that.
JDB: Kind of makes it sexier. Its more burlesque.
Thomas Mann: Its a little more classy that way.
OC: Sometimes its just too much when you go to a strip club and shes like spread open.
JDB: Oh my God!
SG: The girls at Jumbo's do some pretty impressive acrobatics and flips.
TM: Right, its more like art.
JDB: Its Cirque du Soleil, you know.
OC: Theres something really cool about that.
SG: Well, is the found footage genre great for new actors because they need unrecognizable faces?
TM: Yeah, I think definitely its opened up a lot of doors for people. I mean, they opened this up to like 3000 tape submissions is what they had.
JDB: Yeah, I got this movie through an open call over the internet actually.
OC: I don't know if its [the genre.] I think movies and television are always just looking for new faces. People get sick of seeing the same face over and over again. I don't think its a found footage thing. I think its just movies.
TM: Yeah, but I mean, if you saw Brad Pitt in a found footage film it would totally take you out of it immediately.
OC: Yeah, thats true.
TM: So yeah, I think it lends itself to the authenticity.
JDB: That said Im not sure if this is a traditional found footage movie either. It doesnt take place through one camera the whole [movie]. It does for a majority of the film.
OC: Its meant to feel that way.
JDB: Sure but theres music and theres montages.
TM: Well, it is found footage thats been cut together and stylized.
OC: The movies not like some of those handheld movies that are so shaky and its trying to create that thing. This movie has I think a very watchable style to it.
JDB: And every five seconds they dont go, Hey, look at the camera. Hey, look at the camera. Hey, this is a movie were making. You kind of get those over with in the first few minutes and then youre onto the actual suspension of disbelief.
SG: Was Dax Flame really on the camera?
OC: No.
JDB: He was on set the whole time. He was there every day.
TM: He was always on set though. He was always very interested in learning about the camera. He was always talking to Ken Seng who was our cinematographer.
OC: He probably only held the camera once or twice.
TM: A few times logistically it was the only way we would work, if he actually shot it, but that was only a couple times. Other times in super wide shots he would have a prop camera.
OC: Ken Sang actually had a trenchcoat that Dax had a trenchcoat in the movie and he wore a trenchcoat to simulate him.
JDB: And Kens like two feet taller than Dax.
OC: Yeah, he doesnt look like Dax.
TM: He would have the same boots on in case the camera would fall to the ground and it would still look like Dax was holding the camera.
JDB: And there are definitely a couple shots where people can see that thats Dax but we know its really Ken Sang.
TM: Well, there is a mirror shot where thats obviously Dax so there were a couple times it was necessary for him to shoot it, but mostly it was our cinematography Ken Seng.
SG: Would this kind of party actually be fun for you?
TM: Yes. As long as I wasnt throwing it. I would love to be there.
OC: I think most of said it would be fun to go to. Throwing a party in general kind of sucks. Not suck, its just overwhelming.
JDB: Its never fun to host. Lets be honest.
OC: God, youve got to worry about everything.
TM: It is one of the most stressful things, hosting a party, especially something like this. Yeah, I think I would go for maybe the first half of this party.
OC: Yeah, youd get out.
JDB: Id go for the middle portion.
OC: Id just stay for the end.
JDB: You would get there right at the end.
OC: Once the riot starts, I just show up throwing shit.
JDB: When things start breaking Id go home and Id play Skyrim
. Its much safer.
SG: I was thinking I dont care how many naked boobies there are, I know somebodys going to get killed and I dont want to be an accessory.
JDB: Right.
OC: That is true.
JDB: That is fair. Considering we had nine on set accidents and that was completely staged, so God knows if this happened in real life what the body count would be. It would be like Fallujah, man.
SG: What were some of the accidents?
OC: Nothing crazy.
JDB: What are you talking about? A kid got hit by a car. The car in the pool scene, some kid got smacked.
OC: But he was fine.
JDB: Oh, yeah, I know. No one died.
OC: No one got anything broken.
TM: No one was seriously injured but there were a lot of hospital visits. But again, a lot of the stuff, its found footage, its hard to fake. You dont have as many cuts. You have to disguise it somehow.
OC: Thats what really for me makes the movie really good is that it doesnt feel fake. Its crazy but it doesnt feel like really fake. The house was a real house and the things that were happening, the guy goes through a window, he really went through the window.
TM: You cant cut around it. You have one take to do it all and if you want to cut, you have to do like a fast swipe and hide the cuts.
OC: When the car went in the pool, its just crazy.
TM: We got one take of that because once you put a car in the pool its [over].
JDB: And shooting chronologically was a byproduct of that too. We couldnt just have a scene with the house on fire and then have a scene where were at the beginning, the party just started. We had to have a five week long party from beginning to end. So its not just exhaustion in makeup. Its exhaustion in the fact that weve been getting up at 5 p.m. and going to bed at 7 a.m. every day for the last five weeks. Were exhausted.
TM: Yeah, it was a really intense experience.
SG: Do you think audiences will get that its a cautionary tale?
JDB: To a degree.
TM: I dont think it even is. Im not even sure that it is.
OC: Its a movie.
TM: I think its an escape. Its an experience. I think it is a celebration.
JDB: I mean, do people watch The Hangover and go, Im gonna go take drugs.
TM: Like oh, I shouldnt do that. I should be careful. I think the point of the movie is to make people want to go out and have a party with their friends.
JDB: Yeah, if you kick a cop off his horse and go for a ride, Im not taking any responsibility for that.
OC: If some kid tries to have this party and brings a guy with a flamethrower than hes just an idiot.
TM: Show me the kid that can do that.
JDB: Thats a challenge, Thomas, its dangerous.
TM: Hey man.
JDB: Its okay.
SG: Oliver, is this persona Costa has just totally acting out?
OC: For sure. Hes a kid whos a loser. If you really watch the movie, Im talking to him like, Youve gotta talk
to this girl and Im never, I think you see him making out with a girl.
TM: Are you asking if hes aware how full of shit he is in the movie?
SG: Yes, because do guys putting on that act really believe it?
OC: Even Costa, the whole movie Im going, I can fix this, dont worry. I have a cousin who can fix this, I can fix this, dont worry. Theres a scene when the car goes into the pool, Im like, Thomas, I cant fix any of this shit. I am full of shit.
TM: He kind of drops it for a second and you see the real him.
OC: But then Im back at the end like oh, I got the pimp cup.
TM: But its cool you see those moments where he kind of comes down and hes a real person, like the moment with Tyler or Everett at the car, where hes like, Hey man, you cant hard charge all the time. Thats where the kid got
punched. Its kind of a sweet moment for Costa.
OC: It was nice to actually have a couple moments in the movie, like even at the end, Im actually finally talking like a normal human being. Because the whole time before that Im just hard charging the whole time.
JDB: We even shot a scene where actually Costa confesses hes not from Queens and how sorry he is, that didnt make it into the movie because theres no time.
OC: I don't know if theres no time as much as it lead people to believe maybe Im from Queens, maybe Im not, I don't know.
JDB: I dont think thats the central mystery of the movie, Oliver.
OC: Its not. No, thats what everyones wondering. Is he really from Queens?
SG: I understand why people, especially teens, adopt that persona. I just wonder is there anyone who actually has that personality for real? Its always masking something.
OC: Oh for sure. I mean, I think most people are masking something anyway.
JDB: He just wants a hug.
TM: Yeah, I think the Costa character is definitely insecure.
OC: Yeah, I mean, I think all of our characters are probably a little bit insecure.
TM: But as far as the way you deal with it by putting on this front.
SG: Thomas, your character has that awesome best friend who hes actually appreciated all along. Was it nice that it was only under the influence of drugs that he even strayed?
TM: Yeah, I mean I really dont think its about drugs. I think its a coincidence that he was also on drugs but its such a crazy big night for him in so many ways that I think it forces him to realize what is really important to him and he realizes its his friend that hes had for such a long time.
JDB: Drugs makes a great excuse though.
TM: It definitely does.
SG: Yeah, I thought it was only because he was on drugs that he would even consider anyone but Kirby.
TM: I think drugs only bring out the truth.
JDB: Hes trying to vindicate you Thomas.
OC: She was gorgeous though. I mean, you cant blame him.
SG: Did you do the jump from the roof for real?
JDB: Nope. It was the stunt men.
TM: Stunt doubles.
JDB: My stuntman was like 70 years old too. He was an old guy.
TM: I heard he was a complainer.
JDB: Was he a complainer? I liked him. He did the first Texas Chainsaw Massacre in the 70s. You know, theres not a lot of stunt guys in my body type. They have to at least start in shape and Im sure that guy looked really great in like 1975.
TM: No, he was a nice guy.
OC: I had a stunt guy too but he didnt really have to do too much because I didnt jump.
JDB: Thomass stunt guy was like 19 years old.
TM: Yeah, my stunt guy was like really cool.
JDB: Hes like this kid who could do anything.
TM: He actually looks like me.
OC: It was really weird how much that guy looked like you.
SG: Did you guys go to regular high school while you were pursuing acting?
TM: I was sort of pursuing acting. I was doing commercials in Dallas when I was going to high school so no. I guess I sort of was but I hadnt quite made it yet. I wasnt in L.A.
OC: When I was in high school I started doing some standup comedy but that was just a weekend for fun and nothing serious. I mean, I really never pursued acting. I kind of did when I moved out to L.A. but I was out here only nine months before I got this movie and it was just really coincidence, just lucky and things happened. I wasnt planning for this to be honest.
JDB: I was Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof in sixth grade. That about covers it.
SG: Did you do plays throughout school?
JDB: I mean, until like 7th grade but I was kind of a messed up high schooler. I jumped from school to school for a little while. Then when I was 19 I started doing some standup just for fun. Right before I turned 21 I did this audition for shits and giggles online and things snowballed from there. I was more interested in writing and doing silly comedy but I really appreciate acting now. Its a lotta fun and its definitely something Im going to continue to pursue.
SG: How old are you now?
OC: Im 22.
JDB: As am I.
TM: Im 20.
SG: Do you all live in L.A. now?
TM: Yeah.
OC: Yeah.
JDB: Im a local. Im from L.A.
SG: How do you find the L.A. lifestyle for a young actor?
OC: Its what you want it to be.
TM: Its tricky.
JDB: Its different for me because Ive always lived in L.A. so I dont really know what an L.A. lifestyle is.
TM: Theres really no other industry where your personal life collides with your work life in so many different areas. Which is good and a bad thing.
OC: You can make it whatever you want. If you want to live crazy or you can sit on your couch and smoke weed all day. Thats an option too. Its really whatever you want to do.
SG: Are you guys still friends and hang out now?
JDB: Yeah, multiple times a week.
OC: Yeah, weirdly.
JDB: Why weirdly?
OC: I mean weirdly in the sense of how close of friends we are too. We hang out on the weekends.
JDB: We hang out on the weekdays.
OC: Well, every days a weekend in this town I guess.
JDB: What does that even mean?
OC: No one really works. No one has day jobs. No one has 9 to 5s.
SG: What are your prospects now after Project X?
JDB: Ill take whatever gets me out of my parents house, you know.
OC: Me too. I did this little independent film because I wasnt really getting cast in anything actively. I tried auditioning for things and it just wasnt really going that well so I was like Im just going to do my own thing. So me and a friend, we raised a bunch of money and shot our own movie at my house. I live with my aunt and four dogs and its this crazy house. So we shot a movie, my aunt acts in it, I act in it and I wanted to do something different than I play in Project X. I wanted to do this more sad character I guess. So I did that.
TM: More movies. I just want to broaden my horizons and do different kind of things. Im open to whatever but Im actively looking for my next project always. Ive got a few other things coming out later this year and then next year. I just hope it continues because you never know.
SG: Did those films see Project X before they cast you?
TM: No. They were actually really strict no one say Project X.
SG: What do you expect your red carpet premiere to be like?
JDB: Vindication for the past two years. So much work, its really exciting.
TM: Its just like weve been waiting for our lives to start almost just because it was such a huge project for all of us. Its been a long time coming so the anticipation has lasted a long time.
OC: Its the ups and downs of first you find out youre doing a movie with Todd Phillips, you think the movie can be huge, then you dont know. Its ups and downs, ups and downs.
TM: But its gratifying now that its finally coming out and the responses are cool. I think we made the movie we wanted to make for sure.
Project X opens March 2.
Project X is a huge Warner Brothers movie and weve got an exclusive on the three stars. Thomas Mann, Oliver Cooper and Jonathan Daniel Brown play three high schoolers who throw a party to improve their social reputation. The party gets out of hand with naked girls in the pool, people stuffed into ovens, cars driven into the water and a flame thrower.
Mann plays the host of the party, named Thomas after himself. Cooper plays Costa, the bad influence friend who insists the wildest extravagances will guarantee them hot girls, as if he knows. Brown plays JD, sort of the quiet one who goes along with everything, but in real life he did the most talking.
The three actors are working as a set, so I made it a foursome. When they were told a reporter from SuicideGirls was coming, Mann and Brown got excited. Thomas, youre not old enough for a subscription, you naughty boy, but we appreciate the love.
SuicideGirls: You guys know Suicide Girls?
Jonathan Daniel Brown: No them personally? I would like to.
Oliver Cooper: They were filling me on it.
SG: Do you have any favorite Suicide Girls?
JDB: Id have to load it up and then make a 20 minute decision in the bathroom.
SG: But theyre youre type of girls.
JDB: Tatted up girls?
OC: I like tattoos.
JDB: Jumbos Clown Room.
OC: Jumbos Clown Room, thats a good place.
JDB: You heard of it?
SG: Of course I have. They dont actually take their clothes all the way off though.
OC: No, but thats actually, I kind of prefer that.
JDB: Kind of makes it sexier. Its more burlesque.
Thomas Mann: Its a little more classy that way.
OC: Sometimes its just too much when you go to a strip club and shes like spread open.
JDB: Oh my God!
SG: The girls at Jumbo's do some pretty impressive acrobatics and flips.
TM: Right, its more like art.
JDB: Its Cirque du Soleil, you know.
OC: Theres something really cool about that.
SG: Well, is the found footage genre great for new actors because they need unrecognizable faces?
TM: Yeah, I think definitely its opened up a lot of doors for people. I mean, they opened this up to like 3000 tape submissions is what they had.
JDB: Yeah, I got this movie through an open call over the internet actually.
OC: I don't know if its [the genre.] I think movies and television are always just looking for new faces. People get sick of seeing the same face over and over again. I don't think its a found footage thing. I think its just movies.
TM: Yeah, but I mean, if you saw Brad Pitt in a found footage film it would totally take you out of it immediately.
OC: Yeah, thats true.
TM: So yeah, I think it lends itself to the authenticity.
JDB: That said Im not sure if this is a traditional found footage movie either. It doesnt take place through one camera the whole [movie]. It does for a majority of the film.
OC: Its meant to feel that way.
JDB: Sure but theres music and theres montages.
TM: Well, it is found footage thats been cut together and stylized.
OC: The movies not like some of those handheld movies that are so shaky and its trying to create that thing. This movie has I think a very watchable style to it.
JDB: And every five seconds they dont go, Hey, look at the camera. Hey, look at the camera. Hey, this is a movie were making. You kind of get those over with in the first few minutes and then youre onto the actual suspension of disbelief.
SG: Was Dax Flame really on the camera?
OC: No.
JDB: He was on set the whole time. He was there every day.
TM: He was always on set though. He was always very interested in learning about the camera. He was always talking to Ken Seng who was our cinematographer.
OC: He probably only held the camera once or twice.
TM: A few times logistically it was the only way we would work, if he actually shot it, but that was only a couple times. Other times in super wide shots he would have a prop camera.
OC: Ken Sang actually had a trenchcoat that Dax had a trenchcoat in the movie and he wore a trenchcoat to simulate him.
JDB: And Kens like two feet taller than Dax.
OC: Yeah, he doesnt look like Dax.
TM: He would have the same boots on in case the camera would fall to the ground and it would still look like Dax was holding the camera.
JDB: And there are definitely a couple shots where people can see that thats Dax but we know its really Ken Sang.
TM: Well, there is a mirror shot where thats obviously Dax so there were a couple times it was necessary for him to shoot it, but mostly it was our cinematography Ken Seng.
SG: Would this kind of party actually be fun for you?
TM: Yes. As long as I wasnt throwing it. I would love to be there.
OC: I think most of said it would be fun to go to. Throwing a party in general kind of sucks. Not suck, its just overwhelming.
JDB: Its never fun to host. Lets be honest.
OC: God, youve got to worry about everything.
TM: It is one of the most stressful things, hosting a party, especially something like this. Yeah, I think I would go for maybe the first half of this party.
OC: Yeah, youd get out.
JDB: Id go for the middle portion.
OC: Id just stay for the end.
JDB: You would get there right at the end.
OC: Once the riot starts, I just show up throwing shit.
JDB: When things start breaking Id go home and Id play Skyrim
. Its much safer.
SG: I was thinking I dont care how many naked boobies there are, I know somebodys going to get killed and I dont want to be an accessory.
JDB: Right.
OC: That is true.
JDB: That is fair. Considering we had nine on set accidents and that was completely staged, so God knows if this happened in real life what the body count would be. It would be like Fallujah, man.
SG: What were some of the accidents?
OC: Nothing crazy.
JDB: What are you talking about? A kid got hit by a car. The car in the pool scene, some kid got smacked.
OC: But he was fine.
JDB: Oh, yeah, I know. No one died.
OC: No one got anything broken.
TM: No one was seriously injured but there were a lot of hospital visits. But again, a lot of the stuff, its found footage, its hard to fake. You dont have as many cuts. You have to disguise it somehow.
OC: Thats what really for me makes the movie really good is that it doesnt feel fake. Its crazy but it doesnt feel like really fake. The house was a real house and the things that were happening, the guy goes through a window, he really went through the window.
TM: You cant cut around it. You have one take to do it all and if you want to cut, you have to do like a fast swipe and hide the cuts.
OC: When the car went in the pool, its just crazy.
TM: We got one take of that because once you put a car in the pool its [over].
JDB: And shooting chronologically was a byproduct of that too. We couldnt just have a scene with the house on fire and then have a scene where were at the beginning, the party just started. We had to have a five week long party from beginning to end. So its not just exhaustion in makeup. Its exhaustion in the fact that weve been getting up at 5 p.m. and going to bed at 7 a.m. every day for the last five weeks. Were exhausted.
TM: Yeah, it was a really intense experience.
SG: Do you think audiences will get that its a cautionary tale?
JDB: To a degree.
TM: I dont think it even is. Im not even sure that it is.
OC: Its a movie.
TM: I think its an escape. Its an experience. I think it is a celebration.
JDB: I mean, do people watch The Hangover and go, Im gonna go take drugs.
TM: Like oh, I shouldnt do that. I should be careful. I think the point of the movie is to make people want to go out and have a party with their friends.
JDB: Yeah, if you kick a cop off his horse and go for a ride, Im not taking any responsibility for that.
OC: If some kid tries to have this party and brings a guy with a flamethrower than hes just an idiot.
TM: Show me the kid that can do that.
JDB: Thats a challenge, Thomas, its dangerous.
TM: Hey man.
JDB: Its okay.
SG: Oliver, is this persona Costa has just totally acting out?
OC: For sure. Hes a kid whos a loser. If you really watch the movie, Im talking to him like, Youve gotta talk
to this girl and Im never, I think you see him making out with a girl.
TM: Are you asking if hes aware how full of shit he is in the movie?
SG: Yes, because do guys putting on that act really believe it?
OC: Even Costa, the whole movie Im going, I can fix this, dont worry. I have a cousin who can fix this, I can fix this, dont worry. Theres a scene when the car goes into the pool, Im like, Thomas, I cant fix any of this shit. I am full of shit.
TM: He kind of drops it for a second and you see the real him.
OC: But then Im back at the end like oh, I got the pimp cup.
TM: But its cool you see those moments where he kind of comes down and hes a real person, like the moment with Tyler or Everett at the car, where hes like, Hey man, you cant hard charge all the time. Thats where the kid got
punched. Its kind of a sweet moment for Costa.
OC: It was nice to actually have a couple moments in the movie, like even at the end, Im actually finally talking like a normal human being. Because the whole time before that Im just hard charging the whole time.
JDB: We even shot a scene where actually Costa confesses hes not from Queens and how sorry he is, that didnt make it into the movie because theres no time.
OC: I don't know if theres no time as much as it lead people to believe maybe Im from Queens, maybe Im not, I don't know.
JDB: I dont think thats the central mystery of the movie, Oliver.
OC: Its not. No, thats what everyones wondering. Is he really from Queens?
SG: I understand why people, especially teens, adopt that persona. I just wonder is there anyone who actually has that personality for real? Its always masking something.
OC: Oh for sure. I mean, I think most people are masking something anyway.
JDB: He just wants a hug.
TM: Yeah, I think the Costa character is definitely insecure.
OC: Yeah, I mean, I think all of our characters are probably a little bit insecure.
TM: But as far as the way you deal with it by putting on this front.
SG: Thomas, your character has that awesome best friend who hes actually appreciated all along. Was it nice that it was only under the influence of drugs that he even strayed?
TM: Yeah, I mean I really dont think its about drugs. I think its a coincidence that he was also on drugs but its such a crazy big night for him in so many ways that I think it forces him to realize what is really important to him and he realizes its his friend that hes had for such a long time.
JDB: Drugs makes a great excuse though.
TM: It definitely does.
SG: Yeah, I thought it was only because he was on drugs that he would even consider anyone but Kirby.
TM: I think drugs only bring out the truth.
JDB: Hes trying to vindicate you Thomas.
OC: She was gorgeous though. I mean, you cant blame him.
SG: Did you do the jump from the roof for real?
JDB: Nope. It was the stunt men.
TM: Stunt doubles.
JDB: My stuntman was like 70 years old too. He was an old guy.
TM: I heard he was a complainer.
JDB: Was he a complainer? I liked him. He did the first Texas Chainsaw Massacre in the 70s. You know, theres not a lot of stunt guys in my body type. They have to at least start in shape and Im sure that guy looked really great in like 1975.
TM: No, he was a nice guy.
OC: I had a stunt guy too but he didnt really have to do too much because I didnt jump.
JDB: Thomass stunt guy was like 19 years old.
TM: Yeah, my stunt guy was like really cool.
JDB: Hes like this kid who could do anything.
TM: He actually looks like me.
OC: It was really weird how much that guy looked like you.
SG: Did you guys go to regular high school while you were pursuing acting?
TM: I was sort of pursuing acting. I was doing commercials in Dallas when I was going to high school so no. I guess I sort of was but I hadnt quite made it yet. I wasnt in L.A.
OC: When I was in high school I started doing some standup comedy but that was just a weekend for fun and nothing serious. I mean, I really never pursued acting. I kind of did when I moved out to L.A. but I was out here only nine months before I got this movie and it was just really coincidence, just lucky and things happened. I wasnt planning for this to be honest.
JDB: I was Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof in sixth grade. That about covers it.
SG: Did you do plays throughout school?
JDB: I mean, until like 7th grade but I was kind of a messed up high schooler. I jumped from school to school for a little while. Then when I was 19 I started doing some standup just for fun. Right before I turned 21 I did this audition for shits and giggles online and things snowballed from there. I was more interested in writing and doing silly comedy but I really appreciate acting now. Its a lotta fun and its definitely something Im going to continue to pursue.
SG: How old are you now?
OC: Im 22.
JDB: As am I.
TM: Im 20.
SG: Do you all live in L.A. now?
TM: Yeah.
OC: Yeah.
JDB: Im a local. Im from L.A.
SG: How do you find the L.A. lifestyle for a young actor?
OC: Its what you want it to be.
TM: Its tricky.
JDB: Its different for me because Ive always lived in L.A. so I dont really know what an L.A. lifestyle is.
TM: Theres really no other industry where your personal life collides with your work life in so many different areas. Which is good and a bad thing.
OC: You can make it whatever you want. If you want to live crazy or you can sit on your couch and smoke weed all day. Thats an option too. Its really whatever you want to do.
SG: Are you guys still friends and hang out now?
JDB: Yeah, multiple times a week.
OC: Yeah, weirdly.
JDB: Why weirdly?
OC: I mean weirdly in the sense of how close of friends we are too. We hang out on the weekends.
JDB: We hang out on the weekdays.
OC: Well, every days a weekend in this town I guess.
JDB: What does that even mean?
OC: No one really works. No one has day jobs. No one has 9 to 5s.
SG: What are your prospects now after Project X?
JDB: Ill take whatever gets me out of my parents house, you know.
OC: Me too. I did this little independent film because I wasnt really getting cast in anything actively. I tried auditioning for things and it just wasnt really going that well so I was like Im just going to do my own thing. So me and a friend, we raised a bunch of money and shot our own movie at my house. I live with my aunt and four dogs and its this crazy house. So we shot a movie, my aunt acts in it, I act in it and I wanted to do something different than I play in Project X. I wanted to do this more sad character I guess. So I did that.
TM: More movies. I just want to broaden my horizons and do different kind of things. Im open to whatever but Im actively looking for my next project always. Ive got a few other things coming out later this year and then next year. I just hope it continues because you never know.
SG: Did those films see Project X before they cast you?
TM: No. They were actually really strict no one say Project X.
SG: What do you expect your red carpet premiere to be like?
JDB: Vindication for the past two years. So much work, its really exciting.
TM: Its just like weve been waiting for our lives to start almost just because it was such a huge project for all of us. Its been a long time coming so the anticipation has lasted a long time.
OC: Its the ups and downs of first you find out youre doing a movie with Todd Phillips, you think the movie can be huge, then you dont know. Its ups and downs, ups and downs.
TM: But its gratifying now that its finally coming out and the responses are cool. I think we made the movie we wanted to make for sure.
Project X opens March 2.