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2010 – Finn Wittrock

This afternoon we have our recently held Q&A with Finn Wittrock who plays Kathy and Jenny’s brother Damon on All My Children. You may also recognize Finn from Halloweentown High, and don’t forget to tune in the coming weeks to see his last scenes on the soap. We know the kids are really going to miss having him around the set!!

1. How did you enjoy working with David and Damian?

I miss those kids! They were like perfect babies – and so in the moment, they kept you on your toes. I always said they were some of the best acting partners I’ve ever worked with.

2. What was your experience like at the luncheon with Danielle, Tate and Jake?

I hung out with Danielle, Tate and Jake a lot during the event actually. I tend to get a little lost in crowd/publicity situations, but when I’m with kids that age I’m the life of the party. Probably because I actually am that age.

3. How do you like working with Dannika and Devon (Kathy and Jenny)?

Dannika and Devon were so professional and smart. They both have big careers ahead of them. We were joking around running lines and one of them said, “You’re not really going to do it like that, right?” I lost it.

4. How do you find that filming the scenes changes when a child or infant is involved?

Having a kid in a scene puts everyone IN the scene, because kids live in the world around them at that moment, which is what the main goal of acting is, isn’t it?

5. Do you have any funny stories to share about working with any of the kids?

It was hard when we moved – suddenly my infant son looked completely different, and didn’t seem to know who I was! I tried to use it.

6. Did you get a chance to meet any of the NY kids other than the Paseler twins?

I didn’t really meet anyone else, because I came in at the tail end of the show being in New York.

7. Did you have any concerns coming into the role knowing that Damon had an infant son?

I wanted Damon to grow into the idea of being a father. What was hard was imagining what is was like for Damon himself not to have had a good father, because my dad is awesome. Damon was trying to compensate for what he Didn’t have, which I think made him a very attentive dad, even if at first he didn’t know what he was doing.

8. What is your favorite part about filming scenes with the kids?

I like when a kid does something unexpected, like grabs you or picks something up they weren’t supposed to; especially if the director doesn’t stop the scene. It makes you be on your toes and go with a moment that is spontaneous. And (hopefully) make it work.

9. Do you have any special routine you do before working on a scene with kids?

I make sure to hang out with the kids BEFORE we go on the set. That’s good just for relationship building, and for them to get to know you so it looks real. But it also protects against kids crying or throwing a tantrum. Think about going onto a film set from a child’s point of view – all the lights and people looking at you can be really scary (it is even for adults) so the more you can make a connection with the child the more they trust you and feel safe in the environment. And the less chance there will be of them freaking out.

10. What has been your favorite scene(s) to film with any of the kids?

Answer One: I liked the scene when Damon was hungover and Kathy and Jenny were jumping all over him and asking him to play with them. Dannika and Devon asked me what was wrong with Damon and I said “He’s just very sick this morning.” I figured they were still too young for me to try and teach them a lesson on moderation.

Answer Two: Last Christmas I had an episode where I was decorating the house, trying to keep the baby in my arms while I hung decorations and stuffed stockings. I was wearing this ridiculous Santa hat with a large spring on top of it, which practically hypnotized the baby. That was handy because it was a very long scene.

We’d like to thank Finn for participating in the Star-Kidz Holiday Q&A event this year!!