Scooby Doo! PART 2!

Hey everyone, if you didn't catch the premiere of Scooby Doo! The Mystery Begins on Sept. 13 on Cartoon Network, you can still see it on Teletoon (for us Canadians channel 50 haha) on September 26 @ 7:00pm OR on October 3 @ 7:00pm! So don't miss out! Or you can check it out on DVD on September 22! So either way, I really think you should go see it :) Anyways, so if you missed my previous post about Scooby Doo, go take a look. Here's part two of the Scooby Doo post series featuring... Nick Palatas! AKA Shaggy :)

1. How did you get started in acting? How old were you when you started?

Basically, I did a school play back when I was in 6th grade. I really liked the energy I felt up on stage and continued in the theater up until I graduated from high school. My senior year, however, I had my first taste of film when I landed a Wal-mart commercial. I loved the experience, and with the tugging on my heart, I decided not to pursue my collegiate studies (despite having a nearly full-ride scholarship to a nice university in Missouri), but instead to take the plunge and pray for the best. I have now been in Hollywood for 3 years, making me 21!

2. Is Scooby Doo the first movie that you play a lead role in?

Technically, no. I have played lead roles in other film projects, but they were all either student films, independent films, or commercials. This is my first feature. That can also answer question 3!

4. What made you want to get into acting?

Although I've always found it exhilarating, the biggest influence on my decision to bypass education and a job, and go straight to practice and a career, was the persuasion I felt from God telling me that it was what I should be doing. I just prayed about it often and the responses all pointed me towards Hollywood.

5. How did you land the role of Shaggy? What was your reaction?

Truthfully, it was a giant blessing. I auditioned just like every other kid, but happened to have something that set me apart. Brian Levant (our director) has often commented that he knew I was Shaggy from the first audition he of me. As for my reaction, I basically cried, lol. I was so freaking happy. Not only was it a feature, but it's Shaggy! There are maybe a handful of characters to play that equal such a fun and recognizable icon as Shaggy.

6. So what was it like to play Shaggy?

The best part about being Shaggy, is that you simply have to drop all inhibitions and take everything as it comes. He is super friendly, happy, and genuine, with a ton of energy, and just enough naivety to make everyone laugh.

7. Do you think you and Shaggy are similar at all? Why or why not?

It's funny, because a lot of people say that I just AM Shaggy, but there are also many who don't see it at all. We're similar, in that I love to have fun, I try my best to always be happy, and I love to make other people laugh. In fact, I've often said that my greatest goal in life, is to make every person I meet and/or know laugh at least once that day. You cannot have a bad time when you're smiling and laughing.

8. What was it like having to act and pretend that “Scooby” was on set?

It was quite a challenge. I've always had quite an imagination, but it really pushed all of us to the limits. I remember the hardest time I had, was during the "You and I" montage, because I had to spin around in a circle while pretending to hold hands and spin WITH SCOOBY. Not only do I get motion-sick when I spin, but it was like 100 degrees outside that day, I had long sleeves and corduroy pants, and we were doing the shot in slow motion, so I had to step awkwardly. We must have done 20 takes just trying to get my circle right and making it so I looked like I was actually holding Scooby.

9. What was your favourite part about filming Scooby Doo?

Favorite part? Just being on set and getting to know so many great people. I love the whole process, and love to be with the crew and cast each and every day we filmed.

10. So when I visited the set, it seemed like a pretty fun atmosphere...what was one of the funniest things that happened on set?

Wow. There were a ton. I really can't narrow one down. There was Kate and her "adorably accident-prone" self, there were many inside jokes on set, there were mishaps and bruises galore, there were out-takes and bloopers... Just suffice it to say that we shared a lot of laughs!

11. What was it like working with Director Brian Levant?

To be completely honest, Brian Levant is like a second father to me. What a gentle, kind-hearted, genuine, and fun guy. I cannot say enough about how sincerely amazing Brian is. Truthfully, he takes a little getting used to, as I was pretty afraid of him for the first week or so of filming (maybe intimidated by is a better word, but nevertheless). However, after that first week of acquainting myself with his... style? I learned to absolutely love the man. We couldn't have asked for a better director.

12. So how did you like filming in BC? Have you ever been here before?

Nope, I've never been to Canada before, despite having lived and traveled all over the world as the son of a Naval officer... Vancouver was beautiful, and the Canadians were all very nice. I was expecting it to be so much different than America, for some odd reason, but as it turns out, it was quite similar. And again, it was beautiful.

13. If you could work with any other actor/actress in the world, who would it be and why?

If I could work with ANY other actor? Oh goodness. I'm gonna go with Jim Carrey. The guy has inspired more laughs than should be humanly possible.

14. Lastly, do you have any upcoming projects?

So far, I have no upcoming projects, but the movie hasn't even come out yet! So, right now, I'm just enjoying the ride and waiting patiently to see what God has in store for me.



Thank you Nick for the interview! :)

COMING NEXT: Video interviews with KATE MELTON (aka Daphne) & ROBBIE AMELL (aka Fred)
-Christinaaa :)