David recently completed the feature film, Storm Warning, directed by Jamie Blanks (Urban Legend, Valentine), which has just been picked up for distribution by the Weinstein brothers. He is currently working on the feature film Cactus.
Tell me in your own words about your character, ET, in Sea Patrol?
I guess he’s a guy that lives for extremes. He loves the Navy and the camaraderie it creates and views his shipmates as his family. He’s passionate about his job, the environment and most of all – women. Basically he’s an incorrigible pants-man… a guy suffering a pretty dire case of peter pan syndrome. But beneath it all, he’s got a big heart and a fierce sense of loyalty.
How is your character similar or different to yourself?
We look the same - but that’s about all the similarities we share. I think I’m much more reserved than ET. I love extremes, but am in no way a pants man.
What was the most memorable aspect of filming?
The relationship that evolved between cast, crew and Navy guys was amazing. We kind of worked as one big family. As far as memorable aspects of filming goes, I guess mooring off dunk island every morning and dropping a few fishing lines off the front of the unit boat every lunchtime wasn’t a bad way to experience a break on Sea Patrol.
What was your view of the navy prior to the show compared to now?
I now have an amazing respect for the Navy guys. The sacrifices that these men and women make are incredible – as is their commitment to the task at hand. Living in such small confines in the middle of the ocean, away from friends and family would certainly be a difficult lifestyle, but they live it with such great energy and humor.
Are there any anecdotes that make the show memorable or different from other shows you have worked on?
The whole Sea Patrol experience was unlike anything in my life so far. The size of the task at hand, the location in which it was set, and the great bunch of people that were involved all made it an absolutely awesome experience like no other. I guess one of the most memorable experiences whilst filming was waterskiing in one of the breaks. The unit boat was anchored just off Mission Beach and I was skiing past the front of it when I looked across to see Kristian Schmid reeling in a pretty decent size hammerhead shark. I freaked out! Mummy hammerhead must have been lurking beneath me somewhere. That was the end of my skiing.
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