November 23, 2009

An Alien Invasion

Joey Pollari and Kelly Blatz chat about their new TV movie, Disney XD's Skyrunners

By Vickie An

What would you do if you found a spaceship? Actor Joey Pollari knows the answer to that: "Keep it!" he says. That's exactly what his character, Tyler Burns, does in Disney XD's Skyrunners, an original TV movie premiering on November 27.

JAE FREW--DISNEY XD Brothers Nick and Tyler Burns (Kelly Blatz and Joey Pollari) stumble upon a spaceship in Disney XD's Skyrunners.

Tyler and his older brother Nick, played by Aaron Stone star Kelly Blatz, discover the fallen UFO in a field near their town. So, naturally, they load it up in the back of their truck and take it home. The brothers learn that the spacecraft is "alive" and is able to talk to them. But the cool find quickly turns into a dangerous ride after the siblings stumble upon an evil alien plot to take over the world. Can the siblings save Earth from these invading bad guys before it's too late?

TFK spoke to Joey and Kelly about what it was like having aliens for co-stars. The on-screen brothers also took turns interviewing each other.

TFK:

The Weta Workshop created the creepy alien creature effects for Skyrunners. What was it like working with them?

KELLY:

It was great! They are an Academy Award-winning team that has worked on the Lord of the Rings trilogy, so it was an honor to work with them. They are all extremely talented and made this amazing alien creature come to life.

TFK:

What was your reaction when you saw the alien for the first time?

KELLY:

Truthfully, frightened. Everyone was. It looked so real. We all first saw it in a screen test, and we were blown away. You have to fear the thing, right?

TFK:

What was your favorite scene to shoot?

JOEY:

The graduation scene. That was the only scene where almost everyone in the cast was together. Being in the scorching heat with 150-plus extras, how can you go wrong?

KELLY:

I would have to say when I got to jump on the back of the alien and ride it like a bull. They harnessed me in and I rode it back and forth and tried to stay on while I hit it with a fake rock. The whole time I was asking myself, 'How can this be called work?'

TFK:

What was the most memorable moment on set for you?

KELLY:

The pool party scene, when I had to try to grab this meatball mid-walk, toss it up in the air and into my mouth--all while having to be smooth! Do you know how hard that is? It took five or six takes, but I ended up getting it. Everyone was cracking up.

TFK:

The movie was filmed in New Zealand. What was your reaction when you stepped off the plane?

KELLY:

It's one of the most beautiful countries I have ever seen in my life . . . lush green hills, tropical beaches, stunning waters. Paradise.

JOEY:

I was pumped to meet everyone and start the filming process. I was jumping all over the place. Then I hit the wall called "jetlag."

Joey Asks Kelly

JOEY:

Be nice, but what did you think was the most embarrassing thing that happened to me on set?

KELLY:

You had this nervous tick where you stuck out your hands and moved your fingers and made this really high squeaking sound. I would look at you, then you would realize I was looking at you, and I would just shake my head and walk away.

MATT KLITSCHER--DISNEY XD The Weta Workshop provided the alien creature effects for Skyrunners. The team also handled visual effects for The Chronicles of Narnia.

JOEY:

You got a pretty good sliming in the movie. What did that stuff taste like?

KELLY:

[Laughs] Yes, I did. Luckily, none of it really got inside of my mouth. But I would assume it tastes like rubber, the special effects guy's hands and good times.

JOEY:

What are your plans for the holidays?

KELLY:

My family has always been really big on the holiday season. Christmas Eve is at my uncle's house, and Christmas morning is always at my house. My dad makes this incredible breakfast after we all open presents. It is a breakfast lasagna-type thing with eggs and bacon and sausage and everything. He only makes it once a year.

Kelly Asks Joey

KELLY:

Did you enjoy playing my brother?

JOEY:

Absolutely not. [Laughs] I'm just kidding. It was great.

KELLY:

What was the most interesting thing you ate in New Zealand?

JOEY:

Pineapple Lumps. It was a pineapple-chew covered in chocolate. I loved those.

KELLY:

Is there a holiday tradition that your family always follows?

JOEY:

Getting up at 4:00 a.m. to go shopping on Black Friday. That happens to be the date of the premiere of Skyrunners, so it's going to be a busy day.

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