Tomorrowland is a film that is about looking towards the future and finding a better world. When smaller child Fraser Corbett thought about his future, he knew that he wanted to be a a stuntman. A person who makes the movie world better by making fantasies become real on the big screen. Corbett was nice enough to speak with us here at DFAT about his time behind and in front of the camera in some of the biggest movies and television shows around!
DFAT: Hi Fraser! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat it up with us here at Don’t Forget a Towel! You’ve had a pretty amazing career both behind-the-scenes and in front of the camera, can you take us a bit through that journey from farm boy in Okanagan to becoming an actor in Hollywood?
FRASER: Well I haven’t got to Hollywood yet, at least not technically. I have been based out of Vancouver (Hollywood North) for the last 12 years. It started when I was a kid, I was always into movies and sports and was fascinated by how films were made. I saw a car commercial being filmed when I was 13 and they had a stuntman ski jumping over a car, right then I was like BINGO that’s what I want to do. I finished high school and went to a stunt school in Australia, from there I moved to Vancouver and spent 4 years training and learning how the industry worked. Eventually I became a stunt performer and have since taken a liking to the acting side of the business.
DFAT: It’s amazing that you got to achieve your dreams at such a young age! Let’s go into your roles a bit. A lot of your work from Smallville, to Godzilla, The Flash and on to the upcoming Tomorrowland seems to be genre-based; do you find yourself more interested in taking roles that are more towards Science Fiction?
FRASER: For some reason Vancouver seems to be the home of a lot of Sci-Fi stuff. I really like the idea of telling stories about other universes and exploring the idea that we aren’t alone. So it is always fun to work on Sci-Fi stuff.
DFAT: We love it too. Especially The Flash. With Wayward Pines on the air and Tomorrowland still in theatres, how was the anticipation to get those projects out to the world?
FRASER: I am pretty excited about Wayward Pines, the trailers don’t give away much as far as the story goes so I think it will really keep audiences guessing.
Tomorrowland, which I just watched, was a blast. Really original as far as films coming out the last while, I think it touched on the fact that we need to be more positive about our future and to really go for it and live life the way we dream it should be lived.
DFAT: I think that’s a fantastic message that we don’t see often enough in the movies we watch. As far as your acting goes, do you feel more comfortable being in front of the camera, or more doing stunt work?
FRASER: It has been an interesting transition from stunts to acting, as a stunt performer you always try to mimic the actor you are doubling and copy their mannerisms and movements at the same time hiding your face from camera. Now as an actor it’s fun to create my own character, at the same time I am constantly reminded to show more of my face to the camera. I’m still working on that part.
DFAT: For the time that you’ve been acting either as a stuntman or in front of the camera, you’ve been graced with some pretty great roles. You’ve been in the first Godzilla film, with the movie getting a sequel, has there been any word on whether you’ll be involved?
FRASER: It certainly would be awesome to work on the film again.
DFAT: We’re going to keep our fingers crossed for you that you can face off against The King of the Monsters once again. You’ve worked with a lot of talented actors in your career, who haven’t you worked with that you’d love to?
FRASER: The Rock is up there, I hear he is an awesome guy. Paul Walker would be one that I wish I always could have worked with, I think it is amazing how he balanced his family and his charity work with his career and didn’t make it all about his career or image or celebrity status.
DFAT: They are both fantastic. It’s truly amazing what Paul Walker did for movies and in his personal life. Given that Star Wars is your favorite film, how much are you geeking out about The Force Awakens?
FRASER: I haven’t looked forward to Christmas this much since I was five years old! Cannot wait.
Photo Cred: Liz Rosa
DFAT: If you get the chance to be a part of the upcoming Star Wars Trilogy or one of the Anthology Films, what kind of character/species would you want to play and why?
FRASER: Anything, I think it would be neat to wear the storm trooper suit, or to be a Jedi of some kind. Just to be in the mix of it would be a dream come true.
DFAT: Let’s hope that you get to achieve that dream in the near future, in a galaxy far far away. What advice can you give someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
FRASER: Hard work and commitment pay off; put your head down and go for your goals. Set your goals higher than you believe possible, and don’t let the naysayers get you down.
Surrounding myself with great people who I respect and look up to has got me to the point where I am and keeping their friendship where we all lift each other up and hold each other accountable will get us to where we want to be. I don’t think it is possible to get to where you want to be in this world without a circle of great people.
DFAT: I think that you couldn’t say it any better. Perfect advice for anyone.
Big thanks go out to Fraser for taking time out of his busy schedule to chat with us. We’ll continue to follow his career as a stuntman and soon-to-be leading man here at DFAT. He’ll be showing up in WWE‘s newest film, Interrogation, starring The Edge; so keep your eyes peeled for that one! If you haven’t already seen Tomorrowland, get out there and check it out. Wayward Pines is also playing at a television near you, so stop by Fox to see that as well!
