Answers with Raúl Castillo

Answer 1

In the summer of 2013, you started filming for the first season of HBO's "Looking," a dramatic comedy that follows the everyday lives of three best friends who happen to be gay. What initially drew you to the show?

In 2011, I worked on the short film Lorimer, which Michael Lannan wrote and directed, and which was the prototype for what later became Looking. In January 2013, Michael asked me to come in and read for the pilot. I was drawn to the sincerity of the work, the tone and feel of the world and the characters. And later I was excited by the prospect of working with Andrew Haigh, who by that point had come on as Executive Producer.

Answer 2

What inspired "Knives and Other Sharp Objects"?

My mother and my Aunt, her sister, were sent to live with wealthy relatives in Monterrey, Mexico when there were both very young. I had grown up hearing stories of their experiences. How they struggled during this period, but how it brought them closer. I wanted to honor that.

Answer 3

When did you know you wanted to make a career out of acting?

I've never thought twice about it. For a while, when I was younger, I wanted to be a rock musician. Then I discovered acting. I've never looked back.

Answer 4

What role do you consider your "breakout role" in your acting career?

Richie Donado Ventura on Looking, for sure. It's taken my career to a whole new level. And working on an HBO show has been a real dream come true.

Answer 5

You have also dabbled in film, making your debut in the featured film "Amexicano." How is working in the movie industry different than working in the television industry?

There seems to be more autonomy in the filmmaking process. There are fewer people for the director to answer to. TV is more collaborative. Also, on Looking, I was able to track a character over a much longer period of time. Filmmaking, in my experience, has been a shorter time commitment and process.

Answer 6

Do you have a dream role that you would like to land in the future?

Too many to count. Mostly, I just want to continue to work on material I believe in with people who inspire me and in roles that challenge me.

Answer 7

What has been your favorite role that you have performed so far?

Hard to say. I don't have children but I would imagine it'd be like asking a parent what child they like best. Sure, there are some children who are more challenging, more upsetting or more fun to be around. But you don't love them more or less for it.

Answer 8

How is performing for a live audience different than performing for a camera?

With an audience, you can't start all over again. You can't go back and re-do it, like you can on camera. In live theater, if you don't get a moment right, you just have to keep going. This can be upsetting, when you miss a beat or don't really "get" a moment, but it can be equally rewarding when you do get it right.

Answer 9

Okay so you're not just an actor, you're a playwright too! Can you describe the process you went through when writing your play "Knives and Other Sharp Objects"?

Absolutely. The summer before I started writing "Knives" I was invited to the LAByrinth Theater Company Summer Intensive with another script. At the time, Philip Seymour Hoffman and John Ortiz were Artistic Directors of the company. There were, and continue to be, wonderful theater artists associated with the company. I was invigorated and inspired by the experience and the following summer, eager to return to the Intensive, I started sketching out the first couple of scenes for that play.

I was also making my off-Broadway debut acting in Jose Rivera's "School of the Americas" alongside John Ortiz, who I think was responsible for me being invited back with only about 25 pages worth of material submitted. It was really through LAByrinth and the artists in that company that the play came to life. Felix Solis, who directed the play every step of the way, ended up directing the debut at the Public Theater in 2009.

Answer 10

A lot of actors say their most rewarding roles are those that challenge them and require them to go outside of their comfort zone. How comfortable have you become in portraying a gay character, and what is the most challenging part about the role?

I've played gay characters before and feel comfortable doing so. The most challenging part was learning what it is to track a character throughout the entire season of a show. That was new for me. We didn't get all of the scripts up front. So you have to ask a lot of questions in order to stay ahead.