All Photos: Alan Mercer
This is the sixth time Gilles Marini has been on my blog! If you haven’t seen any of the other blogs I’ve done with him then you should click the links to learn about his past and what we’ve talked about before as well as the large variety of photos I have taken of him. They are all right below for easy access.
This time around I met with Gilles at his home in the Hollywood hills and we talked while he made me a French breakfast. (a croissant & cappuccino) After that I took a few casual shots of him. I’ve known Gilles and his family since 2008 so it is always an easy and relaxed vibe. Gilles is a total "beautiful being" and spending time with him is an elevating experience. His charm is revealed by an authentic desire to 'give to you' while he is with you. I am always happily swept up in his kinetic and loving energy. This man is sincere!
Gilles Marini exploded onto the scene as "Dante", the Casanova living in the beach house next door to Kim Cattrall's "Samantha" on the Sex and the City movie, a role which has earned him international recognition. Though people went to the theaters to see Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte, they left with one thing on their mind....Gilles's shower scene.
Gilles has been seen on television on ‘Modern Family,’ '2 Broke Girls,'‘Castle, ‘Criminal Minds,’ ‘Windfall,’ ‘Teen Wolf,’ ‘Devious Maids,’ ‘Switched At Birth,’ ‘Hot In Cleveland,’ ‘Brothers & Sisters,’ ‘The Mysteries of Laura’ and in several soap operas, including ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ and’ Passions.’ His recent film credits include ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End,’ ‘Mothers and Daughters,’ ‘The List’ and ‘The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down.’
He has appeared in many television commercials and print ads for companies like Budweiser, Clairol, Coca Cola, Ross, Chrysler, Fila, GNC, Infiniti, Mervins, Avon, Lord and Taylor, Robinsons May, etc.
Gilles lives with his wife Carole and his two children, George and Juliana in Los Angeles.
AM: Gilles, I loved you on ‘Devious Maids’ and was so shocked to find out you were the bad guy!
GM: It was nice to play a bad guy. I always wanted to play a character who was more on the edge. We worked very hard to make sure the audience had no idea I was going to be a bad guy.
AM: You have found quite a bit of work on television.
GM: Yes, it’s not like I only want to do this, but there is so much more work on the many networks and so few movies being made. There are really only four or five big movies a year. It’s a different format these days. Being on TV is the thing to do. I’ve been doing this nine years non-stop and I will never say no to movies, especially if it’s a meaningful, independent film.
AM: Which you have done.
GM: Yes, I want to make more films in that direction. I have no complaints. Now it’s more about creating and writing some new ideas. Because of the amount of work I’ve done, I think a couple of doors are open. I can at least get people to look at a project I bring. Hopefully something comes out of it. So far the response has been phenomenal so I’m very excited.
AM: Do you consider yourself a writer?
GM: Writer is a big word obviously. What I do is bring ideas to the table with two of my associates. One of them is a good writer and he listens very well and then he writes the story. He’s the one who puts it down because he knows the formats. He has the talent to understand the concept I am bringing. So far we have two scripted shows that we have collaborated on.
AM: If he writes, what do you do?
GM: I do the non-scripted side of it. I bring the synopsis to the network and they tell you if they like it or not. These are projects I’ve always wanted to do.
AM: Are we talking dramas?
GM: On the scripted side there is a more action based, supernatural drama and the other one is a medical drama.
AM: What's the main difference between them?
GM: The supernatural one is more fast moving and the medical one is more every day. They would have a different fan base, but both are being received pretty well right now. I’m excited to see where it goes.
AM: It seems logical to me that you would be more in charge of a show you are on. What's the benefit of running your own show in Hollywood?
GM: I don’t think it’s just Hollywood. I think it’s every business. People see you one way and it’s difficult to make a network executive see you in a different light. I understand that. I don’t want to play a Boston cop. That would be stupid, but I am an actor and it would be nice for people to see me in a different light.
AM: That's what acting is all about.
GM: I like to pretend to be someone else and make sure I am challenged. That is the reason I am now writing. You are the only one who knows what you are capable of. I am well aware of that. I wrote things that are challenging and things I am passionate about. Hopefully we get a go and I have a chance to show what I really can do.
AM: I do know whatever you create will be good.
GM: You never know. You see incredible actors with great shows lasting four episodes. Networks don’t have a lot of time, but fortunately there are a lot more networks now.
AM: Would you be willing to be on Netflix or amazon?
GM: Willing!?! I’d love for them to say, “We love it!” They are more than the new format, they are THEE format.
AM: Streaming is the standard now.
GM: I don’t know how long studios will last anymore. They could be gone ten years from now. As long as young people go see big action-packed superhero movies, the studios will be able to make four or five a year and make big money. If that template fades away, then I doubt the studios can make any type of money.
AM: So your manager and agent will get you meetings with the networks and Netflix to pitch the shows?
GM: Yes, I’m sure they will. It’s a long process but it’s super exciting because it’s undeniably something I want to do.
AM: It seems to me you have just walked through the door of the time your career can be going full speed ahead.
GM: I think from forty to fifty it will be something that can show more dimensions. I’m not a child anymore and I have a lot of life experience, but I’m not old yet.
To learn more about Gilles visit his web site http://www.gillesmarini.com/