Quadruple threat director-writer-editor-actor Colton Tran is one of the youngest of his kind, having gotten his start on film editing software at the ripe young age of 12 years old. Since then he’s been on a steady ascent, culminating in his most recent TV movie in which he stars, the sports adventure Cloud 9. Here he catches up with YA Mag and discusses his projects, his passions and his penchant for being too nice.
YOUNG ADULT: Tell us about Cloud 9. Who is Mike (and how does he fit into the story)?
Colton Tran:Cloud 9 is a film based around a snowboarding competition called Fire and Ice. My character Mike is a part of the elite snowboarding team, Team Swift, that goes up against the Hotdoggers team. Kayla (Dove Cameron) is on our Swift team until she is kicked off.
YA: What’s it like playing the friend to the backstabber?
CT: To be honest, my character goes along with it. The Swifts will do whatever it takes to win. As an actor is was fun playing one of the “bad guys” because I’m usually always happy and laughing in real life. The director even told me once during filming, “Colton… your niceness is really working against you right now. Be mean!” haha!
YA: Did you have to do any Snowboarding for this film? Did you know how to beforehand? What was the learning process like?
CT: Yes, we had to go through a weeklong snowboarding camp before we started filming. I actually did snowboard in the film, but it was minimal. All of the really cool tricks were done by my stunt double… shhhhh. Dillon Lane and I would always attempt to do our own stunts just to say we did. I actually did know how to snowboard beforehand, I grew up in Utah, and so my family would take us to the ski resorts often. We did need to learn some techniques; filming in the snow in general wasn’t difficult, but throwing a snowboard on our feet and making us stay in one spot was a different story!
YA: What was the first day on set like? How did the cast get together and get familiar with each other?
CT: The first day on set was -17 degrees… so we were all freezing! That didn’t matter though because we were all so excited to be a part of the film that we didn’t care! Our week of snowboard camp beforehand was our chance to bond as a cast. We were secluded at the ski resorts up in the mountains so we had no choice but to hang out with each other all day long!
YA: How’s it been working with Disney, do you plan to stay a part of the family?
CT: Working with Disney has been an amazing experience. The team has been nothing but good to me and I hope to work with them again soon. Of course I plan to stay a part of the family, once a part of the Disney Mafia, always a part of the Disney Mafia 😉
YA: What recognition are you hoping to get from Cloud 9? What do you want people to see from your acting?
CT: I am hoping that Cloud 9 will provide me with more recognition as a film director. I have directed film since I was 12 and that is my ultimate passion. I hope that people see how passionate I am about my craft through my acting.
YA: What other projects do you have in the works?
CT: As of now I don’t have anymore acting gigs in the works, but I do have several films that I am directing. My agents over at Paradigm are pushing my latest film Gloom to studios and top producers around town. I have a couple of music videos I will be directing this next month alongside a trailer for another film I will be producing. Of course I also have hope for Cloud 10! (fingers crossed)
YA: What other hobbies do you have (besides Snowboarding)?
CT: Ha! Well… besides snowboarding and skiing, I really enjoy directing film, editing, camping, working out and creating art. I have my own art company “TransylVinyl.” I create art out of broken vinyl records. If you still can’t imagine it, check out my website @ www.transylvinyl.com 🙂
YA: What did you as an actor take away from Cloud 9 for your next piece of work? Would you have done anything differently?
CT: What I learned as an actor was to enjoy what is happening in the moment. Also, since my passion is directing, I learned to pay extra attention to what is going on around me and observe and learn from other actors, the director and the crew. There is always something to learn and always room to expand your knowledge. This was my first time acting on a film of this scale, so I was taking many mental notes for my own films.
YA: Do you have a favorite film, if you were to be in any film or TV show throughout time, which would it be and whom would you play?
CT: My favorite film? Hmm…. that has to be a tie between E.T. and Beetlejuice. If I could’ve played the role of Elliott in E.T. and played Michael Keaton’s role in Beetlejuice, my life would be complete!
instagram and twitter: @coltontran