Of Vectors & Voiceovers – An interview with Neil Napier

by Lilith Colbert

Neil Napier (Dr. Peter Farragut) has been a busy man lately – from appearances in X-Men: Days Of Future Past to voicing Captain Xavier in Assassin’s Creed: Unity – so we greatly appreciated him taking the time to discuss Helix and his approach to characters both in the physical and digital realm.

You can follow him on Twitter @NeilNapier and of course see him on Season Two of Helix which airs January 16, 2015 on SyFy.

Spektral Helix: What drew you to audition for the role of Dr. Peter Farragut?

Neil Napier: What drew me to the role of Peter was the complexity of his relationships with his brother and Julia, and the extreme journey which he undergoes. I felt it would present some interesting opportunities to play with character through physicality.

SH: Did you do any research into the science of the role and if so, how did it aid in understanding the character?

NN: I didn’t do much research into the science of the role, as Peter had very little of it to do. I did however research some of what the psychology is of folks who choose to spend long periods of time working in relative isolation. Werner Herzog’s film, Encounters At The End Of The World was quite helpful…

SH: You’ve said in other interviews that your character was supposed to die in the first episode – were you given a heads up as to the new direction of Peter’s role once the decision was made to keep him, or was everything hush-hush?

NN: Well, by the time I was cast, they had already decided to keep him alive until around episode 4, but after that, I never knew with each subsequent episode if it was going to be my last… Things worked out alright in the end. *smiles*

SH: What do you draw on to get into the”head” of a character and do you find yourself thinking as that character even “off the clock?”

NN: I think it is important to keep my character as close to myself as possible. We are all very complex beings and we show a certain configuration of our qualities to the world. However, I believe that we all have at least a little bit of almost everything within us. An actor’s job as I see it is to access the parts of him/herself most relevant to the character at hand, and let them live.

SH: In season one, Peter went through some drastic changes: from pretty much an invalid, to Julia’s hallucination, to Vector King, to traitor. How did you react to these changes when reading the script for the first time, knowing that you were for the most part kept in the dark as far as story lines?

NN: It is a joy to react to changing conditions for my character. Each new script presents a new set of challenges. It keeps my on my toes!

SH: When in your”Vector mode,” how many hours did you have to spend in makeup and how difficult was it to remove?

NN: In ‘King Vector’ mode, I was in makeup for about 3 hours at the beginning of each shooting day, and then it took 2 or 3 artists about an hour to remove all that intricate work.

SH: We’ve heard that Billy Campbell (Dr. Alan Farragut) was quite the prankster on set. Are there any shenanigans you can tell us about that happened on the set of season two?

NN: All I can say about Billy is that he has been very well behaved on set this season. I guess fatherhood has had a calming effect on him… 😉

SH: We know you do voiceovers for video games like Assassin’s Creed – do you find it as challenging being in front of the camera and if so why?

NN: I actually do very little straight voice work for video games – what I do is a fair amount of is ‘performance capture’, which is embodying the character physically as well as vocally. So I spend a good amount of time in velcro tights and a helmet face-cam… But I do spend some time in the sound booth nonetheless and I find the challenges different – there are no physical references or other actor to play with; a vocal performance is all self-generated. It is an exercise in imagination and technique.

SH: Are there any projects outside of Helix you’re working on that you can tell us about?

NN: I am working on two projects that I can’t really talk about right now. Nothing big, but I have signed NDAs…

SH: In closing, what do you perceive the dynamic will be between Peter, Julia, Alan, and Sarah in season two, given the emotional complexities of their relationships?

NN: In season 2 of Helix, I think that we will learn a little more about the relationships between Peter, Alan, Julia and Sarah. We will also see how they progress, and discover some new and unexpected alliances. Enjoy!

SH: We will indeed enjoy, Neil, and January cannot some soon enough! Again, thank you for speaking with us!

Episode 12 – Numb

 

Wow.

Just wow.

Such a powerful, emotional episode that we – as I’m sure most of you – are still reeling from it.

We must start out by saying hats off to Meegwun Fairbrother and Hiroyuki Sanada for one of the most beautiful, heart wrenching scenes ever shown on TV. I drew comparison to Nimoy and Shatner’s scene in Star Trek: The Wrath Of Khan, as one could not only see but feel the emotion, the connection between those two characters palatable and pure, their love for each other strong and sure as it had ever been.

One must wonder why Daniel did what he did, though, to free Hatake’s conscience from having to choose even though his own was conflicted over what Hatake had done to him? It certainly was not “for hate’s sake, I stab my last breath at thee,” as Daniel not only told him he loved him, but forgave him as well. So, perhaps it was Daniel clearing his own conscience before death, as he knew Scythe would have killed both he and Julia anyway, so gave Hatake the element of surprise by playing a card Scythe did not expect, thereby saving Julia and ultimately the whole base.

In this episode, we also saw a taste of what Hatake was before he became a scientist out to save the world. There has been little doubt Hatake is and always will be a warrior and tactician, but the way Scythe reacted to him out on the ice pack spoke volumes. Scythe is a brutal killer, trained in his cause to be ruthless and fearless, yet when Hatake smirked at him to come take the Narvik from him, the flicker of fear in that young-old man’s eyes was hard to miss. And the fact that he hesitated – assassins don’t hesitate, they act, strike, for hesitation is death either by the mark or their employer – told me, at least, that Hatake was once like him: a killer.

One doesn’t have to look far into history to find that 15th-16th century Japan was known as the Warring States period, a time when warlords fought to gain and retain control over their lands, while powerful daimyo Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu fought for unification. This would certainly breed the kind of skilled, feared, and respected warrior even an assassin would think twice about taking on, and perhaps give us a clue as to why Hatake developed the cure to begin with.

Penance.

When one has lived as long as Hatake has, seen the horrors he must have seen (and most likely caused himself), one would be tempted to play god and give humanity life instead of all the death it seems to perpetrate upon itself, show humanity what could be had if there were no more disease, hunger, death, injury. Yet he opened a can of worms it seemed as those with that power of life over death are jealous caretakers, that they for their own greedy, or perhaps even practical, reasons want only a select few to have this rare gift.

We are at once excited for and dreading tomorrow’s episode, as we do not want to lose any more of the characters we hold so dear, nor do we want this tale to end.

So, we here at Spektral Helix issue everyone reading this post a challenge: tell everyone you know to watch Helix tomorrow, starting with the marathon beginning 7am CST. Tell them to set their DVRs, brew the coffee, use a sick day, whatever they must do to ensure that the season finale has the biggest viewership of the evening so we can being this series back next season!

Helix the Musical – Hall Of The Vector King

photo via SyFy

 

This is an original lyric done by my friend and co-commander of the Horde, Karla Castillo – enjoy!

 

Come with me down the rabbit hole
All the way to the Vector World
Please be warned you may lose your soul
The Vector King will not break his hold

Deep down into this hole we go
A bottomless pit is this Vector World
Blurred will be friend and foe

Illusion will keep you in its hand
And show you the wonders of Vector Land
The immortal see and knows of all
500 will come to end us all

The Scythe comes forth to seal our fate
The Master of Secrets stands in his way
This immortal who’s daughter will not stay
In which immortal do you have faith?

Come with me down the rabbit hole
All the way to the Vector World
Please be warned you may lose your soul
The Vector King will not break his hold…

Helix The Musical – “All I Care About (Is Jules)”

To the tune of “All I Care About” from Chicago:

 

{Vector Girls:}

We want

Hiro

Where is

Hiro?

Give us

Hiro

We want

Hiro

We don’t care if he lies

We’re all his

He’s our kind of a guy

And oooh what luck!

Cause here he is!

{Daniel:}

Ladies and gentleman, presenting the silver-eyed prince of the base, the one the only –

Hiro Hatake!

{Hiro:}

I don’t care about expensive things

Cashmere coats, diamond rings

Don’t mean a thing

All I care about is Jules

That’s what I’m here for

I don’t care for Immortal fools

Frakking with genetic pools

Don’t mean a thing

All I care about is Jules!

{Girls:}

All he cares about is Jules!

{Hiro:}

Gimme eyes of silver hue

Softly saying “I need you”

Let me see her standin’ there

And honest, Mister, I’m a millionaire

I don’t care for any Vector King

Alan and Sarah’s silly fling

No, no, not me

All I care about is Jules…

{Girls:}

All he cares about is Jules!

{Hiro:}

(whistles)

{Girls:}

That’s what he’s here for!

{Girls:}

All he cares about is Jules!

{Hiro:}

Show me long raven hair

Flowin’ down, about to there

And when I see her virus free

Keep your money, that’s enough for me

I don’t care for plotting genocide

Or anything I have to hide

No, no, not me

All I care about is

Doin’ the guy in

Who’s pickin’ on Jules

Twistin’ the wrist

That’s turnin’ the screw

{Hiro and Vector Girls:}

All I  care about is Jules!

Daybook – Entry 6

photo via SyFy

Gunnar is gone.

I feel it in my bones, in the momentary lucidity of thought that cements the permanence of his passing, and for him I do grieve.

For Constance’s demise, however, I rejoice.

Small victory though it may seem, it is sure sign the rift between those who see the folly of the Cull and those who would commit wholesale slaughter despite the ramifications grows ever deeper.

With each new advancement, each new mortal eager to unlock the mysteries of life, we cannot stay hidden forever. Back in the day we had superstition and ignorance on our side, masses of unlearned individuals content to blame the will of God or the Devil Himself.

Today? Not so much.

As much as science has been our friend, it has increasingly become our foe. Every unexplained, catastrophic event has conspiracy theorists raising their red flags, racing to their keyboards, declaring cover-ups and government shenanigans. With every new virus comes the ability to analyze its very part and parcel down to the very atom.

Clever you mortals have become.

Clever, yet too reliant on your bells and buzzers and pretty, shiny things.

We of the Old Ways still have our tricks, though.

We who would remain hidden and not see the light of day for the brightness of your steel and mirrored edifices hurts too much our eyes.

And what of this new thing you have created, Hatake? This beast with the intelligence of one far older than his years and the fierceness of a tiger caged far too long? What is this new being, this Lord of Vectors bent on taking your throne and your progeny?

Take care you quickly make him an ally, for your head be next on the ice and I, for one, cannot abide that fate for you, no matter you left me as abandoned as our dear Gunnar.

Remember who I was to you.

Remember our pact.

500?

Humph!

I am Kiernan MacLiedrydd of the Clan MacLiedrydd.

I am one of the Chosen.

One of the Hunted.

And the 500 be damned.

The Helixr Horde & Renew Helix Campaign

Legends tell of hordes – driven, relentless in their purpose, unconquerable forces of sheer might and will – that would stop at nothing to further their purpose and reach. They were bound not so much by blood or creed, but by a goal, a singular desire to move mountains and change worlds, to ensure that which they held dear was advanced and imparted for generations to come.

I assure you the Helixr Horde is of the same ilk.

We at Spektral Helix not only further the Horde’s mission, but are members of said Horde in active oversight capacity.

Our mission is simple: to ensure that SyFy knows that Helix is not a one-season wonder, that it deserves – and the fans in fact demand – a second season and beyond. There is so much good going on with this series – from the actors to the writing staff to the creators, SFX crew, cinematography, on an on – that leaving it at one season would be a detriment to SyFy and TV entertainment in general.

How can one join the Horde, you ask?

That, is also simple.

•  Go to Renew Helix fansite, see the mission statement and follow the suggestions therein.
• Sign the petition linked on said fansite, let your voice be heard!
• Tweet your allegiance to the Horde and to Helix using the hashtag #renewHelix as well as follow the Helix Horde Twitter account. 
• Follow the Helix Horde tumblr and reblog posts with the tag #renewHelix.
• Like the Facebook page and post reasons for your fealty.
• Use the graphics in the gallery below to promote our agenda, also tag SyFy’s account and the Helix account on Twitter when doing so.
• Tell at least five people to watch the show and then get them to Tweet and email and blog, whatever their proficiency and patience can endure.

These seem like simple tasks, but they will involve time and dedication, which some of you might not able to give much of at this time. Just remember, every action, every little bit helps, and….

Welcome to the Horde!

Episode 9 – More Questions Than Answers

photo via SyFy

Just when we thought we’d get more pieces to this puzzle called Helix, we seem to, yet again, come away with even more questions.

The first scene that blew my mind was when Peter was evidently raised to godhood by the Vectors, and seems to KNOW what he is and takes gratification in their worship. All vestige of Peter as full human seems to have vanished as we see this great, hulking monarch take charge of his subjects, roaring his supremacy like a lion on the Serengeti. Yet he is no mindless brute, there is intelligence in those red eyes, a dangerous, deep intelligence that tells us he is not one to be bargained with lightly, that he will take what he deems as his through any means necessary.

That brings me to the look I noticed him give Julia as she escorted Alan up the stairs – where the other Vectors were indeed fearful of her, there was not one shred of fear in Peter’s eyes, quite the contrary. In fact, his look said one thing clearly: “She’s mine.”

This opens the first set of questions which I will address forthwith:

• Is Julia rightfully Peter’s mate in this new hierarchy of Vectors/Silver-eyes?
• Will there be a battle royal between Hatake and Peter – clearly the “inferior” of the species in Hatake’s eyes – for leadership of the base?
• Will Peter ever be, well, Peter again or will he be content in this new role as Lord Vector and take his seat among his subjects?
• Will the other Vectors become as Peter, less intent on the kill and more intent on establishing a society of sorts?
• Will Julia accept him as he is, or will she – in her newly-transformed state – be repulsed?
• Is her memory of him as he was strong enough for her not to kill him should a situation arise?

Another point that came to mind as quite odd was Hatake’s exchange with Julia when he was telling her about the stolen children from the village. He said that most went to good homes, so why take them then send them away?

Unless he did this to PROTECT said children from Illaria.

This is just a wild theory here, but it goes back to my hypothesis that these children had the strain, the part of the gene that made them susceptible to being able to either:

1. Be resistant to the virus he created
2. Be able to transform into Silver-eyes like Julia

Either way, we know Hatake isn’t into genocide, so it begs to consider these possibilities. Yet why keep Miska so close to home, so close that he would eventually discover his true identity? Why take Miska specifically under his wing, why distinguish him out from all the other children?

Unless there’s another possibility altogether.

That these children possessed the ability, the power to overthrow Ilaria through abilities yet untapped? Going out on an X Men limb here, but I still contend Miksa is more than just a stolen child, that he somehow is part of the plan to gather forces and foil Ilaria’s plans for genocide.

Another point that freaked me out was how like the monkeys the Vectors were when they were frozen, paralyzed, near unmoving. This means Balleseros was NOT hallucinating when he torched the monkeys and they began to scream – they were indeed still ALIVE!

And what about this mysterious Dr. Adrian? What is he doing taking the NARVEC samples and where is he going with them?

Who is Ilaria sending this time? Who will be the next Big Boss to tackle?

All I’m sure of at this point is that Peter, as Lord Vector, has become a major – and quite dangerous – player in this game Hatake has been content to conduct. Will he be the raging berserker that goes in and stomps across Hatake’s board at will, wreaking havoc against the injustice that’s been done to he and his subjects, or will he join in the fight against a common enemy, Ilaria?

Daybook – Entry 4

photo via SyFy

 

♫ Ding Dong! The Witch is dead!

Which old Witch?

The Wicked Witch!

Ding Dong! The Wicked Witch is dead!!!! ♫

Shouldn’t have messed with the Cowardly Lion & the Wizard…..

And the Tin Man had a heart this whole time…. whoda thunk it?

Dorothy is on her way home, but Alice is still trapped in Oz.

Scarecrow went down the rabbit hole…. or UP as the case may be.

And the Pendragon, discovering his own identity and taking back the Keep, his loyal Knights routing the evil Morgaine’s monkey-men.

Very impressive, that. Half expected him to brandish a long-sword and begin hacking away at the rabble.

I do hope he does not end like the venerable Arthur…. ye cannot go down with the Keep, fair King! Camelot was never yer own to begin with! So man the walls! Raise the bridge!

There be Dragons advancing against ye!

 

 

Daybook – Entry 2

photo via SyFy Facebook page

They’re here.

The corporate machine.

They will flush me out like a quail….

Or so they think.

No cameras, eh, Danny boy?

Yes, yes, you turned them off, but ♫ I. Turned. Them. Back. Oo-oon! ♫

Showdown at the OK Corral, much?

But seriously, did NOT see that coming – a twin? Who SMILES?

A sister who’s as persistent as Hatake in her purpose?

I like Anana Banana, really truly do!

So what will you do now, Danny boy? Now your father isn’t your father and your loyalty has been misplaced? Quite a slap in the face, a complete disgrace! Your memories displaced!

Oh, but CONSTANCE – why has every aristocratic, arrogant bitch I’ve ever come across been named Constance?

This is certainly a find pickle you’ve gotten yourself into, Hatake and – what’s this? The Silver-eyed Samurai cowed by the Thundercunt? Hatake, show some balls, man, you’re ruining my high estimation of you *snerk*

And the pretty boy has re-entered the building!! And everyone wants a piece of him.

Including the Thundercunt. *giggles*

Double dealing, life stealing, gorgeous little git.

Serves you right for snuffing the monkey-lady.

Yet you seem to ENJOY the abuse, tsk tsk.

Naughty boy.

Dear Julia…. strong, elegant, amazing Julia….

Hark! Is that the sound of Vectors before me?

Gotta shoot back down the rabbit hole it seems *sigh*

Oh, and Julia?

Welcome to the fold…..

 

 

HAPPY V-DAY!!!

STUPID CUPID, IT’S NOT THAT  V-DAY!

 

IT’S HAPPY VECTOR DAY!!!