Viggo, congratulations on landing the role of Avery in The Institute! What was your first reaction when you found out you got the part?
When I realised that I had gotten the part, I was completely thrilled and I knew that I was about to have the best time ever for the next three months.
Avery is described as the youngest, most innocent, and most powerful character in the Institute. How did you prepare for such a complex role?
I just focused on making sure it went well and that I listened to every instruction and tip that I got from, not only the directors, but also the cast who helped me a lot during the time I was there.
You’re working alongside incredible actors like Ben Barnes and Mary-Louise Parker. What was it like to share the set with them? Any moments that stood out?
I was really lucky to be in a bunch of scenes with Mary-Louise and it was fun and easy to work with her because she played Ms. Sigsby so well. The cake scenes really stood out for me – that’s one of the photos that was released that you see a cake in. I didn’t get to be in a scene with Ben but he came to set often and I got to meet him. He was fun to talk to and occasionally sing Queen songs with.
This is your biggest role yet. How different did this experience feel compared to your previous projects like Turkey Drop, Snow Day or Single All the Way?
I had a much bigger part in The institute then in the other productions but I learned a lot from the other shows I was in and they really prepared me for working on this. The shoot was much longer and I had to move to Halifax for three months to do it so that was very different from my other experiences where I went just a couple weeks in another city.
You started acting at just five years old! What inspired you to get into acting so young, and how have you grown since then?
I started acting because my older brother and sister were both actors and I wanted to do it too. I was lucky early on to get the chance to act alongside them which was amazing. So I began acting and learned tons of tricks to be a better and more interesting actor from them.
You’ve had the chance to act alongside your siblings. How does that dynamic compare to working on set with new castmates?
It’s really nice to get to act with your siblings but I also love meeting new people so even though those are completely different experiences, I like them equally.
Outside of acting, you’re a competitive figure skater and soccer player. Do you find that sports help you in your acting career in any way?
What I love about sport is that I can train hard and really concentrate on being in the moment. So if it’s soccer – it might be this one shot, if it’s figure skating it might be completing a difficult jump. You really have to be in the moment and thinking to do well. So from that point of view it’s a lot like acting. But the other thing is that you can’t always count on having an acting part, so when I am not acting I have these great sports to play and I get to do them with my friends.
You also love rock music if Avery had a theme song, what do you think it would be?
There are so many different options but I think that the song that matches Avery the best is You’re my best friend by Queen.
You’ve worked under the direction of Thor Bisphoric for voice acting. What’s one lesson from that experience that has stuck with you?
He taught me that no matter what I have to do, always listen to the director and always have fun.
Finally, The Institute is a Stephen King adaptation. Are you a fan of his stories? And what do you hope audiences take away from this series when it premieres on July 13?
I knew about him as a famous author but I hadn’t read any of them until I got the part for Avery. Then I read the Institute and I loved it. Yes I am now a fan! I hope audiences find the story as thrilling as I do. I hope they enjoy the series because I think it shows that even in a really tough situation, these kids really show who they are and what they can do when they work together.
