Spring Break
The Daily OrangeQ and A with Surfer, Dude star Matthew McConaughey
By Stephanie Musat
Posted: 9/11/08, 10:23 PM EST Section: Feature
The Daily Orange participated in a college conference call with star of the new movie "Surfer, Dude," Matthew McConaughey. He discussed his role in the movie, the intended audience and the art of surfing.
The D.O.: Do you see any qualities of yourself in the character Steve in your new movie?
McConaughey: You know what, one thing I really liked about this guy is that he's a really simple guy connected with nature. He loves one thing and that's the most precious thing in his life, and that's the waves. Personally, I'm a little more sophisticated, a little more ambitious. I've got responsibilities, I got a family, I'm a father, I've got a business so I have more points of interest that just one thing. But I sure do understand his connection with nature.
Surfing isn't a huge thing, does this movie hope to increase surf culture in the United States?
I got into surfing right before this movie. I'm from Texas so there's not much surfing. Well, there is right now with Hurricane Ike coming. But I didn't know much for surfing. But then I started working and living out here in California. But with the movie, it's not a typical Hollywood surf movie. Other surf movies go out and shoot beautiful surfing spots around the world. This movie also is when the waves look away, and I think that it will show the philosophy behind this. It's an analog thing to do - you are a person, you have a board. There are no membership fees, and it is as close to nature as you can get. I think that's really cool, and if more people go surf, that would be great. Someone once told me that there wouldn't be any more wars in the world if everyone surfed.
What did you do to prepare for your role?
I didn't surf but I had the script and developed it. So basically I got wet and got into the water. We fumbled around a bit, got smacked and slammed for months before I caught a wave. I always had sort of a surfer's mentality, being a pretty laidback guy. The other big thing for me was to make the set and process as natural as possible so it's like catching us hanging out for the summer. You get to see what Matthew McConaughey's life is like anyway - really it isn't true but I'll take it as a compliment because that's what we were going for: this fly on the wall near a group of friends in a surfing community.
The D.O.: Do you see any qualities of yourself in the character Steve in your new movie?
McConaughey: You know what, one thing I really liked about this guy is that he's a really simple guy connected with nature. He loves one thing and that's the most precious thing in his life, and that's the waves. Personally, I'm a little more sophisticated, a little more ambitious. I've got responsibilities, I got a family, I'm a father, I've got a business so I have more points of interest that just one thing. But I sure do understand his connection with nature.
Surfing isn't a huge thing, does this movie hope to increase surf culture in the United States?
I got into surfing right before this movie. I'm from Texas so there's not much surfing. Well, there is right now with Hurricane Ike coming. But I didn't know much for surfing. But then I started working and living out here in California. But with the movie, it's not a typical Hollywood surf movie. Other surf movies go out and shoot beautiful surfing spots around the world. This movie also is when the waves look away, and I think that it will show the philosophy behind this. It's an analog thing to do - you are a person, you have a board. There are no membership fees, and it is as close to nature as you can get. I think that's really cool, and if more people go surf, that would be great. Someone once told me that there wouldn't be any more wars in the world if everyone surfed.
What did you do to prepare for your role?
I didn't surf but I had the script and developed it. So basically I got wet and got into the water. We fumbled around a bit, got smacked and slammed for months before I caught a wave. I always had sort of a surfer's mentality, being a pretty laidback guy. The other big thing for me was to make the set and process as natural as possible so it's like catching us hanging out for the summer. You get to see what Matthew McConaughey's life is like anyway - really it isn't true but I'll take it as a compliment because that's what we were going for: this fly on the wall near a group of friends in a surfing community.
Be the first to comment on this story