Interview with Marshall Allman

You have seen that smile in True Blood and his blue eyes in Prison Break. However, Marshall Allman has been picking much less mainstream roles for the big screen, taking part in very peculiar roles, such as a visionary janitor in The Immaculate conception of Little Dizzle and a boy that falls in love with his brother in the tragic short film Starcrossed. NOIR believes this rising star will soon be turned from teenage idol to first class star.

What is it like to take part in an award-winning series like True Blood?

Shape Shifting into whatever animal I want, causing mayhem, millions of adoring fans following your every word on screen, academy award winning co-workers... its kinda like that.

How do you feel about the whole Vampire culture? Why do you think people find Vampire culture so fascinating?

Frankly, I think it’s weird. Maybe it’s because everyone secretly wants to drink each other’s blood and live in complete darkness for eternity? Personally, I don’t understand the appeal. But I can’t stop watching.

I’ve seen some clips of the film Blue Like Jazz. It looks like great fun to make! What is it like working with Donald Miller, Steve Taylor and Ben Pearson?

There’s nothing like a hundred robots and a single astronaut in a mass exodus to a graveyard get your adrenaline pumping. It was the best film experience I’ve ever had and truly hope the final product reflects the joy the team felt while making it. Often people cheered on set, we had the time of our lives making Blue Like Jazz. And those three men you mentioned above are some of my favourite people on the planet.

I’ve heard that the screenplay was a team effort, and you collaborated a lot. Tell us more about the story and how you contributed.

Blue Like Jazz is about a nineteen-year-old at a Texas junior college, who tries to escape his Bible Belt upbringing by moving to Portland and attending “the most godless campus in America”. It took four years to green light the film so I had time to read Donald Miller’s A Million Mile in a Thousand Years. Also, we all took the same course that Don mentions in the book. This helped us discussing all mechanism of the screenplay. Steve and I talked in depth about the character, the story and every now and again I would throw my own ideas on improving the script. At one point in order to convey a specific idea, I rewrote the entire first act. We didn’t end up using it but the whole process spawned a significant change in me as an artist. I am grateful that Steve fostered my ideas in spite of the strong script he already created with Don and Ben. He is a talented writer, a great director and an even better man.

What’s next? We heard of a film called Sugar with 90210 star Shenae Grimes. Tell us more.

In Sugar we are homeless in Venice. I love chocolate, sex and heroin. I hate authority and love to show it. Living on the street is tough but it can also be beautiful, especially when you have friends who are like family. After Sugar, I don’t know what amazing project I’ll be working on in the Summer, but in the meantime I am definitely taking serious steps towards writing and directing more of my own films.

Who is your role model?

My wife. She is incredible