BSCkids recently got the chance to sit down with young actor Miles Elliot who will appear in this summer’s blockbuster The Amazing Spider-man. He spoke with us about working on the set, prepping for the film, as well as his hobbies outside of acting.
Miles is popping up all over the place. He appears this summer as Billy Connor, the son of Spiderman’s arch nemesis, Dr. Connor, (the Lizard) which premieres on July 3rd. He also recently wrapped filming a lead role in an indie film called CAMP, a touching film that follows an abused boy who is sent to a healing camp which will be released late 2012. Miles has appeared in several high profile televisions shows as well such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Mentalist,” “Austin & Ally,” and “Big Time Rush.”
BSCkids: Miles Elliot
Have you read any of the original comics that the Amazing Spiderman is based on?
I have some Spiderman comic books, but none that have my character Billy Connors in them.
How did you prep for your role in the film?
Well I did some research about the original stories of Spiderman and Dr. Connors “The Lizard”. Actually Dr. Curt Connors is friends with Peter Parker. Dr. Connors lost his arm and figured out a way to grow it back, like a lizard grows a tail back. But something goes wrong that make him become “The Lizard”. My character Billy first appears in 1963 when the comic started. Billy Connors and his mom are in several stories, in fact Billy Connors also turns into a “lizard” at one point. Its complicated, but later on Billy’s own father (as “The Lizard”) actually eats him. That was kinda cool to find out, and gross at the same.
What was it like on set of Amazing Spiderman?
It was awesome. I shot at a few different locations, a house in LA, on the New York streets at the Fox Lot and at a sound stage at Sony. There was a lizard wrangler on set one day and she brought a bunch of really cool, exotic reptiles.
Do you have any funny stories from working on the set?
There was a scene at a mental hospital where my mom and I go to visit Dr. Connors and Rhys kept cracking jokes making it tough for us to look sad. It was also fun riding around in the golf carts at Sony.
Do you share any similarities with your character?
Well, we’re both blond and actually my middle name is William.
You have worked with some well known actors, who have you learned the most from?
I want to try to learn every thing I can from everyone I meet, but in Felicity Huffman’s short “Lesster”, she really got a great performance out of me because she gave me lots of good direction and the motivation behind my character. It was a film she wrote and her first time directing too. I like when a director spends time with the cast. It is easier to make good choices as an actor. Marc Webb was great that way too.
If you could work with any actor on a project who would it be?
I think it would be cool to do an action movie with Tom Cruise or maybe a comedy with Russell Brand because I really like him.
Who is your favorite super hero and villain?
Really? Of course it’s Spiderman! I was Spiderman for Halloween when I was 3 or 4 years old. And I’m stickin’ with The Lizard for best villain – it’s my “dad” after all.
You have acted in so many projects, which has been your favorite?
I just finished filming a movie called “CAMP”. It was my first feature film where I am the main lead. It is about this kid “Eli” who goes to a summer camp for troubled and abused children. He gets paired up with a councilor “Ken” who isn’t very good at the job. My character is pretty awful; he has a bad attitude and gets in lots of trouble. But Eli and Ken actually change each other for the better in the end. It was filmed at a real camp so it was tons of fun! Look for CAMP to premiere in 2013.
How do your classmates treat you?
I have great friends. They think it is cool and all, but they pretty much treat me the same as always.
What is the hardest thing about going to school and acting?
Sometimes I miss out on field trips and fun projects. The worst part is when I have to miss a show I am in at school. My school does lots of performing arts.
Is it hard being the president of student council while working as an actor?
Not really. I like keeping busy and being involved at school.
Do you have a favorite brand of clothes to wear when not on set?
I really like fashion. I think it is cool that us boys have some style of our own. I just got hired to a brand called La Minatura. They have the coolest artwork on their T-shirts and they have jeans and jackets too.
Tell us about your band with your brother?
We just did it for fun. I sing and he plays guitar, but we had to put that on hold once I started doing so much acting.
Is music something you plan to pursue with acting?
I love music! I will always be involved with music in one way or another, but I am really focusing all my energy on acting right now.
Who is your favorite music artist?
I love Green Day!
Do you have a favorite TV series?
For cartoons, I am really into Adventure Time and Regular Show. Other series I like are GLEE and the Colbert Report.
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