BSCkids recently had the opportunity to talk with the immensely talented young actor Julian Feder. He spoke with us about the feature films he has worked on as well what it is like to live in Singapore.
Julian Feder started modeling when he was six months old in Tokyo, Japan and asked his Mom at the age of five if he could start modeling and acting again. His supportive parents sent his pictures to an agency and he was offered work immediately. He has studied with acting coach, Marnie Cooper. Julian is set to star in the adorable family movie “Wiener Dog National” out mid June. The young actor is also set to star in “Serangoon Road” produced by HBO Asia. The 10-part series is a collaboration between Australia’s ABC and HBO Asia was created by Paul Barron and directed by Tony Tilse and Peter Andrikidis. When this talented nine year old isn’t acting, he loves to build, create, explore, paint, make jewelry and photography. Julian says that his imagination is his biggest influence. Julian was born in Japan to American parents. He and his parents moved to Singapore at the age of three where they currently still resides. Julian makes frequent trips to the US to visit family with his parents.
BSCkids: Julian Feder
What made you decide that you wanted to be an actor?
When I was a baby I lived in Tokyo and modeled. I moved to Singapore when I was 3. At 5, I asked my mother if I could start acting again. I didn’t really know the difference between acting and modeling back then. One of my first jobs was an animated video and it was so much fun! I got to pretend that I was in a land with candy everywhere. I had to save my friend from an evil witch kind of like in Hansel and Gretel. They put the animation in after. I’ve always liked to put on costumes and pretend, so I loved it! Next, I started doing short films and it was so much fun to be on set. Then, I knew I really wanted to act. I really enjoy being able to play different characters and trying to understand their frame of mind.
How supportive has your family been?
The only reason I have been able to do the acting is because of my mother and father. They have been supportive of what I do and I really respect them for giving me the opportunity to act.
Tell us about your upcoming movie, “Wiener Dog Nationals”.
Wiener Dog Nationals is about a little boy (that I play) named Danny. He is sad because his mother has passed away. He lives with his father, older brother and little sister. Everyone in the family is pretty happy except that they have that dark, sad part about them because they miss their mother. I find a picture of my mother when she was little holding a wiener dog and a trophy. I find out that she used to race her wiener dog. The next day is my birthday so I ask my father for a wiener dog. We adopt a dog and name her Shelly because we got her from a shelter. Shelly is a runt, but she is super fast. There is a bad lady, named Ms. Merryweather, who tries to take Shelly or get her disqualified from racing. I’m not going to say too much because if you’re going to see the film I don’t want to ruin it for you. I can just say the movie is really funny and the dogs are adorable.
Do you share any similarities with your character in the film?
One similarity we share is that we both love dogs! I don’t have one, but I’d really like one. I love to play with my friends dogs.
What was the hardest part about filming your role for “Serangoon Road?”
First, I should explain that Serangoon Road is a tv series set in Singapore in the 1960s. The lead character, Sam (Don Hany), is a detective and there is lots of action. I play Sam as a boy in flashback scenes. Sam has had a hard time because he spent most of his childhood in in a POW camp in Singapore during World War II. He loses a lot of people very close to him. My character is important because it shows why Sam is so sad when he’s older
The hardest part about filming Serangoon Road was an intense scene I had to do where I had to cry. Something really bad happens to my character in the POW camp and it is very sad and emotional. The hardest part about acting to me is that you have to get so in touch with your emotions and it can be difficult.
How do you juggle school and acting?
I used to go to regular school, but we traveled a lot so my mother decided to home school me using K12. That turned out to be a good thing, because I started acting around the same time. So, it is easy for me because I’m really flexible about being able to go to auditions and filming. I still have to do all of my school work, but I can bring my work with me wherever I go.
Do your friends treat you any differently since you became an actor?
My friends don’t treat me any differently they treat me like Julian. It’s just the same as they have always treated me.
You currently live in Singapore, what is that like?
Singapore is really fun to live in. It is a modern city, but there are so many historical sites. I have a real interest in history and World War II so it fascinates me. I also like that there is still a lot of jungle even though there are a lot of buildings. It’s really a beautiful place. It is hot and humid, but it’s like summer all year round which is fun. There are a lot of different cultures and people speak many languages even though English is the main language. It’s great because we celebrate holidays from many different cultures.
Do you have any plans to move to the states or Los Angeles in the future?
Right now I am lucky to be able to spend time in both Singapore and Los Angeles. It’s amazing because they are on opposite sides of the world and it’s extraordinary that I get to be in both. They are both fantastic places. Who knows what will happen in the future.
What do you do fun outside of acting?
I enjoy building things and playing with Lego. I like swimming, tennis and baseball. I also like to paint and draw. I love exploring and am really interested in fossils and history.
If you could work with any actor or actress who would it be?
At this time I’m not sure who I would like to work with. But, if I could go back in time I would pick John Wayne. I really like him and think he would be a really cool person to have worked with. He is always so serious on screen so it would be interesting to see what he was like off-screen.
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