Since he's a relatively youthful 45 year-old, it's genuinely
hard to think of Hal Sparks as an elder statesman of broadcasting. But then
again, given that Sparks booked his first professional TV hosting gig while
still in high school (At 18 years of age, Hal was the host of "Treasure
Mall," that short-lived syndicated game show), he's already got over a
quarter-of-a-century of in-front-of-the-camera time under his belt.
"And I've been in this business long enough that I've
seen people come up and then just go away. I've seen performers who were more
successful than me, who had a leg up, had more resources to draw upon, had more
wealth when they started out their careers then completely flat-line or
disappear or worse," Sparks
recalled during a recent phone interview. "That's why — when I'm talking
about the business with the kids that I work with these days — I always try
and get across the idea that they're doing right now isn't really about now.
It's all about your career. More importantly, how you always have to be
thinking a few moves ahead if you expect to last in this business. Have long
game."
Which is perhaps why — on the heels of Hal's first foray
behind-the-camera (Hal directed the "Brother Battle" episode of
"Lab Rats," which airs on Disney XD tomorrow at 8 a.m. and then again
at 5:30 p.m. on November 1st) — he
seemed genuinely excited to be adding something new to his skill set.
Hal Sparks behind the camera during the production of "Brother Battle."
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
"I mean, I have directed before," Sparks
was quick to clarify. "I directed sketches and produced segments while I
was on 'Talk Soup.' But that was all single camera stuff. Whereas on 'Lab
Rats,' this was the first time that I've ever directed a multi-camera show."
"And there are a lot more moving parts on a production like this. It's a
giant octopi of technology and human beings," Hal continued. "That
said, I have to say that I enjoyed this experience immensely. And while I do
plan to continue acting — my dream is to eventually become one of those
performers who's been around for a long time and has this huge list of
projects. Which is why they then get to play juicy supporting roles like Mickey
in "Rocky
" — I also hope to get the chance to direct more multi-camera
shows in the future."
Mind you, one of the main reasons that the people at It's A
Laugh (i.e., the production company behind this Disney XD series) decided to
let Hal try his hand at helming is that Sparks
really goes out of his way to make life easy for the crew.
(L to R) Hal Sparks, Billy Unger and Jeremy Kent Jackson on set at Disney XD's "Lab
Rats." Photo by Ron Tom. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
"Look, making a television show and movie in a communal
activity. So knowing as much as you can about the other processes, all the
other jobs involved with production is incredibly helpful," Hal said. "Which
is why — when you're acting on a TV show — you always have to be camera-aware
as an actor. Not to mention being editor aware. I have always prided myself as
an actor of being very editor-aware, knowing that — when they cut this stuff
together — it's gotta match."
"I know, I know. When you're acting, you're supposed to
always be concentrating on conveying a true emotion or delivering a really
funny or poignant moment. But at the same time, when you're working on a TV
show or a movie, you always have to remember Rule Number One. Which is hit your
mark and bark," Sparks
continued. "As long as you're standing where you're supposed to be standing
when you make that noise which comes out of your face and the camera crew then
gets everything that they need, you've done your job."
Of course, given that "Lab Rats" regularly makes
use of special effects, that then made directing an episode that Hal's
character also appeared in something of a challenge for this first-time
hyphenate.
(L to R) Kelli Berglund looks on as Spencer Boldman flexes his bionic muscles during
one of "Lab Rats" special effects sequences. Photo by Gilles Mingasson.
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
"When we do effects on this show, we typically do four
layers of shooting. And when we were shooting the episode that I was directing,
there were oft-times where I was one of those layers. So I'd then be the only
person being filmed on set while everyone else stood out of that shot," Sparks
said. "It can sometimes get a little weird when an actor has to direct
themselves. There's this social awkward moment when they have to turn to a
member of the crew and then say 'You see these reins? I have to hand them to
you for one second. But as soon as you're done, could you please hand them back
to me as soon as possible?' "
"But in my case, because I've worked on 'Lab Rats' for a number of years
now and that I know & trust this show's crew, this honestly wasn't a
problem. I just had someone call 'Action' for me just when the director of
photography was ready. I then came onstage, hit my mark and said my line. And
if everyone was happy with what had just been shot, we then moved onto the next
thing that needed to be filmed," Hal stated.
Which — I know — doesn't exactly make the process of
making a television sound glamorous or exciting. But Sparks
believes that it's important to be plain spoken, especially when he's sharing insights
about the business with the younger members of the "Lab Rats" cast.
(L to R) Spencer Boldman and Billy Unger get ready to do battle in "Brother Battle."
Photo by Ron Tom. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
"I keep telling these guys that if you want to keep
performing, you have to remember that the episode you're shooting today isn't
just a single episode on your show. This episode is one out of a thousand that
will help you build the skill that you're going to need if you're going have a
lengthy career in this business. Which is why you have to take it all
seriously. You have to milk every episode for as much as you can,
learning-wise, skill-wise, developing yourself, all that stuff," Hal said.
To hear Sparks
talk, you have to apply this same level of care & thought to all aspect of
your career. Especially when it comes to selecting which projects you should appear
in.
"Take — for example — 'Lab Rats.' I read five scripts for five different
sitcoms that I was up for that particular pilot season. And this Disney XD show
was the only one where the jokes were organic, the only one where the jokes sprang
naturally from the circumstances," Hal explained. "Plus when Disney
greenlights a show on one of its networks, it usually gets a full run. You're
not going to do six episodes and — no matter how good your show is or if it
doesn't find its audience right away — it then goes away."
(L to R) Hal Sparks, Angel Parker and Tyrel Jackson do some family bonding
on Disney XD's "Lab Rats.' Photo by Nicole Wilder. Copyright
Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
"But what really sold me on doing 'Lab Rats' is that my character is the
head of a mixed race family. I thought that that was a wonderful add to this
show's story. And the fact that Disney doesn't make a meal of that, they just
let it be, is even more extraordinary," Sparks
enthused. "Every other network would have just pounded that aspect of 'Lab
Rats' straight into the ground. Here on Disney XD, we're just a family."
"When I was on 'Queer as Folk,' I'd have adults pretend
that they were texting on their cell phones when they were really taking a
picture of me. That's the classic grown-up I-saw-so-and-so-at-the-airport stuff
that you have to deal with. But when it comes to 'Lab Rats' fans, they're short
and they follow you in little packs. It's hilarious," Sparks
laughed.
"I mean, there's no polite way to say this: 11
year-olds are terrible at stalking. They think that they're sneaking around and
that you can't hear them. But they whisper so loudly," Hal continued.
"And given the way that they behave, that then allows you to shoot a look
over your shoulder every so often and then watch as they scatter. They'll then
try and hide by ducking behind some trash cans. "
Hal Sparks. Photo by Bob D'Amico.
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc.
All rights reserved
"But then — without fail — the old one among them who come up and go 'My
brother loves your show, but he's too afraid to say it. Can you sign something
or can we get a picture?' And it then turns into a lovely group hangout. Or the
boldest kid will be the one who doesn't believe that it's you. They'll walk
right up to you and say 'I don't think that you're that guy from Lab Rats. My
brother and my Mom think that you are. But I don't think so.' It's so funny.
'Yeah, I am that guy.' 'No, you're not.' 'You're right. I'm not.' 'I told you it
wasn't him!' And then they run off. It's a hilarious social interaction that's
completely unique," Sparks concluded.
Well, here's hoping that the young performers that Hal works with on 'Lab Rats'
do a better job at listening than those Disney XD fans that he encounters at
the airport.
This article was originally posted on the Huffington Post's Entertainment page on Wednesday, October 29, 2014