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Tribal Gathering
mykindaplace.com : April 2001
Interview with Dwayne Cameron and Caleb Ross (The Tribe's Bray and Lex).
The Tribe's just too cool for school. In fact we are so hooked on the sassy show that we had to have a chat with its yummiest members Caleb Ross and Dwayne Cameron. Over here to promote The Tribe album, we only had five minutes with 'em but you'd be surprised how much we learnt.
Tell us a bit about yourselves...
Caleb: I'm 19 and I'm from a town in the north of New Zealand. I've got six brothers and one sister - it's quite an arty family. My parents helped me get an agent and two of my brothers work in TV.
Dwayne: I'm 19 too. I was born in the southern outskirts of Auckland in New Zealand. I'm the kind of person who'll give anything a shot. And I usually know what I want, although sometimes I'll just roll with things.
How did you get into acting?
Caleb: When I was nine, I saw Les Miserables and I was sold. I started acting and did my first film when I was 11. I also did a McDonald's advert where I had to eat tons of burgers. Then I was on Shortland Street (a NZ soap) for a few years and did a few more films before bagging Lex in The Tribe a couple of years ago.
Dwayne: I was an extra in a TV commercial and things just took off from there. For the last two and a half years I've been acting almost full time and it's given me the bug.
What do you like to do when you're not working?
Caleb: Chill out and play my guitar. I've got my own studio at home, so I like to make my own music too.
Dwayne: I do heaps of stuff with my friends. I also like to write down ideas that pop into my head. Poems, short films and stuff.
Why do you think the show is such a success?
Caleb: It's the first show of its kind - a sci-fi programme that deals with the problems and issues that affect teenagers. There's always a positive outcome but it's not too preachy.
Dwayne: I think the biggest reason is the storyline. A whole bunch of kids living together in a shopping mall with no parents. How could this not appeal to teenagers?
If you were living in post-apocalyptic world, what items could you not live without?
Caleb: If I had a guitar I'd be happy. Although I might have to have a knife to be practical too.
Dwayne: I know for sure that I'd be one of those easygoing, easy living types. As long as I had a roof over my head, food, water and a healthy dose of anti-virus, I'd be happy.
Is it hard for the two of you being mates but having to be enemies on the show?
Caleb: No. We've never fought off camera, 'cause we release all our anger and frustration in the scenes. We get on really well.
Dwayne: Would you when you're acting you're not really being you, so it's not a hassle.
Ever consider a part in Home and Away or Neighbours?
Caleb: No way. They're not my kind of shows. They're a bit boring.
Dwayne: Um, no. I love originality, that's why I jumped at The Tribe. The soaps are just so clichéd, it's all been seen and done before.
Which actress or actor do you admire the most?
Caleb: Recently I've become a big fan of Ed Norton. He's so versatile. He goes from to playing a real tough nutter in American History X to a mild-mannered priest in Keeping The Faith. Oh, and Natalie Portman too, who I think is absolutely beautiful.
Dwayne: Leonardo Di Caprio, Matt Damon, Judi Dench, and Geoffrey Rush, just to name a few. And of course Marlon Brando, the King!
How do you handle all that screen kissing that comes with the job?
Caleb: Screen kisses suck, but you get on with them. My first screen kiss was on Shortland Street when I was 14. The crew were making jokes and it was pretty embarrassing.
Dwayne: It isn't a real kiss. A kiss is when it means something. But kissing someone on screen that you fancy off screen is a different ballgame all together!
What's the most difficult thing you've had to do in the series?
Caleb: The rape scene I had to do was really hard and harrowing, but we have to show stuff like that because happens in real life.
Dwayne: No single moment stands out. I just always try to give it my best in every situation.
You can get your hands on a copy of Abe Messiah by The Tribe at a record store near you. Enjoy.
Interview by mykindaplace.com on the web in April 2001.
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