Home and Away's Daniel Collopy Chat Transcript
September 2002
Daniel Collopy: Hello to everyone who's online. I hope you watched tonight's episode and you're enjoying what you've been watching so far!
Live Host: Let's get straight into the questions.
Question: What inspired you to become an actor?
Daniel Collopy: The movies! Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson� the old favourites really inspired me as a child. To see these strong masculine characters with these charismatic personalities come across really touches you. I like all the early eighties and nineties stuff.
Question: Was it hard to get an agent? I'm interested in acting but only as an extra. =P
Daniel Collopy: I was very fortunate to get an agent straight away after leaving school. The agent I've got has known me 9 years now, and she knows me well. She knows what I can do and what jobs are perfect for me. It is hard to get agent and you need trust because it's a two way relationship. They need you as much as you need them.
Question: Did you used to do half time entertainment at the Melbourne storm home matches? (From Erin and Emily)
Daniel Collopy: Yes I did! I was a character called Danny boy. We'd go out on the field at Olympic Park Melbourne. We'd rev up the crowd and give away up to $10000 in a kick for cash, cars, and footies. I had my in-house TV thing and it was great because all the kids would get there early and get involved in the fun. It was a very lucky way to start.
Question: Have you ever been on the Gold Coast before, and if you haven't would you sometime visit?
Daniel Collopy: My parents have a holiday house on the Gold Coast and I've been there every year since I was born. I've got family up there too.
Question: Tell us about the company that you own or run.
Daniel Collopy: I have a graphic design and fashion design company which I ran before starting Home and Away. It's on the backburner at the moment. I still do work now and then and I'll be going back into it if I leave.
Question: How do you find working with all the different personalities on the show?
Daniel Collopy: Unusual! You just need to be yourself all the time and it's easier to deal with many different people. There is the chance that you can have personality clashes, but it's best just to put your head down and do the work.
Question: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Daniel Collopy: I love eating! I love the movies, and shopping for stuff. I love getting stuff! I'm a bit of a hoarder.
Question: Do you find it hard working and trying to fit your social life in?
Daniel Collopy: No. You have to make time and be as organised as you can be, because there's never enough time for anything, so you have to make the most of it.
Question: If you could be any other character, what would it be?
Daniel Collopy: On Home and Away I'd be Alf, because he can get away with being rude and obnoxious and everyone still loves him. Outside of Home and Away, I'd be Jason Bourne from the Bourne Identity, for sure. It's such a wicked movie!
Question: Do you have to work out to keep in shape?
Daniel Collopy: What, you think I'm in shape?
Question: Daniel I love the show! Is it hard to learn your lines? What was your most embarrassing moment?
Daniel Collopy: It's really easy to learn lines. Once you read and understand the story of the scene, the words just stick in your head. Embarrassing moment: mixing up the diner with the coffee shop from Neighbours. I walked on set and said "Yeah, he's just down at the coffee shop" and they yelled '"Cut! Wrong show!"
Question: Hi Daniel. Do you believe you're anything like your character Josh West? What similarities are there?
Daniel Collopy: There are no similarities - but we both do think Tammin's a hottie!
Question: Daniel, have you been on TV or done any other acting before Home and Away?
Daniel Collopy: I did a few musicals, the Melbourne storm thing, I was on Neighbours and now Home and Away.
Question: What do you plan to do once you've done your thing in Home and Away?
Daniel Collopy: Settle in Sydney, go back into my business again, further my acting skills by going to classes and pursue a career in film!
Question: What advice would you give others who aspire to be like you?
Daniel Collopy: Forget it! Nahh, watch your favourite actors/actresses working - watch a lot of films, go and see a lot of theatre, relax and be as real and true to yourself as you can be. It's not as easy as it seems. I'm still working hard at my performing skills and those people who find it easy are very lucky.
Question: What's the hardest thing about being an actor?
Daniel Collopy: Playing the truth. Playing spontaneity and keeping scenes fresh is quite difficult.
Question: What are Mitch Firth and Chris Egan like when the cameras aren't rolling?
Daniel Collopy: Exactly the same. They're actually very similar to me - we're all goons and we like joking around.
Question: How do you prepare for the awkward scenes with Dani mentally?
Daniel Collopy: The easiest thing to do is to relate it back to a situation in real life and go with it. If you're angry with her, be angry, and if you love her, love her.
Question: How did you like L.A.? Did you see any celebrities?
Daniel Collopy: No celebrities! L.A. is fantastic; well worth a stopover while touring the rest of America. Don't go expecting the world though, it's just another town.
Question: What's your all time favourite movie?
Daniel Collopy: The Party with Peter Sellers.
Question: What sort of food do you keep in your fridge?
Daniel Collopy: Banana souffl�, beef stroganoff and squares of cheese.
Question: Hi Dan. I was just wondering what AFL team you follow?
Daniel Collopy: Melbourne and Hawthorn. Go the D's!
Question: Daniel, where are you originally from?
Daniel Collopy: Melbourne! TV city.
Question: Daniel, what kind of music are you into?
Daniel Collopy: I like house music mainly. I've been a musician since I was a child, so I'm into all types of music. At the moment I like the Whitlams.
Question: Is it sad when crew have to leave, like Charlotte?
Daniel Collopy: It's sad because you don't work with them day to day any more, but I catch up with ex cast members 2 or 3 times a week. I'll be having dinner with Stephanie tonight!
Question: What was the first thing you did when you found out you'd got the role of Josh West?
Daniel Collopy: It was September last year. I rang my flatmate and said "you'll need to start looking for a new house mate."
Question: What's it like doing kissing scenes?
Daniel Collopy: Really good! Hehe! Really fun, easy to do. Sometimes it makes you feel uncomfortable, but it's a very natural thing to do. The crew are more embarrassed than we are!
Live Host: I'm afraid we're out of time for today. Thanks so much for joining us at AOL Live Daniel :)
Daniel Collopy: Thanks for all your great questions. Keep watching the show. I hope you enjoy the future storyline that we're filming at the moment. It's coming up to the end of the year for us and I'm looking forward to the holidays. If you want to know more write to us at Channel Seven, Mobbs Lane, Epping NSW, 2121 Bye!