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Watching Even Stevens was one of the things that sent Matt into the direction of becoming an actor. “I was watching Shia LaBeouf and thinking ‘wow, I really want to be like that,’” he confessed to us. “I wanted to entertain people.” Matt immediately began auditioning for school plays landing roles in popular shows such as Guys and Dolls and Footloose, but his dreams of entertaining came to fruition last year when he was cast to play Ryan on a new Nickelodeon pilot called True Jackson, VP.
MATTHEW SHIVELY SHOWS OFF HIS TRUE COLORS!
(By: Bessie Sorge)
You've grown to love him as Ryan on True Jackson, VP, now it's time to get up close and personal with this hysterical young actor better known as Matt Shively. Growing up in the heart of the entertainment world made it an easy transition for Matt to jump into the Hollywood bandwagon.
Left to Right: ASHLEY ARGOTA, KEKE PALMER AND MATT SHIVELY.
(Photo Credit: Nickelodeon)
Watching Even Stevens was one of the things that sent Matt into the direction of becoming an actor. “I was watching Shia LaBeouf and thinking ‘wow, I really want to be like that,’” he confessed to us. “I wanted to entertain people.” Matt immediately began auditioning for school plays landing roles in popular shows such as Guys and Dolls and Footloose, but his dreams of entertaining came to fruition last year when he was cast to play Ryan on a new Nickelodeon pilot called True Jackson, VP.
In its first season Matt has already dealt with some very comedic material with many of these scenes evolving around animals or goofy stunts, most of which he does himself. Each of the actors has received an enormous amount of positive response from fans of the show, especially those who attend each of the live tapings. But getting recognized in public by young fans has been something each of the cast members have happily welcomed into their lives, especially Matt. “I honestly didn’t think I was going to get noticed very much because I do dress and look a lot different off set than I do on,” he explains. The effort and hard work that has been put into the role of Ryan has finally paid off as Matt embraces getting recognized for his talent. “It’s very overwhelming because it’s exactly what I always wanted from this career - to be able to entertain people and to show people who I am – so, it’s amazing to have people notice me.”
(Photo Credit: Nickelodeon)
Keep reading to find out all you need to know about Matt including his experience working on the set of True Jackson, VP and what it feels like getting slimed!
You chose to become an actor at quite a young age – fourth grade to be exact – what made you decide to become an actor?
You know, I remember watching “Even Stevens” back on the Disney Channel and I was watching Shia LaBeouf and thinking “Wow,” I really wanted to be like that; I wanted to entertain people. It was funny because when I first started watching that show, the next day is when they said they had auditions for this play. So, it was basically all because of “Even Stevens.”
When you first auditioned for True Jackson, VP, you were told you didn’t get the part. Were you shocked at all when they called you back for testing?
I was completely shocked because when I had originally gone in for the part I was like, “Wow, this is exactly me. There’s no way I’m not at least going to get a call back” and I did. Then for them to have two days later said then you know, “you’re too old for it we were going to go younger.” I was like, “Wow, okay,” because that was a complete let down. Two weeks later I was sitting in class and my agent/manager started calling me just off the chain. It was like, “Okay something is big.” And they were like, "Oh, you’re testing for it," and I couldn’t even speak at first, it was amazing.
In what ways do you relate to your character, Ryan?
I can be very mature at times just like Ryan, but I’m a little more mature. Then also, I am very outgoing, and I’m a very hit and miss guy when it comes to jokes. You know, they are amazing or they are terrible. And that’s exactly how Ryan is.
Do you feel that filming in front of a live television audience helps bring the comedic scenes to life?
I think it does 100 percent. I think at some point you can always tell which ones were filmed in front of a live audience. I think there is a lot more energy in the cast, as well as me. I think that there is a lot more of a reach when we’re trying to do things. There is a higher expectation but it’s also a lot funner, because we are trying to make these people laugh instead of just, you know, look we’re just filming and it’ll go on television and ultimately that will be it. It’s almost like a theater, it’s like performing a play for somebody and we’re always trying more and more. So, it’s a lot better in front of an audience.
Have there been any embarrassing moments on set with filming a live audience television show?
Actually, there have been. A couple of weeks ago me and one of the creator’s, both threw grapes in the air to see how high we can throw them and catch them in our mouth, and the creator of the show, Andy Gordon, walked up and I was like, “Here watch this.” I threw it and it went a little too far forward and I ran into him, but he had a cup of coffee in his hand and it just flew into his face and I didn’t even notice until it hit the ground and exploded over everyone. When I looked back up at him, he just had this straight face going, “Shively, really?” I was like “I’m so sorry,” and he started laughing and he was okay, but it was cool.
Wow, that’s funny. It went all over him?
Yeah, like it was drenched on his face and a little bit on his shirt. Like, somehow I perfectly hit him so that it exploded directly in his face.
Were the cameras rolling for that?
Yes, I think they were rolling, but we were kind of behind the scenes a little bit. Everyone saw it, but at the same time, it wasn’t in front of the cameras.
(Photo Credit: Nickelodeon)
True Jackson VP has had a lot of animal actors making guest appearances on the show (i.e. a pony and a big dog). Is there an animal that you would like to work with on the show?
I want to work with a turtle. Straight up, a turtle would be awesome because you can’t get hurt by a turtle, but at the same time it’s just like the coolest animal in the world because they just sit there. I think that in the end, that’s kind of what my character does, so it would be cool to be able to work with a turtle.
So far which animal that has been on the show did you enjoy working with the most?
We just did an episode a few weeks ago with a hamster. That one was probably the funniest because we had to have a hamster cam. It was like this little camera on a go-cart thingy and a remote controlled truck, and I had to chase that around the entire set. Then there were times where we had put the hamster on high parts of the ceiling and stuff and it kept like almost falling. So, it was very stressful, but it was a lot of fun working with the hamster.
Do you find it challenging working with animal actors at all?
I do, because the hamster was very challenging because there were moments where we wanted to get a shot where it was sitting there looking at us, and it was so hard to do that. Sometimes scenes would take an hour to an hour and a half to film just because the hamster wouldn’t stay still.
Quite a few well-known stars have made guest appearances on the show so far in the first season. Who was your favorite to work with?
I didn’t really get to work with him as much as I would have liked to, but Andy Richter was a lot of fun because him and Greg Proops have the same attitude toward things. So, the comedy between both of them at all times was just hilarious. It made it a blast to be on set with him.
Is there anyone you would like to see make a special appearance on the show?
You know, we all have our certain people. I would love for Charlotte Love to make an appearance. That would never happen, but I would love that. I actually really want Jerry Trainor from iCarly to be on the show as like a nemesis.
What can we expect to see from Ryan in upcoming episodes of True Jackson VP?
I am a little slugger in upcoming episodes when it comes to the problem solving, but I also do kind of innocent - a little dumber - when it comes to the things that come out of my mouth. And also, as of right now, we are filming an episode where at the end of the episode, I kind of might start building an interest. So, we will see where that goes.
ASHLEY ARGOTA (LEFT) AND MATT SHIVELY (RIGHT)
(Photo Credit: Nickelodeon)
We’ve heard that you and Keke are the ultimate pranksters on the set. What has been your best prank so far and who did you pull it on?
Actually, I pulled a prank on about everybody, and that would be the same prank. What I like to do is - I go into people’s rooms and I like to re-situate everything in their room while they’re not there. I like to do it very subtly to a point where they don’t notice it for a few days until they finally realize that something’s missing or it’s been completely moved across the room. That’s mainly it. I do that to Danielle Bisutti, and I do that to Ashley a lot, and I’ve done it to Keke, and a couple other people, but that’s basically the only prank I pull.
Have you had any pulled on you?
I actually haven’t. I would like to say I still remain to be untouched by pranks.
Fashion plays an important role on the show. Do you find yourself more aware of fashion since you’ve become a part of the show?
Of course. Before I got the show, I would usually go out in gym shorts and maybe a cut-off shirt - just stuff that I would just throw on - and now I definitely have to make sure that I am matching or that what I am wearing is suitable for me to go out in public with. I have to definitely watch the way I am, and plus I have become a lot more fashion conscience with that when it come to knowing what to wear.
Do you have a favorite outfit that Ryan wore on the show?
The outfit that I wore a couple of weeks ago, only because it was a collared shirt, but it was kind of slightly tighter shirt, and then I was wearing not really tight pants but pants that fit perfectly, and that’s exactly what I like to wear outside of the show. So, it was kind of like the most comfortable thing I’ve been in so far, because I’m not one for really baggy pants and those button-up shirts that rolled up the sleeves and stuff like that.
How would you describe your own personal style now?
My own personal style is very casual. I don’t try to impress anyone, but at the same time, I do try to look good. I usually just throw on like a pair of Levis’ and a flannel, and then I always have to have my pair of Van’s on.
I heard you’re quite the collector of Vans shoes?
I am. I have about 16 pairs of Van’s, and it’s not even like different kinds, like they are just different colors, but they are all like the flat top, just Vans.
In your spare time what do you like to do for fun?
Well, I live on my own right now, but usually I have my friends over and we’ll have a movie night and we’ll just kind of order a pizza and we’ll just kick back and watch movies. Actually, I hang out with my manager quite a bit and we’ll go to the movies and stuff like that, just casual. Other than that I kind of really don’t do much else. I have a boring life outside of the set.
The show will be wrapping soon, what do you plan on doing over the summer?
I plan on doing some more work. I don’t have anything specifically lined up right now. There’s a couple of things I have in mind that I definitely am going to reach for, but I definitely would like to do a little bit of work this summer.
Do you feel you get recognized more now that you are on a popular Nickelodeon television series?
Definitely! It didn’t start out that big, and I honestly didn’t think I was going to get noticed very much because I do dress and look a lot different off set than I do on. It is a big surprise nowadays; I’ll go anywhere and if there is a single child around me, they know exactly who I am. It’s very overwhelming because it’s exactly what I always wanted from this career - to be able to entertain people and to show people who I am – so, it’s amazing to have people notice me.
What has been the strangest place you’ve been recognized?
I got recognized in Hollywood at a pizza place. It was a pizza place and it was 12 o’clock at night. I was surprised that when I got there because all my friends, we were just bored and we decided to go catch a midnight showing and get some pizza beforehand. So it was like 11:45 at night and I get there and there was this like a five year old and he’s like “hey, you’re that guy!” I really didn’t think at 12:00 o’clock at night, I’d get noticed, but I did.
Have you had any strange encounters?
The only strange encounter I think I’ve ever had was a girl came up to me at my old school and she was like eight or nine years old and she was in fairy costume. And it was just really weird because it wasn’t anywhere near Halloween. I mean, we didn’t even air until after Halloween and so it was like, she came up to me and she was like “can you sign my wand?” And I was like, "Yeah sure I can sign your wand." It was just a very like awkward moment because I was with all my friends and all of a sudden I had this little fairy like tugging at my pants.
Do your friends joke around about that?
They do. They give me a lot of stuff for that, especially when we ever go to Disneyland or something and it’s like ridiculous. So, they are always giving me stuff about that.
So far what has been your favorite episode of the show to film?
Actually, the episode we are filming right now. We are filming an episode where somebody has the house party, and it the first time out of - I think we filmed like what 21 episodes or something - and it’s the first time that we’ve actually had kids on the set, like more than three at least. It’s been a lot of fun because I’ve got to meet a lot of cool people, and it's just a really fun episode to be able to move out of the office and start forming into the school zone.
NICKELODEON STARS GET SLIMMED FOR THE CAMERA!
(Photo Credit: Nickelodeon)
You recently got slimmed, how was that experience?
You know what? I recently got slimmed is an understatement. I’ve been slimmed eight times. Since the show started - since November - I’ve been slimmed a grand total of eight times. And I’m telling you now; I don’t ever want to get slimmed again. It is awesome the first three times, but it starts to stain your skin and it remains. So, at first it’s awesome - slimming is awesome - but once you get passed the third time marker, you’re kind of over it.
What does it feel like to have all that goo on you?
It’s weird. It’s just like if you were an ant, and a gigantic man came and blew snot all over you, that would literally be the feeling of being slimmed.
That’s gross.
I think you have a better chance of being slimmed though than becoming an ant and getting snot on you.
You can catch Matt Shivley in new episodes of True Jackson VP every Saturday on Nickelodeon. Check your local listing for the time. For more information on Matt be sure to visit his Official Youtube page.
Left to Right: ASHLEY ARGOTA, KEKE PALMER AND MATT SHIVELY
(Photo Credit: Nickelodeon)
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