After the Wedding Feature
New dramedy After the Wedding, stars Nick Puga as Diego Diaz, a newly-wed writer who finds a muse in a woman other than his wife. It's an interesting take on the honeymoon phase of a marriage and although the film is still in pre-production, Puga answers a few questions about the upcoming film.
RM – How did you land the part of Diego Diaz in After the Wedding?
Nick Puga – The writer/director Claudia Cifuentes sent me the script and asked me to audition. I was actually leaving to Miami the next day so I was rushed to put it on tape and send it out before I left. I thought it was terrible. I remember feeling awful the whole plane ride to Miami, kicking myself for sending such a bad tape. I didn’t hear back for a couple days and I thought it was pretty much over and was super embarrassed. A couple days later Claudia called and offered me the part.
RM – How are you prepping for the role?
NP – There’s going to be a couple of shirtless scenes so the number one prep work has been weight training and dieting. I started about ten weeks ago and have lost about seven pounds. I want to gain another ten pounds in muscle. I'll probably won't start any character work until a couple weeks before rehearsals.
RM – Why does Diego head to Miami to finish his novel?
NP – Diego and his wife have a wedding to attend in Miami, so he goes a little earlier to get some work done.
RM – This is your first lead in a feature. How is it different for you from what you’re used to?
NP – Well, as of now, most people are used to seeing me in 30-second doses. To be in ninety-five percent of a film that’s about an hour and a half long… that’s a lot more time! (Puga laughs)
RM – Most of your work is comedy, so this film definitely displays a different side of your acting potential. Which genre do you slip into more comfortable; comedy or drama? And will you be looking for more independent or drama roles after working on this film?
NP – I’ve always been into comedy my whole life, but a dramedy kind of gets the best of both worlds. Although After the Wedding will be a little more serious than what people are used to, I think it has a real element that people can relate to. Independent films have a certain breathability with peaking into someone else’s life that you don't see in other films, which is why I enjoy them. But I definitely don’t want to turn into a serious drama actor. I don’t ever want to leave comedy. Either way, I think moviegoers will make the decision for me. That’s when I’ll know. This is starting to sound like a therapy session. (Puga laughs)
RM – What attracted you to the part?
NP – Many things: Miami, which is where I grew up, the script, which unfortunately I can’t give away… and marriage. Usually a movie ends or begins with marriage, but having this film begin six months into marriage is different and interesting.
Written by: Romina Morbidoni
