Tai Freligh interviews Jacob Buster from Colony…
Season 2 of the hit series Colony is airing now on USA. Buster stars alongside Josh Holloway and Sarah Wayne Callies on the sci-fi drama series. Buster portrays Charlie Bowman, an abused child who was separated from his family for over a year in this dystopian version of Los Angeles. View the season 2 trailer here.
Buster also recently starred in the holiday film The Christmas Project, which is available on Amazon and Netflix. He also starred in The Lost Boy with Virginia Madsen, Storm Rider with Kevin Sorbo, Kristy Swanson and C. Thomas Howell as well as Just Let Go with Henry Ian Cusick, which earned him a “Best Actor Under 18” Award at the Filmed in Utah Awards. His other television credits include a recurring role as “Young Mike Ross” (played by Patrick J. Adams) on Suits and a guest role on The Thundermans. He took time out of his busy schedule to chat with Flickering Myth.
You grew up in a family of entertainment industry people and actually got your first role through your mother. Tell me about your character in that movie and what it was about the experience that encouraged you to continue to pursue acting?
I was a boy who’d just lost his dad in a space shuttle accident. I was only seven and thought Heaven and Space were the same thing. So, I wanted to fly a shuttle to Heaven to see my dad. It was pretty sad actually. I just loved the experience. It just kind of clicked for me.
Your dad is the director of The Christmas Project. What was it like having your father as your movie boss?
Amazing! I love working with my dad! We work really well together creatively. He makes shooting movies fun!
Tell me about your character in the movie and how this is different from other holiday movies?
The thing I thought was really cool about this movie was how it explored the themes of service and loving your enemy. Plus, it was really the first comedy I’ve been a part of and that made it special for me.
For those of us not familiar with Colony, what is the show about and what is your role?
The show is about a nation divided and how the love of a family endures the battle of good vs. evil. In Season 1, we only see how the city of Los Angeles has been taken over and cut off from the rest of the world in an alien invasion. In Season 2, Will goes beyond the wall to save my character, Charlie. Charlie has been separated from his family for a year. He has been abused and learned to develop a thick skin. From his trauma, he has kind of shut down emotionally but has also become pretty world wise and strong.
Any funny set stories from Colony that you can tell us about?
Josh always makes things light and fun…as much as he can anyway. Just like his character on Lost gave people nicknames, he gave me a nickname. I was talking to Carolyn (Devon) about her eyebrows being on fleek between setups one day. Josh asked what fleek meant. I said, “It means, perfect. On point.” He said, “I’m gonna call you Fleek. But, wait, you need a last name.” He thought and came up with Skieber. I was like, “What? Why?” He said, “You know, like Justin Bieber. Fleek Skieber.” So now, he calls me Fleek Skeiber. It’s super cool to have a nickname from Sawyer!
Having worked with Josh Holloway and Sarah Wayne Callies for two seasons on the show, what are the biggest things you learned from them?
Oh wow! I really don’t even know where to start. It’s such a blessing to get to work with such professionals as Josh and Sarah and everyone else. They have not only taught me so much about acting by just watching their process, but they are the most kind and humble humans I could know. They have been so patient with me and so generous. I hope I’m learning a lot more than just acting from them. They are the kind of people I would like to be, as actors and as human beings.
How different is it working on cable television shows versus independent films?
Well, first of all, there are a lot more cameras rolling and the sets are actually on sound stages instead of everything being on location. I would say that things run more like a well-oiled machine as the budget goes up. Ass far as acting goes, the work is the same.
You’ve done several films and had parts on a few different TV shows. Which actor/actress has been your favourite to work with so far?
I love so many but Josh Holloway is pretty great. He’s just so real and so funny…we have so much fun together.
How do you manage school, sports, and a social life while acting in movies and on television?
Well, acting is a job and has to come first, which is fine with me. I love it. I am home schooled, so school comes with me. I just finally had to give up competitive soccer this year. I was gone too often. It’s sad but you have to make choices in life. As far as friends, I try to stay in touch through texts and Facetime when I’m not home.
What’s next for you? Any special projects?
I have some in the works but I can’t say. Sorry!
Speed Round:
Name one famous actor/actress you’d like to work with on a movie or TV show?
Leonardo DiCaprio
How do you survive the zombie apocalypse?
Always carry a knife and eat lots of citrus (a nod to my Colony Twitter fans)
Favorite social media channel and why?
Instagram is my favorite social media outlet. I just love pics and videos.
Most anticipated movie of 2017?
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
What is your favorite video game right now
Overwatch!
Credits: Photographer: Birdie Thompson / Grooming: Sylvia J. Stankowski
Tai Freligh is a Los Angeles-based writer and can be found on Twitter.
Originally published May 27, 2017. Updated November 30, 2022.
