Q and A with Surfer, Dude star Matthew McConaughey

By: Stephanie Musat

Posted: 9/12/08

The Daily Orange participated in a college conference call with star of the new movie "Surfer, Dude," Matthew McConaughey. He discussed his role in the movie, the intended audience and the art of surfing.

The D.O.: Do you see any qualities of yourself in the character Steve in your new movie?

McConaughey: You know what, one thing I really liked about this guy is that he's a really simple guy connected with nature. He loves one thing and that's the most precious thing in his life, and that's the waves. Personally, I'm a little more sophisticated, a little more ambitious. I've got responsibilities, I got a family, I'm a father, I've got a business so I have more points of interest that just one thing. But I sure do understand his connection with nature.

Surfing isn't a huge thing, does this movie hope to increase surf culture in the United States?

I got into surfing right before this movie. I'm from Texas so there's not much surfing. Well, there is right now with Hurricane Ike coming. But I didn't know much for surfing. But then I started working and living out here in California. But with the movie, it's not a typical Hollywood surf movie. Other surf movies go out and shoot beautiful surfing spots around the world. This movie also is when the waves look away, and I think that it will show the philosophy behind this. It's an analog thing to do - you are a person, you have a board. There are no membership fees, and it is as close to nature as you can get. I think that's really cool, and if more people go surf, that would be great. Someone once told me that there wouldn't be any more wars in the world if everyone surfed.

What did you do to prepare for your role?

I didn't surf but I had the script and developed it. So basically I got wet and got into the water. We fumbled around a bit, got smacked and slammed for months before I caught a wave. I always had sort of a surfer's mentality, being a pretty laidback guy. The other big thing for me was to make the set and process as natural as possible so it's like catching us hanging out for the summer. You get to see what Matthew McConaughey's life is like anyway - really it isn't true but I'll take it as a compliment because that's what we were going for: this fly on the wall near a group of friends in a surfing community.

How do you think college students will react to the movie?

We specifically were trying to get the movie in front of college students. We have a lot of really cool things to say. A lot of our messages - this eco-friendly and progressive idea - start in colleges. We didn't want to be preachy so we inserted comedy underneath it, like goat farming. It's fun; it's absurd but practical. The overall theme is if you make the right choice, life will reciprocate. There is this stoners' mentality, really laid back, when we smoked in our movie. They get crazy when they're smoking but even more crazy when they're not getting high. That's part of the joke.

What was it that attracted the film to you?

"Just keep living" Production, which is my production company, has been developing this for probably 12 years. What I liked about it is it is about what happens to surf community if they are stuck with 58 days with no waves. The original movie was just about the final day, and we worked on it and put in conscious themes like brotherhood and being green but still kept it a comedy. It's lighthearted, funny, absurd but it still has stuff to remind people to be cool and listen to yourself. The waters will come back, things will be OK.

Why was the premiere in Austin, TX, not in L.A.?

This is the first production. I met the director and producer partners in Texas. I went to school at UTexas and got my first acting job there, so it seemed like the right place to go back home where I met people and where I got my start. In 1992, I figured out what I was going to do in Austin.

How is it working with your friend Woody Harrelson?

It is always a hoot working with Woody. You never know what's coming out his mouth or what's going to come out of mine. We're like brothers, so it is easy to work together. He truly is a nature boy and really does the themes and philosophies in the movie. Any time working with him is going to be a fun day. That guy is a perpetual 8-year-old. He's such a hoot, so talented. He makes it look easy. There's lots of improvising when we are in a scene together.

Which was more fun: "Tropic Thunder" or "Surfer, Dude?"

"Tropic Thunder" was fun. I was there for three days. This movie was 28 days. It was very small which forced us to get creative without money. But working with those guys puts a feather in my cap, working in a comedy with Ben Stiller. This one was a lot longer, but it's nice to be like 'huh, OK, it's done.' It feels good.

What are you planning on doing when all of this is over?

The movie opens Friday. If we have some success on 75 college campuses, we'll move to 140 screens. We had to do this much more grassroots - no advertising. If it works this weekend, I'll keep doing some more press to keep the movie going. I'm taking the rest of the year off so myself, my son and my woman will be travelling on the road. After, I'll line up the next project, but I don't know what that's going to be.

sdmusat@syr.edu