Alan Ball Talks Aussies and Religion with Sydney Morning Herald

Alan Ball is the creative person behind HBO’s hit series, True Blood, as well as Six Feet Under. While he appears to be very good at this, he is also great at hiring Aussie actors, namely Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse), Rachel Griffith (Six Feet Under) and Toni Collette (Towelhead). The Sydney Morning Herald asked Ball why he is so fond of Aussie actors, and why he chose Ryan Kwanten to fulfill the role of Jason Stackhouse:

“You guys create some really fantastic actors. It’s just the talent… I went to see this movie called Flicka, a family movie about a brother and sister and a horse, and he was the handsome, charming, not-so-intellectually developed brother. He was Jason. I called my casting director that day.”

While Alan Ball is known for his dark and quirky shows, it is possible that early childhood tragedy may have helped shape this. When Ball was 13, his sister was killed in a car accident. His family, as a result turned to religion. As Ball grew older, his religious path turned away from the family’s beliefs and towards Buddhism:

“Life is suffering. We have desires and expectations and egos and we compare the reality we have, which is miraculous and wondrous, with this reality we desire. That somehow distances us from actually taking part fully with the reality we do have and that creates suffering.”

Make sure you check out the full article here.

Truebies, do you like the choices Mr. Ball has made in the past? Besides True Blood, obviously, are you a fan of his work? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald - Alan Ball Interview

(Photo Credit: HBO, Inc.)