Scott Curtis : «We all had fun when we filmed Santa Barbara.»
By Nicolas, exclusively for Santa Barbara : le site Francais, June 2012	Home   Cette page en Français

The beginnings before Santa Barbara

At first, I'd like you to tell us a little about you : how old are you today ? Where do you live ? Do you live in couple or have children ?

I stopped acting when I was 15 years old to get into music full time. I was very active in both High School and University music six days a week.
I'm 36, very happily married with two children - a 4 1/2 year old boy, and a 1 1/2 year old girl. We live in Reno, Nevada, real close to beautiful Lake Tahoe.

You started your acting career very young. How did you start in the business ? How is it to be a "child actor", doing auditions, not going to school everyday like other children...?

I started acting when I was playing music - the Accordion - in Elementary school for a Christmas play. A fellow student was already in the business and her mother sent us her manager's contact information.
Being a child actor is both a blessing and curse. You sit in a car and drive around Hollywood going on auditions after you did a full day of school. You basically have school, and then go do a full time job. While all your friends are playing sports like baseball or football, we audition. When you get a job, you pull out of school, and go to work. You still have three hours of school, as well as work, so it's a very busy day.
The curse is when you stop acting, you feel like you can accomplish anything you want, and that's not the case. It's a tough transition into adulthood - the "real" world. Few make the transition successfully, and I'm blessed to be one of them.

The time of Santa Barbara

How did you start in Santa Barbara as Brandon DeMott ?

Well, I was very young. I started auditioning and it took nine months to get hired for a school music commercial. After that commercial I auditioned for Santa Barbara and was hired. I started very soon after the audition.

You were very young at the time. What memories do you keep of Brandon as a character ?

I remember a lot from the set. I remember most of the actors. I remember working with Robin Wright specifically. She made a major impact on my life. It was the first time I realized people could have an amazing charisma. I was blown away by her energy.
We also filmed next to a show called Punky Brewster, and they always had kids on their show, so I would hang out with the kids from that show often.

What are your memories of the daily shootings, and of the cast and crew ?

Filming was fun, and tough. Soap Operas are difficult in that you have to memorize your lines every night, different lines every night. Filming sitcoms is different in that you have a week to learn your lines. Also, as a child, it was a strange experience to see rooms that we perform in that only had three walls !

You left Santa Barbara after about a year, before being replaced as Brandon. What was the reason of your departure ?

I got a part in a movie called Summer Camp Nightmare, and my agent felt it was a good career move to film the movie and leave Santa Barbara. I don't think it was a good decision, but you should always do what your agent feels is best. I auditioned a lot with the next Brandon later, and we got to know each other pretty well.

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These 27 last years after Santa Barbara and now

Can you come back on the following years of your acting career after your departure from Santa Barbara ?

Lots of auditioning, and lots of acting. I worked pretty steadily, which was fortunate. You can check out my resume on imdb.com if you would like. I was able to buy my family a house in a better neighborhood, and our standard of living increased, and I was thrilled at where we ended up.

Since these last years, you make a successful career in music. Can you tell us more about that ?

I've always been a musician. It's how I was first noticed as a child. Music is my life. I started on Accordion, then played the flute in Jr. High School, and then finally went to drums in High School. I remember that I set a goal to play the Sunset Strip once, and if I did that, then I would accomplish a very important goal.
I've played around the country with many bands, and I've toured the world as a Front Of House Engineer, which means I was the guy that mixed the music for concerts. I now own a recording studio here in Reno, Nevada. I'm a full time producer and mixing engineer. I LOVE my job, and I wouldn't change it for the world. It's where I belong.

Do the people you befriend today know about your acting career and your time on Santa Barbara ?

I try to keep a low profile as far as my child acting is concerned. As soon as someone finds out about my past, it makes things a little uncomfortable. I keep my past a secret if I can, and I just work hard as a Music Producer. If someone does recognize me, I don't have a problem talking about my past, but I don't broadcast it.
I also still play drums with a fantastic singer named Jesse French. His CD is on ITunes. His voice and music is fantastic, and I'm really honored to play with him. It's good to keep doing what you love in life, and I love music - making it and playing it !

What would you like to say to all the Santa Barbara fans all over the world who didn't forget you as Brandon ?

Well, I'd like to say that we all had fun when we filmed Santa Barbara. Everyone from the make-up artists to the director and all the actors, it was a great environment ! It's very cool that Santa Barbara is being played in Italy, and that there are fans of the show. From A Martinez to Marcy Walker to Lane Davies, the entire cast was full of incredible people, all working at the highest level. I learned a lot, and had a blast.
Thank you for this interview Nicolas, I hope the fans of Santa Barbara keep enjoying the show ! All the best...