Nick w/ Amanda Wilkinson filming the music video for "I Wanna Be That Girl"

Nicholas Prueitt

*an email interview*

For those people that don't know who you are introduce yourself.

I'm Nicholas Jay Preuitt, my friends just call me Nick. I'm a full time college student who was bit by the acting bug a long time ago. People recognize me most often as the guy from the Wilkinsons music video for "I Wanna Be That Girl."

You played Amanda's love interest in the Wilkinsons video "I Wanna Be That Girl". What was that like?

Well, first of all I didn't think I had gotten the part. They auditioned so many guys that I definitely didn't count on it. They took awhile to decide, so I didn't receive a call from my agent until 2 days before the shoot. By that time, I had forgotten about it.

The production was one of the most relaxed and fun that I have had the privilege of being involved with. Amanda was fun to work with, and she was truly genuine. I remember when I first met her I was having to wait for makeup to get me ready for the shoot. Amanda came in and introduced herself and she offered to go and get me something to drink. That made a really good impression because those are the types of things that I remember the most about people.

Any funny stories you can tell us from the IWBTG video?

Yep...haha. Well, for one thing it was filmed in February and I did not have a tan. I was so white, and Amanda was very dark because she had been tanning. This was a problem because our skin clashed badly when we were standing next to each other. The makeup team came up with a solution : they covered all of my arms in body makeup to give me a fake tan!

Another funny part of the shoot was the laundry-throwing scene. Originally, the crew had put some really rough jeans in the stack of laundry for us to throw at each other. I threw the jeans at Amanda and I think a button on it hit her in the face. She didn't complain but I kinda felt bad for a minute.... The crew decided to leave the jeans out of the scene after that for obvious reasons...

How is acting in a music video different than TV or movies?

Music videos seem like they would be easier because there usually isn't any dialogue spoken in them. However, in videos the acting is usually alot of improvisation. The director will tell you the basic idea of what is going on, and then he expects you to run with it. Like for the Wilkinsons video, me and Amanda were both told to act like we were just meeting for the first time, and we both had to have a made-up conversation over and over again. Although the music is dubbed over our words, the fact that we were actually having a real conversation adds the realism to it.

Music videos are just like TV and film in that you are still acting infront of a big film crew.

You had a part in a pilot for the WB network. Tell us about that.

Columbia Tristar and American Zoetrope produced the pilot, titled "In My Life", and it was about a 1960s high school in Louisiana during the times of desegregation. The primary basis of the show centered around a basketball team that was forced to work together after black and white teammates were forced to play together for the first time. The show had a similar theme to that of "Remember the Titans." My character was "Carl", the best friend of "A.J.", played by Bryce Johnson (WB's "Popular").

"Sweet Home Alabama" had just finished wrapping up in Rome, GA not long before the pilot started shooting, and most of the crew from that film worked on the pilot. The cast and crew were really amazing. Although the show did not get a contract from the WB, I am proud to have been a part of it. First of all, I got to work with Lesli Linka Glatter who is an amazing director and has directed most of the major TV shows such as "ER", "Freaks and Geeks", "Gilmore Girls", "Law & Order", "NYPD Blue", "The West Wing", and "Third Watch." Plus the show had a great cast involved. The cast also included Sam Huntington ("Not Another Teen Movie", "Detroit Rock City", "Jungle 2 Jungle"), Edwin Hodge ("Big Mama's House"), and Billy Kay (" Halloween: Resurrection").

Probably my favorite part of the shoot was getting to drive the red '57 oldsmobile that my character drove. It was alot of fun. Dressing in the 60s clothes with the slicked back hair was also hilarious.

You were originally cast in the movie "The Last Castle". What happened?

Ahhh.... well I went through the audition process, which is lengthy sometimes for motion pictures. After meeting with the location casting director, I met with the L.A. casting director a few times, then it was on to Rod Lurie, who directed the movie. My screen test with Rod went great, and I was his only choice for the part at the end of the casting process. So DreamWorks SKG, who did the film, calls my agent and confirms that I got the part of "Private Niebolt." Then, they call back and say there is a discrepancy. I then find out that I did
not get that role, but that Rod was disappointed and would write me in a role if he had to...I would be in the film regardless. This meant alot to me, and I later found out that the producer pulled rank and put someone else in the role. Because of time and budget Rod wasnt able to get me in the film, but his interest in me meant more than anything. I would love to work with him on another film anytime.

It was a learning experience like every other acting gig.....it happens to most everyone....this biz is crazy!!

What are your plans for the near future?

I just want to finish school. I have 2 years left until I get my bachelor's degree in Biology. Hopefully, I'll be able to do some acting projects along the way. After school is over, I plan to move to Los Angeles. I haven't decided which school I will get my Master's Degree from.

Describe yourself in 5 words.

Outgoing, Shy, Ambitous, Crazy, & Fun Loving (the first 2 may seen like contradictions but its true)

What do you like to do in your free time?

Lift weights, watch football, hangout with my friends, hangout with my brother in Nashville

Do you have any pets?

Yes, I have a 55 gallon salt water tank. I love exotic fish.

What's the strangest job you've done in the acting business?

I did this commerical a long time ago for a cell phone company. This was normal, but what was strange was the fact that the exterior scenes were shot infront of a drag queen club....which was supposed to be a "pizza parlor".....it was really odd... I think it was the only location the director could get because he knew the people...oh and yeah a drag queen did come walking out while we were shooting decked out in full costume.

Who are your inspirations?

My major inspiration is my aunt. She was crippled in a car accident. She is such a strong person, and her strength inspires me in everything I do.

I am also inspired by Mel Gibson. I think hes a terrific actor and director and a great person.

If you weren't acting, what other profession would you look into?

Well, since acting isn't a full time job for me (maybe it will be one day) I am getting a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. I love research and the field of medicine.

Describe your first audition.

It was crazy... It was for a commerical promoting sexual abstinence. I had to go in, they told me to get a peppermint, and they paired me up with a girl who I had never met and we went in and did the scene. It was kind of intense because I had to come on to her really heavy and make out with her on this couch, while a group of people with a camera filmed us. haha

What is your favorite flavor of jello?

Cherry

Are you single? What do you look for in a girl? (Mariah)

Yes; I like girls who are motivated and confident and have some idea of where they are going in life. It doesn't turn me on to see a girl who is only looking for a guy to totally support her. I think independence is sexy.. thats what turns me on.

If a genie granted you 3 wishes what would they be?

# 1. My family to be healthy
# 2. Mandy Moore :)
# 3. And I gotta have a little money of course...I'll be honest. I mean come on.

What type of movie or tv show would you like to act in and what kind of role would you most want to play?

Honestly, I love horror movies. I want to star in at least one horror movie before I die. I mean , yeah I want to be lucky enough be able to be known as a serious actor in drama movies, but I have got to be in a horror flick. I would want to play the role of the nice guy who shocks everyone in the end and turns out to be psycho (you know the whole Edward Norton in "Primal Fear" type thing....look how far that got him...or even Skeet Ulrich from "Scream").

What actress would you most like to work with and why?

Reese Witherspoon because she is so genuine and funny without trying. Her acting comes across so naturally. She is also from the South like me.

Do you have any advice to people that have the acting bug?

If you think you want to do it, start now. I have already been doing this for over a decade. For most people , it takes a long time to build up a resume worth showing. Start out in theater and those credits can work you up into the TV stuff. Thats how it worked for me, but then again this business is crazy and there isn't one way to do it.

Any messages to your fans?

Thanks for the support and voting to keep the Wilkinsons video on the GAC countdown back when it was airing !!!

Thank you Nick for letting us do our very first interview with you and taking the time out of your busy schedule to type up your answers and send them to us. Best of luck in the future.