Jake
Epstein
Jake amazes viewers with his realistic portrayal of
Craig Manning on Degrassi-The Next Generation. Of
all of the characters he has had probably the most
intense storylines. His father used to beat him. He
later moved in with Joey Jeremiah, who was a staple
on the series Degrassi Junior High. After his father
died, his stay with Joey seemed more permanent. Young
Manny had a crush on Craig but they wouldn't seriously
hookup until he was involved with Ashley. On top of
that, he is also in a band. Craig is a character that
is a driving force within the series.
What's the best thing about being Craig on Degrassi?
Jake
Epstein-
The music. Craig is in a band and there are a whole
bunch of scenes in which I get to rock out and play
my guitar.
Do you play music off camera?
Jake
Epstein-I
do a little bit of music. It's a little hard with
Degrassi taking up so much time. Music is my love.
You came to Degrassi in the second season. Before
you started did you have any idea that you would have
such an intense storyline?
Jake
Epstein-No
not at all. I always think that on the show there
are two major auditions. The audition to get on the
show and then there's your first episode. I've noticed
that with other characters too. If your first episode
goes alright then your character has a chance of being
picked up. So I totally didn't except for the character
to take off like it did. It's been such a surprising
and fun ride.
I guess Joey would be your stepfather in a sense,
or your character lives with Joey....
Jake
Epstein-Yeah,
it can get kind of confusing.
Have you ever checked out Degrassi Junior High on
DVD?
Jake
Epstein-Yes.
On DVD, no. They have a whole wall of tapes at the
studio we get to steal a couple of tapes for the weekend.
And we all make fun of them. Joey had hair. It's funny.
Do you get a lot of fan mail?
Jake
Epstein--I
have in the past year. It's been cool. It's been a
lot of fan mail from kids who have gone through similar
things that Craig has gone through. It's been really
cool, kind of touching.
Have you done in other movies or anything outside
of Degrassi?
Jake
Epstein-
Yeah. Before I show Degrassi I was on this television
show
The Zach Files.
I think that was on the Disney Channel here.
Jake
Epstein-
Yeah. I think it was on the Disney Channel for a couple
of years. I've done some made for TV movies. And I
did in Toronto a whole bunch of theater.
What are your plans for the summer?
Jake
Epstein-
I think I am going to be shooting Degrassi but since
there is going to be tons of time off, I'm thinking
about traveling with my sister. Something cool. I'm
not totally sure yet. I just finished high school.
Somebody sent this into the website since I said
I was going to be interviewing you guys. Would you
ever date a fan?
Jake
Epstein-
It all depends. It all depends on the person. The
people I have dated have generally not been fans of
Degrassi which is refreshing. They don't treat you
like your character on the show. I don't know. I've
never been asked out by a fan.
Shane
Kippel
Shane Kippel stars on Degrassi as Spinner. Over the
years the viewers have seen Spinner in one wild situation
after another. He has had some very interesting storylines.
Most recently he has been dealing with the guilt with
his involvement in a prank that led to Rick shooting
his best friend Jimmy. He is also the sometime boyfriend
of Paige.
What's the best part about playing Spinner?
Shane
Kippel-Spinner
gets himself in a lot of situations I would never
find myself in. A lot of trouble and consequences.
It's fun to do that because you kind of experience
things in life you normally wouldn't. It's not real
so you don't have to deal with the real life consequences
of these things. That's the great part about Spinner.
Are you looking forward to the season that will be
airing next? Will we see a different side of Spinner?
Shane
Kippel-
You will see a much different side of Spinner. A much
different side. I can't get into what it is. I only
know about 8 episodes in the season so I am very interested
in what happens with Spinner this year. I'm sure it
will be good. I'm sure the fans will like it.
I think you have such great storylines. I think
one that was particularly good. I'm not sure of the
season but when Spinner stole Jimmy's MP3 player.
Shane
Kippel-
Oh back in season 2. Yes. He had some great storylines.
Season 2 he started to break out. In season 1 he was
more of a supporting character. In season 2 he became
more 3 dimensional, more of an in depth character.
I personally, my favorite storyline with Spinner was
season 4 season premiere when it was Spinner and the
court case with Paige with the rape. I had the most
fun of any episode filming that one.
So what are your plans for the summer?
Shane
Kippel-Well.
Got to stay in shape. I will be in the gym four or
five times a week. I have a band, but besides that
I have a couple of exams to finish up and Degrassi.
Filming runs through the summer.
What kind of music does your band play?
Shane
Kippel-It's
almost like a combination between. It's a whole bunch
of different genres. We have rock, we have punk roots,
metal roots, but we also kind of have a psychedelic
kind of tripped out sound to us. It's very cool. I
think when we start having concerts people will like
us. I hope.
Do you play the drums like your character?
Shane
Kippel- I'm much better in real
life than they allow Spinner to be on the show.
Who are some of your favorite music groups?
Shane
Kippel- System of a Down. Incubus.
Def Tones. The Used. Finch.
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copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, and Thabiz.com 2005