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Athleisure Mag #62 Feb 2021 | Force to Reckon with Aleks Paunovic
With the second season of TNT's Snowpiercer back on, we're excited to check out more from Aleks Paunovic who plays Breachman Bojan Boki Boscovic! We took some time to find out more about this character as well as his show SYFY's Van Helsing. We also find out how he got into the industry, his music and more! ATHLEISURE MAG: Before getting into your acting career, you were a boxing champion and you’re a descendant of 3 generations of champion boxers! What was it that drew you to the sport?
ALEKS PAUNOVIC: Watching my dad shadowbox and watching fights with him when I was younger was always a good memory. What really attracted me to the sport was the idea of challenging one’s self. I never looked at boxing as fighting the other person, or wanting to hurt the other person. It was about my skill and seeing how I can adapt to a situation with someone that wants to do the same thing to me. It’s a lonely sport but one you can take a ton of life lessons from. Walking through fear, relaxing in tense situations so you can perform your best, getting knocked down, getting back up, and never quitting. I like to think it’s shaped me for my career in film and television.
AM: You parlayed this to initially being a stunt actor, what was that like?
AP: That’s right, boxing helped me get my foot in the door in the business, but it’s a tough gig. You have to be a special kind of human to do what stunt performers do. I personally wanted to tell stories. My goal was acting, but stunts has helped me tell my stories at a physical and emotional level.
AM: We know you’re remastering and have released your songs from your band, Specula Black on Spotify. These songs were recorded 30 years ago, why did you decide to release them now?
Ahhh!! I love that these songs are out in the world now. Not only is it on Spotify, but it’s on all streaming sites. Please check it out if you like heavy metal and rock. Having our songs released 30 years later is largely attributed to our show runner for Van Helsing, who asked if I had a song for one of the episodes. When he asked, the guys and I got on a chat and we started thinking how cool it would be, so we took those recordings and remastered them and sent it to the show. They liked it. Then we were off and running. Very proud of the boys in the band—those days were some of the greatest times of my life. I need to give them a shout out, Tony Brenda, George Lazic, Scott (Ham) Botham and Rob Bjornson.
AM: What is it about storytelling that has drawn you to the characters that you play?
AP: There’s something about finding the missing pieces and puzzles in telling a character’s story. The script analysis and my creative filter to make it something no one else would think about--finding the truth in there. It’s quite fulfilling.
AM: What is your process like when you’re reading a script to see if you want to be attached to the project?
AP: It’s usually about how the character fits in the story, and how I can make them compelling. I love a conflicted character. Finding the moments that make him struggle to make decisions, and then going for it. Sometimes the simplest character is the most complex.
AM: We loved Snowpiercer as a movie and were excited to see it as a series on TNT last year! Of course, we’re enjoying the 2nd season right now. Tell us about your character Breachman Bojan Boki Boscovic and what it’s like to film this show?
AP: Ahhhh, I love Breachman Bojan Boki Boscovic! He has the most dangerous job on the train. The train can’t function without the Breachmen. He’s from Serbia and he’s a devout Wilfordite. There’s a history with Wilford and myself, which connects me to him more. This season there are trials and tribulations with Boki and he runs the gamut of emotion and physicality. I can’t wait for people to see this season. Working on the show has been a dream… Great team in front and behind the camera. I am so grateful to be a part of it.
AM: Many are fans of your character Julius in Syfy’s Van Helsing and the 5th and final season will air this fall. Is there anything that you can share about the upcoming season and what we should keep an eye out for?
AP: Well, I'm not going to give you any spoilers if you’re looking for that. lol. But it’s been bitter sweet. Such an amazing family we created in the 5 years of the show. All of them are lifers with me now. It’s been glorious, and I think it’s one of our best seasons. Fans are going to see us wrap up the characters on the show in such an epic way. So thank you to SYFY and Netflix for giving us one more season to say goodbye.
AM: You were in Stargate Atlantis along with Jason Momoa and now you guys are on SEE on Apple+ TV. What drew you to this show and what do you enjoy about being apart of this cast?
AP: Well one of the things that drew me to SEE was my man Jason Momoa. We've been friends for over 10 years and when your buddy, who has blown up in the industry to mega star, so well deserved, and is still the crazy life loving man you first met, you just gotta hang with him. I was very lucky that a role came up and we got to reconnect on a working level. All of the amazing things he’s been doing for the environment has made an impact on the world. I'm proud to be his buddy.
AM: As someone that has been in a number of films and TV series, are there roles that you would like to add to your body of work that you have yet to be involved?
AP: I like the idea of being in a show like True Detective. I’m never the dude investigating, I'm always the dude getting investigated… lol. The first season of True Detective when it comes to character struggle and storylines are what I would love to do soon.
AM: Are there upcoming projects that you have coming up that we should keep an eye out for?
AP: Yes, I have one called CHAINED that will be released soon, and a Zoom movie I did during the beginning of the pandemic. It was quite the trip to shoot a whole film without shaking anyone’s hand. lol. One of the coolest parts of the movie is an acting legend that signed on. Can’t wait to share it. We have to keep it hush hush, but check back to with me and I'll tell you when I can. And as we are having this interview, I’m in Atlanta shooting a very exciting project; that’s another one I can’t wait to share with the world when I'm allowed too. Eeeeek. It’s killing me!
AM: Tell me about your film studio in Winnipeg as this sounds like such a great thing for the industry.
AP: Winnipeg is my home town. I cut my teeth in the industry there. Not only do they have amazing talent but it’s a hot spot for shooting in Canada, and one of the best tax credits in North America. The locations and the crew are top notch. Our team (Eric Mark, Bill Sarine) feel really strongly that we can contribute to the industry there in a big way. It’s definitely an exciting project.
AM: What is a general week like in terms of your workout?
AP: A good week of workouts is 5 or 6 days a week. 2 or 3 days doing HITT training switched with 2 or 3 days of boxing. If I can get 6 days a week in I feel like I accomplished my workout goal for the week. Also, I like to have meditation and visualization before and after my workout, and about a 15 min cool down after I workout. It helps me to stay mentally and physically on point for the day.
AM: As we have all been navigating these times, how have you been spending your time when you’re not prepping for a role or filming?
AP: I do a lot of Facetime calls with my folk and friends. I want to stay connected. This pandemic has been a kick in the gut on so many levels, but as long as I can listen to music, make music, work out physically and mentally that’s a good day. Can’t wait until I can actually hug people again. lol
AM: You are an advocate against bullying and have partnered up with the Canadian Red Cross’ Anti-Bullying Initiatives. How long have you been involved with this and what is your role with them?
AP: My role had been more of an advocate to let people know they are not alone. They are not an island in this big world. We all have gone through tough times and there is always help. To be there and listen and so show people even though I’m a 6 foot 5 dude that boxes and is enjoying an amazing life, there are still times I need someone to talk to, to get a perspective in life, to let me know it’s ok. I think If we can give that to young people-- kids that have a hard time controlling their emotions and only react to hurting others so they don’t hurt. WE can end bullying if we just are available and are there to listen and guide-- and also be vulnerable. It’s ok to be vulnerable with people you can trust. I like to think I’m one of those people.
