SHADOWLANDS
by
Charlie David
Shadowlands is a collection of short stories exploring the heartfelt, and sometimes heartbreaking passion and pain of gay sexuality. Ancient myths are re-imagined with an exciting queer twist masterfully depicting the charged, fragile relationships of urban life today.
Story genres in this collection include romance, science fiction, fantasy/paranormal, horror, and poetry.
BUY LINKS
Hi all! I’m Charlie David and I’m happy to stop by here at Love Bytes. I’m excited to share that my book Shadowlands will be released as a TV miniseries on Sunday, May 27th! Whether you like to read a book and then watch a show or the other way round, I’d like to invite you into my world and explore Shadowlands.
We’re at an exciting time when it’s still rare for a book in the M/M genre to be made into a film or TV series. While Shadowlands isn’t traditional romance it does explore love in three thematically connected stories – a couple renegotiating a relationship, a narcissist grasping to comprehend love, and star-crossed lovers mourning its loss.
I had the pleasure to work with a really talented cast and crew and so today I’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to Nicolas James Wilson, one of the stars of the ‘Mating Season’ episode of the Shadowlands TV miniseries.
The Shadowlands TV show is comprised of three distinct stories exploring love. In the Mating Season episode of the Shadowlands TV show, Nicolas James Wilson AKA Scotty Dynamo plays a sailor in the early 1950’s.
While on a remote camping trip, he and his boyfriend Matteo (played by Oscar Moreno) are considering opening their relationship when they encounter a mysterious stranger.
There are story connections between the three episodes of Shadowlands. You can read about them here.
Charlie David: How much were you able to relate your own experiences to create your character? And how much did you have to research or imagine?
Nicolas James Wilson: There were actually quite a few eerie similarities between my onscreen romance in the Shadowlands TV show and a previous real life relationship. When I first read the script, I felt like the universe was giving me a sign and telling me that I needed to unpack some emotional baggage or something.
In the Mating Season episode, however, the roles were reversed, and I was the one asking my partner to open up our relationship after a long time apart. I was able to draw from my own experiences and have a pretty good understanding of how both parties would feel and react in that moment. Communication is key. And timing is everything, people.
Charlie David: The stories in the Shadowlands TV show were inspired by the Shadowlands book which was inspired by Greek mythology. What was your experience in creating a remix of these ancient classical tales?
Nicolas James Wilson: I’m all about adding a modern twist to classics and making them relatable to current audiences. A lot has changed over the years but relationships have and always will be a little complicated at times. (#drama)
Charlie David: What aspects of the Shadowlands TV show are you excited for an audience to experience or discover?
Nicolas James Wilson: Filming in Elora last fall with that incredible cast and crew was truly a magical experience. It never once felt like work. That type of energy and experience is difficult to fake and I’m excited to have everyone see it translate onscreen. I also think the episodes will also encourage audiences to be more honest with themselves as well as their partners.
Charlie David: Romance between men and between women was commonplace and written about in Greek and Roman mythology. Why is it important to continue sharing these types of stories today?
Nicolas James Wilson: Our episode of the Shadowlands TV show takes place shortly after WWII. I think it’s important to tell this story to remind today’s audiences of the brave men and women that paved the way for us to and allowed us to live the lives we are able to enjoy today. They weren’t able to live and love freely back then. We tell this story to honor them and pay our respect.
Charlie David: What was the hardest scene for you to do and why?
Nicolas James Wilson: The most challenging scenes were the ones that took place in the water. It was a bit chilly but they turned out great! Also, cold water and tighty whities are a dangerous mix.
Charlie David: Who is a major influence for you and on your creativity?
Nicolas James Wilson: My friends and family are a constant source of inspiration. Their work ethic is pretty insane and we push each other pretty hard. I owe the majority of the success I’ve experienced so far to them.
Tom Cruise, Donald Glover, Greg Berlanti, and 90’s movies inspire me on a regular basis as well.
Charlie David: Is there a type of role you dream of playing but haven’t had the opportunity yet?
Nicolas James Wilson: I’ve always wanted to be in the Top Gun sequel (#Don’tJudge). The original film and soundtrack are both Hollywood classics and it would be an honour to continue that legacy.
Also, I’m pretty pale so I feel like I’m destined to play a vampire at some point.
Charlie David: In addition to acting, tell me about the other areas of entertainment you’re pursuing.
Nicolas James Wilson: In addition to acting, I’m also DJing, producing and releasing my own music, and beginning to produce my own visuals as well. I’m having a blast trying out different things and feel like it’s making me a more well-rounded performer.
Charlie David: With so much going on in the world today, what’s your motivation to be a performer? Do you act to explain? To get away? To move past? To widen our knowledge? To incite a conversation?
Nicolas James Wilson: For me, acting is like a form of therapy. It forces me to dig deep, self-reflect, and deal with emotions that I might normally avoid or pretend don’t exist in my daily life.
I spent the majority of my childhood playing hockey in an environment where it wasn’t always okay to display certain emotions. Acting is the complete opposite and forces you to go those vulnerable places and showcase it all for the world to see. In a way, I feel like I’m reliving my childhood the way it should have played out.
Charlie David: What’s next for you Nicolas?
Nicolas James Wilson: You can catch me in the upcoming film Mill Creek and in the upcoming TV series Boy•Friends. I’m also about to release a music video for a song called “I Could Be Your Trainer” on my YouTube Channel. It’s a parody of a 90’s fitness infomercial. It’s pretty rad.
Otherwise I’m really excited for everyone to see the Shadowlands TV show and look forward to working with the cast and crew again soon!
Charlie David: Where can your fans find you online?
Nicolas James Wilson: You can stalk me at:
Snapchat (Is this still a thing?) scotty.dynamo
About Charlie David
Charlie David has been a host for E! Television, NBC, OutTV, LOGO, here! TV, Pink TV, EGO, Fine Living and Slice Networks on such shows as FYE!, SpyTV, Crash Test Mommy and his travel series Bump which shot over 100 episodes around the world and garnered a Hugo Television award. He has appeared as musical guest on VH1, BBC, CBS’s The Early Show, and dozens of radio shows.
In 2005 Out Magazine recognized Charlie in the ‘Out 100’ at their gala in New York. In 2007 the Philadelphia Film Society awarded Charlie with their Rising Star Award. In 2008 the Festival del Sol in Gran Canaria awarded their Best Male Actor Award to Charlie and the male cast of A Four Letter Word. His documentary and scripted films have won several jury and audience awards at festivals around the world. Formerly in a rock band… okay, actually it was a boy band, Charlie opened for Destiny’s Child, Pink, Snoop Dogg, Rick Springfield and Black Eyed Peas.
A love of storytelling led Charlie to start Border2Border Entertainment, a production company whose film and television credits include Shadowlands, Mulligans, Judas Kiss, I’m a Stripper (series), Studlebrity, Balls, Dating Unlocked, PolyLove and Positive Youth. Border2Border Entertainment’s films have been licensed to Showtime, Vice, Super Channel, HBO Canada, MTV/LOGO, Sundance Channel, Discovery Networks, The Movie Network, Movie Central, Hollywood Suite, hereTV, Encore Avenue, and OutTV in North America as well as finding a worldwide audience through international distribution partners.
He is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts and his current passions include travel, encounters with wildlife, SCUBA diving, mosaic tiling and podcasts. He resides in Toronto and Montréal, Canada when he’s not living out of a suitcase.
You can explore Charlie’s films and TV shows on his website at https://border2border.ca or become a part of his social media network by visiting:
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/MrCharlieDavid Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialcharliedavid Twitter: https://twitter.com/charliedavid Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/border2border Audible: http://adbl.co/1K3xhz8 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2895612.Charlie_David Dreamspinner: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/AuthorArcade/charlie-david Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrcharliedavid/