Pop-Culturalist.com

Andre Boyer is a multi-faceted talent best known for his dynamic and versatile performances in projects such as For All Mankind, The Rookie, and Animal Kingdom, to name a few. His newest web series, Before Marriage, has him collaborating with co-star J.J. Nolan and writer-director Courtney Pape.

The romantic comedy follows a young couple who, while planning a life together, quickly discovers that their ideas for their partnership may be too far apart.

Pop Culturalist was fortunate enough to speak with Andre about Before Marriage, why it’s important to have these conversations at any age, and more.

PC: How did you discover your passion for storytelling?
Andre: I believe my passion for storytelling began at a young age. I always told my parents that my “real parents” lived in the woods near our house, and I would camp out all day to hang out with them. Growing up, my imagination was so colorful that creating characters and staging scenes came naturally to me. When I was about seven years old, I told my dad I wanted to be an actor after repeatedly watching classics like Gone with the Wind, The Little Rascals, and Halloween on laserdisc.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Andre: Without a doubt, my coach, Phil Abrams. We crossed paths about five to six years ago when I had a few credits to my name. He’s the person I turn to when approaching a script. He helps me solve what the story needs, and we find different ways to play within the specific construct and or think outside the box when attacking material.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success throughout your career. When you look back, is there a moment that stands out?
Andre: I believe my personal life goes hand in hand with my career. With that said, working as a recurring actor on For All Mankind (Apple TV) stands out as a significant moment for me. It made me feel like I belonged and that all my hard work was worth it. The casting process also played a huge role. Offices like UDK, Junie Lowry Johnson, and Collof/Nicolo Casting, to name a few, kept calling me in repeatedly. I can’t thank these people enough for believing in my work and choices in the audition room.

PC: Before Marriage is out now. What should audiences know about the project? What attracted you to it?
Andre: It’s extremely relatable in the sense of relationships. Whether single or dating, questions always arise, and they need to be answered in order to grow. Although, Before Marriage is a comedic spin on life’s choices, I believe there is some truth to the questions asked for both parties involved.

I was attracted to it from the moment I read it. I found it quick, easy to digest, and something I haven’t done before nor has an audience seen something like this from me.

PC: In addition to acting, you’ve also written, directed, and produced. Have you found that the work that you’ve done behind the scenes has impacted the way that you approach your work on camera, specifically with how you interpret characters like Colin?
Andre: Working behind the scenes and in front are two different animals, but I can confidently say that this experience has helped me maintain a tight and concise approach when tackling a project like this. Colin is a people pleaser and would go to great lengths to keep his fiancée happy—unless she forgets to take her shoes off in the house.

PC: Courtney Pape wrote and directed Before Marriage. Is the filming experience different when the person who has created these characters and narrative is also at the helm directing? What was that collaboration like?
Andre: Courtney has been incredibly supportive, both personally and professionally. It was truly delightful to witness someone you know tackling every aspect of a project like this and excelling. The collaboration flowed seamlessly, with things on set unfolding naturally. We need more female-led filmmakers like her to spearhead projects. Additionally, working with a comedic rockstar like J.J. was the icing on the cake.

PC: You recently got engaged. Congratulations, by the way! Have you started having any of these conversations with your own fiancée?
Andre: Yes, art imitates life. We’ve had tons of conversations—some similar, some not so much. Although we have been together for over five years, we are still growing and learning about ourselves and each other, which is such a beautiful thing.

PC: Before Marriage has made its way around the festival circuit and it’s been incredibly well received. What do you think is resonating most with audiences? What do you hope they take away?
Andre: My family attended the Austin Comedy Festival and had the opportunity to see this on the big screen. They are all married, older, and have invested time in their marriages. The feedback I received from them emphasized that, regardless of age, gender, or other factors, having tough conversations is crucial. I hope most audiences take away the message that life is a journey, and when you take that next step with your partner, things will always work out with communication.

To keep up with Andre, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Watch Before Marriage today.