Exclusive interview with Dominik Musiol

Dominik Musiol plays the role of Pavel on the highly acclaimed comedy show "Community". In this interview he gives us an insight into his work, talks about what he remembers from the audition and what he thinks sets "Community" apart from most of the other comedy shows.

Foto: Dominik Musiol - Copyright: Michael Hanna
Dominik Musiol
© Michael Hanna
Note: © myFanbase 2011 - The interview is exclusive to myFanbase and may not be published on other websites or the like. You may share the first 2 questions or up to 160 characters if you link back to this site. Translations other than English and German may be posted with full credit including the writer's name and link to this site.

1. You studied General Engineering. How did you get into acting after that?

I always had an inkling I wanted to do it. I used to act out imaginary scenes when I was a little kid in Poland. When I came to the US, I became a big fan of sports, and got really involved in tennis throughout school, but I always remember loving any time I got to perform. In college I took a class in dramatic acting at the University of Illinois and took a comedy improv class at Second City Chicago over the summer. From then on, I knew I had to pursue it. I fell in love.

2. Your "Community" character Pavel seems to be written just for you being a native of Poland yourself. What do you remember from the audition?

I remember my agent telling me I had an audition where they wanted someone who spoke fluent Polish and had a lot of improv experience. That’s what got me in the door to be seen. I was the first one to audition, and I walked in introducing myself in Polish, and everybody was looking at me like, "what did you say?" I got some light direction, but basically it was mostly reacting to a situation. I did it two different ways, and I walked out thinking it went well. Luckily, the people that were casting for the show agreed!

3. Pavel lives in the same dorm as Abed so you had most of your scenes with Danny Pudi, who has a polish mother. What has working with him been like? Any anecdotes you can share with us?

Danny has been amazing. He’s obviously a very talented actor, but he is also very supportive and easy to work with. For that matter, everyone involved with the show has been really kind and for that I am truly thankful. As far as an anecdote, for the scene in the first part of the Paintball finale where I got shot, there was a special device they used to shoot me…it was like a big paintball bazooka to make it really splatter. There was some discussion on whether I should wear protection under my clothes, and then the gentleman shooting the bazooka was told to crank it up three times, and he said there is no way he is shooting me without me wearing some kind of protection.

4. Which other character would you like to have a storyline with and what would it be?

Where do I begin? As I said before, everyone I’ve worked with has been really great. Of course, Pavel being Romeo to Annie’s Juliette sounds intriguing.

5. You are part of some of the most memorable episodes, the paintball finale, the construction of "Fluffy Town". Which one was the most fun for you and why?

The blanket fort and paintball episodes are epic and I was fortunate to be a part of those. In the season 2 political science episode, I remember I made Danny, Donald and the whole crew laugh really hard when I ran out in that ridiculous hat. That was really fun. But I’ll always remember my first episode, as that was my first primetime tv experience. That’s a really big thing for an actor.

6. "Community" is on an unplanned hiatus now but can you still tell us if you are going to be back as Pavel and what's going to happen now that Abed is living with Troy?

Unfortunately I don’t know what’s next for Pavel, Abed, or Troy. Time will tell I suppose.

7. What do you think sets "Community" apart from most of the other comedy shows? And do you think it makes the writers and actors more passionate about their work?

"Community" is a really funny, smartly written show, with a lot of witty pop culture references. I believe this is a big part of what sets it apart. The writers and actors know they are part of special television, which makes them passionate about what they are doing.

8. There are many fresh faces on the show, do you think the casting people and the writers are specifically looking for young actors like you, who they can nurture with this kind of rounded supporting role?

I think the casting people enjoy casting new talent, and the title of the show is really apropos. In a sense, there is a "community" of young actors who have worked on…"Community".

9. You also work as a stand up comedian. What do you love about this form of comedy? And where do you see your future, on stage or in film and tv?

Standup comedy is a really raw art form. You go up on stage with a mic in hand and try to make a bunch of strangers in a dark and smoky room laugh. There is a certain romance to it. But I’m an actor first, and would love to continue working in film and tv. I recently started studying with Steve Eastin at his acting studio and it’s been an amazingly powerful experience that has just made me fall in love with acting more.

10. Please tell us a little bit about your project Blue Panda Films that you work on with Laura Waters.

Laura Waters is a really talented actress and producer, who has been very supportive of all my pursuits. She truly has been my best friend here in LA. We have produced several projects together through our production company Blue Panda Films, and look forward to producing more in the future.

Foto: Dominik Musiol - Copyright: Michael Hanna
Dominik Musiol
© Michael Hanna

11. You told us your family has got friends in Germany. Have you ever been to Germany, too? If so, what places did you see and do you speak a little German?

I have been to Germany before about a decade ago. My family and I stayed with our friends in Nordheim, near Gottingen. Germany is such a beautiful country and the architecture is spectacular. I also remember it being very clean and kept up. I wish to spend more time there in the future, but as of now, I only speak a few words in German…danke!

12. On DVDs you sometimes find bloopers from the shooting. What moments would you put in a "Community" gag reel?

I think when I kept messing up my line in the political science episode would be a good one for Pavel. The reason I kept messing up was because none of us could keep a straight face when I came running out with that funny hat, telling Abed there are guys in suits ransacking his room.

13. If you could put together an entire crew for a movie or show: Who would be the director? Who would be in the leading role(s)? And what would the film/show be about?

I work in air conditioning as my daytime job. One of my co-workers suggested they should have an episode where we find Pavel is a secret operative as part of the School of Refrigeration. Maybe Vice Dean Laybourne is trying to turn Greendale from a community college to a vocational school. That sounds interesting to me. Wes Anderson should probably be the director, because I would imagine the movie would be pretty quirky. I would see Pavel as the red herring, good guy turned bad, bad guy turned good, or something like that.

14. myFanbase is a website that is devoted to US television shows. Do you have a favorite show?

I love "The Honeymooners" if you want to go way back, and I thought "Seinfeld" was epic. Currently, it’s "Community" of course!

Willi S. & Cindy Scholz - myFanbase