CHRIS ZYLKA: It was an audition situation.
I read the script and really enjoyed the character.
What throw in of guy is your character?
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ZYLKA: Im more of the jokester/ass.
Im the cocky kid.
You want the sharks to eat me.
Was it challenging to make him a character that audiences could root for?
ZYLKA: You have to always have a go at find that redeeming quality.
I think it had to do with all of the actors being so prepared and knowing their characters.
Theyre all likeable characters, and completely different.
What gets all of these kids stranded in the water with no way to get out?
ZYLKA: The sharks swim faster than you would think.
ZYLKA: Yes, absolutely.
What do you think it is about sharks that is both terrifying and fascinating to people?
ZYLKA: I think because theyre such an anomaly.
How often do you ever get to see a shark up close?
Ive never seen a real shark.
You watch videos of them.
Thats what makes it such a huge fan favorite.
You get to see these things up close and on the big screen.
sDid you know there were so many different types of sharks?
ZYLKA: I honestly didnt.
Its really quite remarkable how many different species there are.
Is there one that you have to deal most directly with?
ZYLKA: Im in very close contact with a hammerhead, which was always my favorite growing up.
I loved hammerheads because theyre so different looking.
How does the PG-13 rating affect this?
Thats going to make it scary.
Its not so much about the gore or the blood.
Theres no Michael Meyers or Jason Voorhees.
Its these terrifying creatures that people arent as well educated about, as they are a human person.
Its more the element of surprise that makes this pop.
Did the 3D cameras affect your performance at all?
Is it weird for you, as an actor, to see yourself in 3D?
ZYLKA: It is weird.
It really makes everything pop out.
What were the biggest challenges of shooting so much of this in water?
ZYLKA: We did about a week and a half of water training, so that we werent nervous.
Who doesnt jump in water and play like a 10-year-old again?
It was more fun than stressful or physically demanding.
ZYLKA: First of all, it was such a pleasure to work with him.
Hes always in a great mood on set.
He obviously knows action, and he knows how to set up explosions and surprises.
He brought something to the table that no other director could have brought.
That was really nice.
Once this ensemble was put together, did you guys just all click immediately?
ZYLKA: We had such a strong bond, from day one.
It was a really wonderful two months, and weve all stayed dear friends.
It was a big plus, having such a great ensemble.
What was it like to go from animatronic sharks to CGI piranhas forPiranha 3DD?
ZYLKA: Michael Meyers.
ZYLKA: You just make a run at focus.
It was an absolute pleasure to work with Marc Webb.
And, Andrew [Garfield] and Emma [Stone] are brilliant.
Obviously, Sally [Field] and Martin [Sheen] are not bad at their craft.
How was Marc Webb to work with?
ZYLKA: He is bringing something completely different, that people are going to love so much.
One of the nice things about Marc is that hes an actors director.
He helps, or plants ideas in your head that work.
What do you look for, when deciding what roles and projects you want to do?
We always want to challenge ourselves.
Thats the biggest thing that I look at.
Is this going to be a challenge?
