EXCLUSIVE | 'Artificial: Remote Intelligence': Stephen Chang hints at a more 'cautious' Sebastian going forward
In this all-new season of 'Artificial: Remote Intelligence,' it's Sebastian (Stephen Chang) who's running the show. He's forming a new team to oversee the development of an all-new AI, based off of Sophie's (Tiffany Chu) designs. In an exclusive interview with MEA World Wide(MEAWW), the actor talks about Sebastian's frame of mind, his reasons for starting again and a glimpse into the madness behind the scenes of 'Artificial: Remote Intelligence.'
"I feel like he's definitely a person who has learned from his past experiences," said Stephen Chang, talking about Sebastian, "and he's trying to use what happened last season kinda as the catalyst and learning experience to kind of go from there and learn from there."
The murder that Sophie committed is at the top of Sebastian's mind. "His number one concern going forward is definitely taking precautions so the same thing does not happen again," he said. "But he does at the same time want the same people who have had that experience to be a part of this new experience so as not to repeat what happened last time."
When asked if Sebastian feels responsible for what happened to Sophie, he replied, "I don't think Sebastian would ever admit that. But I feel like, deep down I feel like there's definitely a level of responsibility." He continued, "While Dr Lin was the brains behind the operation, I feel like Sebastian always considered himself the leader - the captain of the ship sailing in a direction. I think he takes a lot of pride in being the navigator of the ship."
If Sebastian is the navigator, then Season 3 will see him going full speed ahead. "I know he'd really push for the audience interaction. I think he sees the benefit in that, but I think he wants to be definitely more cautious this time about how much audience interaction there is, and who was interacting with the AI."
As for whether Sebastian would have voted to deactivate Sophie himself, Stephen said, "I don't think he would have. I think he would have kept Sophie...what I've always felt about him, is that he sees the positive even in the negative. So, that was, you know, a s**tshow last episode, and things were going awry, but I think that he would have found a way to try to turn it."
Though Stephen doesn't quite know all the details yet, he does know that there are safeguards in place to keep that kind of disaster from happening again. "I think he wants definitely to bring specific people in to nurture the new AI, nurture her relationship with the world and with humanity," he said. "I would definitely say the Sebastian of this new season, season three is definitely more cautious than the one last season was...and he wants to double, triple check. Quadruple check everyone. Make sure this is something that will work. But he definitely see the benefits of human interaction, I think he still believes in that process."
Stephen spares a moment to talk about one of the series' new characters - Elle (Christy St. John) - and what had Sebastian pick her to be a part of the team. "I think what he really likes about her is her passion. I think Sebastian is drawn to people that are passionate and believe in the project. He doesn't want to bring in naysayers and negative people. He wants people that are passionate," he said, "and I think the one thing that I've gathered from Elle's character is that she's willing to do anything. She really believes in changing the world. And I think that's been his biggest draw of Elle."
He talks a little about what it's like to shoot a show like 'Artificial.' "If a vote can sway the storyline in a different direction, then as an actor, you have to be prepared for that. You have different lines, if it goes this way, you've certain lines or if it goes this way...there's usually kind of an iPad in front of you. You're kind of juggling that and having to scroll down to make sure if it votes this way then what's to be said and things like that. So definitely more preparation for the actor which is challenging but I think it definitely makes it a much more exciting experience for both the audience and then the actor because you never know what's gonna happen."
He continues, "It's funny those live days, they're just - they're kind of a blur. You really have to lock in and you're just really focused and it's been a great experience. I hope maybe more television goes this way," he says, "because it's very exciting and I really think it's what the actors looking for - wanting to be surprised. I think that's kind of the fun part."
For all the fun he has behind the scenes, however, there is one part of the 'Artificial' experience Stephen feels he's missing out on - the fans' discussions. "I try to avoid the talk going on. Sometimes I think the conversations are more entertaining than what I'm doing on the screen. I'd love to be a part of that, that would be cool. That would be fun. Maybe I'll create an anonymous account or something like that. Chime in here and there."
He described one of the moments that surprised him the most during the live streams. "We become very attached to our characters. So for me it was really always hurtful that Sebastian never won, he was never winning any of these votes, right? And he came off as a - this kind of mustache-twirling villain behind the scenes. But I was really surprised. As an actor, you don't want your character to be seen as the bad guy. He's always trying to do the best he can from his perspective," he said. At one point in Season 2, however, the audience finally votes in his favor. "I was surprised because I feel like I'm kind of winning over the audience with my character."
In addition to his role as Sebastian, you can find Stephen appearing as Jesse on 'The Last of Us' II. The next episode of 'Artificial: Remote Intelligence' airs June 18, at 6 pm PT on Twitch.tv/ArtificialNext.
