'On Becoming a God in Central Florida' child star Cooper Jack Rubin's favorite scene was Harold's 'Opposites Attract' dance in Episode 3
With a background in theater Cooper Jack Rubin has been used to "getting in front of people [to act]" but for his television debut in 'On Becoming a God in Central Florida', he also had to get used to being in front of cameras. In an exclusive interview with MEA Worldwide (MEAWW), Cooper admitted to feeling nervous because it was his "first big thing".
On set, he had to get used to close-up shots and stop himself from looking directly into the camera. He was also surprised when the crew got him to "pretend" he was outdoors when he was really indoors, by using pictures of the scenery outside.
But the most surreal part of filming 'On Becoming a God in Central Florida' for Cooper was pretending it was the 90s. "For me, it started with the wardrobe. Then, once I would walk on to the sets and I was in the house, I was in the 90s. It was a whole different culture, so it was crazy for me. I just had to walk in and believe I was in the 90s. Because if you don't believe it, your audience won't believe it either," he said.
Playing Harold, the only child of the overprotective Ernie (Mel Rodriguez) and Bets (Beth Ditto), meant Cooper had most of his scenes with the two. Saying they were "amazing to be around", Cooper revealed they would always "laugh, talk and dance" on the sets.
He describes meeting "Mary Jane from Spiderman", Kirsten Dunst, as "very cool but also just crazy" because she was such a known face in pop culture. Speaking about his character Harold, Cooper said, "we are both similar in the sense that we both love the arts".
He remembers how he and his family were excited about him getting called to audition for the show because the character was similar to him. "Harold has a hidden passion for singing and dancing and his parents don't quite understand this but become more flexible about it over time," he said.
According to Cooper, Harold has a complex relationship with Ernie, his father. He is mostly "angry at him" but over the course of the first season, "he has different reactions and emotions" while dealing with Ernie's changing behavior and actions.
Cooper's favorite scene in the show is when he dances to Paula Abdul's 'Opposites Attract' in episode 3. "I watched the video a bunch of times to pick up the steps and infused them with some my own moves and that's what you see on screen." It was his dance performance at the audition that got him selected for the role as well.
Since Hugh Jackman is his acting, dancing and singing idol, Cooper would love to do a musical. But he is also interested in doing a spy movie or a horror movie, citing 'Stranger Things' as a show he loves. "I would love to do my own stunts like walk on the top of buildings and I love watching horror movies. So that would be cool," he said. Eventually, he wants to be like Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown): "She has her own business now and she's busy and that's what I would like for myself in the future."
'On Becoming a God in Central Florida' airs Sundays on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET.
