Tyler Alvarez
stars in Netflix Film
BLOCKBUSTER
Photography Matthew Priestley
Interview Tessa Swantek
Tyler Alvarez tells us, “I want to leave here having sucked the bone marrow out of life,” and it seems that he puts his money where his mouth is. He lives deliberately, relishing in the present moment- enjoying the cities he finds himself in, and creating lifelong connections with those around him. For Tyler, he is grateful to be living his passion, however the same cannot be said for many of the characters on Netflix’s new series Blockbuster, in which he plays Carlos. The comedy series follows the last Blockbuster’s owner and employees attempting to keep the store alive. Carlos is an employee studying to be an accountant, while ignoring his dream to become a filmmaker. Alvarez is very similar to Carlos, yet Alvarez’s mindset seems to be Carlos’ destination that he has yet to find. Luckily for viewers, the entire cast of Blockbuster are equally devoted to their careers and were willing and ready to create magic with this series. Their passion seeps through the screen, and like Alvarez says, watching Blockbuster feels like a “warm hug.” To honor nostalgia, we recommend sitting down with as many people as you can, microwaving a buttery bowl of popcorn, and binge-watching the series as if you had just picked up the blue and yellow DVD. Read below for our interview with Tyler Alvarez about working on the series, his hot take, and his European plans with fellow Blockbuster co-star!
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First, I want to say that I’m obsessed with Blockbuster, it is so, so good! There’s a lot of nostalgia in watching the series since most people remember going to Blockbuster at a young age. Recently, what do you feel most nostalgic for?
As the holidays are just around the corner, I’m getting really nostalgic for Christmas time. Something about this time of year just brings me back to the magic I felt when I was younger and believed in Santa Claus. My favorite Christmas of all time was when I was 5 years old, and I got my dog Max. It was snowing outside, and it was perfect…I’ll never forget it.
If you had a Hollywood Harold movie pick, what would you pick?
I’m actually with Carlos on this one – it would have to be Pulp Fiction. I love I love love love Quentin Tarantino! He’s easily one of my favorite filmmakers ever.
Jacket and Shirt: Etudes Pants: Tomobogo Shoes: R13 All Jewelry: Versani Chocker necklaces: Brian Christopher Kelly
In the series, your character Carlos, finds himself in a horror movie expert competition at one point. If there was a trivia competition that you would be confident that you would win, what theme would you choose? It can be as niche and obscure as you’d like!
Like I said, I love Quentin Tarantino, so if the topic was Tarantino films, I have no doubt I would win because I’ve watched every single one of them!
One more fun question, then we can go more serious! One of my favorite Carlos lines is “My hot takes drive people to drink!” Any hot takes?
Kraft mac and cheese is the best mac and cheese in the world, and you can’t convince me otherwise!
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Jacket and Shirt: Etudes Pants: Tomobogo Shoes: R13 All Jewelry: Versani Chocker necklaces: Brian Christopher Kelly
Getting a bit more in depth into Blockbuster, I think it’s so interesting how the workplace setting and identity is so prevalent across various genres. Of course, you have The Office, but you also have psychological dramas like Severance. What do you think is the intrigue around this setting in the media? And, for Blockbuster, how do you think the setting affects the type of comedy we see in the show?
I think the intrigue of workplace comedies is that it brings you into the settings of all these different walks of life, with people who now must interact with each other who wouldn’t necessarily be friends in their normal lives. People with such different points of views and different ways of living forced to communicate in one room, or in this case, one workplace. The intrigue with Blockbuster is of course how hysterical it is, but also how it’s grounded in so much truth. It feels like a warm hug when I watch it, and it makes me really love these people and want to get to know them and spend time with them. They felt like best friends.
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Actors are constantly shifting workplaces to the point that I would think it would feel like
the first day of school every time you start a new project. How would you describe your
ideal work environment?
That’s very true! It constantly feels like the first day of school and with each new job you get to
meet a bunch of new people, but I think it’s one of my favorite things about this career. I’ve
made so many good, lifelong friends that I love, and I’m constantly being surrounded by new
people and creating new families all around the country and beyond!
With the traveling component of the job, I feel so lucky to experience knowing what it’s like to live in Vancouver, what it’s like to live in Portland, what it’s like to live in Miami etc. I have lived in all these different places for work and the opportunities are endless. I’m hoping one day I can make my way to Europe.
My ideal work environment, which Blockbuster satisfied, is working with a community of
creatives who all love what they do and are willing to go to all lengths to make it happen. I feel
really lucky that on Blockbuster we had a group of people who were open to suggestions and
improv and collaboration. For example, I recommended that Carlos be Puerto Rican and Cuban,
and our showrunner Vanessa Ramos was totally for it.
It’s great to be in an environment where people like to be collaborative, love what they do and
want to be there.
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For an ensemble cast show like Blockbuster, the synergy between characters is so important to make it work well. Did you feel like the closer you got to the cast, the more it reflected on screen?
I think we had great chemistry from the first week, before we even started filming. From the beginning we would all go to cast dinners, and I think those really helped us bond and get to know each other. By the time we started filming, we were already well acquainted and had formed connections, inside jokes and relationships.
If we get another season (fingers crossed), I’m excited to see if dynamics will be any different. After living together for a year and seeing each other through so much, we’ve all become intertwined in each other’s lives and developed real friendships since Season 1.
Did you have a favorite day or moment on set?
The best moments were those days when we would sit in the holding tent offset and it would just be me and the rest of the cast chatting away, talking about different things. I always say my favorite part about working in film are the friendships that I take away from any given project. It’s the best part of the job.
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I saw on Instagram that one quote that encouraged you to come out in High School was “Do the work to be happy- it takes work.” We see Carlos experience doing that work in being honest with himself and chasing his passions and true identity. How do you relate most intimately to Carlos? And how do you think you differ most from him?
I relate to Carlos in a few different ways. Carlos is queer, I’m queer. Carlos is a filmmaker, I’m also a filmmaker. It was really great to be able to breathe those facets to life. Carlos struggles with whether he should chase his dreams or play it safe and become an accountant, which is what his parents want him to do. I’m very passionate about trying to do what you love in this world and not settling for anything less. Life is too short. I have so many friends who started out doing jobs that they’re not very passionate about and now they’re trying to pivot and find a different path.
We should all be doing what we love in my opinion. You never have to push me to get out of bed at 5:30 in the morning to go to set. I wake up, and I get out of bed so easily because I love what I do and no matter what that looks like for you, which could be anything… go for it! As long as it sets your heart on fire. I want to leave here having sucked the bone marrow out of life.
Finally, what can we look forward to next from you?
I’m in the process of writing and developing 2 scripts, and I’m looking to return to the stage. I did a play a while back that I really enjoyed and so I’m trying to get back on stage whenever I can. If we get a second season, Madeleine [Arthur] and I always talk about getting a flat in London and just taking some time to go live our best European lives right before we have to go back and film. You’ll have to stay tuned to see if we do it!