Series seems a natural fit for director
Larry McLean.
Mississauga director Larry McLean (right), seen here with Val Kilmer on the set of the NBC mini-series XIII, is back in town to film several episodes of the Disney Channel television show Aaron Stone.
Erin Mills director Larry McLean has plenty of irons in the fire.
McLean, who has a long history in film and television, having worked on series such as Robocop and Due South, is now filming episodes of the Disney Channel program, Aaron Stone.
That job came after McLean wrapped up shooting of an action thriller mini-series for NBC starring Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff called XIII. The series follows a man (Dorff) found with a mysterious tattoo on his neck with lightning-fast reflexes and no memory of who he is. The series is expected to debut this fall.
Having broken into the industry as a stuntman, and having directed action/adventure shows and scenes, McLean's work on XIII seemed a natural fit.
Earlier this month, McLean started shooting several episodes of Aaron Stone in Toronto. The show follows a 16-year-old boy whose life is forever changed when he starts saving the world through his video game alter-ego.
And McLean's also waiting to hear from Jerry Bruckheimer about an opportunity to film episodes of CSI: NY.
While working on XIII, McLean started chatting with fellow director Duane Clark, who happens to be Dick Clark's son. After a lengthy discussion, Clark passed McLean's name along to CSI producers.
Now, McLean is just waiting on a call.
"Shows like that carry a lot of weight," said McLean. "If I get approved, they'll probably give me one episode and if I do a good job, (Bruckheimer) has lots of shows. Working for Jerry is something that can take your career to another level. Obviously, CBS is one of the big-time networks."
Not that Disney is any slouch, he added.
"Disney always seems to be doing something," said McLean. "In the fall, I hope to shoot The Jonas Brothers and I've been bugging them to let me do Hannah Montana."
McLean actually knows the star of Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus, from his time shooting the television series, Doc, which starred her father, Billy Ray Cyrus.
As a director, McLean is generally wedded to the show's style. But that doesn't mean he can't add his own personal touch.
"As a good director, you have to read between the lines," he said. "The script is there and it's your job to bring your own flair to the story."
McLean has also directed episodes of Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye and F/X: The Series, among others.
cclay@mississauga.net