Local actor Brian Sutherland is on the right track to stardom. The Oregon native is set to star in Episode 13 of the new NBC television series Grimm, entitled “Three Coins in a Fuchsbau”.

Sutherland said that working on Grimm was one of his favorite projects.

“It was an amazing experience, mainly because of the size of the cast and crew,” Sutherland said.

On set, he was able to work with various well-known actors, including those from shows such as Lost and CSI.

SMOOTHER TRANSITION Sutherland also enjoyed working with squibs, which are blood packs that explode to create a gunshot effect.

Brian Sutherland hasn’t just worked in film, however. He actually got his start in musical theatre at the University of Oregon, where he acted in plays such as Sweeney Todd, Beauty and the Beast, and Seussical.

After two years at the University of Oregon, Sutherland transferred to Cornish College of the Arts, and promptly withdrew a few days later. “It just didn’t feel right for me. I live by my instincts.” He then found the Seattle Acting School, where he studied for four years.

More recently, Sutherland has been working on two web series; “Glitch”, and “The Collectables”.

Sutherland is Producing, Assistant Directing, as well as appearing in Glitch, a series about a video game tester whose life is plagued by old video game glitches. The series has gotten press from publications like Wired and The Escapist.

He also says the project’s Kickstarter (a fundraising website) has received more than double the money they initially expected.

Every episode of Glitch, Sutherland will take on an old video game persona who becomes the main character’s “mentor”.  Technically, he will be playing seven different characters throughout the course of the series.

The Collectables, Sutherland’s other project, he describes as “The Office” meets superheroes. He will be playing the starring role, Super Star, “A Michael Scott like character who is addicted to Jello pudding and juice boxes”, Sutherland said.

Sutherland also starred in a short western film titled “The Shootout”, where he played the infamous Jesse James. “The role of Jesse brought the most life into me,” Sutherland said.

He also credits “The Shootout” as one of his favorite projects, as he was able to play somebody who actually existed at some time.

The Shootout was filmed this past December at the Neely Mansion in Auburn. Sutherland also wrote and will be directing “Hands of Thunder” a feature about a 1970’s disco hand clapping band.

When asked if he had any advice for young aspiring actors, Sutherland said “George Clooney once said ‘90% of it is confidence’ and I don’t think there’s any better way to put it. If you consistently show up on time, know what you’re saying, be prepared, and act professional, the rest of it is confidence. You are your own original person, and you deserve the role that’s right for you,” Sutherland said.

Sutherland  treats every audition as another opportunity to act, and doesn’t stress about whether or not he gets the role.

Sutherland hopes to attend the upcoming Seattle International Film Festival, and possibly South by Southwest.

“The Seattle Film Festival is probably the largest in the country,”Sutherland said.

You can catch Brian Sutherland on Grimm towards the end of February. Sutherland has also made himself available to any actors looking for advice. You can contact him at [email protected], and his website, www.brianjsutherland.com.