James Marsters

What’s your favourite piece of technology, and how has it improved your life?

First of all, in general I am not a fan of technology – for one thing, I have found the telephone to be an imposition. However, Pro Tools has let garage bands record their music to a professional level, and that’s been a great thing. I also love iMovie on the Mac.

When was the last time you used it, and what for?

With iMovies, I make little movies with my son, either gag commercials or a little character called the Maestro, that we created ourselves.

What additional features would you add if you could?

I don’t know that I know enough about what’s in Pro Tools to know that – I’m still learning about what’s in there.

Do you think it will be obsolete in 10 years’ time?

No, I think it will be easier to use – and will hopefully have prettier colours on the screen.

What always frustrates you about technology in general?

That you can’t smell it – that the textures in the experience are always smooth and hard. And we need to find a way to lower the power usage of computers – the energy usage is a lot bigger than we thought.

Is there any particular piece of technology that you have owned and hated?

For a while I hated my cellphone – sometimes in Hollywood, the cellphone seems like a leash. Often I would lose it on purpose – but I’m better now, I’ve grown up.

If you had one tip about getting the best out of new technology, what would it be?

Read the documentation – new technology is always so pretty and gleaming, but a lot of people skip reading how to work it.

Do you consider yourself to be a luddite or a nerd?

I guess I’m a bit of both. I used to go to Star Trek conventions with pointed ears, so I’m defintiely a nerd.

What’s the most expensive piece of technology you’ve ever owned?

Apart from my car – a Honda Accord, I’m going to drive it till it dies – I guess it would be my Apple computer, my iBook.

Mac or PC, and why?

Mac, Mac, Mac – because it works. It seems to just be more liquid, and friendlier.

Do you still buy physical media such as CDs and DVDs, or do you download?

I’m still buying discs, but not as many as I used to. Now I try to get those movies I’ll be seeing more than one time.

Robot butlers – a good idea or not?

Well, it seems like it was going to be a good idea, but now they are experimenting with giving machines emotions.

What piece of technology would you most like to own?

Pro Tools – I want to really get my head around that. I’d also like to be a wizard on an iPhone.

• James Marsters is best known for his role as the vampire Spike on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. He has also appeared in the BBC’s Torchwood. His most recent film, Dragonball Evolution, is out now on DVD and Blu-ray