Interview with Angelo Mercado Jr

New York native Angelo Mercado Jr. first discovered his passion for acting in high school when he stumbled into drama club. Angelo felt that theatre helped keep him focused, and as a teenager growing up in the Bronx, saved him from trouble. In college Angelo continued to participate in drama club while he pursued a degree in Computer Science.

After his son was born, Angelo decided to lead by example. He wanted his son to know that a person can do anything he sets his mind to if he is willing to put in the work. He then started taking acting classes and workshops at the New York Film Academy, HB Studios and Terry Schreiber Studios. With his beautiful family 100% behind him, Angelo was determined to become a professional actor.

That premiere was amazing. Be ready. #TWDFanPremiere #TheWalkingDeadfanpremiere pic.twitter.com/z5hO8GcLT4

— Angelo Mercado Jr (@Mister_Mercado) October 10, 2015

With his unique blend of wit, humor and Latin charm, Angelo booked roles on several TV shows including “Do not Disturb: Hotel Horrors”, “Celebrity Ghost Stories”, “The Hunt With John Walsh” and “Frog Kissers” (Web Series). He also booked one of the lead roles in the indie film Utopia Lies at The Horizon, which won the Bronze award at the Boxur Shorts film festival in LA, an award at the NY Coney Island Film Festival, an award at the Boston Latin International Film Festival, and an award at the LATINUY Film festival in Uruguay. (See Filmography for all TV & Film Credits)

Angelo continues to live, work, and thrive in New York City. A huge comic book enthusiast, Angelo dreams of someday playing a lead role in a movie or television show about a Super Hero. He also aspires to work with his all-time two favorite actors: Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro. Angelo briefly worked with Robert De Niro on the set of “The Intern” (2015). The highlight being Mr. DeNiro hitting him in the back with a door. Angelo also counts actor/martial arts expert Bruce Lee and actress/singer Jennifer Lopez (Also Bronx born and of Puerto Rican descent) to be among his personal heroes.

Did you study acting
I joined the drama club at Walton High School and continued from there. I took acting classes at Bronx Community college, NY film Institute and with various coaches throughout the city. I have also done the virtual masterclass with Dustin Hoffman.

What acting technique do you use
I am a big fan of the Stanislavsky technique, the Meisner technique and the Strasberg method. I use a combination that is best suited for my style. I always try to be genuine and in the moment

Do you take courses to improve your craft
I take plenty of workshops in all the various studios in NYC. I go to private coaching on a weekly basis with a phenomenal actress/coach. I also take online classes; such as the master class series. I also get together with my actor friends regularly and we put ourselves on film with random scenes just to keep the muscles flexed and stay engaged. I also take improv classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade, and stand-up comedy with Clayton Fletcher of the New York Comedy club.

What acting books do you read
My go to books are “Acting for Film” by Michael Caine, “Meisner on Acting” by Sanford Meisner, “Respect for Acting” by Uta Hagen, and “An Actor Prepares” by Constantin Stanislavski. I feel these are some of the books every actor should have in their library. I also read a lot of self-help books. Some of my favorites are “Big Magic” By Elizabeth Gilbert, “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield, “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle, and “The Artist Way” by Julia Cameron.

How do you keep fit as an actor
Physically I have just started going to the gym to get fit, mostly because I booked a fitness campaign and they are paying me to work out. Mentally I read, and I try to do as many recreational activities as I can, in order to not have mental breakdowns.

How do you prepare for a role
I prepare for a role by first memorizing the lines as best I can. Then I start to analyze the scene, think about the moment before and the moment after my scene. What is my objective, what is my relationship with the other character, where are we, what time of day is it. Also depending on the characters profession, I will watch YouTube videos of people performing those job functions.

How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
I incorporate all of the information from the last question and say to myself. How would I handle this situation? And try to bring in as much of myself to the role as I can. The biggest thing for me is to not play a character, but be truthful to the emotions the character is going through.

How do you stay fresh on set
Repetition of being in the mindset of the world that character is living in. But you can’t be “on” at all times. Some subject matter is quite difficult and sometime during breaks, you need to remember yourself or you could break down emotionally.

Describe a memorable character you played
Father Ramon Martinez. A prominent New Orleans priest who on one hand worked directly with the pope to having a secret that ends up costing him his life.

Explain one creative choice you took on set
While working with director Joel Schumacher I was asked to play the role of someone who was loved by the entire community but was going through some personal demons, I had to be confident while showing vulnerability in my eyes, behind my smile.

What do you want most from a director
A director who understands people. Sometimes a director no matter how wonderful they are, have trouble relating to the actors they are working with and ask certain things that an actor cannot do or feel comfortable doing.

What actors do you long to work with
Robert DeNiro and Jennifer Lopez.

Why
Well I could have said Scarlett Johansson, because I have the only crush on her, lol. She is an amazing actress. But I grew up watching movies like Raging Bull, and Taxi Driver, The Godfather, Casino. His work ethic, his on screen presence, and his overall attitude in life leave you in awe of him. I have had the pleasure of meeting him while working as a background actor on set, and he is one of the nicest most genuine people I have met. A lot of the same goes for JLo, she is such an inspiration to me. Being a fellow Puerto Rican actor who grew up in the Bronx. Her business savvy is also something I admire about her.

What advice would you give to actors
Be humble. No matter what level of star you are. Be respectful to everyone of set no matter who they are or who you think they are. Your attitude on set carries and they always have a way of coming back to you. Keep studying, you don’t know everything. If you are not getting called in for auditions as much as you’d like, create your own content, show them what you can do.

Briefly write about your career
I had the pleasure of working with director Joel Schumacher on a miniseries he produced and co-directed with Mark Marabella for “Investigation Discovery” called “Do not Disturb: Hotel Horrors” I played a well-respected priest from New Orleans that was living a double life. It ended in tragedy, but it was such an interesting character. I have also played in several indie projects and web series. I worked with one of the leads from orange is the new black “Inmate Watson” in a web series called “Frog Kissers”, which was a lot of fun. One of the indie films was by an amazing Writer/Director Leo Curbelo. We won a few awards for the film “Utopia lies at the horizon”.