When I was young, my grandfather had a 50″ TV in the living room and we watched movies on it almost everyday. I remember watch these movies and if they resonated with me then I would put myself in the story. I would imagine I was one of the characters and play out scenes in my head as I thought the movie should go. In high school I got into theater and I remember my first time on stage. I was so scared! But afterwards, with the cheering from the crowd I knew that was a place I liked to be. It wasn’t an easy journey. I had people tell me I’m rubbish. I had people treat me differently because they thought I wasn’t good, but I knew that just like everything else, if you keep at it, you improve and one day all those naysayers turn into big supporters. And that it was happened.
#Genocide is coming along nicely! Check out a quick screen shot of @Danitoes and myself! @SyfyTV @ActorsAccess 😀 pic.twitter.com/hoAJdZ7gaN
— Anita Clay (@aniindigo) June 4, 2015
Did you study acting
I stated studying acting when I was a sophomore in high school. I belonged to a small acting troop and joined Forensics to practice and be judged in front of regional experts. After high school, I studied at a conservatory in Manhattan, NY. After that I took private classes with various teachers around Manhattan.
What acting technique do you use
I mostly studied Stanislavsky’s method the most but now I have been trying a new method that my current mentor Lindy Davies is teaching in Australia and to teacher groups around the world. Her method involved being in an open state mentally and physically to really be truthful and honest in every moment you are performing. It’s wonderful.
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
Acting is the portrayal of the truth. Everything that you do when you’re in the acting state has to convey that. Acting is not just learning and saying lines. You have to listen, be instinctual, honest. If you’re not living in the moment they audience isn’t either.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
Yes! At this point in my career I have been learning to be an autonomous artist. It’s smart to continue to grow with tips and feedback from fellow actors/mentors, but mostly I want to be able to good enought were my private coaching involves taking me beyond my current point. Not just sustaining it..
What acting books do you read
Uta Hagan’s Respect for Acting; Susan Batson – Truth;
How do you keep fit as an actor
Physically: I train 2-3 times a week in martial arts, screen fighting and weapon’s training. It keeps me fit and ready to do my own stunts.
Mentally: I keep a journal and try to write once a week. It helps to jot down all my thoughts, insecurities, grips, hopes. Whatever I’m feeling. It’s almost as if the page absorbs all my mind jargon so I can concentrate on the now. I also meditate and practice yoga which is really good to find balance in your mind and spirit so you can tackle each day with serenity and confidence.
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
Well, the first thing is to read the script. If you like the story the next thing should be to talk compensation with the producer to the project. While acting is an art and a skill I want express to all actors out there that is it is also a business and you must know your worth. While it is your passion you have determine if the project is going to be worth the time and effort. Check out past works from the director, producer, DP. The goal is to keep getting better so you want to work with people who are going to make you look amazing. Compensation doesn’t always have to money. It could be good exposure, the teaching of a new skill, really well done scenes to add to your reel. There are levels and it’s up to you to determine what you need for your career to keep advancing.
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
The best thing for me is to be a real person. Have a life. Fall in love, fall out of love, make friends of all different types (they make for great character studies) and be authentic in your real life. When I approach a character I read the subtext. What’s not being said. That’s how we live, that’s how characters become believable and breathing. I have to understand all aspects of what’s happening in the scene to make my character honest. My current method involves allowing myself to feel the words, of my characters and scene partner, to be breathed by them it keeps me in the moment and helps me uncover the layers to keep adding and enriching my character with more understanding and honesty.
How do you stay fresh on set
I believe that this part comes with experience. It’s one of those learned things that you get better at each time. Between takes I like to sit in silence or play some music but I have to be cut off from whats happening around me to stay fresh in my feelings at the moment. If the director needs me to do a scene 20 times, at the beginning of each take I take a big breath and refocus my mind on the scene at hand.
Describe a memorable character you played
Most memorable so far is of Lt. Nyssa Emery and her computer Fawn from the mini series GENOCIDE. It’s currently still in production, the pilot was released last year and will be available for online streaming very soon. We are filming Episode Two now and that will be available towards the end of the year.
Explain one creative choice you took on set
Recently I worked on a movie where the director gave me the choice to either walk away from the main character or accept her apology. I chose to walk away and when the director saw my choice, he told me that it had completed the main character’s story and made for a better movie. I was just following what my character did at the moment.
What do you want most from a director
Openness. I like a director who doesn’t think I’m a robot, but that we are two artists working together to breathe life into a story. When we both know that the other’s motivation is to create some
thing awesome and we just click on set that’s the best feeling. The best days I have on a set are when the director leaves happy and excited about the work we just did.
What actors do you long to work with
Johnny Depp. No question.
Why
I love his work. I would like to be able to observe his process and possibly walk away with some illumination I can put into my work.
What advice would you give to actors
If acting is your passion. Do it. Even if it’s for your grandmother. When you do something that you love you enrich not only your life, but the life of the people that are around you. For my working actors, don’t forget what it felt like the first time your heart told you to that this is what you wanted. Stay rooted in reality and remember that we (actors) are necessary to help ignite the imagination of people. We give them hope, we make them laugh, and sometimes we make them think about things they’d rather not. But remember that this is something that benefits everyone, so please keep working on your craft and don’t let insecurities and falsities stop you from doing your work. You are important. Don’t give up.
Briefly write about your career
My first feature film was BLACKHEART as the leading lady Sasha – This put me on the map. After that I did another feature called DEATH IS NO ESCAPE as one of the leads Vanessa – It was a horror film and so much fun! Both of these movies went to festivals and won recognition and awards. I did another feature entitled ADRENALINE :LIFELINE this was my first action film. I fell in love. CITY OF GOLD I had a supporting role in but it was nice to work with top directors and DP. These two movies have yet to be finished but am looking forward to their release. I have done number of short films, the latest being a collaboration with director Fernando Cuestas, Actors Mara Lee Gilbert and Greg Paul on the short film entitled MO: MODULAR OVERSEER. We are in the middle of creating a mini webseries to expand on the story as we have received a good response from our audiences.
Recently GENOCIDE has been my big project and I’m excited to see where it goes from here.
