As a kid, I grew up watching Karate movies. At the time I was taking Karate (Shotokan and Taekwondo) I was into all of the Martial Arts movies. All of them were my idols. The main one I liked was Bruce Lee. However, I remember watching the others as well like: Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Steven Seagal, Jim Kelly, Kane Kosugi, Sho Kosugi, Benny the Jet Urquidez, Bolo Yeung and Ernie Reyes Jr. There are many others but these guys I remember vividly. I would watch their movies and do some of their moves afterwards. I used to set up boxes and knock them down after practicing my katas. The trigger for acting was activated then but my attention got diverted away from it when I picked up a tennis racquet. That summer in ‘92 my mom was looking for Acting classes because of my interest in Karate movies. When I picked up the racquet my love for tennis was born. I told my mom that I would do Acting after I was finished with Tennis.
Fast Forward 14 years later and I finished playing Collegiate Tennis and School as well. The drive for tennis wasn’t there anymore and I was getting tired of it. So one day, I was watching the TV program called Room Raiders on MTV with my mom and someone I knew at the time that was a friend of my brothers was on TV. Afterwards, I was like, if he can get on TV so can I. Ok that’s it, I’m doing Acting. When my mom heard this, she told me about this flyer she saw for an Acting Coach at the laundromat . I was interested and decided to check him out. I called the number and spoke with him. He told me his name is Alan Landers and that he used to be a cigarette model for Winston Cigarettes. He was the Winston Man. I met with him a few days later. He told me his credentials and his style (Meisner Method). Immediately, I set up a time to work with him.
In 2009 after a few years of lessons and learning from him, my action coach Alan Landers passes. He had throat cancer. At the time of his passing, I had enough coaching that I could venture out on my own and get signed with agencies, which I did. My first job that I booked was a commercial for a finance company. I played the role of a dad. On set, I called my great Aunt to tell her about me booking a commercial and that I was happy. Immediately after I hung up with her, I got this feeling that Acting was something I was SUPPOSED to be doing. I never had that feeling with Tennis. Then I thought about all the times I didn’t take acting seriously and how I did it for extra money being an extra on commercials and movies. It’s interesting how I had that feeling, because a few months later some stock photography I did back when I was 19 appeared on a Taco Bell Ad. I got a text message at 11:45pm at night from some college buddies asking when did I do a Taco Bell ad? I figured they were drunk. Then they sent the text and I was like HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was me in the middle holding the diploma in the air. I told my buddies that I didn’t know about it. Also, that the shoot was done 9 years earlier in Hialeah and it was for a College graduation catalog. I didn’t think much of it at the time. I got paid $150 for one hour’s worth of work. Soon after, I started getting phone calls from friends and associates that I knew about the ad. I even walked in to a Taco Bell and told the general manager about it. He promised me that he would save the poster that was next to the register and give it me once the campaign ended.
It’s those 2 events that let me know that things happen when you’re ready for them. The commercial and the Taco Bell Ad were two prime examples of it.
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Did you study acting
In 2001 I studied a little Acting. I was taking classes in Miami and got a feel for it. I had got cast into the role for a TV show pilot that was being filmed. I studied acting under Alan Landers. He taught me the Meisner Method. He knew Sandy Meisner and they trained many of the Actors in Hollywood. Alan taught in New York, L.A. and Europe as well. What helped me the most in Acting was that my coach was very honest and blunt. He taught me well but most importantly he kept it simple.
My first job that I booked was a commercial for a finance company. I played the role of a dad. On set, I called my great Aunt to tell her about me booking a commercial and that I was happy. Immediately after I hung up with her, I got this feeling that Acting was something I was supposed to be doing. I never had that feeling with Tennis. I guess you could say from that moment on I said I’m going to be an Actor and it’s my new passion.
What acting technique do you use
I use the Meisner Method which is aimed at Truthful Acting. Acting is making imaginary circumstances real. So, if I’m reading for the role of an ego driven boss that is selfish, then I think about my experiences with people like that and I draw from there.
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
The wrong impressions people get about Acting is that they think they don’t need lessons. People starting out in Acting, from what I’ve seen try to wing it instead of educating themselves on their craft. Acting is NOT just saying lines. You have to know who, what, when, where, why and how you are saying your lines in order to leave an impression for the casting director or client.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
I take workshops often to learn new things and trends that are going on at auditions. Most of it is a review on technique that I already know. Workshops are good. It keeps me in the loop on what has changed and what hasn’t. School is never over for the pro whether you’re at the top of a sport or booking jobs consistently. There is always something new to learn. Not one person knows everything.
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What acting books do you read
I’ve read a few books on Acting here are some: Sanford Meisner on Acting by Sanford Meisner and Dennis Longwell, An Actor Prepares by Constantin Stanislavsky and The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey.
How do you keep fit as an actor
I keep fit as an actor by practicing my monologue and memorization exercises. I also meditate to relax myself. It keeps me balanced
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
I read the script and understand what is going on in the story and how it relates to the character that I’m portraying. Then I look at the character and see I how relate to it. From there, I go on experience and what I would do in the character’s situation.
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
It’s magic LOL I think about the character and put myself in that person’s shoes. I understand their point of view and I make it real.
How do you stay fresh on set
I stay in character by focusing when it’s time to shoot. When shooting is over and in between breaks, I step out to give it a rest. It’s hard for me to explain because it’s natural for me to get in and out of character.
Describe a memorable character you played
So far, at this point in my career I can only say Stanley is the only memorable character that I’ve played. Stanley is a character that I portrayed off a TV pilot that I recently finished in August 2015 called Code 22. He’s the editor of a Newspaper. He’s egotistical, manipulative and demanding. I had fun bringing him to life. It was great.
Explain one creative choice you took on set
The one time I interpreted the Director’s direction was when I did a commercial for a tape company. I actually interpreted what he wanted wrong but he corrected me immediately. Looking back on it now I find it kind of funny. He claimed I was overacting but I felt otherwise.
What do you want most from a director
What I want most from a director is understanding: for us to be on the same page. What I mean by that is he or she is open to ideas and ways to make the project better. I know everyone works differently but if I feel the character is one way, I want to be able to communicate that to the director.
What actors do you long to work with
There are several Actors that I long to work with. The main one would be Denzel Washington. He’s someone I looked up to when I was taking lessons and the Acting biz seriously.
Why
Why Denzel? Well it’s how he delivers lines and how he conveys the character. The roles he’s played have been memorable from Malcolm X to Training Day and so forth. I’d love it to say that I’ve worked with him and have a co-starring role. That would honestly make my day.
What advice would you give to actors
I would say: Study your craft, Be Professional. People hire who they like, know and trust. Make sure you’re all three. More importantly, Network. Networking is crucial. Remember it’s not what you know but WHO you know. Last but not least, be humble. Humility goes a long way. Nothing is guaranteed in showbiz and word travels quick if you act like a diva.
Briefly write about your career
The productions that I’ve done have been for Independent Films. The pilot I shot was last year in August called Code 22. It’s about a day-to-day running of an online report that exposes and disrupts the corrupt. I play Stanley the editor of the Newspaper. In January I did two short films: Shadows and Craigslist Crazytown. In Shadows, I play the ex-boyfriend of the main character who is a little psycho. Craigslist Crazytown I play a store clerk to the main character who is giving away car but wants to find someone who really needs it. These two films were fun. I thoroughly enjoyed them. It’s nice to have them on my reel.
