My career trajectory has been somewhat anomalous. I have always felt a compulsion to act, but it was overshadowed by more “conventional” pursuits and pressures. I was pre-law at NYU and intended to attend law school before concluding that it wasn’t for me. After graduating, I began a career in business media. Although I performed well within a corporate environment, I ultimately decided to follow my instincts and passion and pursue a career in acting full-time. I resigned in 2013 and haven’t looked back since.
Official premiere of #JusttheTip episode 2. Bigger, badder & boobier than ever. http://t.co/zium3FvKu8
— Krista Robelle (@KristaRobelle) May 30, 2015
Did you study acting
Absolutely. I’m a firm believer in training and being a student of one’s craft.
I was fortunate enough to study under the tutelage of a fantastic teacher – Deena Levy – master teacher of the Deena Levy Theatre Studio. I completed a two-year “Levy” intensive program with her that incorporated elements of Meisner and Grotowski. Aside from being an amazing human being and mentor, she is a phenomenal instructor. Her technique is predicated on a four-part, whole-person methodology underpinned by the notion of “what works about you.” It’s extremely positive and helps promote a sense of self-love and acceptance that has proven valuable for me in all facets of life. She espouses the principle that the “character sits with you.” It’s not about becoming someone else; it’s about elucidating the commonalities between you and the character.
Day 7 January 28, 2014 Creamy Acres 42- Lincoln Mill Rd. South Harrison, NJ 08062 DerekBrad.com
What acting technique do you use
I’m not especially dogmatic about abiding by any one particular technique. I know some actors wholly endorse either Meisner or Method. I prefer to expose myself to as many techniques as possible, and then amalgamate what works best under the given circumstances. As a general rule, principles such as listening and reacting are always beneficial. Openness and vulnerability are crucial components. Understanding and studying human behavior is also valuable.
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
I think actors tend to get a bad rap. There’s an erroneous perception of actors as narcissists. I disagree with that concept. Many of the actors I know are exceptionally generous and giving individuals. Acting has only made me a more empathetic person, and has better equipped me to relinquish my ego and view the world through the lens of another point of view/perspective.
Day 7 January 28, 2014 Creamy Acres 42- Lincoln Mill Rd. South Harrison, NJ 08062
What acting books do you read
My lexicon consists of the more traditional acting texts – from Uta Hagen to Bill Esper to Michael Caine, Sandy Meisner and Grotowski – but I also like to integrate supplemental texts that pertain to psychology and/or philosophy. I’ve been especially interested in Jungian archetypes of late. Exploring the human mind and behavior can only improve one’s acting abilities. I also try and read as many screenplays as I can get my hands on!
How do you keep fit as an actor
It’s certainly not easy! I struggle on a daily basis with my sweet tooth. Lately I’ve been making a concerted effort to cultivate discipline and moderation across all aspects of my life. I find exercise to be very grounding and helpful at furthering that objective. I love cardio-based dance classes, kickboxing and strength-training. Mentally, I am fastidious about maintaining a positive attitude and surrounding myself with positive, like-minded individuals.
When you’re offered a role, how do you prepare for it
I definitely like to read the script in its entirety and try to get off book as quickly as possible. I find that once I have my lines completely memorized, it really facilitates the freedom to be in the moment and gives me a greater confidence to improvise and make bolder choices. I draw inspiration from a myriad of sources – sometimes a particular song, painting, or film triggers an emotional response in me that informs the character. I rely on emotional preparation and find it extremely important before a scene.
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
There’s so much that goes into developing a character and creating truthful moments. Reading a script is a fascinating process for me because there are so many subtle clues that inform the reader who this person is… whether it’s their speech pattern – what they say and what they DON’T say – how they dress; how they move/their general physicality; their self-awareness and/or lack thereof; their idiosyncrasies; their wants/needs/insecurities. I am a big proponent of using physical movement to make discoveries about a character. It’s an engrossing process
How do you stay fresh on set
Coffee, coffee, coffee! And, as cliched as it sounds, being on set and acting is an exhilarating experience for me. When I’m acting, I feel as if I’m operating on a heightened plane of existence and that fuels and energizes me.
Describe a memorable character you played
Holly Monroe (in “A Place in Hell”) will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first major role in a feature film. The character was an unapologetic narcissist and incredibly fun to play. She suffered from megalomania and a complete lack of self-awareness, and I found that liberating. There was something admirable about her conviction and self-confidence.
Explain one creative choice you took on set
I was fortunate enough to work with a great director, David Boorboor, in “A Place in Hell.” David was very supportive of us as actors and gave us the freedom to improvise. Without sharing any spoilers, there were a number of moments on set that were improvised – in fact, nearly an entire fight scene with my character Holly Monroe was improvised – and David preserved a lot of those moments. I commend him for trusting us enough to explore our characters.
What do you want most from a director
I look for a clear vision and strong communication skills.
Krista Robelle and Michael Boatman in a scene from The Other F Word
What actors do you long to work with and why
There are countless actors whose work I respect greatly; from Edward Norton, to Bill Murray, Charlize Theron, Bradley Cooper, Steve Carell, Leonardo DiCaprio, Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Lawrence, Tilda Swinton, Tom Hardy, Oscar Isaac.. the list could go on ad infinitum!
What advice would you give to actors
Explore yourself. Get to know yourself really well, then keep exploring. Shed your ego. Embrace being you. Being brutally honest about who you are as a human being – and loving yourself irrespective of your flaws – helps you become a more dexterous actor and a better person. Never stop learning. Never stop loving. Stop giving a fuck what other people think about you. And never give up.
Briefly write about your career
I can be seen as Holly Monroe in Cufflink Productions’ “A Place in Hell” – a horror/thriller based on a real-life serial killer Harrison Graham. A Place in Hell is distributed by Anchor Bay Canada and Industry Works. It is currently available in Canada and will be released in the US and worldwide soon. You can purchase a DVD.
Episode 1. Cumming soon. #justthetip pic.twitter.com/tmZTgnQqL4
— Krista Robelle (@KristaRobelle) May 13, 2015
I recently wrapped a principal role in “American Brawler”, a feature-length biopic directed by Ken Kushner and starring Zach McGowan, Taryn Manning, Amy Smart and Joe Pantoliano. It was an incredible honor for me to share scenes with veteran actors Zach McGowan, William Lee Scott and Joe Gannascoli and a remarkable learning experience. For more information on American Brawler, check out their IMDB page.
