Dylan Stumer got his first taste of acting in school plays, but he’d say that the real turning point for him was when he watched “Zathura: A Space Adventure” (2005). It made him say in his heart ‘Yep, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to make movies’. Dylan Stumer wanted to be involved in something like that: to act and tell stories that get audiences to think, feel, and experience something beyond themselves.
Since then, Dylan has never looked back. he’s been involved with so many amazing productions and been able to meet some truly incredible and talented people. He have loved the process and fallen in love with the process. From acting and dialogue coaching, to castings, and everything in between. This industry has provided me with so many invaluable experiences.
indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Dylan Stumer: I am constantly training in my craft. I have had the pleasure to work with Kristina Sexton (On Set Coaching), who is beyond incredible and knows how to talk to an actor to get them into the right frame of mind for a role. I’ve also trained with Denise Woods (Speak it clearly) on my US accent, and she really knows her stuff!
I’ve also been lucky to train with coaches and casting directors, and am always learning on set! Training in acting is so important – no matter how you do it. It’s good to be up-to-date and it doesn’t matter what level you’re at – you should always be growing. Every successful actor will tell you this.
My advice to other artists is to always keep learning. It doesn’t have to be expensive training – find what works for you and do it. Hone your crat. Short films, scene practice with friends, watching scene breakdowns online, behind the scenes clips, weekend workshops, yearlong studies… there are endless opportunities to grow. So grow!
I like the example that I was given that acting is “like a sport. If you want to play for the Queensland Maroons, you need to train to get there. Professional sport players can’t stop training for months and then go into a big game”. It just doesn’t work. The same applies with acting. You need to train to get better and work your way up in the industry.
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Dylan Stumer: Personally, I don’t really have a technique, per-say. But, when I get a script I like to take a deep breath and just read it. I take it all in and embrace the journey and the story my character is participating in. You can only read a script for the first time once, so it’s important to enjoy it and experience its wholeness.
indieactivity: Do you take courses to improve our craft?
Dylan Stumer: Absolutely! I’m about to begin an 8 week workshop which I’m really looking forward to. I also do private coaching on the side when I’m not working on projects. This includes workshops with casting directors – which I think are really important because you get to put yourself in their shoes. You get to understand what casting sees and go beyond a simple “Males 16 – 25” brief.
You also get to imagine how many people are going to get submitted to the CD. Your headshot is on this little box on a computer screen with 100’s if not 1000’s of other actors. Doing workshops with Casting Directors helps by letting them know who you are and your acting ability, and helps them notice you automatically. It also gives you those insights that you need to thrive in an audition.
indieactivity: What acting books do you read?
Dylan Stumer: Acting in LA (Author, Kristina Sexton) – I highly recommend this book! It’s your go to place for answers.
indieactivity: How do you keep fit as an actor?
Dylan Stumer: This industry is very fast-paced and there’s weeks where I can have up to 8+ auditions and it can become very hectic. Mental health is so important. I find time to meditate and take a deep breath before I have to go – then I’m ready! I think it’s also important for all actors to be reminded that they should learn to cope with rejection. Don’t let it affect you too deeply. Don’t take it personally. Just go to your audition with confidence and really make sure you understand the story, character, relationships ect. Even if you think you made a mistake or stuffed up. Be prepared! And DON’T let your inner critic control you or how you perform. Keep your head high and walk out with the same amount of confidence that you walked in with. You did your best. Accept. Train. Repeat.
Interview: Dylan Stuner’s High School “Comedy-Horror”, Daniel’s Killer Birthday is HOT
indieactivity: How do you prepare for a role, when you get it?
Dylan Stumer: I always do a first read-through of a script to embrace it, then I get to dissect it. I speak with the director and get all the information I need, then fall into research for characters, music, major events – anything that adds depth and context to my performance and to the story. Helping my character reach his full potential involves building his world, so that is exactly what I do.
indieactivity: How create a character from a script into a person?
Dylan Stumer: As mentioned above, when I get a script I
just take it and I read it and sit in that story. I embrace the journey that my
character is taking and the wholeness of the first read. The next step is to
understand each scene, my character’s motivations, relationships, and all that.
Everything just falls into place after that. You build a world bit by bit and then have to translate it onto the screen.
I believe every character has a certain amount of yourself in it too; it is the actor’s job to bring that forward and give it life. I also like to try and fill in the blanks in the characters life because the plot in the script is set at that point in time. I like to create a backstory, parents, best friends, and favourite food, anything that I can do to make him as real as possible.
indieactivity: Explain one creative choice you took on set?
Dylan Stumer: I had to make some very creative choices on the most recent film I wrapped “A Quiet Street In Pallarenda”. The Director Erin Huber wrote my character more than perfect. I understood her vision and her goal of “Dan” (My Character). While at rehearsals I improv a line as it suited my character and the situation perfectly. It was then used in principal shooting. We worked creatively together, making choices to bring the full intention of the story to life.
In other films, sometimes it’s just the slightest added movement which brings more life to the character. I got to make a few on another short film “The Last Day”.
indieactivity: Describe one memorable character you played?
Dylan Stumer: So far, the most memorable character I’ve played would have to be ‘Daniel’ in “Daniel’s Killer Birthday” (2019). Writer & Director Robert Shields created a beautiful story; you can feel the passion in it when you read the script. Daniel was such an exciting character to explore and play around with, and the cast and crew made the whole experience so memorable.
It is a coming of age story that explores friendship, fitting in, and how to get through both while dealing with hordes of the undead. It is so interesting – and the team was amazing.
indieactivity: What do you want most from a director?
Dylan Stumer: Collaboration! I love it when I can work with a director and really nail what they’re after. If we can align a vision for a scene and character, and explore plots as a unit – that’s just amazing. Teamwork is key!
indieactivity: What actors do you long to work with?
Dylan Stumer: This is so hard! There are so many talented actors out there – and so many that we don’t know about yet! But, if I had to pick… Sandra Bullock, Sarah Paulson, and Leonardo DiCaprio. In no particular order, of course.
indieactivity: Why?
Dylan Stumer: They have talent, range, and their performances are always consistent and mind blowing. Their dedication to their craft is inspiring.
indieactivity: What advice do you give actors around the world?
Dylan Stumer: Have fun, train, laugh, and enjoy it! We have the opportunity to make something beautiful and should respect that process. Don’t climb to fast – and don’t climb over anyone else. Take the small steps you need to advance in your own way in your own time. There is no stop watch or set plan. Just believe in who you are, what you can do, and what you want to do. Stop comparing and start remembering why you began.
indieactivity: What advice do you give actors around the world?
Dylan Stumer: Have fun, train, laugh, and enjoy it! We have the opportunity to make something beautiful and should respect that process. Don’t climb to fast – and don’t climb over anyone else. Take the small steps you need to advance in your own way in your own time. There is no stop watch or set plan. Just believe in who you are, what you can do, and what you want to do. Stop comparing and start remembering why you began.
indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Dylan Stumer: I am auditioning, self-taping, and testing for lead, supporting, and guest-star roles. Recent leading roles include Daniel in “Daniel’s Killer Birthday”, Dustan in “Countdown”, and Lucas in “The Last Day”. I have also been working on a few web-series’ and have been involved in stunt work for films like “Primal” and “Just Like You”. I worked with professional stunt coordinators to legitimise action sequences and am always working to expand my skill set with coaching, accent training, and more. I am staying relevant and ready!
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