Vanessa de Largie reins from Perth, Western Australia. She’s an award-winning actress and author. She’s also a sex-columnist, journalist and blogger. Vanessa is represented by Australia’s leading talent agent, Daniel Scharf. Vanessa presently divides her time between London and Melbourne. She recently spent 6 months training at the esteemed London Actors Centre and also had the great privilege of performing her one-woman-show in the West End.
indieactivity: What inspired you to become an actor?
Vanessa: My late parents. They believed in me so much, it taught me to believe in myself.
indieactivity: What has been the highlight of your career?
Vanessa: I have had a lot of highlights in my career as an actress. Back then, I worked on my first professional theatre gig at the age of 22 with two veteran actors who taught me a lot. By 2017, at age 40. I performed my one-woman-show in the West End of London, which was another amazing experience.
However, the greatest highlight of my career was in 2006, when I was cast as the lead actress in an independent feature film distributed by TROMA called: Nocturne, Night Of The Vampire. The film did a festival circuit, I attended five (5) European film festivals in five (5) different countries as a guest for the film, and this was an unforgettable experience.
Nocturne, Night Of The Vampire Synopsis: “When the sun sets in Melbourne, a society of vampires emerges to feast on the warm blood of the living, but they may not be the most dangerous creatures lurking in the darkness. The shadows of the city hide all sorts of evil, from cannibals to maniacs, and tonight they will all be on the streets”
indieactivity: You’ve also carved out a career for yourself as a successful sex-columnist, journalist and social commentator. How did that come to be?
Vanessa: In 2011, I suffered a nervous breakdown due to burnout and had to withdraw from acting. To metabolize my experience, I turned to writing and within months I was being paid for my words. I’m currently the monthly sex-columnist for Maxim Magazine’s print issue.
indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Vanessa: Yes, I’ve studied extensively over the years. Recently, I spent 6 months training at the London Actors Centre, it was such a valuable experience. And In 2009, I was one of twelve students selected worldwide for The New Actors Workshop (summer school) in New York with the late Oscar-winning film director Mike Nichols. It was a memorable three weeks indeed.
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Vanessa: I don’t stick to any particular acting technique. But I have used ‘emotional recall’ for tough scenes.
indieactivity: How do you stay fresh on a production set?
Vanessa: I stay fresh by keeping to myself and being anti-social.
indieactivity: How do you prepare for a role?
Vanessa: I familiarize myself with the script. Then I start to break down my character and find my physicality.
indieactivity: Describe a memorable character you played?
Vanessa: I played a news reporter called MaryLyn Stepford in a short film called CONTEXT. MaryLyn does an explosive news story on some crazy-lady living in the burbs. And the crazy-lady takes MaryLyn hostage and cuts off her body parts. It’s a great short film. I gave that role EVERYTHING I had.
indieactivity: What do you want most from a director?
Vanessa: I like working with directors who push me to dig deeper and who trust my intuitiveness as an actress.
indieactivity: What actors do you long to work with?
Vanessa: Morgan Freeman
indieactivity: Why?
Vanessa: He is so fascinating to watch. His voice. His presence. His physicality. His creative choices. He’s such a courageous performer.
indieactivity: What is the hardest part of being a professional actor?
Vanessa: It’s a very insecure profession. Most of the time you’re unemployed. The acting industry is competitive and you spend the majority of your career being rejected which can mess with your soul and mental stability. But I find alcohol and a sense of humour helps!
indieactivity: What advice would you give to actors?
Vanessa: Focus on the work rather than the quest to be famous.
indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Vanessa: I’m currently undertaking an online voiceover course with acclaimed British voiceover artist — Guy Michaels. I attended his voice over workshop at the London Actors Centre in 2017 and he’s an amazing tutor. In March I return to the UK and will resume various acting studies.
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