I am an actor with an insatiable appetite for the truth. For me acting is a way to help heal the world with my perspective. It’s a voyeuristic pleasure that allows me to experience every countenance of human behavior; a process of self-discovery for only the brave to watch. I am a Libra cusp Scorpio and Kings of Leon, Samantha James, Balligomingo, Gaelle and Florence and The Machine are in constant rotation in my Ipod. I love wearing red lipstick, high heels, and anything from American Apparel. Born in Washington D.C., and raised in Paris, TX., I moved to Dallas, TX to pursue a career in modeling, but quickly learned that acting was something I enjoyed more. I have been fortunate to work with clients such as JC Penney, Mary Kay, Sephora, TXU, Oschsner’s, Christian Mingle, Chuck E. Cheese, Westinghouse and recently I booked roles on NCIS: New Orleans and Scream Queens.
THANK YOU!!!!! I’m a blessed and lucky girl!!!! #nolacircusmovie #BestActress #ParisArtandMovieAwards pic.twitter.com/D8jsi7kmpw
— ✨Kamille McCuin✨ (@KamilleMcCuin) September 28, 2015
In 2016, I will appear in the feature film “The Hollow”, produced by Lisa Bruce (The Theory of Everything) staring James Callis (Battlestar Galactica), Miles Doleac (Containment), Christiane Seidel (Boardwalk Empire), William Sadler (Iron Man 3) William Forsythe (Boardwalk Empire) and Jeff Fahey (Justified). I have just finished two amazing short film projects. “Women” by Candace Vaughn and “Vela and Niyah” by Rashada Fortier. “Women” is a drama that follows the story of four women who are caught in a cycle of abuse and “Vela and Niyah” is a story about two sisters who are entangled in a dysfunctional family drama that causes one of them to plot to get rid of the other. In 2014, I was cast in the lead role of “Karen” in the film “N.O.L.A. Circus”, which is a hilarious over the top comedy, filmed on location in New Orleans, written and directed by French director Jean-Luc Annest. It will receive a worldwide release in 2016. I also won a Best Actress Award for my role as Karen at the Paris Art and Movie Awards in Paris, France.
Did you study acting
Yes, I studied acting. Actually, you never stop learning as an actor because you are portraying life. The more life you live, the more you have to give as an actor. My acting coach is Theresa Bell and her studio, TBell Actor’s Studio is in Dallas, Texas. She’s brilliant at what she does. But she’s more than just an acting coach. She’s a writer, director and producer. We just finished a short film together which she wrote, directed and produced. It’s called Lullably.
What acting technique do you use
The acting technique that I use is the Ivanna Chubbick Method which is strongly influenced by Roy London who was the acting coach of Brad Pitt before Roy London died. Ivanna Chubbick taught Roy London’s beginner class and Theresa Bell studied with Roy London directly.
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
This question has a twofold answer. I would say that the first wrong impression beginning actors have is the belief that you don’t have to study acting. You have to constantly study your craft and you have to adopt a work ethic so fierce that if you were to tell someone how hard you worked, they wouldn’t believe you. The second wrong impression is that success is a linear process. Success looks more like an abstract painting than a Renior painting.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
I’m now currently based out of New Orleans, Louisiana. My acting coach, Theresa Bell, is still in Dallas, Tx. I do contact her for help when I need it. But am I currently in an on-going class, no. Which make me sad because I miss being a part of a studio. Though I do pop in from time to time and take an on-camera class taught by Jim Gleason in New Orleans. Which I really like. I feel like it’s important to take both a structured technique class which focuses on scene study and character analysis and an on-camera class. Both work hand in hand to support the other.
What acting books do you read
I’ve read so many but I guess the most influential books I have read are “The Power of the Actor” by Ivanna Chubbick, “How to Stop Acting” by Harold Guskin and “Audition for Your Career, Not the Job” by Tim Phillips.
How do you keep fit as an actor
Mentally, I meditate and actively limit my interactions with negative people. Physically, I do yoga and ballet. I really dislike doing cardio but I do that too. Sometimes. LOL.
Nola Circus
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
I read it over and over and over again. Then I read it over and over and over again saying the words out loud. Depending on how much time I have, I will spend days just reading the script. I like to forensically dissect my character by breaking each scene down to its essence. It’s the only way I know how to work.
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
Besides becoming obsessed and neurotic with the character and the world they live in, I also sometimes keep a character journal. I just write abstract things from my character’s point of view. It’s not the same as writing a back story. It’s just random thoughts which I find gives me more insight into my character’s deepest secrets.
How do you stay fresh on set
Depending on how emotional the scene is, I will have my headphones in my ears, listening to my Ipod. I have to disconnect from my reality and completely forget about anything but the moment. I usually like being alone as much as possible and talked to very little. If it’s a comedy, these rules don’t apply. It’s just that emotional scenes, for me, require a different kind of focus and intensity.
Describe a memorable character you played
That would definitely be my role as Karen in NOLA CIRCUS. She’s a bit on the wild side. Actually, she’s a lot on the wild side. It’s a film by Luc Annest who is a French writer and director. He’s a comedic genius and I am super proud to be a part of this production. NOLA CIRCUS is produced by the Illicit Producers which consists of a collection of international athletes. NOLA CIRCUS is currently making its rounds in the film festival circuit with a slated release for 2016. It just won the audience award for Best Comedy at the Gary International Black Film Festival and I received a Best Actress Award for my role as Karen at The Paris Art and Movie Awards in Paris, France on September 27th, 2015.
Vela and Niyah
Explain one creative choice you took on set
Well, there was this one scene, in the script, that my character was giving her boyfriend a blow job in a bathroom. At first I was like WHAT??!!! I can’t do that!!! But then I was like, Kamille, you are judging your character in a way that separates you from her. Which is not a good thing at all. Because this character would totally do something like that even though I would never consider it. So I was like okay, so how do I make this work? Because I damn sure wasn’t going to give him a blow job for real. So on the day before we shot the scene, I called one of the PA’s (Production Assistants) and asked for a cumber that I could suck so that it would be realistic. And it worked!!!! They had like several cumbers of all sizes!!! And it really sounded like I was doing that. It made me feel empowered in a strange way. Anyway, it was turned out great!!!
What do you want most from a director
Someone who is a creative collaborator who respects me as an artist and understands that we are a team with the same goal in mind which is to make an amazing film.
What actors do you long to work with
Oh gosh!!! I have so many. I can’t pick just one so I will list my top 3 (which changes sometimes but not my number one spot). First I would say Daniel Day Lewis, second Meryl Streep and third is Jessica Lange.
Why
Because they are BRILLIANT!!! The ability they have to be completely possessed by a character is uncanny, intimidating and fascinating. Especially Daniel Day Lewis. He has 3 Oscars so he must be doing something right.
What advice would you give to actors
Don’t ever give up and keep going even when your life doesn’t look like your dreams. This career is a marathon. Not a sprint.
Briefly write about your career
My career is just starting so I feel like answering this question is premature. Let’s just say, I’m excited about the direction that it’s going and I thank GOD every day for the blessings that I have been given.
