I’m Kim Akia, and I’m a New Jersey born actor, writer and producer. From a very young age, I would always impersonate and mock characters from television. I studied dance, gymnastics,and played the piano, but began taking acting classes at the age of 14 shortly after my move to Virginia Beach, Virginia. I starred in my first play in high School, playing the lead character in a play that she produced. After high school, I realized my passion for entertainment, specifically television and decided to extend my college studies in that direction. A graduate of St. Johns University in Queens, New York with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Television/Film Production and a Masters in Media Management from Metropolitan College of New York. After graduating from St.John’s, I realized my passion was acting, I began taking classes. I studied with Marishka Phillips and took classes at Weist Barron also. This past June, I graduated from The William Esper Studio here in NYC. after completing their 2 year acting program. My goal is to continue to study and train in the craft of acting, write and produce my own projects. In the near future I would like to own a digital content company and because I really love the business side of the entertainment business and I’m all about educating people so they can be the best…the most successful person they can be in this industry specifically, I’m working on creating a digital content festival with a friend of mine.
Walking in Soho last week & saw this beautiful and talented man @OmariHardwick …. I can’t wait for POWER season 2 pic.twitter.com/VvzwPpg4Zv
— Kim Akia (@Kimakia) November 9, 2014
Did you study acting
Yes, I (Kim Akia) took acting classes in Virginia Beach, Virginia as a teen Kim Akia, now as an adult in NYC I took classes at Weist Barron and with Marishka Phillips. I just graduated from The William Esper Studios in NYC, their two year Acting Conservatory Program is Meisner Technique based. I studied with Terry Knickerbocker for Acting Technique I (1st year) and for Acting Technique II (2nd year) I studied with David Newer. Training at William Esper completely changed my life not just as an actor, but as a person. I felt my soul transformed through doing that program, it was a huge challenge! I struggled, I cried, I laughed, I had breakdowns, I had breakthroughs…I learned so much about myself. In year 2 we really dived into scenes, characters, impediments,actions, THE DOINGS! I loved the program and I’m so thankful to God that I was able to not only be accepted into the program, but able to make it all the way through to the end.
What acting technique do you use
I studied Meisner which I like a lot, I also use a bit of Sense Memory in my acting, which I learned from training with Marishka Phillips. I really like the Meisner technique because you use imagination and we all know there is no limit to your imagination and that you can create anything. Acting is DOING. Ever single word in the sentence in the script has a meaning, the writer just creates words, it’s up the actor to bring the text to life by doing. I plan on learning about other techniques as my journey continues, I believe in adding to your actor toolbox. I thinks it’s essential to keep learning and growing.
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
Acting is not performance or about being seen, Acting is doing truthfully under imaginary circumstances. Acting is about finding meaning and connections between you and your character. Also, some actors think that just because they are talented and have an interest that they don’t need training. FALSE, you need to train and study the craft somehow, someway. Also that being a celebrity and an actor are two different things….some actors do become celebrities, but get into acting because you genuinely love it, not to become famous. People also think acting is easy, not! and that anyone can do it. It is an art form, a skill that has to be honed and practiced your entire life as an artist.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
Yes, There are so many classes I want to take in the future: movement, voice and speech, cold reading, Improv…I’ll always be in a class, a seminar and a workshop continuously throughout my career, there is always something new to learn. I have taken audition technique, on camera and commercial classes before I enrolled in Esper’s 2 year program.
What acting books do you read
The power of the actor by Ivana Chubbuck, Truth by Susan Batson, The Actors Art and Craft by Bill Esper, Breaking into Acting for Dummies, Self Management for Actors by Bonnie Gillespie, I’m currently reading Audition by Michael Shurtleff and Stanislavsky in Rehearsal. I want to read Respect for Acting by Uta Hagen and The Artist Way by Julia Cameron, I heard both are great.
How do you keep fit as an actor
I pray a lot, listen to motivational music (I created playlists), I listen to positive affirmations daily, I try to eat very healthy, I workout at the gym and I walk as much as I can. I also listen to Bishop TD Jakes Sermons and I watch a ton of The Law of Attraction videos on Youtube.
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
First I read the script, then I go back and highlight all of my lines, I then break down my script by choosing beats and actions. If I need to research, I would do that before choosing beats and actions. I answer all of the questions I need to so that I know who my character really is, what is her relationship to other characters, find out the meaning behind the circumstance; what it means to me. Then find a parallel between my life and/or use my imagination to create so that I can relate (particularize it).s.
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
The only way I feel to bring a character to life is by bringing the truth to that character. You must find some sort of connection between you and the character, find meaning and seek that same meaning from somewhere in your life and imagine! Imagination is key!
How do you stay fresh on set
Think about the meaning and just concentrate on how my character feels.
Describe a memorable character you played
At this point in my career, I (Kim Akia) do a lot of commercial work. I am currently auditioning and honing my craft so I can do more TV and Film. I think though, when I was at Esper I played Mrs. Merritt from The Spoon River Anthology. I really enjoyed that character because for the first time I experienced what it was like to find a meaning with her story, put an action into each word, and commit to it fully all the way through while having a speech impediment (Jamaican accent). I felt great afterwards!
Explain one creative choice you took on set
In my latest short film, ‘The Haggler’ Shauntay Cherry the writer and director had a very specific idea for the story and character…I did the work but ultimately during rehearsals and on filming days, I was able to adjust to how and what she wanted from my character.
What do you want most from a director
I want a director that not only has a clear vision, but is super passionate about the project but allows the actor bring their ideas and choices to the table. A director that is flexible and lets the actor do their work and is open to collaborating on ideas is my ideal director. When you have a director that is so rigid on their vision and everything the actor brings to the table, they shoot down because they are just so stuck on their own ideas about the story and character, that’s bad.
What actors do you long to work with
I have a long list of actors that respect and would love to work with one day, but at the top of the list long to work with Angela Bassett, Leonardo Dicaprio, Tom Hanks
Why
These three really dig deep into the heart of their character so much they actually become them. Watching these three actors you really get so lost in the story, you become a part of that world. I love being transformed and I love the stories each of them tell, they all really make you feel!
What advice would you give to actors
Study the craft, train with a good coach or get into a good class, live your life, stay connected to your creativity somehow every single day, create your own projects, collaborate with other creatives, stay positive, travel, visit museums, pray/meditate and most importantly, keep the FAITH! I would tell them if you want a long term career as an actor, you MUST know the business side of entertainment. It’s not called Show BUSINESS for no reason. Knowing your type, what casting directors you need to target is essential.
Briefly write about your career
I’m still at the very beginning of my career, so much more to come I will just keep riding this wave. I have done mostly commercials, Industrials and short films to date. I have mostly played Nurses,Corporate types and mom’s thus far in my career. I will embrace those types, but will also create my own content to show other types that I can play and that I am versatile. I created my first series, The Robyn Chronicles 2 years ago. I wrote and produced it, to date we have only filmed one episode but I am currently reworking the script and collaborating with other creatives to help me finish producing the series. I have 2 scripts in development, one is ready to be filmed. I plan to film both within the next two years. I will continue to write my ideas down and collaborate with other creatives.
