I caught my acting bug at the age of 8 when I was still in Zimbabwe. I was inspired by a popular African sitcom back in the day called “Gringo”. Every night my family would gather around the TV to watch the show and the room would be full of laughter. I loved the way “Gringo” made people feel and I wanted to have that same type of impact as well. I just enjoyed entertaining people at a young age. My family relocated to the US when I was 10. It was truly then I put the “pedal to the metal” in my acting career and attended KD Studios Actors Conservatory School in Dallas, TX for 5 years. The first film I acted in was called “The Judge” in 2010 were I played as a featured zombie extra. I had a blast and became addicted to acting.
BEHIND the scenes “I Love You More” last year. You can watch the full short film on YouTube- http://t.co/AUi8tXTh8H. pic.twitter.com/bVkCCBs0yl
— Michael S Maponga (@MichaelMaponga) June 17, 2015
Did you study acting
Yes, I attended KD Studios Actor Conservatory School in Dallas, TX. It was at this school I learned film study, movie set language, camera presence, character chemistry, cold reading and script analysis. Upon graduation at KD Studios, I was also offered a scholarship by Hollywood casting director Amber Horn (Sex Ed, Awkward) to attend her acting classes for 6 months after she discovered me at a Nickelodeon casting call. She was tough on me, morphed me into a dramatic actor. She taught me the art of evoking emotion and showing it on-screen.
What acting technique do you use
To be honest I do not use a particular standardized technique. Before I solidified on a technique I had to find out what type of actor I was, dramatic or comedy. I love comedy but I’m more of a strong commanding dramatic actor. The technique I utilize is by watching actors I look up to (Denzel, Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Tom Hanks, and Kevin Spacey) and mimicking their styles while encompassing my own style and visualizing their reactions towards different situations.
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
Money and fame. They’re millions of actors out there grinding and hustling to make a decent living. People come into the industry thinking of this as a quick get rich money scheme but that’s far from the truth. It’s the top 1% you see in blockbuster films that are actually making a living of acting. But it literally took them an arm and a leg to get to that position. Now some get lucky or have good connections but 90% of all actors are making below average wage salary yearly, so don’t quit your day job. What I’ll say is continue working hard, praying, extensively marketing yourself and working on short films to better your craft.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
To be honest I’ve probably taken only 4 acting workshops ever in my 8 year career. The learning ceiling in workshops is really low, you can only learn so much. I learn much more working on sets such as short films. That’s why I’m always consistently working on short films, because I’m able to put my craft to practicality on live camera.
What acting books do you read
I always keep it real with people who follow my career. I honestly do not read any acting books, their boring. I’m not saying reading is bad I actually love it. I read articles regarding the industry consistently and keeping up to the trends in that manner.
How do you keep fit as an actor
I’m always working out my acting muscle. If I’m not currently working on a project I’m practicing monologues from my favorite movies and shows and recording them to post on my social media platforms. I love to hear feedback from people and that’s how I keep them engaged. Daily exercise is another big thing for me, I believe if you look good you feel good which then radiates to your acting ability. Before I jump into any script I have to be leveled out, mind, body and soul.
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
I get to work. I read the full script about 3 – 4 times to understand the story and make important notes. After that I reread my scenes unlimited times until I can recite my lines in my sleep. It’s only then when I’m able to play around with my lines and make the character me.
How do you take a character in a script to an honest, believable and breathing person
By first analyzing who the written character in the script is. Once I know what the writer and director want I start morphing the character to make him my own. I definitely do not do this by myself, I ask for feedback from the directors on what exactly they want the character to portray on camera. I then compare the role to previous movies that are similar in a way and study those approaches.
How do you stay fresh on set
I don’t lol, if you do then you’re not working hard enough. Being on set is a dirty job and I love it. But I do always carry personal toiletries such has deodorant, gum and facial wipes just in case. Between takes I ALWAYS recite my lines with my scene partner and try different methods of approaching a scene unless the director specifically wants the same look.
Describe a memorable character you played
One of the best roles I’ve ever played was a bully in a film I shot in 2012 called “The Symphony of Silence”. That role demanded for me to dig deep and be this evil maniacal bully. It was tough for me because I’m the total opposite. But it just opened up my acting range. I have many other roles I’ve been blessed to play and love but this one was a game changer. You can watch the trailer to Symphony of Silence.
Explain one creative choice you took on set
Going off book and improvising in many films I have worked on is a creative choice I love to take. There’s no better acting such as improvising, because the emotion evoked in that dialogue is passionate. That’s how you can really tell a good actor from a great actor.
What do you want most from a director
A clear vision and direction of a film and freedom for actors to play around with the script yet keeping the story unchanged.
What actors do you long to work with
Denzel Washington
Why
His camera presence and persona. He commands respect on and off the screen. He also is not caught up into the Hollywood money and fame. An extraordinary classy actor.
What advice would you give to actors
Continue being you, not changing the person inside for any directors just to get 15 minutes of fame. Love what you do, but also enjoying life. Success as an actor is not fame and money, it truly isn’t. Enjoy you family and always thank God for everything he has implanted in your creative minds. Break A Leg.
Be sure to check out my movie Fractures on the new Stream Now TV app. Free download #itunes #Fractures #GodisGood http://t.co/esLsa2mC8P
— Michael S Maponga (@MichaelMaponga) December 11, 2014
Briefly write about your career
I’ve been truly blessed to work on many successful productions with amazing people. I have accumulated over 15 movies on IMDB and my biggest successes to date have to be the short film “I Love You More” which was a finalist in the Project GreenLight Show produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, The feature film “RUN” were I star alongside Hollywood actor Stephen Baldwin coming out in 2016 and last but not least “Fractures” TRAILER –FULL MOVIE the first film I truly was the leading actor in. I’m also in the early stages of operating and running as a FOUNDER of an online streaming TV network called AfroLandTV. I created this platform strictly for African content such as independent Films, TV Shows, and Documentaries and to give African filmmakers throughout the continent a platform such as Netflix to showcase their work. The BETA version of the website has been operating for 2 months now and I’ve received great feedback on it.
