I started as a background actor in 2009. I have appeared in shows such as The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Under The Dome. I also have worked on the films Dear John and Dumb and Dumber To, among others. I enjoyed working on set, and the entire process of it all, so much that I began taking acting classes at the beginning of 2014. I worked on a few indie and student films shortly after. Recently, I am featured in season 5 of The Walking Dead as “Officer Bello”, one of Dawn’s people at Grady Memorial Hospital. I am also working on a pilot which will be a sci-fi drama series titled “Realm”, tentatively scheduled to air in 2015. I will play Agnes, the head witch from the immortal realm.
Did you study acting
I did start taking workshops that were being offered here in North Carolina over the past year. I particularly learned the most from working with Erica Dunton, a Sundance award winning director. I worked with her over the course of a few months. I not only learned from her in workshops, but was fortunate to be able to work on set with her as well. Every time I take a class with someone, I learn something new. In this business, I have quickly realized you never stop learning.
Amber Dawn Fox as Office Bello in The Walking Dead
What acting technique do you use
I don’t use a particular technique. I research a lot and completely throw myself into the character and into their life. I break down the script and study it..then I try to become it.
What wrong ideas do actors hold about acting
Acting is not as easy as people think it might be. There are so many different choices you can make as an actor (for one character in one scene), knowing which one will be the most powerful is a challenge.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
Yes, I try to take workshops whenever I can.
What acting books do you read
By far the best book I have read is Audition by Michael Shurtleff. That is the book I used to learn how to break down a script for an audition and how to make your audition stand out above others.
How do you keep fit as an actor
To keep fit mentally, I watch videos and read books. Or if I am preparing for a role, I am studying and researching, or breaking down the script. To keep fit physically, I have started a workout routine. I just found out a new role I have will require a bit of stunt work, so keeping physically fit for that is a must!
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
I read the script over once. Then, I do any research that needs to be done on the character, the time period, or anything else involved. I then break down each scene and make my choices. Finally, I rehearse..over and over and over!
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
First, I try to relate to what has happened to that character. If it is something I have been through, or something similar, then it isn’t as difficult to make that character believable. If I haven’t been through it, that is where research and really becoming the character comes in to play.
How do you stay fresh on set
I have to block out everything going on around me when I’m on set. It is the easiest way to stay in character. In between takes, I stay in my own head..or rather in the character’s head. I think about things the character would be thinking during the scene. So, when “action” is called again, I am already in the right mind frame.
This month marks 1 year since I found out I would be playing Officer Bello on The Walking Dead! Grateful & blessed! pic.twitter.com/FWvE5qpn6s
— Amber Dawn Fox (@AmberFox86) June 6, 2015
Describe a memorable character you played
Officer Bello from “The Walking Dead” (2014) will be the character I will never forget playing. It may have been an extremely small role, but being on that huge of a production was amazing.
Explain one creative choice you took on set
There was a time a director told me to talk to the other actor like I would talk to my kids. In the scene, the other character was actually supposed to be my brother. I took it as her telling me that I feel like I am responsible for my brother. It completely changed the scene.
What do you want most from a director
If there is something specific this character is thinking or feeling, let me know! I can make my choices, but sometimes they won’t match up with what the director wants. If they don’t tell me, we both will have a hard time.
What actors do you long to work with
I am lucky to say I was able to work with many actors that I had wanted to work with while I was on The Walking Dead.
Why
I learned so much from everyone on that set because of their vast experience.
What advice would you give to actors
Don’t give up! It’s not easy and it takes time, but if you give up you will never know what could have happened.
