Interview with Actress & Producer Denise Gossett

Denise Gossett has always wanted to act, ever since she was a little girl, although she is not sure why. She took some little “modeling classes”, did some beauty contests and won, but, no real acting until high school. After Denise did a few plays in high school she was hooked! She auditioned for scholarship at Seminole State College in Florida and was able to get a scholarship and that started her journey into the acting world.

indieactivity: How did you become an actor?
Denise: After being bitten by the acting bug in high school, I earned my B.A degree in Theater at Rollins College and while I was in college I found an agent and started auditioning and booking industrial films, commercials, small films, etc. Then, I booked the tv show “Superboy” in which I played Lex Luthor’s sister. I worked hard, saved money for a year and then moved to Los Angeles. In this business if you are not working your butt off you will not get anywhere. I have always been extremely focused on what I want and still work harder at getting it than the day I started my acting journey!

On set for Dirt Road to Lafayette! Should be out later this year! pic.twitter.com/WM9ApJgAR3

— Denise Gossett (@DeniseGossett) April 20, 2017

indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Denise: I use many techniques when it comes to my acting. Of course, I learned so many different ones while in college and then in every acting class I’ve ever taken, but I think it boils down to my own method, which combines a little bit of everything I have learned. I break down my scripts and learn everything I can about my character and how she would be in every situation.

indieactivity: What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting?
Denise: Acting is a tough business, if you don’t LOVE it with an undying passion, then please pursue something else. A career in acting is full of rejection and hardship. You have more days where you are rejected then days that you aren’t. Thousands of people audition for each role, even a one word role. To even get the audition and opportunity is a miracle, really.

And, then if you book the job, you’ve witnessed another miracle. It’s not a life of getting an agent and sitting back and waiting. You must study, send out headshots/postcards, make phone calls, take care of your body and voice, take meetings, audition, go to callbacks, network, press, social media….the list goes on and on. So, make sure you LOVE doing all of that other stuff too, because acting is a BUSINESS and it needs to be treated that way.

Denise Gossett in the sprinklers in Get the Gringo (2012)

indieactivity: Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Denise: I work on my craft every single day. Whether it’s self taping, coaching, classes, vlogging, workshops, or just reading scripts or studying other actors. I listen to podcasts on a daily basis too.

indieactivity: What acting books do you read?
Denise: Anything and everything! Seriously…go to the library to start out and read anything you can get your hands on…including autobiographies and biographies of other actors. Backstage, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, etc!

indieactivity: How do you keep fit as an actor?
Denise: I workout EVERY DAY. I work my voice EVERY DAY. I work on scripts, vlogs, auditions, EVERY DAY!

indieactivity: How do you prepare for a role, when you get it?
Denise: I read the script over and over again….the whole script, not just my scenes. Every time you read it you look for clues about your character…either from things your character says or what others say about your character. Sometimes the locations tell a lot as well. I make notes, I have some questions I’ve collected through the years and I ask them about the character and write it all down. I analyze her name and the scripts title for extra meaning as well. I sometimes tape all of the lines so I can listen to it over and over again…little things will stand out after you’ve done this a lot.

indieactivity: How do you create a character from a script into a person?
After I have done everything I’ve already mentioned, I think about wardrobe, jewelry, hairstyles, and then I start memorizing…and by that point, it’s pretty well memorized because I’ve been living with it for so long.

Denise Gossett with Mel Gibson in Get the Gringo (2012)

indieactivity: How do you stay fresh on set?
Denise: I am more alive on a set then anywhere else, but, you can start to get tired…there is a lot of waiting on a set…so, the best way is to re-read through your notes, sit somewhere quiet and think about your character. Do NOT hit the craft services table….all that sugar will just give you a temporary bump in energy. Eat some nuts or protein to sustain.

indieactivity: Describe a memorable character you played?
Denise: Smiley. She is a tough, gun wielding woman who doesn’t have an ounce of remorse. I played her in the movie “A Chestful of Blood”. I was the only female in the bunch and I had to learn how to spin my gun and everything. We shot this in 2008 when my daughter was 2 months old! It was a challenge out in the hot desert, but it was sooo worth it!

indieactivity: Explain one creative choice you took on set?
Denise: On “Get the Gringo” Mel Gibson actually asked me what I thought my character would do in my scenes and I answered truthfully and he loved it!

indieactivity: What do you want most from a director?
Denise: I want feedback. It is so wonderful to work with a director that likes to chat about the role and the production and will give direction if it’s needed.

Chestful. The entire group

indieactivity: What actors do you long to work with?
Denise: You know, that is a tough one…I love so many! So many talented people out there and I look forward to working with them all. I’d love to work with Tom HIddleston and Mel Gibson again though…such talent. I also loved working with Julia Louis Dreyfus.

indieactivity: Why?
Denise: Tom, because he is a serious actor and just a delight, Mel, because he’s been around a long time and is a genius at storytelling, and Julia b/c she is a genius at comedy!

indieactivity: What advice would you give to actors?
Denise: Make sure it’s what you really want and make sure you can handle working on it every day and working hard on the pursuit, because that is where most of your time as an actor will be spent.

Briefly write about your career
I have had an amazing career already, I’ve worked with such greats as Mel Gibson, Dennis Hopper, Tom Hiddleston, Morris Chestnut, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Steve Carrell, and the list goes on and on. I am truly blessed.