Well… where should I start? My name is Donnie Frierson Jr. I’m originally from Nashville, TN. I moved to California three years ago to pursue work as an actor. At the time Nashville wasn’t a big market for actors to get gigs. I had done just about all I thought I could do out there as regards entertainment. My father (who is also a little person) had been in videos and worked on projects with Jeff Foxworthy signed me to be in my first paid music project when I was just in elementary school. I was always a shy person growing up until I started to hit the Nashville nightlife/club scene. I began going to this popular bar called McFadden’s Nashville where I met Randy Huth who was the club manager/promoter at McFadden’s, I would go to this bar frequently and one night he offered me the opportunity to work with Big Black and Bam Bam from MTV’s Rob n Big. Being that I love to party and make money I didn’t turn down that opportunity and it opened a lot of doors for me. This landed me an opportunity to be in music videos, commercials, independent movies, done dress up at clubs events, I have even done wrestling appearances. So I thought why not try to see what I could do in the acting capital of the world L.A. and so here we are.
Did you study acting
Honestly, I’ve never had acting class in my life but I was thinking about possibly looking into finding a class that would be and fit right for me so I can grow into a better artist.
What acting books do you read
I haven’t read any acting books, but I have studied some videos on the internet about it.
How do you keep fit as an actor
Now when I watch movies, I find myself paying close attention to the actors in how they act, move, look, etc.. Physically I’m trying to lose weight because I know more opportunities will come to me but I tell you it’s tough when there’s taco shops on every corner Lol. But I’m going to get through it.
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
I always get nervous when I get a script Lol I don’t know why but I do. My way of preparing for a role is basic, I just read my parts over and over to where I memorize them and then as I’m memorizing them I add how the character I’m playing is suppose to say them and it all works out and everybody is happy.
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
When I’m creating a character from a script into a person I always try to be different, say my words different and move different from what people are use to seeing. I always aim to have a line in a movie that I’ve said differently to be one of the hottest memorable lines ever that everyone automatically thinks of when they hear about this movie.
How do you stay fresh on set
You practice your lines at home and you think you going to say them exactly how you practice when it’s time to film them, but that all changes when you get onset because of the energy from the other cast members. So between takes, re-takes, separate cuts you make changes. Personally, I might step to the side and come up with a way to say a line better than I had originally had practice it.
Describe a memorable character you played
This is easy. The most memorable character I’ve played would be the character I played in ‘The Big Day‘. I played a pimp who was all about his munnies. Lol. This character was so much fun because I always knew how I would act if I would to ever play a pimp and I did and it was funny.
Explain one creative choice you took on set
I did a movie in Kentucky called ‘Shadetree Mechanics’, it was a part a guy and I are walking toward a car. In the script I had a few lines but when we shot it I said different lines and the camera didn’t stop rolling and he liked what I said and did better than what he wrote.
What do you want most from a director
I want a director to be engaging with actors, someone who knows how to communicate and listen.
What actors do you long to work with
My answer is not because I’m African American. Lol. But I want to work with Kevin Hart. I think the guy is funny and smart in what he does. Before I would have said Martin Lawrence but he’s second now Lol.
What advice would you give to actors
Do you. Be you, and work extremely hard at what you are trying to become and what you are trying to get to and don’t quit because you didn’t get that call back for that part, keep moving.
Briefly write about your career
The productions I have worked on: Exit89 productions on a movie called Shadetree Mechanics where I played a meat hustler. The Big Day Movie in which I played a pimp. This music video I did with my good friend vh1 reality star Sinnister. The effect it has had on my career is a positive effect because I’ve learned things that I didn’t know and I met and connected with people in possible talks about doing other work with them in the future.
