Jeff Davis‘ first acting experience was when he was in his mid 20’s; a friend suggested that he try an acting class. Jeff took the class with an acting coach by the name of Mark Pentalescu in Portland, Maine. This class led him to doing his first play, “The Foreigner” where he played the Rev. David Marshall Lee.
It was a great experience and he got the bug. But being a self-employed business owner in a very small community, he did not really think much about acting until one day he was watching TV and saw one of his classmates from the acting class.
Her name was Laura Bonarigo (She had landed the role of Cassie on “One Life To Live”) and that was when Jeff Davis realized if she could follow her dream, so could he. He spent the next year selling off my fitness store, reading about LA, the acting biz, etc… and once he had taken care of all his bills etc… Jeff Davis flew to Los Angeles and started pursuing his dream!
Hanging out at Melody Ranch old west movie town, feeling right at home pic.twitter.com/xownVgIa0e
— Jf Davis (@jfdavisactor) December 8, 2016
indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Jeff: I took that one class in Maine, and when I first got to LA I met actor Christoff St. John of “The Young and the Restless” we became friends and he introduced me to his mentor. Virgil Frye (father of Punky Brewster’s Solei Moon Frye) I study with Virgil for a while but realized that I would learn better the way I learn everything in life, by doing. When I took any kind of acting classes I would get into my head and start acting. Acting shout come from the heart, it should be natural, not forced.
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Jeff: I do not use any technique, one thing I learned from Virgil was that in order to be natural it had to be real. I just emote from the heart, sometimes you feel it, sometimes you don’t, but when you do, the lines take you over and it just happens. Some folks use different techniques to get there, for me, I just do it.
indieactivity: Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Jeff: I have taken audition classes early on, I think that for anyone starting out no matter how much stage work they have done, on camera workshops and audition technique workshops are invaluable. That being said, the best way to learn anything in life is by doing. So jump right in, get some headshots, and audition every chance you get, take any acting job you can, do not worry about getting rich or famous, that’s not what it is about. It is about doing what you love any chance you can and learning from that.
indieactivity: What acting books do you read?
Jeff: I can’t really think of any that I could recommend. I like some autobiographies, Loved Errol Flynn’s “In like Flynn” also Robert Rodriguez “Rebel Without a Crew”
indieactivity: How do you keep fit as an actor?
Jeff: Again, I audition as much as I can, I work when ever I can and try not to take the so called rejections personally. Too many things go into the casting process, as long as you go in and do your thing, you can’t worry about why they didn’t hire you. Just audition, leave and move on to the next one. If you get the call good, if you don’t, do not sweat it just continue to do what you do!
indieactivity: How do you prepare for a role when you get it?
Jeff: First off I read my sides over and over until I am sure that I understand the scene and the character, if the script is available I read the script to see how my character relates to the story and if I am having trouble I ask a fellow actor to read the scene with me and we try to work it out.
indieactivity: How do you create a character from a script into a person?
Jeff: I just do whatever comes naturally. There has to be a big part of me in every role, the rest comes from the dialogue and the other characters.
indieactivity: How do you stay fresh on a production set?
Jeff: I am very lucky because I can turn it off and on pretty quickly. I can be joking around one minute and deep into an emotional scene the next. I do not get into my head too much, I try not to over think things, just do it. Play off your fellow cast mates and stay in the moment. If you over prepare or over think you start acting instead of reacting. Acting is not about acting, it is about being in the moment and reacting to others, the sets, the props, their dialogue, their actions, etc.
indieactivity: Describe a memorable character you played?
Jeff: I played a grieving husband John Westchester on “Criminal Minds” where I felt that I really hit my mark emotionally. It (the emotion) just took over and flowed out of me. It was effortless and not forced at all, that is what it is supposed to be!
indieactivity: What do you want most from a director?
Jeff: I really like to be directed. I Love to hear their input on the scene and I do not take offense to suggestions. The more I have to work with the better, no matter how much you work on a character or a scene, you can miss things. Often very subtle adjustments v=can make a huge difference in the performance. I am very open to a director’s input.
indieactivity: What actors do you long to work with?
Jeff: I would love to work with Bryan Cranston, I think he and I will play brothers one day. I would also love to work with Gene Hackman, he is the most talented actor still living today, unfortunately he has left the business, but man would that be a dream!
indieactivity: Why?
Jeff: Just watch some of the characters that he has played, the way he gives to the other actors, how could you not want to work with him (Gene) as for Brian, I think he is one of the most versatile actors of my generation it would be a pleasure to share the screen with him.
indieactivity: What advice would you give to actors?
Jeff: Find a flexible way to make a living while pursuing your acting. This way you are not too desperate, you must know how to survive because it is a struggle. Also if you do not feel like it is the only thing you can do, do not do it. It is a hard and mostly unrewarding battle, but if you love it and you need it then it is worth it!
indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Jeff: As an actor I have been lucky enough to appear on some great TV shows and films alongside some amazing talent. Early on I got to work with James Coburn, Penny Marshall, Kevin Costner, director Jon Woo, etc…
I have done everything from extra work, stand in, photo double, stunt double, supporting, co-star, guest star and have even had the lead in some smeller projects.
I have appeared in over 60 commercials, been in major films like American Assassins, Windtalkers, Tv shows like, The West Wing, Criminal Minds, Castle, Grey’s Anatomy, The Mentalist and the list goes on.
At this point in my career I am trying to produce my own projects, I am currently working on my own film “Restitution – The Legend of Cordell Pierce” a Western that I co wrote See the web site: www.cordellpierce.com
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