Actor Interview: “it is about the true love, desire and passion for acting” Jessica Santana
I am Jessica Santana. In the 4th grade we had done a Muppet production of (Gillian’s Island), and its was amazing, coming up with lines, stage, lights, rehearsals, making the Muppets was great fun for me, lol the show was a hit. I played Marie Ann. Also throughout my childhood my aunt: Ann Marie was a great influence on me. She would every summer produce small plays and music concerts where I along with my cousin would play various characters and sing songs, not to mention rehearse dance steps as well. We watched a lot of movies and would talk about our favorite scenes and why. My brother and I even rehearsed dance steps for the song (Kung Foo Fighting) as a surprise for my mom, lol
Did you study acting
Since late elementary and early junior high school. But unfortunately my mother didn’t want me to attend any of the schools for performing arts, which killed me. My passion never died, at times I attended talk show, did small plays in school, I received personal coaching by: LATE: Richard V Schiro a member of: IMDB of Lodi, NJ and was in the movie (A Bronx Tale), we trained for three years til his death of July 2012. Everyone needs to understand that yes acting can be wonderful, but you must study, you must be open to new things, you must not be afraid to take chances, and you have to seriously love the craft of acting. I want it, see it, taste it, feel it, ache for it, cry for it, I will die for it.
What acting technique do you use
My technique is to study the entire script, study my lines and the scene surrounding my character, sense of memory is pretty good when I actually play out the scene. In the past I haven’t attended a school but currently in the process of hopefully being able to attend: New York Film Academy for Acting for Film. Also I have a great roommate that is also an actress and we practice our auditions and also are in several small productions together, so that helps as well.
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
Acting is not overnight. There are some individuals that assume, I have a degree or contacts that I am overnight going to be this great actor or actress and everyone is going to want to sign me. WRONG. You maybe a natural but the bottom line is, if you are not what they are looking for you wont get the part, not personal, its a fact. You maybe a total natural, cry on command, and or silence a room with a dramatic piece, but if you are not what they want, the search will continue. As an actor you must remember do your best, before and after an audition give a big smile and say thank you. At least you actually attended and gave your best, don’t worry about it, just keep moving on.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
Currently no, but what I actually do is, write my own scripts and record myself as one of the characters and review for my own evaluation and progress.I think to myself what would individuals say about this scene or acting? Or how can I improve myself?
What acting books do you read
Ace Your Acting Audition by: Liz Ortiz-Mackers, The Devils Guide to Hollywood by: Joe Eszterhas, Acting in Commercials by: Joan See, Act Now by: Peter Jazwinski, Alternative Scriptwriting by: Ken Danyger/Jeff Rush, 101 Original One-Minute Monologues by: Glenn Alterman, A Shakespeare Glossary by: CT Onions, The Organized Actor Workbook & Planner Use Daily by: Leslie Becker, The Screenplay Workbook by: Jeremy Robinson/Tom Mungovan.
How do you keep fit as an actor
Mentally: I Relax, Meditate, Listen to Music, Go For Walks, Scriptwriting, Acting, Laugh a Lot. Physically? Exercise Daily, Long Walks, Diet, Drink a Lot Of Tea & Water, Deep Breathing Exercising.
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
I always say thank you, I am very excited, I have had small parts so far, but it has been great. I Rehearse the role, the script, I discuss with the director and the writer as to what they see or their vision regarding my character and the scene. I Deliver what they want to see and also give other opinions in terms of delivery, beginning, during & end of scene. Also we perform a read through in action and record it.
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
I read to get a full understanding of the type of person you are to play, dress the part. So a raw performance of the character for the director and writer, allow them to even take some pictures and see if there is either something missing or something that they were happy with which was added by you the actor.
How do you stay fresh on set
Well clearly you must be able to stay fresh on a set when cameras are rolling and be that character, and not yourself. When they cut, I remove myself from the set, then become myself again and walk out of the scene until they are ready for me again and become the character. You have to be able to turn it on and off like a light switch, but it must not be robotic about it. I allow it to flow.
Describe creative choice you made on set of a production
Currently, I am part of a production that hopefully will be filming soon. But anyway my character is granted a small part is an office worker who clearly has worked at for a long time and basically is not afraid to speak her mind. Originally, there is a scene, where she is at her cubicle listening to a conversation and makes a statement, but I made a different choice. I wanted the character to walk around the office then head to her cubicle while the conversation is taking place, and makes her comment and then sits at her cubicle. The director agreed that would work better.
Describe a memorable character you played
I don’t have a major character currently, but there is one person is one person that I would love to play in a major movie: (Celia Cruz) Queen of Salsa.
What do you want most from a director
To be open, honest, true to the project, and also to be allowed to get a scene of his vision
What actors do you long to work with
Kevin Spacey
Why
He sings, dances, produces, directs, he is an amazing actor and serious about detail. He has a true passion for acting on every level, and when he plays a character, he becomes that character – you never say, its Kevin Spacey playing a character. I have a script that only him can play the lead. I hope to pitch my movie to him and his partner. I also love the way he keeps his professional and personal life separate and private. He is a classy man. I went to the Bam Theatre and watched: Richard The 3rd – three times. It was amazing it was three hours, I have hopes that it will be released on DVD soon. Not for me, but for acting schools and those young kids that are fans of his. Kids out there will fall in love with true acting, if they watch this production.
What advice would you give actors
My advice is to never give up. Its not about age, race, riches, it is about the true love, desire and passion for acting. Remember to be the best you can be, not about competition with anyone else, it is about the projects you put out there and being proud of your work and your craft. The bottom line is the level of happiness your acting work brings to your soul. Plenty of actors enjoy smaller projects that honestly are better than major pictures. Never take projects that make you uncomfortable. Learn to be true to yourself and the people (cast & crew) you work with. If you are not ready or are against some issues on the project, do not take it on, because it will show on camera.
Write about your career
Jessica Santana was in the East Meadow-Central Park Segment of ‘Thelma & Louise’. In ‘My Life as a Star’, I was in a one Scene, Small Speaking Part. I played an extra in a Street crowd in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. In Hotel Pennsylvania, I played a customer the counter diner scene & karaoke night club scene. In the Forgotten Kingdom, I played a friend of the Family at Rose’s Funeral Home. In Good Arrangement, I played a guest at party. In ‘Absolute Threshold’,I played an extra at bar counter. My own projects include ‘The Life of Me’, ‘Swing’, ‘MANIC’, ‘The Future of Family’ and ‘Misfits’
