Lae Gutierrez was born ‘Laury Alexis Echavarria Gutierrez’, Lae was born in Constanza, Dominican Republic. “All of a sudden” and unexpectedly Lae was 16 years old living in Santo Domingo. Without his parents knowledge, Lae spent all his savings ($15) on singing and guitar classes. It was terrible when they discovered what I had done. Years later when I was 17 or 18, I subscribed to modelling classes, winning 2nd place in Mr Top Model Dominican Republic. A couple of years later I started presenting on radio and journalism studies, while working the night shift in a hospital as a Ray-X Technician.
Perhaps following Lae Gutierrez destiny when he was 19 years old, he auditioned for a Drama School named Teatro Taller Dominico Americano. “I won’t forget that audition – I remember everyone laughing at me, not because I seemed funny but ridiculous” said Lae. “As I performed the Spanish monologue – Segismundo, with the jewelry I had on, speaking and looking around nervously into the audience.” said Lae. But, it remained unforgettable for him because of how he plucked up courage, returned the following week for an encore of that monologue. All fear disappeared, the audience were amazed and theatre’s teachers and students adored his performance. That moment the acting bug caught Lae, its burn inside him, trapped him and it’s got him in its grasp, still.
I just uploaded “LaeGutierrezMar16Web” to @Vimeo: https://t.co/k5HD0iLegk
— Lae Gutierrez (@Laegutierrez) May 16, 2016
Lae Gutierrez spent three plus years studying Drama, while actively working with theatre groups in Dominican Republic. During that time, Germana Quintana, Awarded 6 times as Best Theatre director, mounted the classic play The Celestine (La Celestina) by Fernando de Rojas. Lae Gutierrez played the role of Calixto, the protagonist. It would be his first professional acting job. Lae is still trying to understand why.
After five years Lae Gutierrez emigrated to the US. Lae spent some time there, got married then moved to Spain. In Spain Lae trained for two years in Cinema Room Acting Studio while working at Starbucks and then as a Taxi Driver. Lae worked on a couple of short films and plays: “10 Little Niggers” by Agatha Christie, “Loft is not Love”, a play produced by Destino Teatro, ‘Sebastian” (short film) among others.
In April of 2012, Lae moved to the UK. Here Lae doned roles in Films as: ‘Black Mirror’ as Balcon, ‘Fantastic Beast (Harry Potter Spinoff), ‘Hollow Crown’, ‘King Arthur’, ‘The Interceptor’, ‘Babylon’. Lae appeared in major roles in the short films: ‘Life is not as it seems’, ‘Citizen’, ‘Wednesday Afternoon’, As well as commercials for ‘Volvic Water’, ‘Costa Coffee’, and ‘Azimo’.
Here Lae Gutierrez continuously pursues his dream, applying to possible acting opportunities, while working his craft at Actor’s Studios London, British Action Academy, ISSA, Actors Temple London, Method Actors School of London, Raindance Film School, City Lit. A Lot of ongoing workshops, form the chain of training Lae Gutierrez been up to, while in London. Lae don’t know when is going to stop. But as long as he feels the fire inside him, Lae Gutierrez sees no other way to live, but to keep fighting.
Did you study acting
I just mentioned it in my autobiography above. Yes I did. I went to Drama school In Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, received proper Theatre training during three years and a half. In Spain, I trained for two years Screen acting and Film in Cinema room Acting Studio, Also trained theatre acting in Destino Teatro. While In London: I’ve been training in Actors Studios London, British Action Academy, International School Of Screen Acting, Actors Temple London, Method Actors School of London, Raindance Film School, City Lit, and Lots of ongoing workshops.
I just uploaded “Gonzales Self Tape” to @Vimeo: https://t.co/TQRwekai0n
— Lae Gutierrez (@Laegutierrez) July 22, 2016
I think an actor should never stop shifting and improving his craft, training is not an option, is a must do. If you want to be competitive, you should keep training. I’m currently training in a daily basis in both, The Actors Temple London and The Method Actor School Of London at the same time. I’m also part of People’s company. A group of actors who meet weekly in the Southwark playhouse, London.
The moment that made me decide to become an actor, I’ll say it was that moment, 19 years old, in an audition for drama school, without any training, when I found an inner need, fire and strength to express a truthful human situation trough my own frustration and courage, and incarnate Segismundo a character that was feeling exactly the same as he had been imprisoned all his life. All of this and then the people amazed and clapping… it’s just incredible!
What acting technique do you use
As mentioned before, I’m currently training in Both, Method Acting in Method Actors School of London and Meisner technique in Actors Temple London. The reason because I train both is because I think there is not one correct or perfect technique. An actor should train, investigate and learn all possible ways to approach his truth, but find what works for him. From all of them extract what’s working better, make his own technique and keep on training. Anyway Method Acting seems more approachable for me.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
Yes, Of course I do. It seems to me that I just stepped forward in the previous questions. Yes. As I said before, I’m continuously ongoing training, workshopping and looking forward to improve my acting craft. While In London I’ve been training in Actors Studios London, British Action Academy, International School Of Screen Acting, Actors Temple London, Method Actors School of London, Raindance Film School, City Lit, and Lots of ongoing workshops. I’m also currently training in a daily basis in both, The Actors Temple London and The Method Actor School Of London. I’m also part of People’s company. A group of actors who meet weekly in the Southwark playhouse, London. I sometimes also hire a private coach when an important audition is on sight.
What acting books do you read
I’ve read many books, among them: An Actor Prepares, by C. Stanislavsky, On Method Acting of Strasberg, Method Acting by Brian Timoney, The Lee Strasberg Notes. Audition by Michael Shurtleff, Respect for Acting and Challenge for the Actor by Uta Hagen, Meisner On acting by Sanford Meisner, To the Actor by Michael Chekhov. Recently read Stop Acting Start Living by Bernard Hiller and currently reading No Acting Please by Eric Morris.
How do you keep fit as an actor
Well in a so systematic city, where technology, news and rules are every time more and more overwhelming, it is a lot harder and difficult to keep your own truth alive, aware and truthful with your inner instincts and thoughts, as it is where your real ”You” exist. And this is all what acting is about. But I suppose everyone should find a time and a way to work its own craft, if wants to also live in a so crowded place where jobs and opportunities flow more. I do take time to work on my senses, my truth, personalization, and imagination sometimes. It is hard mentally, but not that difficult physically.
As mentioned before, you have lots of schools and groups around London, to practice, work and keep physically fit. But mentally is a matter of discipline.
Anywhere and everywhere! The limit is the Sky. God never forsakes you! Believe, Dream, Get it!
God is faithful! pic.twitter.com/wi2CCJjTjv— Lae Gutierrez (@Laegutierrez) February 28, 2017
How do you prepare for a role
Regarding lines…I haven’t find a way or trick to easy learn lines, I’m still stock in reading, reading and reading. Sorry, but this is how I learn lines. Then a deep character research follows. Finding homologues situations and trying to answer every possible question not explained by the author. Answering What, Why and how… is for me very important, in this scrip process.
How do you create a character from a script
I do as much character research as I can, I then try to find parallel situations, personalize, and improvise them.
I sometimes exaggerate or just relax and laugh saying the lines (Which is Grotowsky or Chekhov Technique I guess)…. You know, things that probably helps you in particular.
How do you stay fresh on set
To be honest, I don’t complicate things. You know, I’m still struggling, trying to find ways. I think method acting works very good, but I don’t take things too deep, you know like Daniel Day Lewis… Staying in role during all the production time.. Been carried in and out the scene on a wheelchair… That’s deep.
But yes, you have to learn how to disappear this veil that the “action” call creates. You have to start your performance before that terrifying word is called by the director. When the “action’’ is called you have to be already in character, and you create your own technique, the one that works for you.
A Blackleg Soldier at Warner Bros Studios. King Arthur. pic.twitter.com/zcTsXhsgMs
— Lae Gutierrez (@Laegutierrez) June 14, 2015
Describe a memorable character you played
No son todos los que están “” Not all are Crazy”” This picture, taken in a play written by a Cuban anonymous. And interpreted by me and Francisco Vargas on the left. It was the funniest and most memorable comedy I’ve ever played. I played Crazy one. A crazy but not too crazy man. Is very special an memorable for me, because the person on the right, one of my best friends, the one who made me believe in me, and encourage me as no one else, unfortunately passed away in a very unexpected and tragic way. He gave me the greatest lesson of my life. Love yours, while they are alive… There is not time to argue in this life, tell them how much you love them before is late.
Explain one creative choice you took on set
I remember, when I was doing The Third Word, a romantic play by Spaniard Alejandro Casona. There was a moment when Pablo Saldaña, The main role, had to stand on the right side of the stage, staring to the sky, contemplating the stars. Its a magic moment when he is supposed to get very sentimental and cries by naming the stars and remembering as he used to do with his father before he died. You know, it was a sublime moment, and in the ceiling I had only scaffolding and walls which resulted very disturbing and awful. But I had a method acting resource called substitution, May also be personalization, in which you sensorially creates a parallel and familiar situation to work on stage. And I had my own mountains, covered by it’s blue sky, surrounded of pine trees and charming grasshoppers sounds. It was amazing.
What do you want most from a director
I’d love a director who dares to risk, to fully believe in me. One capable of empathizing with me or me with him, and enjoys this job, which is primarily a play. A humble and open director who really believes he can make the people improve and change for better.
What actors do you long to work with
I’ll mention two: One is Jim Carrey. The other Actor I’d love to work with is Tom Hanks.
Why
This man, Jim Carrey, He is so contagiously funny… That I believe, working with him would be like a gift. He’s been my comedian hero since I know comedy. Besides, I so much believe in what he preaches about the universe contained within every one of us. Tom Hanks, is one of my very favourite, if not my number one… And it would, definitely be a dream becoming truth to work with him.
What advice would you give to actors
You know, acting is not a joke, you really need to clarify to yourself what is it that you want, why do you want to become an actor. Is it yourself what resides behinds all your intentions? Is it fame or to be loved what you want? Then you should re-think it again. You need to find, what is that, that you what to give, what is it that you want to say to provide the world with something to make it a better place. To help people to be happier, to give all the love you are meant to give.
I’ll also recommend fellows actors to become filmmakers and producers, because we are living times weird things, unfairness and awful behaviour, times of too high level of competition, and not clean nor clear competition. Then we shouldn’t sit down expecting someone comes to give us the dreamed opportunity. There is so much smog out there, so we have to have a plan, a way to say what we want to say and stop waiting passively, that someone with its own idea come to give us the chance. We are living a technology boom, where you can actually make a film even with your cellphone.
Briefly write about your career
2016, Television Movie, Balcon, BLACK MIRROR, Black Mirror, Zeppotron
2015, Feature Film, Bank Guard, HARRY POTTER SPINOFF FANTASTIC BEASTS, Warner Bros, David Yates
2015, Feature Film, Blackleg, KING ARTHUR – KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE, Warner Bros, Guy Ritchie
2015, Commercial, Joao Inno, VOLVIC SUMMER, Kameleon, Jacob Perlmutter
2015, Short Film, Jhonattan, THE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, Odisea, Laury Echavarria
2014, Feature Film, Rioter, BABYLON, BBC, Danny Boyle
2014, Feature Film, York Combatant, HOLLOW CROWN, BBC, Dominic Cook
2014, Feature Film, Street Gangster, THE INTERCEPTOR, BBC, Farren Blackburn
2014, Documentary, Hawaiian Lead Warrior, ANCIENT BLACK DRAMA, World Media Rights, Alex Emanuel
2014, Role Play, Rufo, COSTA CONVENTION, Roebuck, Jeremy Stroughair
2014, Short Film, Diego, CITIZEN SHORT FILM, J Celis Co., Jeffrey Celis
2014, Commercial, Sender, AZIMO, Azimo, Jhonattan Ross
2013, Short Film, AGENT FROST, Odisea, Laury Echavarria
2013, Stage, Segismundo, LIFE IS A DREAM, Odisea, Francis Varge
2012, Stage, Loft is not love, LOFT IS NOT LOVE, Madrid Central Group of Theatre, Cesar Lucendo
2011, Stage, Calixto, THE CELESTINE, Las Mascaras, Germana Quintana
2010, Stage, Pablo Saldaña, THE THIRD WORD, Lights Theatre, Cipriani Stefani
2010, Street Theatre, Ten Little N*ggers, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, Strip Pocker, Ene Martinez
2009, Stage, Yago, OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE, Odisea, Laury Echavarria
2007, Street Theatre, Leonardo, BLOOD WEDDING, Red Cross, Jorge Santiago
2006, Stage, Farmer/Various, BOSCH SHORT STORIES, Odisea, Francis Varge
2005, Street Theatre, Various, RED CROSS, SOUTH COUNTRY TOUR, Red Cross, Jorge Santiago
2004, Stage, Primo, BAN RESERVAS D.R, Las Mascaras, Germana Quintana
2004, Stage, Student, STORK GOES TO SCHOOL, Las Mascaras, Germana Quintana
INTERVIEWS
In Conversation with Michael Oblowitz Director of Confidential Informant
Confidential Informant stars Mel Gibson, Dominic Purcell, and Kate Bosworth
