My Name Sydney Afriyie, born In West Africa, Ghana. I live there for 5 years and moved to the United States. Throughout my youth and teen years, I lived in the Bronx, New York. The first time I was introduced to acting was when I watched Titanic. It was in 1997, and I was 7 years old. Watching Titanic for the first time gave me the confidence to want to touch others, like how it touched me. For that, I will like to say thank James Cameron, the Director of Titanic.
So far we’ve met ‘Grand Phenox’, Sydney Afriyie
Mysterious and articulate.
See him in the #webseries the #Realm pic.twitter.com/QgGJSkiBtK— Butterfleye Films (@ButterfleyeFilm) July 10, 2015
When I first started acting, I didn’t understand the concept of the art of acting. That’s when a met my mentor, Kenneth Berman. He said, “Acting is like having a girlfriend, when you meet her for the first time, you will not give her your all because you might be too shy and nervous. However, once you open up to her, you will find out if she is the right one for you. You can never forget that in relationship there will be up’s and down’s. And that’s what makes the relationship interesting.” This message always stuck with me. It made me want to learn more about this profession and work hard to create my own legacy.
Did you study acting
No, in the beginning stages, I did not study acting. Everything just came natural to me. As time went on, I began reading books and magazines on Acting and Directing. Also, I watched actors perform monologues online to get a better understanding on how to perform one myself. Currently I take theater and filming classes.
What acting technique do you use
I don’t really use any techniques.
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
When actors start acting for the money. I believe if you approach it with that vision in mind, you will not last long or at all. Many other actors that love their work and craft will tell you the same. I look at it this way, If you don’t love and understand what you are doing, How can you do it?
Do you take courses to improve your craft
Yes, I do take classes to improve my craft. There are many things to learn. There are things I am learning right that I didn’t know at the level that I am at. Most of my strength and abilities to work hard and improve on my craft also come from having good mentors and family members that are around the Acting and filming field.
What acting books do you read
Acting Without Agony by Don Richardson is a book that I am looking into now. Which was given to me by my acting coach/mentor.
How do you keep fit as an actor
Mentally, I read, watch videos, and listen to audios on acting. It is true when they say, “If you want to be the best you have to learn from the best.” Physically, I like to workout in the house. Doing calisthenics. And sometimes go the gym to use some weights. Working out is just something I love to do. It helps refresh my minds, body and soul.
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
This might sound a little crazy, but I make sure I have all the food and water I need since I am going to be of the radar. I read the whole project. Not just my scenes but everyone else’s just to be more prepared with the entire things, so that when it is time to shoot or take the stage things will be more natural.
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
What is said is true. Every character that you play is you. What I do is just find myself. I might read the script and just ask myself question, what this charter like? How will this charater act when in a situation? I may read the script and just put a little twist to it, but it is all me.
How do you stay fresh on set
I stay fresh by communicating with the cast and crew. I do this because i believe you work best when you are comfortable and know and understand what the director or writer wants. Communication is what keeps me fresh on production set.
Describe a memorable character you played
I have played many memorable roles. I will have to say “The Realm”. When I played the role of The Grand Phoenix. Grand Phoenix was a memorable character because he never dies, no matter how many times you kill him. And I thank the writing and creativity of Allyson and Tony Diana. To play that type of role was more than exciting and interesting because you just never knew what to expect, I was as surprise as the viewers were every time I read the scripts for the following scene. As I said you just never knew what you were going to get from The Grand Phoenix that was what made it a memorable character. Another memorable role that I played was in the off Broadway production Rehab, when I played the role of Christian. Christian was a very simple role but stuck to me because of how the character behaved towards his family. He was a huge manipulator. I must say one thing I liked about Christian was how he always focused on getting things done his way.
What do you want most from a director
Someone that believes in you and makes you feel comfortable on production set, trust and understand your point of view. I will like a director I can grow with and create with. Someone you can make history with.
What actors do you long to work with
I don’t really have one. I respect everyone’s craft. It takes a lot of patient and preparation to become an artist in this field. If it’s up to me I will work with everyone even the ones that has past.
What advice would you give to actors
DON’T ACT. Study and understand the craft. And last do it cause you love it and not cause of the fame and money.
Briefly write about your career
The character that I’ve played that made and major impact in my career was when I played a worker in the documentary, Quakers The Quiet Revolutionary. This role changed my life because my experience playing the role felt so real! From the way the slaves were treated, to the their responsibilities in the fields, to where they slept. It felt like I was living during in the 1800s. I just wanted to learn as much as I could about their experiences.
Another role that made a huge impact on my career was when I played Christian in the production called Rehab. As my first off broadway play, I was extremely nervous. I didn’t really know what to expect or how the audience would perceive my art of acting. The play was a 4 days long, each time getting better and better. When I performed in my last play, it gave me the confidence and boost to want to perform and make it into a career.
