My name is Logan Raposo and I’ve been acting professionally for close to 9 months now. I always wanted to be an actor when I was a child, I never really knew how to become one though. In 2015 during my last term at my college, I took 3 theatre classes to try acting and to see if I was any good. It was the first time in my education that I received straight A’s. That was the moment I knew I was right where I belonged.
indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Logan: Yes, I started studying acting in 2015. I took An Intro to Theatre class, an Actor’s Workshop, and a Voice Production class at Bristol Community College. I studied under Rylan Brenner and Patricia Thomas. During the final exams in each of their respective classes, I felt something inside of me. I felt like I was alive and that I found something I was a natural at. My teachers took the time to teach me to do this because you love it, not because you want to be famous. I still carry that and the knowledge they taught me to this very day.
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Logan: I tend to study the character by looking deeper into the script. I studied psychology in college and I could read into the emotions behind the character’s dialogue and actions. To remember lines, I record myself reading the entire script and then convert it into an mp3 file. Then I listen to it while I’m driving, training, and walking around to get the dialogue down pact. Once I have the dialogue down pact then I start acting out the scenes on my own with no script. It’s a long process but it helps me master my characters(s).
indieactivity: Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Logan: I’ve taken private classes along with my courses in college as well. I recently worked under Tim Hillman in West Warwick, He worked at UCLA but now he teaches privately at his home. I learned a lot from him as well. He taught me the importance of reading the psychology of the character and the scene. I plan to take more classes as time goes on. I would love to take workshops across the globe to become a master of my craft.
indieactivity: What acting books do you read?
Logan: I have a few books I read in my spare time. The 3 I’m reading now are Acting One by Robert Cohen, Theater The Lively Art by Edwin Wilson and Alvin Goldfarb, and Theatre and Performance in Russia and Eastern Europe Today and… published by the John Hopkins University Press. These and many others were given to me by my Theatre Teacher Rylan Brenner. I owe him for donating these to me and other students to help us progress as actors and creators.
indieactivity: How do you keep fit as an actor?
Logan: I meditate as often as I can. It helps keep my mind sharp and calm. I also like to read some mornings to get my mind working right away. Physically I train every day possible. I weight train, I practice martial arts, and I’ve recently started practicing martial arts with weapons. I try my best to keep my entire body sharp. I was always told “your body is your portfolio and your mind is your business card”
indieactivity: How do you prepare for a role?
Logan: I read the script over multiple times. I study every aspect of the story before the shoot dates. I pride myself on being a versatile actor. I want to show every director I work with that I can be any type of character they are casting for. Rehearsal through my technique with listening to an mp3 audio track of the script I create helps immensely.
indieactivity: How do you create a character from a script into a person?
Logan: When I step on set, I focus entirely of being the life of the set. I befriend all my cast mates so we can be comfortable working together. I usually ask if they would like to run lines so we can work on chemistry. I work on creating magic in front of the camera, and the best way for me to do that is be in sync with my cast mates. The best way for me to do that, is to befriend and rehearse. Practice always makes perfect.
indieactivity: How do you stay fresh on a production set?
Logan: I try to remain in character throughout the shoot, I become the character on an emotional level. I use my training in psychology and ask myself how would this individual feel in this situation? How would their voice sound? How would their body move? I ask all these questions and more! I also listen to the director’s directions and critiques. I’ve been told I’m a coachable actor which has been a blessing in this field.
indieactivity: Describe a memorable character you played?
Logan: It was on my most recent shoot from April 29th-May 1st 2017! I played a supporting role of Coyote in a short film called “Nomads”. My character was a mysterious member of a group of nomadic homeless young adults! The character was a thief and a recovering drug addict. He was a sharp contrast to me as he also smoked and drank alcohol. Being straightedge I don’t indulge in those vices. To play a character who does though, really was a challenge. That’s what I look for the most as an actor, I want to be challenged and because I was challenged with this role I created magic with my fellow cast mates!
indieactivity: Explain one creative choice you took on set?
Logan: It was on a recent shoot for a short film called “An Older Affair”. It was a film that really hit me on an emotional level. At times my director loved my emotions but he wanted more movement from me. My character was infuriated at his father at one point and my director let me know he wanted to see the body language that can match my emotions. I took his tips and we created a magical scene. We even got one of the producers to become teary-eyed.
indieactivity: What do you want most from a director?
Logan: I want a director who will give me the freedom to help create the character I’ve been cast as. I understand they have a vision for my character but I do as well. I want to be able to have leeway and to be able to spread my wings as a performer and an artist. When I’m restricted completely I feel trapped and the performance won’t fall flat but I know it could be better. When I’m given freedom, I can bring a performance that will leave the room in silence. I did it during my final during an actor’s workshop at Bristol Community College. I left my instructor and classmates speechless and I got a perfect A+. I kept that paper with my score on it to remind myself that I can give that performance.
indieactivity: What actors do you long to work with?
Logan: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Plain and simple.
indieactivity: Why?
Logan: I try to embody what Mr. Johnson teaches to be successful. I’m always working and training just like him. I love to keep my schedule full! I also draw a similarity with him through financial issues at one point. At 23 the rock had 7 dollars to his name, when I was 21 I had 87 dollars to my name, just sold my car to get more money back, and had to move back home. It was one of the most trying times of my life. I was depressed, and suicidal. I knew one day though I wouldn’t be like that. I did what he said I worked and worked as much as I could get my hands on. I want to work with him to see him working and so I can learn from watching him show his craft.
indieactivity: What advice would you give to actors?
Logan: Work, work as often and as hard as you can. This business is all about work ethic, perseverance, and determination. You must go all in with this career, work on becoming a working actor before you focus on becoming a superstar. One last quote I want to share and it’s a quote I live by is “Take the risk, take the fall. If it’s what you want, it’s worth it all.”
indieactivity: Briefly write about your career?
Logan: I started acting in late 2015 taking theatre classes, I finished with straight A’s for the first time in my life. I decided I was going to go after my dream. I got my first theatre role on January 9th 2016, after that I was hooked. I decided to go into film. It was rough in the beginning. I couldn’t land any roles because of my lack of experience. I got my first film role on August 10th, 2016.
Ever since then I haven’t stopped working. I’ve gained a total of 32 roles! I’ve done work on short films like Fireflies, Undatement Center, An Older Affair, Two Birds, Nomads, and An Office Phone Call. I’ve done 2 commercials, one industrial shoot, 5 music videos, and plenty of background work on feature films! I was planning to turn this in last week, I did receive an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up! I gained the 3 union waivers needed to become SAG eligible in a 3-day span! This was one of my goals for the year as an actor! Today on May 10th, 2017, it’s my 10-month anniversary as a professional actor, and I’m just getting started! This is only the beginning for Logan Raposo. I won’t stop till I become a full time working actor!
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