Tykime Davis – NYC

This week I interview a down-to-earth personality and a  truly thoughtful actress in Tykime Davis. I liked her attitude to work – I was inspired by her professionalism. Read further…

OLADAPO: HELLO TYKIME, PLS., GIVE A CONCISE BIOGRAPHY OF YOURSELF.
TYKIME: I’ve been dancing since I opened my eyes to the world. But professionally I started dancing since I was 7 years old.  I’ve had training in dance for Jazz, ballet, tap African and Modern in places such as Cathy Dance Studio and etc. I stopped going to dance school at 3 years old I started to do some choreography in high school. Towards the end of my school years my brother introduced me to fashion and I started run way modeling for urban designers like Moshood, PELA and other upcoming designers to name a few. The fashion industry opened a lot of good doors for me which allowed me to meet different people who could further my career as an model it but also opened my eyes to the world of film. That’s when I meet my first manger Linda Strobert who would give me gigs as an extra in films. I was okay with being an extra until I realized every film that I was doing as an extra they would bump my role up.  Seeing this made me understand that God had bigger plans for my life besides being an extra. That’s when I left the fashion modelling and pursued acting. I went to acting seminars, acting workshops just so I could study the art of acting and to perfect what I already knew I had inside.

OLADAPO: TELL ME, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ACTING?
TYKIME: I can describe my acting as believable and serious that people who watch can actually feel the character I portray.

OLADAPO: HOW DID YOU GET INTO ACTING?
TYKIME: I got into acting by being around models who also acted.

OLADAPO: DID YOU STUDY ACTING?
TYKIME: I went to acting workshops such as Directing Actors Gym with Miles Maker (we interview Miles Maker in a few weeks), I watched a lot of movies, T.V everywhere there was an actor I made sure to pay extra attention to how they acted, I still do it. I can’t even watch anything without observing a little bit more than just watching for enjoyment. I studied with an acting coach she is amazing. She helped me understand my character by observing and acknowledging my surroundings.

OLADAPO: DO YOU OPERATE ON INSTINCTS WHEN ACTING?
TYKIME: Do I… I think it’s just something that happens automatically because you get so deep into your character it just comes out.

OLADAPO: WHAT ACTING TECHNIQUE TO YOU USE?
TYKIME: I read the script several times then just cover my lines while going over it. I ALWAYSSSSS PRAY.  I always try to see myself in the character’s situation, I observe his world, circumstance, situation and needs.

OLADAPO: BRIEFLY DESCRIBE A FEW WRONG IMPRESSIONS ACTORS HAVE ABOUT ACTING
TYKIME: This one is easy. Most people who get into acting think that they will be a star overnight. Acting is something you better love more than breathing, or you might end up with asthma.

OLADAPO: DO YOU OFTEN TAKE COURSES IN ACTING TO INCREASE YOUR CRAFT?
TYKIME: Yes I definitely do.

Tykime Davis

OLADAPO: WHAT BOOKS DO YOU READ?
TYKIME: I started out reading horror books like Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, Then it went to Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Soulijah and now Piece Of Cake by Cupcake Brown an Autobiography.

OLADAPO: HOW DO YOU KEEP IN SHAPE AS AN ACTOR?
TYKIME: I don’t eat meat. This gives me the urge to eat healthier and drink water.

OLADAPO: WHAT PHYSICAL EXERCISES DO YOU DO TO KEEP IN SHAPE?
TYKIME: I dance,  dance and dance

OLADAPO: WHEN YOU ARE OFFERED A ROLE, WHAT DO YOU DO?
TYKIME: I say OWWWWWW!!!!  Then I look over the script to see if I even want to be a part of the project. I study the script. I always have it with me  even in the restroom.

OLADAPO: HOW DO YOU TAKE A CHARACTER IN A SCRIPT TO A HONEST, BELIEVABLE AND BREATHING PERSON?
TYKIME: I put myself in the characters shoes and actually make myself believe that I’m actually that character.

OLADAPO: HOW DO YOU REMAIN FRESH ON A FILM SET?
TYKIME: I remain fresh on the set by getting comfortable with the other actors and my surroundings.

OLADAPO: WHAT ‘THING/SITUATION’ HELPS YOUR CHARACTER DURING A PRODUCTION?
TYKIME: The mood I’m in helps a little; like if I’m playing a mean lawyer and I just so happen to have a argument with the cab driver or someone that can bring my character out a little bit more.

OLADAPO: EXPLAIN A CREATIVE CHOICE YOU TOOK ON SET OF A RECENT PRODUCTION
TYKIME: I did a short film called “The Pride”  and I had to choreograph my own African piece LOVEEEEE It!!!!!!  and I wasn’t my original character.

OLADAPO: WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE SCREEN CHARACTER YOU HAVE PLAYED?
TYKIME: I can say “ The Pride”  July 2011  by Uhura because I was acting but with no words just my body and emotions.

OLADAPO: WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM A DIRECTOR DURING A PRODUCTION?
TYKIME: I want to help the director so I can bring out the character in me just as the writer intended.

OLADAPO: HOW DO YOU PREFER TO WORK WITH A DIRECTOR DURING A PRODUCTION?
TYKIME: I like to be comfortable with a director, I also want my self respect

OLADAPO: DO YOU GET OFFERS FROM FILM INDUSTRIES? LIKE HOLLYWOOD, BOLLYWOOD OR NOLLYWOOD?
TYKIME; I’ve gotten an offer for Nollywood. Hollywood, no yet but they will.

OLADAPO: WHAT DO YOU THINK AN ACTOR CAN DO TO GET INTO THE FILM INDUSTRY?
TYKIME:  Believe in yourselves, so that others can believe in you.

OLADAPO: WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTOR?
TYKIME: My favorite actress is Whoopi Goldberg.

OLADAPO: WHY IS THIS ACTOR YOUR FAVORITE ACTOR?
TYKIME: She didn’t let the industry change who she was, plus every film she did was a hit.

OLADAPO: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE AMATEUR ACTORS AROUND THE WORLD
‘TYKIME: Amateur! Wow I don’t think anyone is amateur. Everyone wants to be an actor but not everyone  is willing to make the sacrifice to be the actor so if you want to do this you have to be willing to sacrifice. Acting isn’t  an overnight success it’s a lot of hard work, determination and belief in yourself.

OLADAPO: WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO ADDRESS ACTORS IN AN INTERVIEW, TO ANSWER QUESTIONS?
TYKIME: Yes

OLADAPO: WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO TAKE PART IN  WORKSHOPS WITH ACTING COACHES PRESENT
TYKIME: Yes

Tykime Davis has done:  Play – “From Her Lips To God’s Ears”  played Cassandra Joseph Stewart writer,  Worked with Flymar Productions , Sony Bmg, Commercial Sterling Bank.  Brooklyn college winning Short Film The Pride , Tony Clomax director “Sip And Savor”