I actually was going to school to be a computer programmer. During that time, a friend introduced me to working as an extra on TV shows. I was 18 years old at the time, so I was the perfect extra for the original “Beverly Hills, 90210” TV series. I worked constantly during their first year and near the end of the season, I got a featured part dancing against Brian Austin Green in a school dance contest. It was because of this experience that I wanted to explore acting. However, my pursuit at the time was short-lived since I didn’t have the support of my family. Twenty years passed before I had a family of my own, and with their support, I am pursuing my dream!
Did you study acting
Originally, no, I did not study. I pretty much “acted” whatever I would envision in my mind what the scene would be to me. But when I returned, I studied at The Actors Workshop under the father and son team of R.J. and Rob Adams. It was an eye opener for me when I was learning the Meisner Technique. Rather than envisioning what I thought the scene needed, I learned how to play off the other actor. Lately, however, I’m studying in the school of practical work (auditions, web series, student films, features, etc.)
What acting technique do you use
My primary go-to technique is definitely Meisner. I like working off of the other actor’s energy. But it’s also a double-edged sword. If the other actor isn’t working off of my energy, the scene falls flat. What do I do then? I use what I can to still make the scene work.
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
Acting, as an art and as a business, is not easy. It does take dedicated work. As an art, it’s not childhood pretend play. It’s reality played out, and if the actor is excellent, everything surrounding the actor is all part of the scene. When the director says, “Action!” the actors lives out the script, no matter what happens. “Pretend play” makes a distinction between imagination and reality. Acting makes no such distinction. And as for the business, YOU are the business. You are CEO, CFO, CIO, CTO, C(insert letter)O, etc. You have to muster all your business acumen in order to just get noticed, and even then, that may just be a flash in the pan. You have to be the ultimate salesman and your product (YOU) have to be worth the time for agents, casting directors, directors, producers, ad nasuem.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
At this time, it’s all practical learning since I have some financial issues I have to resolve. Going to a lot of auditions and booking a number of projects has kept my skills from deteriorating.
What acting books do you read
Read? Time is a luxury I rarely have these days, so reading hasn’t been on my agenda.
How do you keep fit as an actor
I keep mentally fit by engaging in good discussions, whether it is religion, politics, history, acting, or whatever. The more you know, the better actor you’ll be! And I try to keep physically fit with weightlifting, learning Filipino Martial Arts, and hitting the punching bag vigorously.
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
I go over the script just once, then learn the scenes where I am involved. I try not to get to “heady” since I want to react to the other actor, and not play out a scene that doesn’t involve my partner. This also means I don’t rehearse, but I don’t reject doing it if the other actor wants to do it.
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
I used to believe that I had to create a character based on what is in the script. But now, I just use myself since I know me the best. I am already a character! All I do is place myself in the time/space/context of the script, and what comes out from me is just me reacting to the situation and to the other actor.
How do you stay fresh on set
Since I am just using me, I’m always in character. But with takes and retakes, in order to give the director choices for editing, I just play a different energy with the other actor.
Describe a memorable character you played
I would have to say it was John, the corrupt politician I mentioned earlier. (A Truth In The Sand – 2015). Cold. Heartless. Arrogant. And very well-dressed. 🙂
Explain one creative choice you took on set
In one student production, I was a corrupt politician confronting a guy who was snooping into government business. I had a book in my hand that belong to the guy. In the script, I hand the book to him, so I did that on one take. In the second take, as I hand the book to him, I pull it away and gave him a deep cold stare before handing it to him. In the third take, as he took the book from my hand, I held on to it, so he tugged a little bit more before I let it go. In the 2nd and 3rd take, the reaction from the other actor was real because he wasn’t expecting it, so the startled look on his face was great for the camera.
What do you want most from a director
To not show me how to act! LOL A good director will let actors make the choices, but redirect in a way without having to show how they should do it. There is a big difference in saying, “I want you to be loud, boisterous and unhinged,” and “I want you to say it like this: HI MARY!!! I THINK YOU LOOK GREAT AND ALL THAT!!!”
What actors do you long to work with
If I had to pick only one, it would be Denzel Washington.
Why
Because he is quite real in his acting. He will affect me, and that only elevates my acting because I will want to affect him.
What advice would you give to actors
In this digital age, there is more opportunity to work as an actor than ever. If you can, self-produce! Make a great product and put it on YouTube and share it everywhere. To make a living as an actor is no longer limited to just Union work any more. There are people earning a living on YouTube. It’s still is hard to make a living, but the opportunity is better than ever!
Briefly write about your career
I have to say that I have been quite blessed with the work I’ve done. The one indie feature I did 20 years ago yielded successful careers for some of the actors: An international martial arts star, a series regular on a few shows, and an Emmy winning stunt coordinator. Since I started back up 3 years ago, I’ve been doing student films to build up my resume and reel. In just the past 4 months alone, I’ve doubled the number of productions on my resume. In the beginning, it was a running joke that the roles I got, I was either hurt or killed! But soon, I was playing a doctor, mafia henchman, cop (3 times), trumpet player, corrupt politician, child abuser, stoner and hitman. It has been an exciting time, knowing that each role is another step towards success!
