Hi there my name is Steve Aaron-Sipple, and I’m an actor born and raised in London. I fell in love with performing taking part in my school play. I recall getting a laugh from the audience. Lol! And absolutely loved making people feel good with a performance. I took part in all school productions and joined the drama club.
Unfortunately, I got lost in being a responsible adult, getting a 9-5 after leaving school. Until a friend asked I be a part of a production, that my passion reignited. So, I quit my job, got into a Drama School and its all history today!
indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Steve Aaron-Sipple (SAS): Yes, I did! I was 24 then. And I knew training was necessary. But I wanted to be focused on TV and Film. So, I went to a film acting school called The International School of Screen Acting (ISSA). It is based in the heart of 3 Mills Studios Island in Bromley-by-Bow, east London. As an aspiring actor I studied in a working film studio. I ate lunch at the same canteen as professional crew and actors. It was so awe inspiring for my career.
The school gave me exactly the skills I needed to go straight into the film industry. It taught me all the different acting techniques to create scenes and characters. But, also taught us camera techniques and how to apply all the things we learned, specifically for camera. They hired a filmmaker who came in to film a showreel for us. So, we entered the industry with everything we learned, and a showreel to put on our CV.
What acting technique do you use?
Steve Aaron-Sipple (SAS): Honestly, I’m not strictly a one-technique actor. I kind of take from most of the techniques. Bits that work for me, to help create a character. And to give them a thought process for every line, or decision they make. Yet, if I had to pick a technique, it would be Meisner. The idea of listening to your scene partner creates a natural response for me.
As long as I have done my homework. I can create my character, and give them a thought process. I know my lines, listening to the other actors in a scene keeps a performances real. It keeps me in character and reacting to what’s being thrown at me in the context of the story!
Do you stake courses to improve your craft?
Steve Aaron-Sipple (SAS): As with most working actors you try your best when you have down time to keep your skills fresh. I do a lot of stuff with my friends, who are also actors, performing scenes together, and filming each other. Helping friends with self-tapes is an opportunity for me to practice! I also do acting workshops; audition workshops. And I have gone to watch some classes before as well.
What acting books books do you read?
Steve Aaron-Sipple (SAS): The first one I read was Uta Hagen’s Respect for Acting which really opened my eyes. It showed me how little I knew about acting. It was a brilliant read. I also whilst in Drama School read Sanford Meisner on Acting, whilst doing the Meisner module. The book helped me understand in deeply, the reason we were doing repetition exercises.
There are literally tons of books on acting. I would suggest reading as many as you can. But, remember that, what worked for someone, may not always be right for you. It’s about experimenting!
How do you keep fit as an actor, mentally and physically?
Steve Aaron-Sipple (SAS): I hit the gym to keep fit! Trying to carve out a career as an actor is challenging at times. You have to deal with a lot of rejection and near misses. Sometimes, even making sure that the jobs you are getting are what’s right for you, can be a lot to deal with mentally.
I go to the gym for a hour-hour and a half. There, I can have my headphones on, lift weights, go for a run, or whatever keeps me sane. I come out of the gym, tired obviously, but focused on where I want my life to go.
How do you prepare for a role?
Steve Aaron-Sipple (SAS): When preparing for an acting role. I read the Script not once, but multiple times. Mainly for clues, as to who the Writers envisaged the character (or person) to be. Then, I fill in the gaps, or blanks with who I think this person is, and where they came from. Giving a character a history hands them a purpose in relation to the story.
Or what their objectives are in the film. In terms of rehearsing, I do like to know my lines inside and backwards. I want to know them so well, that I can forget them and then they come to me naturally in the scene. Well, in an ideal world that happens every time, but brain farts are an actual thing. Lol!
How do you create a character from a script?
SAS: I really try to utilize as much information about the character that’s in the script. I enjoy writing the backstory for a character. It connects me to them. Which then helps me be them in the scene. I write the backstory; who they are, where they have come from and where they want to go. Then, I give them obstacles, stakes and objectives in relation to the script. It really helps me think in character not just speak in character.
How do you stay fresh on a production set?
SAS: This is actually quite hard sometimes, especially when things can be shot out of sequence, but I hope they I do all the prep work I can before filming, it’s all I can do really, makes sure that I’m as prepared as I can be so that when I hear action I give a performance that is true to the character and true to the scene. Sometimes staying in character can be really draining, especially when that character is so far removed from who you are as a person, it’s about finding what is right for you.
Who is a memorable character you have played?
SAS: It was actually a student film that I shot in 2018, where I played the lead. The film was called ‘Spike Brannen and Extraterrestrial Quest for Earth’ where I played Spike Brannen. The film was a spoof of the badly made sci-fi movies of the past. Spike was an over the top American war hero turned baseball pro who got called upon by the government to go up in space to meet/fight the aliens in the atmosphere. It was a really fun set to be on, and so much fun to play the character.
What do you want most from a director?
SAS: I think to be open and keep a line of communication during filming. It is so great when you get to discuss the scene and your character within that scene. The different perspectives that sometimes you don’t see; so having the director’s vision can be really helpful. I have to remember that I’m going into a scene with just my vision of the whole story. But, the director has to go into it with every character’s vision, so I always try to listen to the advice they have for me
What actor do you long to work with?
SAS: The list is so long! But if I had to choose one right now it would be Tom Hardy.
Why him?
SAS: He is such a fantastic actor, so captivating to watch. As I said, I like to follow the Meisner technique more than other. So reacting and listening to a scene partner as amazing as him would make my performance even better! And, who wouldn’t want to act alongside him.
What advice do you give actors around the world?
SAS: Just keep doing it, keep learning, however you can, whether that’s on short films, feature films or even going to workshops and classes, if you keep doing it you get better, watching people act, you get better, do not be afraid to fail and make mistakes, they teach you just as much!! I also like to live my life as well away from the screen. Acting is imitation of life and I always think how can I imitate life if I’m not living it myself!
Briefly write about your career?
SAS: So I’ve been working in the industry since 2012. I came out of Drama School and hit the ground running. Then, I got an agent pretty quick and started the auditioning process which was great. I worked on some fantastic productions, and filmed some short films. A couple of feature films with Jopia Productions, such as Cute Little Buggers, a low budget comedy-horror movie where I played one of the invading aliens.
Then I got cast in a One Direction music video directed by Ben Winston (the producer of the late late show with James Cordon). Where I got to shoot a scene alongside Zayn from the band. Unfortunately, I took a break from the acting when my daughter was born in 2015. I focused on being a father bringing in a steady income for a while. In 2017, I jumped back on the band wagon, I re-joined Spotlight and picked up where I left off.
Since coming back on the scene things seem to move a bit faster. I’ve shot a feature film recently which got worldwide distribution. I’ve wrapped on a really great short film which will definitely do well in the film festival circuit. Last year, I shot an episode of BBC’s Cuckoo where I played Andie MacDowell’s PA called Tigran. And had scenes with both Andie and Greg Davies.
I’ve also just been signed by an LA based management company who want me to go over to LA for pilot season to meet with directors, producers and casting directors. Hopefully with some auditions thrown in. To see if I can slot into any American films or TV shows which is very exciting!
So, I’m focused on securing my working visa for America to make me more “cast-able“. Fair to say I’m excited about the future and will keep making sure I’m prepared for when opportunity strikes!!
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