» find all listed VADA Graduates & links to credits here
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When did you graduate from the Dramatic Arts Program?
March 2006
The program itself gave me lots of confidence getting out [into the industry]. So much more confidence! I'm not shaking in the room when I'm at my auditions now.
It was a good time! The support that you get from the teachers, and the friends that you make is unreal. I've made some lifelong friends and had lots of fun doing it. Even now, if I ever need help, I know that I could get it at VADA.
What have you been doing since?
Auditions! Lots of commercial auditions right now. I've been taking some more classes too. But mainly, just staying focused on my goals.
There were times in the beginning where I was EXTREMELY frustrated because either I wasn't booking my callbacks or I had no auditions at all. This one time, I had already booked the commercial. I had the contract and everything, then it was all taken away. Canceled. That was really frustrating!
What do you do in times like that?
I talk to my actor friends that I made in class, and that picks me back up!
What kind of auditions have you been going out for?
I get lots of commercial auditions. I haven't been going out much for film and TV yet.
Have you been getting good feedback from casting directors?
I'm noticing that I see the same Casting Directors a lot. I get good feedback when I'm in the room, so I feel like I'm doing well in my auditions. And I'm getting call backs, which is reassuring!
Has anything else been happening for you career-wise?
I've done two student films and a whole lot of extra work. I did background work for Fantastic Four 2, Battlestar Galactica and The L Word. I got to prance around in my tighty whities and Combat boots on The L Word. That was fun.
I really loved being on set for Fantastic Four 2. I was there for 9 days, and there were 2 days where they were focusing on one of my scenes, so they were focusing on ME! That was fun. I was treated like a king. It was awesome! I learned so much from just being on set.
I think doing background work is good experience for people who have never been on set before; for new actors. I had no idea what it would be like, and I got lots out of it.
I've been doing some modeling too. I really want to focus more on acting, so I don't really want to take too much time off for modeling anymore. But it's been good money in the meantime.
Do you feel that VADA helped you get your career started?
Definitely.
Do you feel like VADA prepared you fully to experience what you've been going through?
Absolutely. When I started auditioning, I was still a bit nervous at first, but I'm at a point now where I'm comfortable in an audition room. I feel able.
What did you feel was the most important thing you took from your experience at VADA?
If I hadn't done the program I wouldn't be here right now. I probably wouldn't even be an actor.
How did you get your agent?
I originally signed with Talent Co. for modeling. I didn't think that I was able to act. I was too shy! But then they started sending me out for commercial auditions and I wanted to know what I was doing. So Talent Co. recommended I take the Two Week Intensive program at VADA.
How is your relationship with your agent? Do you think it's important to have a good relationship with your agent? Why?
Our relationship is pretty amazing. I feel like I can tell them anything. There's really no intimidation, and there shouldn't be. Your agent is the last person who should make you feel intimidated. You need to be able to communicate your wants and your feelings to your agent.
Getting The Job
Name of project: Gutterballs
Director: Ryan Nicholson
Role: Lead; Ben, the hot computer nerd
Tell me about the audition process.
I auditioned for the role of Ben last July, so a year ago. It was originally a supporting role. It was a cold read audition, so I really couldn't prepare too much. I was nervous as hell. I HATE cold reads; so I didn't feel at all confident, not even one bit. I only had 10 to 15 mins to check it out, but the director was very inviting and supportive so that calmed me down.
I did my cold read and they laughed. That was good. Then I asked about the call backs and they said not to worry because I had the part! I was really excited. It was my first thing out of school and I felt like I had broke through that whole cold read thing. So we were supposed to shoot a month later, but it got pushed to November, and then May.
At one point I really didn't think it was going to happen. So again, that was frustrating. But I kept in touch and had a good relationship with the director. Then in March I got a call and was offered the lead! They had booked the location for this summer, so it really paid off. What started off as a horrible cold reading experience, turned into a Lead role in an Indie Film. I'm really excited! The Story completely changed from the beginning; even the cast. Only 3 of the original actors who were cast remain in the script. It's now cast for a younger group of people; so new script and new characters.
How do you feel about being in a gory movie? Is it intimidating? Any fears to overcome before you hit the set?
Well, I LOVE scary movies. I've always wanted to be in a scary movie. And this one's different. I don't have to be running in fear the whole time. People get killed off because they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. No one actually knows it's happening around them. But I like it! It might be offensive to some, with the language and the way people get killed. Just because it's REALLY gory.
How are you preparing for the role?
Well I'm still in the process of learning my lines. But it's not that difficult for me. I don't have a lot of lines. Other than that, not everything is set in stone yet. There is going to be a lot of one on one talking with the director to figure out the characters. The director is allowing the actors to be creative with their characters. So it's exciting! I'm just ready to have a lot of fun with it.
Have you met the whole cast yet? How was it?
So far we had our first rehearsal last Friday. I got the script; we did a couple read throughs. It was so different reading it alone at home vs. reading it with the actual cast. It sounded a lot funnier than we thought. We laughed a lot!
When do you start shooting?
We start shooting July 9th, for three weeks, all night shoots. June and July will be pretty busy for me. There will be a lot of rehearsals and makeup prep in June. I have to get my face molded for a special effects thing. There are a lot of special gory makeup effects. Then we'll shoot in July, and they're also doing a Behind the Scenes DVD. One hour and a half of how it was done.
What does your agent think of all this?
She's excited for me. It's good experience, and great for my resume.
What's next?
Hopefully more auditions. There's a possibility that I'll be shooting another scary movie in September; a Zombie movie. I feel like the ball is finally rolling. It's a good feeling. This whole experience over the year has really made up my mind. I know what I want to do now. I want to stay here, not
leave for modeling and focus on acting. Build my resume and my career. I'm excited for what is coming!
What advice would you give to people who want to start up a career in acting but who don't know where to start? Or don't feel like it is attainable for them?
For starters, you have to train. If you feel like it's too much to handle and you can't handle the rejection, then you're probably right. There is so much rejection in this business. If you can't handle it, maybe it's not for you.
But once you really decide, just go for it! And don't quit because eventually it will happen for you.
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