Flavour’s Andre McDonald caught up with David Gyasi
What inspired you to become an actor?
I can’t pin-point one single moment, it’s a combination of things:
Feeling an electric energy when I was on stage for the first time. Blair Underwood. Why Blair Underwood? I wasn’t really into acting until my late teens and images of sharp looking black men in positive roles were few and far between. I remember seeing Blair Underwood wearing a suit and playing the role of a Lawyer on LA Law and thought ‘That’s interesting and it actually makes me walk a bit taller’. Theatre De Complicte’s ‘Street’s of Crocodiles’. What amazing Story telling!!! .Parents who refused to let me or any of my siblings undersell ourselves!
Soon you’ll be staring in BBC series White Heat could you tell us little more about it and what role you play?
It’s essentially about a group of flat mates in their late teens/early twenties dealing with sex, drugs, relationships, politics, themselves and the 1960’s! It’s a six parter series which allows you to see how their lives intertwine, develop and unfold over a period of forty-odd years, taking the audience from 1965 right up to present day. Each character is played by two actors, I play Victor Bailey for the first 30 years and then Hugh Quashie takes over. The writing is some of the most gripping I’ve ever read and the 7 young actors that make up the main cast are truly special talents. I am thrilled, excited and honoured to have been involved in the project. It’s strange that I now feel honoured because when I first read the script I didn’t want to do it as I felt the character of Victor Bailey was weak. I was only given 3 out of the 6 episodes to read before my audition, and at first glance in these Victor appears very quiet and doesn’t have much to say about the horrendous levels of blatant inequality and outright racism he faces! After a long conversation with my Dad who saw Victor’s experience very differently having arrived in England in 1966 and in many ways shared the same plight as Victor, he summed it up quite beautifully by suggesting that Victor’s silence was about dignity and in that dignity was huge amounts of strength. It’s no wonder that Victor goes on to become one of the first black judges in Britain and someone that ended up being both very challenging and enjoyable to play.
You’ve played such a wide variety in of roles in your career was that a conscience decision to avoid any typecasting?
Only as much as it can be a conscious decision when you’re an actor as you still have to eat! It is true that I’ve tried to take on only projects that genuinely interest me and most importantly that I think are fresh and innovative, and have something new to say in challenging the many preconceptions that exist. This obviously doesn’t lend itself well to being typecast! The thing is as that an actor whatever the medium you find yourself in be it time in rehearsals followed by long running shows on stage or long days on film shoots away from your family, if you are working on something that you are not feeling then the whole process becomes very difficult and unenjoyable. When you’re on the ninth week of a 10 week run or filming at 2am in the rain, if you believe in the project then it is easier to stay motivated and keep going.
What can you tell us about your role in the Highly anticipated Dark Knight Rises?
Not much I’m afraid as it is sooooo secretive! So much so that they only showed me my lines when I was on set so I don’t even know how my scenes knit together. I’m as intrigued and excited as everyone else to see how it all pans out.
What’s been your most challenging role to date?
I actually found Victor in White Heat incredibly challenging as he’s involved in a love triangle that I could never really understand and even months after filming I’m still trying to work it out. Having said that it stands to reason that it’s a recent role that I’ve chosen as I do like to continually challenge myself otherwise how does one learn and grow? One of my current roles in ‘Cloud Atlas’ Autua, involved a strict exercise and diet regime for 3 months and required the voice coach and I to invent an accent for the character, with no reference points other than the location of his tribe and the potential influences of the countries he may have visited and people he may have encountered.
Next year we’ll be seeing you performing alongside Jim Sturgess and Tom Hanks in ‘Cloud Atlas’ what was it like working with a Hollywood legend?
In my opinion there are two ways to react in a situation like this: sink or swim. That is either allow the situation to overawe you or enjoy and learn from it. I chose the latter and I’m glad I did! It was an absolute pleasure and I learned so much from the experience. I enjoyed working with and sparring with both Tom and Jim. Jim is a fine actor and it’s no coincidence that his career continues to blossom the way it does. There’s probably nothing more I can add that hasn’t already been said about Tom’s acting prowess. His awards and body of work speak for themselves but what I can comment on is how much of a class act he is. Watching him work and develop his characters (we all play multiple characters in the film) has been an education and a privilege. His work rate is exceptional and the way he takes direction is electric so much so that when the director gives note, Tom receives it with such enthusiasm and vigour that what is produced in the next take is quite electrifying and it’s a true collaboration. This coupled with his openness and the advice he has given me has made the whole experience an invaluable learning experience for me.
Who inspires you to be a better actor?
My family, Will Smith, Denzel Washington and President Obama. My family because it’s how I support my wife and kids so I figure the better I become as an actor the more longevity I’ll have in the industry. I also think it’s a good thing for them to see me doing something that I am passionate about and the amount of work that goes into it. Will Smith: Type ‘Will’s Wisdom’ into Youtube and watch it! Denzel Washington: I’ve never seen him give a bad performance and I always find his characters to be so believable. President Obama: His image makes me walk taller and desire to join him in breaking down barriers and striving to be the best that I can be.
If you could go back and play any role who would it be and why?
I never look backwards with things like that. I think you can certainly learn from past performances but I’m unsure of the benefit of wanting to play a part that’s been done before. There are definitely several stories I’d like to tell and people that I’d like to portray in the future and as I stated before I am attracted to projects that challenge the status quo and cause society to ask questions.
Have you got any plans to step behind the camera?
I still have so much to learn and accomplish with regards to acting however I find myself increasingly intrigued by what goes on behind the camera. Maybe this interest and the stories I’d like to tell will combine to drive me behind-camera some day.
For any aspiring actors out there what key advice would you give them?
Make friends with Discipline, Hard Work, Integrity and Humility!
Speaking of actors vote for Adam Deacon to win the BAFTA Rising Star Award
Add us on Google+ To find out what its all about click here