Daniel Dasent- Every Moment Of The Process (Rising Actor) (January 2022)

Issue Twenty One- January 2022:

By Mercedes Barreto

What is that one moment when you realize your career path? What is the right choice for you in this generation? Daniel Dasent is an actor who showcases his acting skill and expertise with every performance. We read up on his acting success in this guided article.

What is the moment you started this? And what 
defined the ultimate beginning for you?

“I actually started this 30+ years ago in my home country of Trinidad in the Caribbean. At first, and this would be the very beginning, an advertising executive stopped me in the street and asked me if I had ever done any commercials, I answered no to which I was then directed to the agency for an audition. I auditioned and got the my first ever role in front of a camera on a chocolate commercial. Then I went on to do print ads followed by more commercials. Right from the very beginning, I felt really comfortable in front of the camera. Then in 1994, there was a casting for a film called Innocent Adultery filming in Trinidad, and that was my first foray into film working with other actors on a set. After that, in 1999, I went on to a TV series called Westwood Park where I would play a henchman/stalker.”

Has Covid had any impact on this work of yours? Positively or not?

“Yes, Covid shut down the acting industry. It created chaos in our industry as it did in most other industries. But, as time went by, things started to slowly get moving again. The SAG union was instrumental in working with production companies to figure out how we could all get back to work, and they have been working diligently to keep up with the rapidly changing rules and environment. I was able though to pivot and find ways to be creative. I picked up hosting (which you can do remotely). I learnt how to edit content during the pandemic and that helped me tremendously in allowing me to write and produce my own content. I was able to make four short films during the pandemic…one was done by being filmed entirely virtually. We rehearsed virtually and the other actor filmed his shots with my direction. The film is called ‘Two Writers, Quarantine Edition’ and is up on Youtube. I then went on to make a short in Spanish called #NODEAL, also on Youtube. In 2020 I had signed with a new manager, and one of the things she said I needed to help me get cast in such procedural shows like Law and Order was a ‘Lawyer Clip Reel’. I had never done any lawyer roles so how was I going to get a lawyer reel? Well, I wrote a short scene and was going to film it so I could use that, then I thought, wait…If I am going to go to all this trouble then why not write a short film? So I did and that Film Is called ‘Gates Of Redemption’. I was able to cut parts from it and use it as my reel. It also won 2 awards at the Independent Shorts Awards in 2020, Best Crime Short, and Best Acting Duo. Now it’s 2022 and with the Omicron Variant, before we get to set we need to be fully vaccinated, get tested and have a negative result, then when you get to set you get the rapid test before working. It has made it very difficult for filmmakers and producers not to mention more costly. But they are resilient, they are doing what needs to be done to get things done safely.”

What was the moment things began to spiral upwards for you in the right direction here, if so, and when you feel there was more activity going on for you in your career, in terms of your excellent background of previous works?

“I think in the last five years, things have been pretty much on an upward trajectory for me. I started making my own content back in 2016 and that’s where I think it started. When you make your own content, you get seen. No matter what. It shows you are present. Not just waiting to be seen. The more people that see your work, the more they will know who you are.”

What are some of your most favorite works you’ve done, if you must pick just 3?

“I would say my most favorite works would be the short film Falling Up and Up, The Web series ‘Nerd Brigade’ and the Feature Film Anywhere Texas, where the director wrote the part of the lead antagonist specifically for me.”

What is the process like for you when you’ve been selected for a character, regardless of the difficulty or versatility in the script?

“Once I have been selected for a character, the first thing I do is read the entire script to get a feel for what my character’s place is in the story. Once I understand that, I then breakdown the scenes that my character is in and how that character relates to the scene. I ask the questions, Where is he? What is he doing? What does he need? What is his objective? Knowing these things gives you an understanding of everything that is going on within the scene and story. And also, this gives insight as to what is not written on the page. Can you describe your character analysis, for example? What gets you in the zone? I grew up watching the greats, Gregory Peck, William Holden, Sidney Poitier, Cliff Robertson, John Wayne. And today there are Daniel Day-Lewis, Idris Elba, Clint Eastwood, Benedict Cumberbatch…  Watching these greats I can safely say, I have never seen them ‘Acting’…never. Not once. There is only truth in their performances. This level of truth, is what gets me in the zone. I usually get cast as a bad guy. So, for me, I always try to find the humanity in that character. We are all human, even the bad guys, they were once somebody’s son, brother and cousin. Even if the character is intrinsically bad from young, there is still something that they care about and it is my job to find that humanity.”

What are three places you would love to perform at, if you could pick any three places, any monologue, and any audience on a global scale, with no other requirements or setbacks in your selection?

“If I had to pick a monologue to perform it would be Mark Antony Act III Scene II in Julius Caesar where he is addressing the crowd. I would like to perform at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The National Theatre, London and the Montreaux Riviera Theatre in Switzerland.”

What defines success for you, or what measures it?

“Success for me is doing what you love everyday and enjoying every moment of the process. Everything we do is a process, if you can enjoy the process while living life to the fullest, you have succeeded. What measures it? The width of that beautiful smile I get from my wife when I walk through the door after a really tough day on set.”

What is the level of success you’d like to reach in a few years or a given time span?

“When I got out to Hollywood, I never wanted to be famous. I just wanted to be a working actor whether it be in front or behind the camera and I am going in that direction now. I would like to continue acting and directing. I want to direct and produce the feature script that I am just about to finish. How successful would you say you are right now? As I mentioned earlier, the pandemic allowed me to gain more skills in the entertainment field. One skill I also honed was directing. I directed all of the four short films I talked about. My latest film ‘Falling Up and Up’ which I wrote, directed, edited, produced and edited won 18 Awards at 9 different Festivals in 2021 and is just ending its Festival run. I picked up 2 Best Director Awards which I shared with my Co-Director, two Best Actor Awards plus 2 honorable mention Best Actor Awards and one Best Editing Award among the other Awards. I have written another short film and I am finishing up a feature script. I booked roles in two features filming here in LA starting in January, one a roman general and the other the lead antagonist. Also I am continuing to video host. I am out here doing what I love, and I am going to keep reaching for the stars!”

What are some recent projects, and where can we find them?

“Some of my recent projects are Burn Notice on Netflix, General Hospital on ABC, Nerd Brigade and all five episodes are available on Youtube. Rogue Operations also available on Youtube. #NODEAL on Youtube, ‘Two Writers Quarantine edition’ on Youtube. Under Darkenss on Omeleto.”

Anything you would like to add?

“Thanks for having me! And to all aspiring actors and creatives out there: Keep doing what you love, find ways to be creative, don’t ever stop hustling. There are other like-minded folks out there like you that want to achieve the same thing. Seek them out, collaborate and beautiful things will happen. You can do this! #ONWARD!!!”