Vanessa McMahon

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Parleying with Daniel Pearce on his role in the upcoming blockbuster hit Salt (2010), working with the
beautiful and ‘down to Earth' Angelina Jolie and being an actor in film and TV between LA and NY.

ME: Hey, Daniel, thanks for speaking with us. Well, you're in the upcoming film Salt, (2010) by director Phillip Noyce. Can you speak a little bit about the part you play and a little bit about the film itself? Like a sum up for those who dont know yet.

DANIEL: I play the younger version of Orlov in a few flashback sequences. The older Orlov is the Russian defector who claims that Angelina's character is a spy. I can't say much else because it would spoil the movie.

ME: What your experience was working on set? I mean, of course the burning question is what was it like working with the enchanting Angelina Jolie?

DANIEL: When I met Angelina she said, "Hi, I'm Angie," and shook my hand. I immediately thought that she's that cool girl in high school that everybody wants to hang out with because she's friendly to all, down to earth, and ridiculously pretty. And then I giggled like a schoolgirl.  

ME: LOL! Somehow that doesn't surprise me about her. She seems to be down to earth and uber cool. It radiates off the screen. Maybe you can speak about your role in the film An Invisible Sign (2010)? What was your role as 'Danny's Dad'?

DANIEL: An Invisible Sign is a film based on a book by Aimee Bender. America Ferrara was originally slated for the lead role of Mona Gray, a math teacher, but had to drop out and was replaced by Jessica Alba. So they did their best to frump up Jessica which is NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. I had a scene with her as the father of one of her students. My character is a one armed man. 

ME: Woops! Sorry, America...He didn't mean you were frumpy. lol! Cool! Looking forward to seeing you in that as well. Can you tell us more about your other roles? You have worked a little in film and then also in TV. Are you pursuing film now more than TV?

DANIEL: I live in New York City so I do mostly theatre. The amount of film and TV work in NYC is very small compared to LA. Like many NY actors, I've done all the Law & Orders multiple times. The film work just picked up for me in the last couple years. I love it and I'd like to do more. 

ME: Our site (though online) is based in Europe. Can you tell people about what it is like to be an actor in NY and LA? How hard is it? Do you do it just for fun or are you hoping to get more into it? What would you suggest to all the people who dream to go to NY and/or LA to start their acting career?

DANIEL: In NYC there are many many many talented actors and a relatively small number of jobs. In order to get those jobs you really have to be on your game. That kind of competition day in and day out is maddening but I also think it can make you a more interesting and risk taking actor over time. I make my living acting. Sometimes I make a very good living and other times I'm just getting by. I guess that's what I would tell someone coming to NYC to try out the business. You can be on Broadway one week and then be doing a workshop of some new play for free the following week.  It's not a linear business. When it comes to job offers, sometimes you have to say "yes" a lot to get the ball rolling. Other times you have to be more choosy so that you're guiding your career in the direction you want it to go. 

ME: Thanks Daniel. Those were some really interesting things to say about the acting life in NY and in the industry in general. It's tough for all of us and that's why most of us are going mad but at the same time, it's a beautiful obsession. Thanks, Daniel, super cool to talk to you. Keep driving yourself crazy and I know we'll be seeing much more of you in TV and film soon.

Interview by Vanessa McMahon, August 13, 2010 :-)

actor Daniel Pearce