Interview

Belinda Heaslip: Probably the Audition process for me would be the most challenging. You have very little idea about what the Director is looking for in your physicality, performance, or character. As Actors we can only assume a look, a character and work moment to moment. Once you've got the role, we need only focus on our performance. Bliss! New Zealand's structure for auditioning is slightly different to that of American Auditions in that we are required to know our Audition pieces word perfect. American Auditions appear to be cold reads where you know very little about the script or its contents and perform while reading the script.

FilmMakers Magazine: What is your second favorite career choice and why?

Belinda Heaslip: I thoroughly enjoyed creating commercials and had a wide range of clients that appreciated humor and difference in their marketing. I had nation wide campaigns to take care of and was placed in the semi finals for an Award for 'Best Commercial'. The freedom to create in one's own time was tremendous. No set morning tea etc, what a pleasure! I also enjoyed playing different characters in my voice work. Radio is indeed stimulating and rewarding.

FilmMakers Magazine: What role and/or roles would you like to take on and why?

Belinda Heaslip: Drama, I love drama. The wide range of emotions that Drama induces is realized in the Actor's work and consequently affects an audience. Comedy is awesome too, it's fantastic to know that your character has made an audience laugh (screen) or hear an audience laugh (theatre). In truth, I love all roles. New Zealand is very supportive of the Arts and there are many small theatres in which to put on plays where you can explore your talents in many different roles.

FilmMakers Magazine: What have you learned about acting so far... please explain?

Belinda Heaslip: The self rewards of acting are outstanding and these self achievements can never be taken away from you. I have learned that acting requires constant dedication, passion and commitment. Passion being the foremost. Acting is indeed challenging and competitive. It is necessary to acknowledge your own self talent and to take the time out to pamper yourself on occasion. In between acting roles, I continue to work on my craft and acquire new skills that I believe will benefit my career in acting.

FilmMakers Magazine: What do you want to share with the audience during a performance... explain?

Belinda Heaslip: I want to relay a message (depending on the role), which could be the need for laughter, maybe a moral and ultimately 'truth'. By being truthful in my character, I am in turn sharing truth with an audience. I want an audience to connect and identify with my character no matter what the role is.

FilmMakers Magazine: Your worst role and why?

Belinda Heaslip: Have to go back to singing the 'Wombles' in front of the whole school again. I'd never seen so many people looking back at me. It was a terrifying experience for me as a wee girl. It took me a few years (about the age of 12) before I re-connected with performance.

FilmMakers Magazine: What is your definition of an actor... please explain?

Belinda Heaslip: To me, the definition of an Actor is a person who has the ability to find the truth in themselves as an imaginary character and portray it freely under the guidelines of a script and Direction.

Our performance as an Actor then takes on life and it is through this life that viewers get to identify and connect with a character which is either to suit the optics of the theatre or screen. Words without life become merely words. It is necessary to have truth and bring your own life to a character but also be adaptable in order for a Director to change what is necessary.

FilmMakers Magazine: How can one prepare to be the best actor one can be... please explain?

Belinda Heaslip: Finding a technique that best suits you and your ability to consequently be truthful in your performance is a valuable way of ensuring that your acting abilities are paramount to the industry. The necessity to be fully present and ready to connect with your fellow actor is essential and this can often be individual as to the means of reaching this state. Energy is a must in ensuring that your performance is at its peak. Making sure you have the energy it takes to fulfill a role or audition for a role is also individual for the actor. Listening! is also a key factor in preparing, in fact it is essential in the preparation of an actor to be the best that they can.

FilmMakers Magazine: What can you tell directors to better understand actors... please explain?

Belinda Heaslip: Hmmmm! Actors need encouragement. I believe Directors get their best work from an Actor when they have pointed out what they like about their performance and what it is that they'd like to see change without ridiculing the Actor. As Actors are often in a vulnerable state through exposing emotions, squashing the actor can create an introverted reaction or disconnection with their role and fellow actor. Lucky for me, I have had tremendous Directors to date. Only one was harried through having run over time but all actors including myself realized that this was not a reflection on our acting abilities and no-one took his agitation personally.

FilmMakers Magazine: Is there anything you would like to share about acting to aspiring actors... explain?

Belinda Heaslip: Everyone has talent and if it's an actor's career that you are choosing to follow, then I would recommend complete focus. Take small baby steps, anyone learning a new thing is meant to make mistakes, that is how we learn. Remember if your taking an acting workshop, your not giving money to a tutor to worry about what the class thinks, you are giving money to a tutor to simply work on your craft. Brilliant, your on your way to following your dream, Congratulations!