I am pleased to re-introduce you all to David S. Hogan. I met David almost one year ago when I was in the middle of completing my 5Ps of Professionalism series. David contributed the Personality post and we have been digital friends ever since.
David is a talented actor, teacher, blogger and friend. I reached out to him a few weeks ago to see if he'd be interested in sharing some of his insight on acting in my latest Perspectives piece. Even as he was in a run of his latest production of Taming of the Shrew, he agreed to share some of his thoughts about acting in this week's Perspectives: On Acting. Enjoy.
This is a challenging question - to pick the number one reason, that is. There are many reasons that I continue to act, but I will narrow it down to one. The number one reason I act is because it is the most fun I can have while affecting the greatest number of other people at the same time. I feel like a lot of my joys in life are selfish joys - eating, exercising, listening to music, reading books, listening to comedy, watching TV/movies, etc. But, when I act, especially in the theatre, not only do I have extraordinary experiences and immense joys - creating, collaborating, performing - but my efforts actually touch people. It has an effect. And that makes me feel like a contributor. Like I am providing a service. It's not all about me.
BHS-Who are some of your creative inspirations?
Cartoons. Music. Every single other actor I have ever seen perform...Buster Keaton, Jim Carrey, Robert DeNiro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Sean Penn, Claire Danes, Mark Ruffalo, Jeff Buckley, Steven Anderson, Anne Bogart, great acting teachers and coaches (books, books, books...videos, videos, videos), nature, dance, autumn, dogs, the spirit of playfulness, Shakespeare.
BHS-What are some of your acting habits or rituals (Good or bad)?
I often start from the outside, and experiment with the physicality of the character. More and more I allow myself to stay creative and experimental during the rehearsal process, and for my other actors, this can get troublesome. I do, however, "set my blocking" by tech week. Sometimes I don't warm up my voice as much as I should! I also always give thank you cards to the cast on opening night in the theater.
BHS-What is the best piece of advice you received regarding acting?
"You don't want to do this." I guess I like to prove people wrong.
BHS-What words of encouragement do you have for actors who are just starting out or are thinking about diving into the world of acting?
Have a plan. There are lots of ways and places to act and to find "success." Make sure you know what you are after and why you are after it. Sure, you can change your plan as you go, but it's helpful to have an idea of where you want to end up. And, surround yourself with kind people who have been in the business for a while and can point you in good directions. Find a mentor, maybe.
BHS-Must follows on Twitter...GO!
@marciliroff
@benhodgestudios
@bellawonder and...of course:
@TheDiMarcoActor
BHS-What's the number one reason you act?
This is a challenging question - to pick the number one reason, that is. There are many reasons that I continue to act, but I will narrow it down to one. The number one reason I act is because it is the most fun I can have while affecting the greatest number of other people at the same time. I feel like a lot of my joys in life are selfish joys - eating, exercising, listening to music, reading books, listening to comedy, watching TV/movies, etc. But, when I act, especially in the theatre, not only do I have extraordinary experiences and immense joys - creating, collaborating, performing - but my efforts actually touch people. It has an effect. And that makes me feel like a contributor. Like I am providing a service. It's not all about me.
BHS-Who are some of your creative inspirations?
Cartoons. Music. Every single other actor I have ever seen perform...Buster Keaton, Jim Carrey, Robert DeNiro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Sean Penn, Claire Danes, Mark Ruffalo, Jeff Buckley, Steven Anderson, Anne Bogart, great acting teachers and coaches (books, books, books...videos, videos, videos), nature, dance, autumn, dogs, the spirit of playfulness, Shakespeare.
BHS-What are some of your acting habits or rituals (Good or bad)?
I often start from the outside, and experiment with the physicality of the character. More and more I allow myself to stay creative and experimental during the rehearsal process, and for my other actors, this can get troublesome. I do, however, "set my blocking" by tech week. Sometimes I don't warm up my voice as much as I should! I also always give thank you cards to the cast on opening night in the theater.
BHS-What is the best piece of advice you received regarding acting?
"You don't want to do this." I guess I like to prove people wrong.
BHS-What words of encouragement do you have for actors who are just starting out or are thinking about diving into the world of acting?
Have a plan. There are lots of ways and places to act and to find "success." Make sure you know what you are after and why you are after it. Sure, you can change your plan as you go, but it's helpful to have an idea of where you want to end up. And, surround yourself with kind people who have been in the business for a while and can point you in good directions. Find a mentor, maybe.
BHS-Must follows on Twitter...GO!
@marciliroff
@benhodgestudios
@bellawonder and...of course:
@TheDiMarcoActor
Find out more about David online:
On Twitter:
BIO:
David S. Hogan was raised in Seattle, Washington by James and Susan Hogan. He is a member of Actors’ Equity (2010) Association and SAG-AFTRA (2011), and has been working steadily since 2000. His work has been seen on many Seattle stages, including Book-It Repertory Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, The Seattle Opera, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and more.
In 2011, he had a breakout year in front of the camera, booking Thunderballs, Shadowed, and All My Presidents.
In 2012, he made his network television debut on NBC’s Grimm. Additionally in 2012, he shot A Bit of Bad Luck starring Cary Elwes, Bigfoot, starring Danny Bonaduce, four short films (including All Thing Hidden and Deadline), and his first web series pilot (written by David S. Hogan and Angela DiMarco), The New Jack.
In 2013, he reprised the role of Grumio in Seattle Shakespeare Company’s critically acclaimed “trailer park” version of The Taming of the Shrew. In the summer of 2013, he plays King Henry in Henry V with Wooden O Theatre.
David has been working as an acting coach and professional consultant since 2008. He has studied with John Jacobsen (direct line to Uta Hagen), Tom Todoroff (direct line to Stella Adler), Jessica Marlowe Goldstein (direct line to Leonid Anisimov), Nike Imoru, and Steven Anderson, to name a few.
He maintains a blog and three Facebook Groups (Seattle Filmmakers and Actors; David S. Hogan’s CRAFT Services; SEA-PDX Actor Collaboration Station) dedicated to the craft of acting and the advancement of the northwest film and television actor.
In June of 2012, he and his wife, Angela DiMarco, founded Mighty Tripod Productions, a film production and educational outreach company. David is a three time winner of the Seattle Times Footlight Award for Stellar Acting (2002, 2009, and 2012), and a winner of the Gypsy Rose Lee Award for Excellence in Performance in a Leading Role (2012).
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