EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Elias Toufexis

For today’s blog, I’m delighted to publish my recent exclusive interview with actor Elias Toufexis.

This is the transcript of our interview from earlier in the week:

MARK: From your experience, how would you describe the job of the actor?

ELIAS: It depends on what you’re referring to as “the job”. If you mean ‘what’s it like being an actor?’ then I would have to say it’s a torturous, daily grind with very little payoff. Sound like fun? When it does payoff however, it pays well. Both artistically and financially.

If you mean ‘what is the job of an actor in a film, tv, play?’ I would then say that it is simple. The job of an actor is to help tell the story. That is essentially it. You are part of a whole team all striving to make the film, show or play. In my opinion, you are equally as important as any crew member. It’s your job to work with them and the director to help tell the story in the best way possible.

Even if the story is all about your character, it doesn’t mean it’s all about you. Many actors suffer from this form of thinking. When I graduated from theatre school I auditioned for a truck driver in a big Hollywood film. I remember I started thinking of things like a background for the character, his motivations, what he was feeling at the time…I even gave him a slight Southern drawl. I remember specifically the director asking me “what the hell are you doing?” I answered that I gave this character a little bit of a background. He replied “I don’t want a character arc for this guy, I just want you to play a damn truck driver.” I’ll never forget that. My job was to help tell the story. Even with the big roles that I’ve been lucky enough to get.

MARK: What’s the most difficult part of being an actor?

ELIAS: It’s a cliche, but it’s true. The toughest part is that you live day in, day out with rejection. Constant rejection. Then you have to worry about paying rent this month. Don’t forget the fact that you can’t get a normal job because you need to be free during the day to audition and free at night to rehearse or perform the plays you are performing for free to keep your craft sharp. I consider myself a working actor. I haven’t had to hold another job (other than coaching actors here and there) for about 4 years now. I would say I book about 1 in every 12 auditions. So every month, let’s say, I have 11 “no’s”. Which, as an actor, I take as “you’re not good enough” or “you’re not good looking enough” etc.

MARK: What process, a method or technique do you use/follow?

ELIAS: I’ve kind of come up with my own style. Which I guess every actor does. I don’t like the “Method” style of acting because, to me, it negates any sense of responsibility. For an example of what I mean; I worked with an actor who had to “choke” his scene partner every night on stage. Every night he would choke her harder and harder until she had to complain. His excuse was “I’m feeling it! I’m getting into it!” Which is a complete cop out in my opinion. I don’t like actors who get so ‘into’ something that they become jackasses. I don’t mind if you want to think of your dog that died BEFORE the scene to get you in the mood. Once the scene is being performed, however, you should be thinking about THE SCENE!

On the flip side of the coin. I also don’t like meticulous planning to the point where you cannot change a thing spontaneously should an idea come to you or a fellow actor. You can’t set everything in stone. I like to describe my “style” as a combination of both. I kind of use this “GPS” metaphor: I go through my script and jot down notes, acting ideas, even inflections on specific lines etc. I use it as my ‘map’ or ‘gps’…bear with me…. Then, during rehearsal I discover more things and I write those things into my ‘map’. ‘Map’ meaning I’m writing in my script, I don’t draw an actual map or anything.
Once I have everything in place. I leave it aside. Here’s my GPS metaphor: If you were driving to a specific location, you program it into your GPS. Now you know, no matter what, you have the directions and you will eventually get there. You’re safe. Along the way though, you spot a better way to go with your own eyes. You’d take that route right? You have your gps to guide you, but you don’t have to stick to it as long as you get to the place you’re aiming to go. Did any of that make sense? I rehearse, take very specific notes, then I go out and see what happens with the performance. Sometimes a fellow actor does something that sparks something else in my performance. Sometimes the emotion I am building in a scene sparks a change. As long as I am going in the right direction, I’m doing the right thing. And if I ever get lost, I can always go back and check the map.

MARK: What qualities do you admire in other actors?

ELIAS: Respect above all. I don’t like actors that brag about work. I don’t like actors that are too blatant in their self promotion. (Though self promotion is important, there’s a line not to cross). I especially don’t like actors who mistreat crew members. We get paid 5 times what they get paid and they are there a lot longer than we are. Working just as hard. Also, respect your fellow actors. I did a film with a great actor named Michael Imperioli. I remember one night, after a really long day, Michael and I had a scene together. The director decided to shoot Michael’s coverage first. (Myself behind the camera acting the scene with Michael who is on camera). We did the scene and it went great. Then, the assistant director (showing a lack of respect of his own) told Michael that he was wrapped and he could go home. We hadn’t shot my coverage yet. I was going to have to act with the AD off camera! I was pissed, but there wasn’t much I could do about it at this point in my career. Michael, thinking the whole show was wrapped for the night, went back to his trailer and changed while we set up the lighting for my shot. When Michael heard I was still working he came back to the set, in his regular clothes and stood off camera so we could perform the scene together. And this was only the second day of shooting with each other. We hadn’t developed a report or anything. It was purely out of respect for his fellow actors. I’ll never forget that. I love actors that are respectful.

MARK: What really pisses you off about the acting profession?

ELIAS: That most projects are horrible. It’s an unfortunate truth in this day and age that most TV Shows, Films and plays just plain stink. Lowest common denominator crap. My resume is filled with it. Added to which they usually cast actors who aren’t very good but have that specific “pretty look”. Which ends up making the projects even worse. Also, people in the business who think they truly are great people. Especially prissy actors. Man, you say other people’s words for a living. A well paid living. Don’t be a jerk just because you can. It’s all about respect…as I said before.

MARK: To your mind, what’s the one thing that all would-be actors should know?

ELIAS: That it’s tough. It’s really, really tough. Out of my graduating class of 24 at theatre school, I’m the only one who works regularly. Out of all the three years of students that I knew there. About 100 students. Three work regularly. Myself included. ?Having said that however, once you crack in you can do wonders in this business. It’s great to play different characters for a living. It’s truly a great job…now if I only knew I had another guaranteed job next month. My advice would be to be honest with yourself. You know if you’re any good. You do. If you are good, and you know it, then you can do it. It might take years, it might take months. But if you aren’t very good, try something else. It’s a horrible business when you know what you’re doing, and much worse if you don’t.

MARK: Lastly, could you tell us something about what you’re working on at the moment? 

ELIAS: I have a fun sci-fi movie coming out in July I believe. It’s called Sand Serpents. ?(It has a bunch of Brits and two Canadians playing an American Army Squad in Afghanistan. God bless Hollywood magic!) Also I do the voices in numerous video games. All of which I’ve signed a non disclosure agreement with…so I can’t say anything other than they are cooooool. I’m directing my first music video next week basically to see if I have the guts and / or talent to direct film. If I do, I’ll be directing my first film this fall.

MARK: Thanks for your time Elias.

ELIAS: Thank you

A little more about Elias Toufexis.

A trained theatre actor, Elias born and raised in Montreal, where he attended the Dome theatre school for 3 years. He has since performed in numerous plays in New York, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. He has performed in such plays as “Othello – Problem Child”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” “Seven Stories” and Hamlet in “Hamlet”. He has been on various television shows such as “Smallville” “Supernatural” “Painkiller Jane” “Stargate Atlantis” “Dead Like Me” and “The Five People You Meet In Heaven”. He lends his voice to many radio advertisements and many video games such as “Rainbow Six: Vegas 2″ “Need For Speed Carbon” and “Sukiyaken”.

Check back often for more Exclusive Interviews with actors at the cutting edge of today’s profession.