Published: November 30, 2008 8:48 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
JC Interview Exclusive: (January 2009) Rising Star Daniel Bonjour
Daniel Bonjour
One of the amazing parts to this job that I have always said is featuring up and coming new talents in the entertainment industry. Daniel Bonjour is certainly one of those hot new actors that are on the rise. With his brooding good looks, friendly smile and well-kept image, Daniel has all the making for being the next Hollywood leading man. Daniel, who has lived in over three different countries and was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, graciously agreed to complete an online interview with Junior's Cave Online Magazine. Here is what developed. Enjoy!
Isaac: It is a pleasure to have you featured in our online magazine, Daniel. Let's talk about your upbringing. What I found amazing about your upbringing was that you grew up in three different countries and you were born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Elaborate on your upbringing and your decision to go into showbiz?
Daniel: Thank you for letting me be a part of your magazine. My upbringing goes a little something like this: I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa where I lived for about 6 years. We then moved to Switzerland, where my mother originally is from, where we lived for a little over 3 years. After that, it was back to South Africa for another 4 or so year, before my brother and my parents finally moved to Seattle, WA. As far as my decision to go into showbiz, it was from as far back as I can think. I remember thinking as a kid that in life, everyone tried to become an actor, and if that didn't work out, only then would you chose another profession.
Isaac: You are building up a nice resume. How important is it for you to stay busy and why?
Daniel: I think it is extremely important to stay busy as an actor, especially in the early stages of your career. It's during this time that you find out the type of actor you are as well as your strengths as an artist. Acting is a forever learning art, and while you are still flying under the radar of the public eye, you have the ability to take on and learn from roles that you eventually may have to pass on later in your career.
Isaac: I read in your online bio that you moved to Zurich, Switzerland, where you adopted both the language and culture. You stayed over there for three years then moved back to South Africa. Later, in 1995, you moved to the states. What are some traditions that you have kept while living in the United States?
Daniel: A lot of traditional European cooking has stuck with me and my family. Also, the holidays are all slightly different in South Africa and Switzerland, those subtleties we hang on to. But at the same time I've embraced the American holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween. I've really enjoyed celebrating those with friends and family year after year.
Isaac: I read in your bio that you began acting at the ripe age of three. So, acting has always been in your blood? What was the reason that drew you to the art?
Daniel: I have to admit, my first step into acting at 3 years old brings back very few memories. It was a commercial that I don't remember. What I do remember, is everything after that. My dad used to edit commercials in South Africa, and I used to head to set whenever I could, just to be around the process. My parents never pushed for me to get into acting because they knew how tough it was, so it consisted of a lot of begging and persuasion to get into my first classes and theatre. My dad tells me of times where, at 10 years old, I would try to pay directors to put me in the background of their commercials. My first real break came from a casting director that showed up at my school and was auditioning one of the leads for a Nu Image film. I booked it, and really fell in love with film acting.
Isaac: The Internet has helped actors like you in many ways. Name some of the benefits that you have received from having an official website on the Internet?
Daniel: The Internet helps me tremendously in all kinds of ways. Casting directors now can see what I'm up to and can quickly access pictures or clips of my work for auditions or to pass on to directors. It also keeps me connected to fans and anyone interested in easily getting in touch with me, like Juniorscave.com for example J.
Isaac: In the U.S, you graduated from Boston College in Boston, MA. What were some of the main lessons about acting and the performing arts that you learned from your time at the school?
Daniel: To be honest, I didn't go to Boston College to study acting. I double majored in Computer Science and Marketing as piece of mind for my parents, and because I didn't want to pass up on the college experience. What I did learn about acting, was how much I loved it. After four years, I realized that there really was nothing else that I would want to do with my life.
Isaac: If you had the opportunity to work side by side with any director, describe the type of project you would want to do with him or her?
Daniel: That list is ever expanding for me, but at where I am in my acting, I would love to work with someone like Michel Gondry. He has an amazing ability to infuse comedy and drama, and he really brings a unique look and feel to every one of his films. Any film he chooses to do, I would want to do with him.
Isaac: What is the one role that you would not do as an actor?
Daniel: I don't think there is any role that I would not do as an actor. My decision to not do something would be more based on the script and the content. If my initial instinct is to not do something, it's usually because I'm afraid of it, and that would end up being a great challenge.
Isaac: Let's talk about some of your current projects: How did you prepared for your roles? What do you discover about yourself as an actor after completing each film?
Daniel: What I've been learning with each of my films has to do with how much of myself to bring to each role. For certain parts, it's easy to put on a character and really become someone else for the film. In some instances however, I think it is just as important to bring who you are to the role. So for each film, I begin by deciding who the character is, and how much of that character is actually me. I then try to blend the character I've created and myself as seamlessly as possible.
Isaac: Which one of your movie parts have you enjoyed playing the most and why?
Daniel: Every film is enjoyable for so many different reasons. I really enjoyed the layered character I played in 'Simon', an independent festival film, I had a blast with all the CGI and action work I did most recently on "Dragonquest, but I probably had most fun overall on 'Midnight Movie', coming out in January. It was such a fun set to work on. All the crew and actors kept the set light and easygoing.
Isaac: What is the one thing that you fear about being in showbiz?
Daniel: I guess there are things that I will eventually have to fear about being in showbiz, but for now, my only fear is no longer being in showbiz.
Isaac: Daniel, how do you handle rejection especially concerning parts that you had worked hard to get and did not?
Daniel: The hardest rejections are the ones for parts that are all but promised to you, and then you find out a phone call was made and it went to a 'bigger name.' Other than that, it's something that you learn to let go of after a while.
Isaac: Has there ever been a part you did that once you saw the final product you hated it? If so, how do you handle it?
Daniel: There haven't been any instances that I hated what I saw, but there are definitely times I've come away disappointed. It really is something you have no control over though. You go in and look forward to specific scenes, and sometimes they're completely cut in the editing room and in some cases they're cut before you even shoot them. All you can do is hope that it's for the better of the film. On the same note, I have walked off of projects expecting very little, and come away very pleasantly surprised.
Isaac: What projects are you currently working on? Any new shows or movies coming up?
Daniel: Well I just completed 'Dragonquest' a few days ago with Marc Singer, who was known for his Beastmaster films and series. It's a mix between Lord of the Rings, and Eragon, where I play a farm boy who is sent on a journey and destined to control a dragon that will save the world. It comes out on DVD sometime next year, and most likely will be on the Sci-Fi channel. Next up for me is an original pilot that I am also producing about a group of struggling actors trying to make it in Hollywood.
Isaac: In ten years, I will...
Daniel: Hopefully be doing a follow-up interview with you about what it feels like to win an Oscar! J I just hope I will still be doing what I love, but at a much higher level with the ability to chose roles that will teach me something about myself and the craft.
Isaac: Final Thoughts:
Daniel: I hope that this was insightful to everyone reading, and thanks again for having me apart of your magazine.
