Published: July 17, 2010 7:35 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., BGS, MBA (Juniorscave.com)
JC Interview Exclusive (Celebrity Interview with Actor/Writer/Filmmaker/Director/Producer David Ludlow)
David Ludlow
Our Webzine recently contacted David Ludlow, a rising Actor/Writer/Filmmaker/Director/Producer, about doing an interview with our online magazine. We were excited when the super talented actor/filmmaker said “yes” to our request. What will draw you to this rising superstar’s projects will be his endless talents that are not limited to just his acting. The Australian actor has appeared in HBO’s The Pacific (Mini-Series), and written and directed Drifting, an 80 minute drama for the small amount of $2000 budget. Make sure to read this in-depth interview with the 22 years old rising star who revealed some cool and fun things about him and why he wants to entertain others. Enjoy!
Isaac: HI David! Thank you for allowing us to feature you on our Webzine. We are simply amazed that someone your age is so passionate and dedicated to working in the movie entertainment industry. When did you first get the “acting bug” and decided that this is something that you wanted to pursue as a career?
David: Well, I first started acting when I was 9 years old and started taking acting classes and doing community theatre. In high school, I tried to do as much performing as possible and did musicals, Shakespeare, straight dramatic theatre, short films for university students, as well as beginning to produce my own short films which I'd either act in or just produce or both. It wasn't until I got cast in HBO & Steven Spielberg's "The Pacific" that I even really thought that I could possibly pursue acting as a career. Although I only had a small role in that massive production, the fact that I was part of it and got to work closely with incredible international cast and crews meant that a lot of doors were kicked open as a consequence.
Isaac: What do you consider is one of the most essential skills that one should possess when pursuing an acting or entertainment business career?
David: Work ethic. Unquestionably work ethic. But I guess you could argue that for any industry. But as showbiz is such a crazy and uncertain industry to try and make a living in, you have to have a work ethic that will mean that when you get knocked back, and knocked back, and knocked back, you'll just continue to pursue it. Talent is a great start, but talent does not guarantee anything. Another actor once said to me when I was you kind of need to have an obsessiveness towards wanting to be an actor, because it really is that hard to 'make it.'
Isaac: Recently, you starred, wrote & directed in an 80 minute drama titled Drifting, and it should be noted that the entire film was shot on HD in just 18 short days for a total budget of $2, 0000. What was the main attraction to wanting to get this film completed and what did you learn about the role of being director in a film?
David: You know when I was holding auditions for all the short-listed actors for the supporting roles I said to them quite plainly. My motivation in making this movie is to simply make a movie. Sounds simple - but as anyone who has been involved with making a feature film in any capacity knows, it's like running a marathon - you will get tired along the way - but you have to remind yourself of how good that feeling will be when you complete it. And by the way, the feeling of actually completing it was unbelievable. I felt like I'd just climbed a mountain that I thought I would never get to climb in my life.
And to answer the second part of your question, you could probably re-phrase it "what didn't you learn about directing" as I probably learnt just as much going through the process of making "Drifting" as I have going to film school, which is what I'm currently doing. The great directors are the ones who firstly have some level of understanding of the technical side of filmmaking, like lighting and cinematography and how sound can be used to make a good film great. But on top of at least knowing the basics of the technical side, it's important the Director can work closely with the actors to help create their characters and how their characters relate to the world around them and other characters. By hiring good actors, they are going to be almost where they need to be - your job is to help them take that next step.
And lastly, the Director has to always know how everything fits in the grand scheme of the story. The Director, like the Producer, who just wants the film made, needs to have an air of confidence in prep, on set, and in post, that the film is going to turn out well. And I'm a firm believer that not being tyrant is hugely beneficial to a production. Everyone is there to do a job and make a great movie, I can promise you all my mentors and role models have been good people but have confidence in their ability and getting the job done.
Scene fron the Indie short-film Drifting by Actor/Filmmaker David Ludlow
Isaac: What do you enjoy the most about writing?
David: The great thing about writing is that when you start, all you have is a blank piece of paper or a blank computer screen. It's then the excitement of making a world, a story; characters all come to life, which will communicate something to the audience. Doesn't matter if it's drama, action, comedy, horror or whatever. The writer has this incredible power in creating a story from nothing and then to see that get realised is hugely gratifying. For example, I recently wrote a short film script which I didn't act in or produce or direct. I just wrote the script. It was then produced by other students at RMIT University, which is where I'm studying, which one of the most is well known media and film schools in Australia. Anyway, I recently got to see the realised film from my script. And I can see why the Stuart Beattie's ("Pirates of the Caribbean") and the Ethan Cohen's ("No Country for Old Men") just started out writing scripts as it's amazing to see what a filmmaker might then do with the material. And now both those guys are Directors too.
Isaac: Which role has been the most challenging part to portray and what do you learn from the experience about acting for preparing for this role?
David: That's a tough one. "The Pacific" I had to go through the cast 2 weeks Marine Boot-Camp with actual marines and that was tough. But I've done some pretty tough roles in my life which meant I've had to go through some tough preparation. Although, I'm the kind of person who relished that kind of challenge. Like when I was in my final year of High School, I had to write and perform a solo performance based on the world and characters of Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr. Hyde." I ended up playing about 10 roles in the entire performance with a range of accents and had the challenge of creating 19th Century London with no set, just my performance. But I was then invited perform it at the National Theatre in Australia so obviously it turned out ok.
Isaac: You studied at The University of Melbourne (filmmaking), the National Institute of Dramatic Art (screen acting), and RMIT University (media/communications). How did your formal education help prepare you for working in this industry?
David: I am really glad I've done a lot of study at various institutions, as it means I have a broader understanding of a lot of aspects of the entertainment industry and filmmaking. My study of filmmaking at Melbourne University gave me a set of skills and knowledge of the technical side of filmmaking that has been really beneficial for my acting as it means I'm aware of how I can make those crafts work best for my performance. NIDA is Australia's top drama school, so getting to do some study and practice with some incredible industry professional actors was invaluable.
As an actor, you'll be surprised by how much you'll learn simply by watching great actors go about their craft. That was probably the greatest thing about working on "The Pacific" - is that I got to work closely with amazing actors and watch them go about their craft, and just learn as much as possible very quickly, even just based on observation. And studying Media & Communications at RMIT has broadened my horizons further as I've studied things like online media which clearly is where a large chunk of the entertainment industry is heading. Plus, I've been able to major in Business & Politics as part of my degree, so then gain a knowledge on Economics and how Business organisations run and structure themselves - which means if I end up working with movie studios - it can't hurt to know how the business side of movies functions, as well as the creative side.
Scene fron the Indie short-film Drifting by Actor/Filmmaker David Ludlow
Isaac: One of your most notable projects is in The Pacific, the high-profile mini-series by HBO and Steven Spielberg. How did this experience of working on this project strengthen you craft as an actor?
David: In the 6 months I spent working on "The Pacific", I probably learnt more about acting, filmmaking and the movie business then any 3 year university degree could ever give me. I was only 6 months out of high school when I got cast, so to find myself, at 18 years of age, on the set of a Steven Spielberg production, was incredibly surreal. As I said before, just being in a position where I got to work closely with an amazingly professional and talented cast & crew, meant that I could just immerse myself in it all and observe as much as possible and soak up the experience. Even boot-camp, although not a traditional acting workshop, but a 2 week workshop in humanity in learning a lot about yourself and others, and how humans react in extreme situations. Boot-camp was probably my highlight of working on that production, and I'd guess I'm not the only one who believes that.
Isaac: We here about the dark side of show business. Have you had an experience dealing with the darker side of show business and how did you turn a negative experience to something positive?
David: But I'd argue that there's a dark side of any industry. In show business, it definitely has its negatives as it does its positives. For example, the notion of a hierarchy on a film set and you're tempting fate to challenge that. I think some structure is important, but my issue with these kinds of pyramid structures is that it can be very negative towards a production. Big projects definitely have that issue, partly due to the money factor. But I'll give you an example of where I squashed the restrictive nature of a hierarchy. I recently produced a short film for my university and we had it drilled into use that projects won't function without set hierarchy etc. I made it clear within 10 minutes of everyone walking onto that film set that it was a democracy and dictators and negative behaviour won't be tolerated.
Film is a collaborative medium - so although I took a step back to allow the Director create their film, I made sure everyone was comfortable and able to do their crafts to the best of their ability. As I said, some structure is necessary, so we all knew who the Director was and wanted to help bring their vision to life. But besides that, everyone is there to make a movie and everyone's opinion is respected.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one director, who would it be and why?
David: Hahaha, do you want a list? Probably Tim Burton. I've been a massive admirer of Burton since I was a kid and first saw "Edward Scissorhands" which I still think is his best film. Burton who studied animation and drawing with the like of John Lasseter ("Toy Story") and Brad Bird ("The Incredibles"), is a brilliant visual master who manages to get such life and emotion out of the incredible images he helps create. People get caught up with the idea he is a bit eccentric, but he is undoubtedly one of the most imaginative filmmakers of the last 20 years. And I'd happily turn up to work with Ridley Scott, Peter Jackson, Peter Weir, Sofia Coppola, Ron Howard, Paul Greengrass or Clint Eastwood, if there was a role they'd like me to play. I'd be there will bells on.
Isaac: What are some current projects you are working on now?
David: My feature film, "Drifting" is still getting attention in both Australia and around the world, so hopefully I can follow it to some film festivals it's in contention for. And I'm actually meeting with the Producers tomorrow of a very BIG Australian film that I'm up for a principal role in, so hopefully that all works out. And I'm still studying Media & Communications at RMIT University so that keeps me busy. And I'm about to start an Internship at Roadshow Films (they made a very successful horror film, "Wolf Creek", and their parent studio: Village Roadshow, made "The Matrix"). So there's plenty of stuff on the go, and I got signed by one of Australia's most sought-after agents last year, Craig McMahon, who reps some big Australian talent, so I audition for new gigs whenever they arise.
Isaac: Where can fans learn more about you and check out other cool stuff concerning you?
David: I have an Actor Website at www.davidludlow.webs.com which allows people in the movie industry and fans alike to see what I'm up to. It's actually really amazing how over the last couple of years I've now got a small following of people or fans who have seen some of my short films and have sent me nice messages of encouragement. A few are aspiring actors and filmmakers who just like the idea that some young kid went out and made a feature film which has led to a bit of media and industry attention in Australia and overseas.
Isaac: What is your ultimate dream with what you are currently doing?
David: Ultimate dream, no limitations? Actor-Producer. So either acting, or producing, or both. People like Brad Pitt, Hugh Jackman and Tom Cruise have got to themselves to a stage of doing just that. So that's what the ultimate dream would be, and I am working as hard as I can towards it. But as long as I get to continue being involved in the movie business then I'll die a happy man.
Isaac: Last words of wisdom….
David: It's hard to give wisdom being only 22 years old. But whenever I get asked my young actors or aspiring filmmakers on some advice on how to take that next step in their careers - I give them 2 magical words: "make stuff." As in do school plays, write short films, volunteer for short films, do community theatre, go and see professional and amateur theatre, read plays, do courses. Immerse yourself in it all and try and learn a little about a lot. I read an interview with a successful actor when I was younger and his answer to a similar question to this one has always stayed with me: "You may not end up where you want to be, but where you end up is where you need to be".
