Published: December 2008
NEW INTERVIEW
Published: November 28, 2008 9:13 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA
(Juniorscave.com)
JC Interview Exclusive
(December 2008):
Gil Bar-Sela
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Gil Bar-Sela
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The month of December brings to the readers of Junior's Cave Online Magazine's Interview page New York City based actor Gil Bar-Sela. He is both recognized in the United States and Israel and commands respect when he is acting. He also has the type of presence when one sees the actor perform he or she will instantly fall in love with Gil. Recently, I contacted him through his website and was overjoyed when Gil decided to complete an online interview with our magazine. Enjoy!
Isaac: It is a pleasure to have you featured in our online magazine, Gil. Let's talk about your upbringing. You are a native of Israel and you started your career at the age of sixteen when you starred in the longest running musical in Israel's history King David. Elaborate on your upbringing and your decision to go into showbiz?
Gil: I wouldn't really call it a decision. I was always drawn to it. There is a picture of me from kindergarten standing on the table all dressed up, singing into bowling soldier... As a teenager, I wasn't really popular. I took acting classes back then and that was the only place I really felt comfortable. Then I joined the Tel Aviv Neighbors, the local musical theater company and was cast as Jonathan in King David which became a huge success. From that point, it was pretty clear there was no way back...
Isaac: You have quite an impressive resume. How important is it for you to stay busy and why?
Gil: I love working. I am fortunate enough to be doing the thing I love the most and I am very grateful for that. It is also very important to stay inspired and focused in this business and work is the best way for me to create that for myself.
Isaac: I read in your online bio that you are fluent in English (standard American dialect) and Hebrew as well as extremely skillful with most European and American dialects. Do you feel that being diverse in other languages gives you the opportunity to perform internationally (Why or Why not)?
Gil: Absolutely. I spent a lot of time and energy working on my speech in English to a point where I am completely accent-free. It definitely opens up more work opportunities. Just look at actors like Jude Law or Russell Crow. Needless to say that being fluent in Hebrew allows me to work in Israel as well.
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?
Gil: It's a great marketing tool. People are easily exposed to your work and it makes you a lot more accessible. If I meet an agent or a casting director and they like me, they don't have to go out of their way if they want to see more. Even you contacted me through my website! ;-)
Isaac: How important is it for you to be able to reach out to your fans? And why?
Gil: I think what it basically means is that people like your work and are moved by it and that is something I have always appreciated. I am very grateful for that.
Isaac: In the U.S, you pursued advanced training at the renowned Circle in the Square Theater School. During your time there at the school, you achieved distinction as an outstanding performer. What were some of the main lessons about acting and the performing arts that you learned from your time at the school?
Gil: Wow... I have learned so much from my training at Circle... I think the most profound (and ongoing) lesson for me is to be fully present in the moment and allow thing to happen to me as opposed to trying to make them happen. It is true for acting and for life in general.
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?
Gil: I love Michael Haneke. His work is very visceral and the way he messes with his audience is genius. I would love to work on something like Funny Games or The Piano Teacher. It's risky, edgy and fun. I like going to those places as an actor. There is nothing more boring than being polite in your work all time. Stephen Daldry is another director I love. I find his work very moving and I would love to work with him in any capacity.
Gil Bar-Sela
Isaac: What is the one role that you would not do as an actor?
Gil: Myself on a reality show.
Isaac: Let's talk about one of your current projects: Between Something and Nothing by director Todd Verow (released: Summer 2008). How did you prepared for this role? What did you discovered about yourself as an actor after completing this film?
Gil: In BSN, I played Ramon, a hustler who is very detached from his emotions. In order to portray him without judgment I had to understand his need for objectification. Why does he do it and what does he gain? How do I objectify myself in my life and why? Once I had that I knew I was on the right track. I don't think you have to literally go through everything that your character is going through in order to portray it. What's more important to me is understanding its psychological cycles, find a way to relate to it and bring myself to that place.
Isaac: Which one of your movie parts have you enjoyed playing the most and why?
Gil: Probably Ramon. I kinda become my character when I work on it. Ramon was so fearless and had a lust for life that I found very inspiring. As a stage actor, playing Konstantine in The Seagull was definitely my most profound experience. It took absolutely everything I had.
Isaac: What is the one thing that you fear about being in showbiz?
Gil: Failure, rejection, not working ever again, you know, the usual.
Isaac: Gil, how do you handle rejection especially concerning parts that you had worked hard to get and did not?
Gil: I allow myself to be upset, but I also try to keep everything in perspective. Besides, I truly believe that everything happens for the best and if I didn't get it, it's probably not where I need to be right now.
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?
Gil: It's very hard for me to watch myself act. I guess the old cliché it true; I am by far my toughest critic and tend to be very hard on myself. It happened to me once, but I was lucky enough to watch it by myself the first time, so I could scream at myself, kick some furniture around and basically let it all out. There's nothing you can do, except learn from it, try not to beat yourself up too much and move on.
Isaac: What projects are you currently working on? Any new shows or movies coming up?
Gil: Restless, the movie I shot with director Amos Kollek (Fast Food Fast Women) came out recently. I also just finished shooting a pilot for a new T.V show called Pop-Life, so hopefully you'll see something about that pretty soon.
Isaac: In ten years, I will...
Gil: Probably achieve enlightenment and create world peace.
Isaac: Final Thoughts:
Gil: Be happy and inspired.
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Gil Bar-Sela's Websites
http://gilbarsela.com/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1188571/
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