by AJ Buckley on June 25, 2010
Before the Scene is where we all start. In a small town with our families. In front of a mirror with our friends. The days spent sleeping on a couch. The nights working at a bar. Living with the unknown and surrounded by uncertainty. It’s about the times that define us. It’s about the darkness just before the limelight.
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Emmanuelle Chriqui is most recognizable for her recurring role as Sloan McQuewick on HBO’s Entourage and as Dahlia, opposite Adam Sandler in You Don’t Mess With the Zohan. Her upcoming films include 13, Elektra Luxx, and Renny Harlin’s Georgia. She currently splits her time between Los Angeles and New York.
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Q: What made you want to become an actor?
A: “From a very young age I always knew this is what I wanted to do. I started in the theatre when I was seven and was instantly hooked. The feeling of losing myself in a moment remains one of the most amazing things to me. The whole environment of the theatre and film and television has always felt like home. It brings me so much joy and gives me the ability to meet all kinds of people and learn so many different things. Most of the great experiences of my life have come from my work.”
Q: What was your biggest fear?
A: “My biggest fear was always the what if’s. What if I can’t do this? What if I don’t succeed in the way I want? What if I have to live with unfulfilled dreams? What if I can’t support myself doing what I love to do?”
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by AJ Buckley on June 6, 2010
Before the Scene is where we all start. In a small town with our families. In front of a mirror with our friends. The days spent sleeping on a couch. The nights working at a bar. Living with the unknown and surrounded by uncertainty. It’s about the times that define us. It’s about the darkness just before the limelight.
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For the past six years Carmine has starred as detective Danny Messer on the CBS hit CSI:NY. After an injury ended his athletic career, Carmine moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting full time. He got his break with a part in the pilot episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and has since appeared in Black Hawk Down, The Red Zone, In Enemy Hands and more. He is also one of few actors to have appeared in all three CSI series. Carmine spends time off set playing guitar, golfing and riding his Harley.
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Q: What made you want to become an actor?
A: Watching films like Mean Streets and anything by John Cassevettes inspired me to want to be involved in film. I happened to be going to a school that had a theatre program while I was playing baseball. When baseball ended abruptly (and painfully) due to an injury, I just dove into acting. I had done many, many short films by this time. It was something I did growing up all the time, from sketches to little stories to visuals that had a lot to do with the music. We’d do everything…editing, titling, shooting. This was early on using “on the shoulder” VHS cameras. Anyhow, I dove into class in New York and started responding to ads in Backstage. You could find great student films in there…indies, extra work…I did all of that. I’ve always had a [creative] outlet (that I would realize later was necessary) drawing, painting, music and acting. When it’s right, acting can be so inspiring and relieving. And the fact that people respond to it at times is a bonus.
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by AJ Buckley on May 10, 2010
Before the Scene is where we all start. In a small town with our families. In front of a mirror with our friends. The days spent sleeping on a couch. The nights working at a bar. Living with the unknown and surrounded by uncertainty. It’s about the times that define us. It’s about the darkness just before the limelight.
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Jerry Ferrara began studying theater in college, where he was inspired by a teacher to pursue a career in acting. An agent he met at a talent showcase encouraged him to move to Los Angeles, where he quickly landed his first role on “King Of Queens.” Other television parts soon followed. Jerry was then cast in the independent feature “Cross Bronx” which premiered at the 2004 Tribeca Film Festival. Jerry is now well known for his role as Turtle in HBO’s “Entourage”.
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Q: What made you want to become an actor?
A: Acting for me was always my way of not growing up. It’s a way to keep playing make-believe, which everyone does as a kid. Through acting, you can still play, but also be a functioning adult (kind of). My love of movies and TV also had a giant influence. My grandfather, who was a reserved kind of guy, used to always watch the Sunday matinees on TV. It was very cool to see him react to a movie in ways that I never saw from him. So I always thought, “If movies can get that kind of reaction from Grandpa then maybe I should try to be in movies.” Corny, but true.
Q: What was your biggest fear?
A: Like most, my initial “biggest fear” was never getting the chance to do what I love. It’s a tough line of work. The “biggest fear” took a turn when I achieved some success. It turned into a “don’t blow it” kind of fear. I used to have a dream that was scary: I was back in Brooklyn, everything exactly the same as it was before I left, down to the apartment I grew up in. I woke up in my childhood bedroom and my whole experience in L.A. was just a dream. I hadn’t made the move, stayed back in New York, and dreamed up all the great moments I’ve had for the last ten years in L.A. A shrink could have a field day with that one.
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