Actor on Fire!

Feature Film: "Bully" Photo by Gravitas Ventures

An interview with Peter Evangelista.

When did you first get involved in acting?

Well, I have two “firsts” -- The first “First” was when I was in 5th grade... the girl I had a crush on asked me to be in the play... when I stepped on stage for the first (and only performance) I had a funny moment and the whole audience laughed... I knew then that that was what I wanted to do forever. Be on stage. Fast forward to my senior year in High School and that’s where my second “First” came into play. My English teacher, Mr. Needham, was (and still is) a Cinephilie. He made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse... It was to watch movies for the whole year with discussion to follow if we ourselves made a film... and it would count for our whole grade. After having us do some improv in front of the class... I was hooked. One of my best friends sat next to me and said “I want to do this for real, I want to be a film director and editor, wanna be in the same group?” .... And that was it.

What or Who inspired you to pursue a career as an actor? Definitely Mr. Needham... Had that not happened... I may never have gotten back into it. And I grew up watching Golden Era cinema.... I spent my summers as a kid with Pacino, Stallone, and that caliber... in my VCR... and I would spend hours recreating what I saw. Especially Pacino... I looked at him and saw a guy from the neighborhood doing what I wanted to do. So I mimicked everything he did.

What have been your biggest achievements in Films, TV, and/or Theater? Please explain?

To me, they’re all big achievements. That may sound corny or cliche... but it’s the truth. Getting my first Professional (Equity) stage gig was a huge achievement for me. In New York you bang around for years in the Off-Off Broadway scene getting that stage craft experience, till you get your first professional gig. The roles I’ve been privileged to explore and play are big achievements in themselves for me. The films, the auditions, the situations... The fact that its been 10 years and I’m still here is an achievement.

I’m sure you have met a lot of celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us?

Damn... I’m embarrassed by some. You know... you see them on screen and feel you know them... and when there is no screen... all that “know them” goes away.

First big one was, Pacino... I was coming out of class one night and I used to make my “Theater Rounds” where I walked the streets from 54th all the way to 42nd street checking in on the theaters and imagining my name up on the marquee... When I see this large stage door open... and at the bottom you could see two black shoes. There was another man standing in the middle of the sidewalk. I couldn’t make out what was being said till I got closer and the stage door started to close. I followed those shoes all the way up to this persons face to see who the man

way up to this persons face to see who the man behind the door was.. And it was Al Pacino. He stared right at me and I couldn’t find my tongue if you put it in my hand and showed me it. I just went blank. He smiled, rasped out a “Hey” and got in his truck and drove towards times square. The real kicker is that I had gotten a gift from a friend of the Showbill from the Circle in the Square Production of ‘American Buffalo’ with Pacino on the cover. I kicked myself in the ass the rest of the way home.

My second, cool celeb story is with Tom Hanks. I was on the set for one of his films and we were in intimate quarters, I had a very brief scene with him and another actor. I was given a prop (Champagne bottle) and while we were shooting the master, I was able to see the director in clear sight and at a certain point he would pick up something and smack it down to give the actor on camera a cue. Well, Mr. Hanks and I were standing across from each other and he noticed that I was timing the pop of the bottle with the director’s cue. It was the perfect Ice-Breaker for us to start talking. I was just rehearsing the blocking for our scene, but he got such a kick out of it that he christened me “Cham-Peter”. Not a bad day at the office with Tom Hanks as your boss.

What has been your ideal character, so far? And why?

They’re all ideal characters... Because, I have so much fun doing what I do. I’ve had the pleasure of playing Stanley Kowalski on stage... The writing is tremendous... the layers, the discovery of sub-text, the everything. That was a real joy. Ensemble work is great. Shakespeare... I’ve played ‘Romeo’ three times and each time was a different discovery from the last. I’ve also written some for myself that I really liked. I mention stage work a lot but the films I have had the privilege of working on have been amazing as well. Everything... from the supporting roles to the leads... They’ve all been a pleasure. I had a supporting role in an Indie Feature, The F3ar (Directed by Chris Raffaele), and I was in love with the whole script... My character just dropped into this world for a few scenes... but, they were awesome to work on. The best part about playing characters is you get to live their life without any of the consequences.

How has your acting evolved since you first became involved in the film industry?

Man, I knew nothing then and I feel I still know nothing... But, you learn a lot about watching others. Also, I’ve explored a lot and opened my eyes up to a lot of things. The more you’re in it, the more you do, the more you know. Knowledge in any craft is everything. Because, you find out what you want and don’t want from yourself and the craft.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

Before the question was finished I knew the answer... Passion. Passion will get Passion. Passion will get you through the lean times. If you forget why you started.. you can quickly fall victim to why you should quit. And I can’t see myself doing that. They say “Repetition is the father of learning..” Well, Passion is the mother of success. So I stay passionate.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in a genre overflowing with new faces and ideas?

If ever there were a question I couldn’t answer... But I’ll give it a shot. That’s the ingredient. If there is an “impossible” task or feat... I’m willing to give it a shot. Why not.. Who says we can’t. Go for it..

Peter Evangelista

Photo by Rich Dubin Photography

What has been your biggest challenge as an actor? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

I think giving people what you think they want has been my biggest challenge. You want to serve the writer, the director, the producers... but if you serve them without serving yourself... Are you being true to your art? Are you really collaborating? So I’ve tried over the years to make that a habit. Serve them while also serving yourself. You have to be ok with something you try not working. Bring things to table.. or you’ll feel empty and useless. If they don’t work.. good... it was just a way to get you to the things that do work.