The Scene Magazine Interviews: Valmike Rampersad

With projects such as 'Right Hand Drive' and 'Get To Know Me' successfully completed and now currently filming 'Open Secrets' alongside BAFTA nominee actor Saeed Jaffrey, Valmike Rampersad is ready to show the world his acting talent. With his first professional role in the 2007 film 'Aisha and Nadeem', the young actor tells us how his career has been so far and talks to us about his various projects to date.

Taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to The Scene Magazine, we get to find out about how things are going and what new projects are in store for the up and coming actor.

1. When did you first realise that you wanted to become an actor and what attracted you to turn it into a career?

Acting was always something I was interested in but I never thought about pursuing it. I started going to the Method Studio on a whim, just to see what it would be like, in the evenings after work. The classes soon took over my weekends and before I knew it, it was all I was thinking about. Performing gave me a different kind of buzz from my day job so I decided to take a risk and apply to Drama school. I was thrilled when I got in. I guess I didn't want to spend the rest of my life thinking 'what if'. Seeing more and more Asian actors on screen was also very encouraging.

2. Can you tell us more about the project ‘Aisha and Nadeem’ which was executive produced by Marc Boothe, 'Bullet Boy'?

That was my first professional job. It is a film about a brother and sister. Aisha is 'English' and always has been, but her world collapses when her brother Nadeem is abducted by American soldiers while traveling in Pakistan and is subsequently taken to Guantanamo bay. The process was very different from other films I have since worked on. My 'sister' and I spent a lot of time together in character in public, doing the things siblings do. The dialogue was purely improvised when we filmed, there was no script which made it both difficult and easy. Easy in the sense that I didn't have to worry about my lines. Kothai, the Director based the film on a true story and the characters backgrounds subsequently developed in rehearsals.

3. How do you feel about watching yourself after you performed in front of the camera? Do you ever think that you could have improved in certain scenes, or are you mostly content with your work?

I still don't enjoy seeing myself on screen. It's a bit like hearing your own voice when you play back the voicemail message on your mobile. I don't think I will ever get over that. The process of developing a character and then filming it is way more rewarding.

I am a perfectionist and I always think that there is room for improvement. Acting is an on-going learning process for me. I still go to classes in the evenings whenever I have the opportunity. Every time you work with a new Director or crew, you learn something new.

4. Knowing how to transcend into different role types and accents, do you think this gives you a bigger advantage?

I think all actors need to know how to transcend into different role types and accents, so I'm not really at a bigger advantage. Training (at Central School of Speech and Drama) definitely gave me the confidence to be able to bring different characters to the roles, genuinely tap into my emotions and a good understanding of how to learn accents, which is always good fun.

5. You have recently completed a drama titled 'Get To Know Me' directed by Danish newcomer Tommy Ipsen at Zentropa (Lars Von Trier and Tomas Vinterberg's) studios, Denmark, can you tell us more about your role in this project?

The film is inspired by 'Pi' (Darren Aronofsky), 'A Scanner Darkly', 'Science of Sleep' and the computer game 'Final Fantasy 7'. I play the lead 'Peter'. It is set in modern Berlin where Peter meets Sarah while trying to unravel the secrets of his forgotten past. He creates a 'system' that he thinks will unravel people's energy connections and his connection to Sarah. Peter is an obsessed, methodical, transatlantic young man and the story unfolds as he discovers the answers.

6. What is the most difficult scene you have had to shoot in your career?

That's got to be a scene from 'Get To Know Me', which was shot entirely on green screen. It was a very emotional two hander scene, but because of the camera angle and the green screen, I had no one to act with. The lines were given to me from behind the camera whilst I had to imagine that the actress I was speaking to was right in front of me. Tommy (Director) wanted different levels of emotion, so we did seven takes and I had to cry seven times. After each take I would say to Tommy that I didn't think I could cry again, but he got it out of me.

7. What have been the biggest challenges you have faced so far in your acting career?

One night after a sellout show of 'Collision' at the Edinburgh Fringe festival last year, we all went out to celebrate. I am not a big drinker and I had one too many that night which made my performance the following night very difficult. Ever since, I avoid alcohol from the minute I start preparing for a role.

I welcome a challenge though and as my career is relatively new (graduated from Drama school in July 07), I hope that there will be even bigger challenges in the future.

8. What type of films, theatre do you like?

I really enjoy Dramas. I watch a lot of TV and was/am hooked on 'Mistresses', 'Spooks' and 'Brothers and Sisters'. Some of my favourite plays are 'The Vertical Hour' and 'Piano Forte', both at The Royal Court and 'Festen'. It would be amazing if someone did the Asian version of 'Festen' (based on the dogma movie by Thomas Vinterberg). As for films, that's a really long list. There are so many brilliant films. One that immediately comes to mind has to be 'La Vie En Rose'.

9. What role has had the biggest impact on your career and has any of your work caught the attention of other movie directors in the industry?

All of my work is relatively new and still in post production. It amazes me how long it takes. 'Aisha and Nadeem', is the only completed film which has gone on to various festivals and was picked up for international distribution at the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival. It is also now being made into a feature. It's still early days after all and hopefully the work that I have done will start making the film circuits soon.

10. Any plans to do theatre work? Which do you prefer film, TVor theatre?

It would be a dream to work at The National, The Royal Court or The Donmar. I go to the theatre a lot in between jobs. I don't really have a preference as such. It is very different from film and TV, but equally rewarding. I really do enjoy them all. Each medium requires the same level of preparation.

Valmike and actor Saeed Jaffery

11. Can you tell us about your latest project?

I have just completed filming 'Open Secrets' alongside Saeed Jaffrey (BAFTA nominee,'My Beautiful Laundrette', 'Gandhi', 'The Man Who Would Be King') which was a brilliant experience. I play a suicidal manic depressive and Saeed plays my Uncle. The film deals with the stigma of mental health in the Asian community. Working with someone as talented as Saeed was an amazing learning experience. He has so much energy and even at 79, is still so excited and enthusiastic about filming.

12. What was it like?

It was a bit of a challenge to develop the character and to bring myself to a really dark place for the attempted suicide scene. The character, Sunil, is 21 which meant bringing a certain innocence and naivety to the role (Valmike is 27). I also had to learn to smoke like a real smoker, that meant taking it into my lungs and 'enjoying it' first thing in the morning.

My character finds solace in smoking so it was crucial to the role. I didn't want to act it. Sunil is depressed most of the time, but medicated, with slight mood swings. It was a bit of a luxury to shoot most of the film in chronological order. Azeem Khan (Director) knew what he wanted from each performance and we both had the same vision for the character's journey throughout which made it a joy to film.

13. What advice would you give to other young and aspiring actors trying to make it into the industry?

I am not sure I am in a position to give advice as such but I would say that if acting is what you really want to do, stick with it. Nothing good comes easy, but remember to take some time out for yourself and don't get too consumed by the process.

Interview by: Leon Beck