Damien D. Smith talks The Smile Manby Wilson Morales
June 25, 2013
Shown recently in New York at the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn were the winners of the Jameson First Shot competition, whose judges included Two-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey, Dana Brunetti and Two-time Academy Award-nominee Willem Dafoe. Dafoe stars in all three of the short films.
Presented by Trigger Street Productions, The Jameson First Shot is an international short film competition that gives breaks to up-and-coming film talent, and has named Shirlyn Wong from the US, Hanneke Schutte from South Africa and Anton Lanshakov from Russia as this year’s winners.
Anton Lanshakov is a graduate of the Humanitarian Institute of Television & Radio Broadcasting in Moscow. Currently working as a writer, director and producer his winning script, THE SMILE-MAN focuses on a gentleman dealing with the consequences of a car accident, which has left him with a spinal injury that means he has a permanent smile on his face. The cast of the Smile Man includes Dafoe, Camille Gauty, David St. James, Jeremy Luke, and Damien D. Smith.
Blackfilm.com caught up with actor Damien D. Smith, who spoke about his involvement in the short film, ‘The Smile Man.’
How did you get involved in the project?
Damien D. Smith: Well, I met with the Casting Director Chadwick Struck earlier on in LA, and we had a very good meeting. He’s a good guy that really knows his stuff. About a couple weeks later he calls my manager and asks for me to come in and audition for two roles in two different films. I go in do, audition, and the next thing I know he’s telling me I got the role and it’s opposite Willem Dafoe. It was just amazing to me. I love him. I believe he is one of the most diverse actors in the world and to be performing opposite of him is like a dream come true.
Is there a lot of work required for a short film?
Damien D. Smith: Here is the thing with short films. You have to tell a complete story in a small amount of time with the beginning the arch and the conclusion. But it is all done in a sped up pace; we had a day of rehearsal and then it was a couple days to complete the entire film. The scene I shot with the director took an entire shooting day, but that did include a lot of waiting time while other scenes where taking place. I have to say that the production was really, really efficient and they got through the scene with a sense of urgency; but still protected the actors to experiment and dive into their characters. I commend (director) Anton Lanshakov for that.
How was it working with Mr. Dafoe?
Damien D. Smith: In short, it was amazing. I have been looking up to this guy for years and then to being able to have the opportunity to work with him was just simply outstanding. From the moment I met him he was so inviting and giving as an actor, even in the rehearsal period. When we got on set, he was the same guy. When the director yells “ction,” that’s when you see his brilliance, and I believe that also allowed me to be more comfortable to bring what I can do and make this story come alive.
What’s next for you?
Damien D. Smith: Well, I just wrapped another film with the director Carl Seaton. There’s also a few things in the fire I don’t want to speak on yet until the ink is dry. If everything works out with the project you will see me in Afghanistan.
