MM Interview: Dayle Teegarden

Dayle Teegarden is a former United States Navy man currently plying his trade as an actor based here in Scotland. With credits such as the BBC, Comedy Central and Fox to his name, Dayle took some time-out to tell MM about his experiences, and offer some sound advice on how filmmakers should work with their performers for best results.

MM: Tell us all we need to know about Dayle Teegarden in no more than twenty words!

DAYLE: Professional, hard working, fun to work with, laid back and easy going, enjoy playing sports, playing with my kids.

MM: Just so readers can get a basic understanding of who you are and where you've been, what would you pick out as the personal highlights thus far from the length and breath of your acting career?

DAYLE: Personally one of the highlights for me is when I first started out here in Scotland. I was called to do some background work on Doomsday and ended up working as a stand-in for the film. Although I was never on screen I got to pick a lot of the casts' brains on working in the UK, and how things work out here.

MM: What have you been working on most recently?

DAYLE: Most recently I have done some voice over work for BBC Four. I do have a few future projects for this year as well as writing my own feature film.

MM: In 2008 you were cast in the lead-role of the ultra-low budget short horror film, Walkers, which is a familiar title to most MM members, and which is also due for release from www.indieflix.com on the 26th of January 2010. How did you find working on the film?

DAYLE: Hated it! No seriously, working with Ian and the cast and crew were great fun. Ian has really good vision of what he wants but at the same time lets his actors be creative with their characters. The stunts were absolutely awesome. Would do this one a hundred times over.

MM: Given that MM has a large student filmmaker readership, what's your general advice to amateur filmmakers who may be working with 'real' actors for the first time? What do you expect from directors and film crews in general?

DAYLE: My advice to new film makers with actors is be prepared. Know your schedule to the letter. Have all your ducks in a row, really. Be professional. Keep an open mind and let your actors be creative. For me I like a director and crew that know how to have fun, I mean, be professional but have fun to make a great film. For those of us in this industry these are our dream jobs so there's no reason not to enjoy your work everyday.

MM: What's it like to be coming over from America and to live and work in Scotland? What brought you here?

DAYLE: It's cold here! Very, very cold! My wife was born here in Scotland and we just decided to move back over from LA. As for acting my thoughts were, I can continue in Scotland as well as anywhere else, so why not?

As I mentioned earlier I have learned quite a bit by coming out here. I've seen some beautiful places whilst on locations. The work is great because it's on such a small scale you tend to work with a lot of the same crew so you base some really nice contacts in that way.

MM: What would you suggest to be the primary differences and similarities between the States and Scotland, in terms of film making, performing and general creative attitudes?

DAYLE: For the most part they are the same, both places have the same objectives and goals. Differences are that actors, directors and crews are all more laid back and enjoy their work. You don't have the Hollywood fakeness that you get in LA. Scotland is on a much smaller scale to Hollywood. So it makes the industry here more personal. You get a better vibe here as opposed to just another pretty face in LA.

MM: What advice would you give to anybody looking to take the plunge into acting? In terms of getting noticed, getting an agent etc.

DAYLE: First thing is be very strong willed. There is a lot of rejection in this business so you need not take it personally, Have thick skin. Get some sort of training, most agents out here want to know where you went to school before they even look at you. New actors need to do as many short films as they can just to get a nice show reel - another thing agents want to see before they sign you. Make sure that this is what you want, not just for fame and money, but to want to entertain people.

MM: For you, what have been the most interesting projects you have worked on up until this point?

DAYLE: As I mentioned earlier - Doomsday, just for the learning aspect and being able to work with some great actors like Malcolm Mcdowell, Rhona Mitra and Adrian Lester. I can in no way leave out Walkers. For one it was my first lead role... and how can having a condom filled with blood taped to your head not be interesting?

MM: Future ambitions?

DAYLE: Onwards and upwards to be able to actually make a living at this.

MM: How can we get in contact with you, and what's your availability?

DAYLE: I do have a profile on MEDIAMUPPET as well as on Casting Call Pro. You can message me on any one of those. As for availability: I'M AVAILABLE!!! Just don't tell my wife!

| Dayle's MM Profile: Here. | Dayle's CCP Profile: Here. | e: dayle_90028@yahoo.com |