Q&A: Dara Mellon
Candle Light Dinner, The Lost Art of Becoming, and Take Over are some of his most recent projects, and you can expect to see more of him soon. A graduate of the acting school of Brooklyn College, the New York native is suited to become a main staple. Dara sat down to give us a look at the life of an actor undiscovered.
When did you decide that you want to become an actor?
2012 at age 18, I decided I wanted to be an actor. My high school City - AS- High School, had a drama internship called Find Your Voice. If I remember correctly, the internship was creating our story, and people in the program would act on each other's stories in a theater performance. I would practice my lines in my group home, looking forward to my performance. On the day of the performance, I did a fantastic job, and a classmate in my internship told me that I was good, and I recall she said something like I should do acting. That performance, her words, and my love for films were the spark.
What was your first acting experience?
My first acting experience besides Find Your Voice was at LaGuardia Community College. I performed in Theater Directing Class. I did a scene from the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, and I played John Proctor.
How is your experience working in the industry so far?
My experience in the industry is a reality check. I have found work and created work to promote myself. It's been a challenge that I knew what I signed myself for. I've done auditions self-tape from all the famous streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc. Still waiting to get the job, but I will. Sometimes I don't get any auditions at all, and that's the reality. I trained myself not to get discouraged and stay positive.
What is the first thing you do to research and approach a role?
If I had just the scene for an audition, I would look at the given circumstances of the stage, what's happening in the background, where I am, who am I, who am I talking to, etc., typically cause scenes from auditions an incredibly short. Now if I had the whole script/play etc., I would study the character, write down my given circumstances, create bone structure, break down who I am, etc. I'm like a PI or detective investigating everything I know about this case of my character and story. I would write a moment before the character, like before the story or scene begins, etc.
Where do you see your career in five years as an actor?
Oh, the five years question. I'm confident I'll be a working actor in five years. I truly am. I know I can bring an outstanding performance to live that truth in the story, and wherever people watch me, they know that when Dara Mellon is on screen or stage, they know I will be great.
What was the most beautiful moment in your career so far?
A beautiful moment for me is having my close friends Tyra and Tray, who are actors working hard to build their careers, and I get to share this fantastic journey with them. I know they're going to be great. We have had our ups and downs, but it will pay off. My kid's mother, Diamond, has supported and genuinely taken an interest in my acting career and would always want to find a way to help me out. We have had good and bad times though I'm happy she is still there for me.
What character have you related to the most in your career?
I don't have a character I relate to the most; for actors, it's the underdog type character because people don't expect you to go far with an acting career. People would say it's hard to make it, blah blah. If you know why you're doing it, ignore everyone else.
Do you have any upcoming projects we can look forward to?
As of now, no upcoming projects yet though God willing, will happen.
Photo © Nastasia Guthrie