The Blackboard Spotlight: Gabriel Cassius

EMGWORLD SPEAKS WITH VETERAN ACTOR GABRIEL CASSIUS ON WORKING WITHIN THE INDUSTRY

From Spike Lee’s ‘Get On The Bus’ to starring alongside Denzel Washington in ‘Fallen,’ Gabriel Cassius has managed to gain in-depth experience in the world of acting.  The veteran actor takes a moment to educate EMGWorld on the ups and downs of working within the industry.

EMGWorld: When did you know you had officially ‘arrived’ within your field as an actor?

Gabriel Cassius: [Never]. I haven't reached a point where I've gotten completely comfortable in my career.  I've never felt like that.  The industry is so volatile.  One minute its up and the next minute its down.  You can never take a rest.

EMGWorld: What was the most difficult challenge you faced in your pursuit of acting?

GC: The most difficult challenge was for me to believe I could pursue acting without any formal training.  When I started out I looked at acting as something anyone could do.  I didn't have the proper respect for the craft.  It wasn't until I sought out formal training that I really understood how to approach material written for film.  It's really about having a respect for the craft and not assuming you can make it because you know someone else that made it without training.

EMGWorld: For those who don’t know, exactly how competitive is it to book work within the industry as an actor?

GC: It's as competitive as you can imagine.  I can't name another industry that's more competitive.  A very SMALL percentage of actors are actually able to make a living at it.  Out of 100%, maybe one or two percent make a living at it.  

“There will be prices you have to pay for the life you have chosen as an artist in entertainment.” – Gabriel Cassius, Blackboard Spotlight

EMGWorld: How pivotal was it to be apart of a Spike Lee film like Get on the Bus?

GC: It was extremely pivotal.  At the time Spike was one of the few African-American directors giving brothas a chance to showcase their talent and springboard on to other things.  I credit Spike Lee for where I am today.  ‘Get on the Bus’ was my springboard.

EMGWorld: What’s the best way for a newcomer to network within the industry?

GC: I don't know about networking.  There's no one out there to say "Hey I've been in this business for 15 years.  I've built up an incredible base with resources and now I want to hand it over to you."  There's no such thing.  People have their reasons for doing things.  If I'm a producer and see an attractive female I want to get intimate with then I'll get intimate with her and put her in my movie.  Other than that, I don't know anyone out there who's giving out breaks.  

EMGWorld: What would you say it takes to develop relationships with those people who have resources?

GC: You have to have something that somebody WANTS.  That's really what it comes down to.  That something could be talent, a certain look or maybe you're funny.  But you have to have something that somebody wants and be in the right place at the right time.  

EMGWorld: How would you say the casting process has changed since you arrived in the industry?

GC: I don't know how it's done today.  You have people who appear to be stars overnight.  When I came up it was about getting your pictures and resume together, send it out to as many agents and managers as possible and hope you get a callback.  When you get a callback, you then take a meeting with the agent.  The agent then sends you on auditions.  You show in your auditions why you're the best person for the job.  

EMGWorld: What was it like to work alongside Denzel Washington in the movie Fallen?

GC: Denzel was great.  Working with him on ‘Fallen’ was one of my best experiences in this business.  Denzel was very accommodating.  

EMGWorld: What’s the one thing you would warn other young actors of who hope to make a career in this business?

GC: I would tell them to look at the business as a whole as opposed to just as an actor.  Look to be CREATORS and sources of product than just taking acting classes saying to yourself, "I can't wait until someone writes me the perfect role and casts me in it."  You have to consider creating that perfect role on your own.  You can't expect someone out there to create the perfect role for you.  

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“I credit Spike Lee for where I am today.  Get on the Bus was my springboard.” – Gabriel Cassius, Blackboard Spotlight

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EMGWorld: Just how long would you say it takes to start seeing progress in a career as an actor?

GC: Don't give yourself a time limit.  I've heard people say, "I'm giving this 5 years and if I'm not a star I'll do something else."  You should go ahead and do something else now.  That attitude won't get you anywhere.  You're just wasting your own time if you feel there's a set amount of time you should make it in.  People like Samuel L. Jackson and Morgan Freeman were in the business for 20 years before you even knew their name.  You have to stick with it long enough.  This has to be something you're committed to for the long haul.  You have to commit to whatever it's going to take.  

EMGWorld: Would you say creating your own project is a quicker way for an actor to achieve creative freedom?

GC: Yes.  My best advice would be to also become a filmmaker and cast yourself in your own pictures because that is the state of Hollywood right now.  It'll take more work but it's the quicker route to creative freedom than just waiting for the perfect role.  You have to create your own opportunity.

EMGWorld: Would you say that's the most important lesson you've learned since you've been in the industry?

GC: Absolutely.  Creating your own opportunity is easier than sitting in some office and auditioning against 10,000 other people.  Don't be afraid to start SMALL.  Just start creating material and develop your craft all the way around.  In this industry, you have to consider becoming a jack of all trades.  People like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are the perfect templates.  

EMGWorld: What’s one last suggestion you would offer to someone right before they make the leap of faith to Hollywood?

GC: You have to understand it's not going to be easy and this is a long journey.  There will be prices you have to pay for the life you have chosen as an artist in entertainment.  Don't look at the price as something forcing you to quit.  It's all about paying dues and understanding this is part of the price you have to pay for the life you've chosen.  Recognize it for what it is.    

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