Actors Spotlight Answers. 10/20/2024
What are some of the projects you have worked on in the last 12 months?
I’ve been focusing on Voice Over and Film work this past 12 months. I have 3 new audiobooks on Amazon and Audible and am working on another one now, Smuggler’s Love, which is a series by T.D. Wilson. My voice will also be heard on the Tourbillion podcast in an episode called Dark Matter.
I just wrapped on a religious short film called, The Good Samaritan were I play a priest who passes by the injured man on the road. It was filmed in the desert of Utah. I was also in a second religious film from the same producer of Similitude called Moses.
I’ll be in my 15th production of A Christmas Carol as Bob Cratchit at the beautiful Hale Center Theatre in Sandy, Utah this coming December.
favorite person on set?
I have to pick just one!!! Ahhh it’s so hard! First and foremost I have to say the MUA. They are there to make you look good and keep you looking perfect and consistent for every shot. I really like having a good relationship on set with them because they’ll be the first one to tell me that I have a booger showing. Right behind that is my fellow actors. Developing trust and diving into a character on such short notice with other fellow actors in the same boat is what I love most. The Director I think is also part of the cast in a way. Together you work on making something real and having the ability to play off of the multitude of talented actors that Utah has to offer is such a treat!
What project have you worked on that made you a better professional?
I’d have to say, Boogie Nights. I was an extra in the opening Steadicam shot of this film. We took 7 takes to nail the shot that ended up finally getting used in the movie. You can see me plain as day in the shot. It was such a rush to be in a scene with so much talent. It’s a scene where you get to meet all the major players in one take. Everyone brought their A game every time.
What advice do you have for your fellow actors or for people interested in pursuing acting as a career?
Take classes and practice. Always be working on your craft. I’ve heard that it takes 10,000 hours to mastery and I agree, my skills went way up when I started paying for classes. I take classes from various coaches here in Salt Lake, or online through Zoom. Currently I’m participating in Panic Room, which is an intense Voice Over lab that get’s a lot done in a short amount of time, led by Robin Armstrong. I’ve also trained with Glenn Morshower in his, The Extra Mile, as well as with local director, Rob Diamond and The Actor’s Lounge. It was critical for me to learn the vast differences of stage acting and film acting, as well as voice over. I have taken classes for all three. I can always feel the growth that comes from learning how to memorize quickly and develop a character right on the spot. You can’t fake that. I love the first few days in class when I start looking around the room hoping that I get a chance to do a scene with them sometime. Acting is a muscle, you have to keep it strong. You also want to get reps in whenever you can. Work on recording yourself doing monologues so you can see if you have any tics or quirks.
Film acting is the most intimate and subtle forms of acting there is. It’s more vulnerable than being on a stage in front of hundreds of people because the camera picks up every little subtle nuance. You have to learn how to master that most of all.
Letters of Recommendation from Directors I’ve worked with, as well as an email from a writer that loved the stuff I’ve done on YouTube that is in my REELS section.
To whom it may concern,
I’ve had the opportunity to work with Anthony on 4 separate projects, many of which spanned multiple shooting days. On every occasion Anthony demonstrated the upmost professionalism and dedication to the craft. I would highly recommend casting and working with Anthony on any future projects based off my experiences to date, here are a few takeaways from those experiences:
Professionalism: Anthony shows up on time, eager to get to work. He’s well rehearsed, lines memorized, and addresses any questions about the character or delivery well in advance, so that when the time comes to roll Anthony delivers the lines and blocking exactly as rehearsed and discussed. He’s prepared, and it shows. Every shoot we’ve done with Anthony, although sometimes technically complex, have gone well thanks to his preparedness, talents, and professionalism.
Taking Direction: When giving direction to Anthony I can see the direction “click” in his eyes, even before I finish my sentence. There’s an eagerness and willingness about his “uh-huh, got it” when listing to my direction that I know he’s going to do his best to give me what I’m asking for in a performance. This is one of the greatest traits that Anthony has. He is one of the few actors I’ve worked with that seems to get exactly what I’m going for, he’ll take my idea or direction and run with it. It’s so refreshing to have him on set because of this. The level of collaboration and trust he exhibits in me on set truly makes for some of the most fondly remembered days on set, the mood is relaxed because I know Anthony can deliver.
Comedic Timing: From purposely written bad dad-joke pun delivery, to slapstick physical comedy Anthony has you covered. It’s always amazing to see some comedic lines I wrote delivered better than I envisioned, or could have hoped for. Anthony has a way with comedic timing that really sells to the camera. He understand the sub-texts, and small nuances of humor and can play those off in small facial ticks to big projecting movements with body language. He also understands the difference between those two, he understands camera coverage, angles, focal lengths and how his performance needs to change, aswell as what needs to be repeatable.
Attitude / Willingness To Help: From the moment Anthony walks on location you’re greeted with a smile and energy to get started. (Sometimes I think he’s walk past makeup and straight on to set if he could). Even after a long day on set, Anthony will ask if he can help with anything else before he leaves. When I have him on set I know the project’s success is his number one goal. He’s there for the project, and he’ll do whatever he can to help me get to where I want the project to be.
Anthony is one of my favorite actors to work with, and is on my short list of people to call when I have a part he’d be good for. He’s always eager to take a role, and to be on set whether it be a boring corporate shoot, or a fun personal project. No matter the type of shoot, I can count on Anthony showing up prepared, with a smile, and ready to work.
- Greg
o 801.935.4342 greg@thebrutesquad.com
c 801.604.4820 thebrutesquad.com
To whom it may concern,
Our production company searched for less than two weeks, and discovered an outstanding talent, flexible and eager to meet the challenges of a project like ours. Anthony Lovato was willing to share an incredible first take on our character for a rather outrageous product advertisement. We wanted someone to combine our favorite attributes of Ralph Fiennes' "Mr. Gustave" from The Grant Budapest Hotel and John Cleese's "Taunting French Guard" from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Anthony Lovato did it beautifully, coming up with ideas on the spot for his character that kept us laughing during the entire production. I can't say enough about how hardcore willing he was to dive into a new direction we threw at him and retained such good humor during all the difficulties we ran into on set. Seeing his performance stirred up the interest of another production agency who hailed his on-screen presence for its uniqueness and comic timing, and I immediately and enthusiastically recommended him. Spending time next to him on lunch breaks was a particular pleasure for me, as the director. During our conversations, I could sense his sincerity and love of each opportunity to perform. His presence is so diverse that he had us recommend and employ him on another project with North Carolina's SFW Agency where he provided us with a narration for another ad. His diverse expressions keeps me from picturing him as any one character, and it's been incredible to watch him pursue his career and to consider myself his supporter and friend. Anthony has a kindness and a truly big heart that won us over. We wholeheartedly recommend him for his virtuosity as an actor (both on screen, stage and microphone), for his lovable personality between takes, and his ingenuity for improvisation. The only problem with Anthony is that there is only one of him - and we wish we had a lot more talent like his to go around.
Best,
ZAK CIOTTI
Partner / Producer
801-822-3588
2/24/2020
To Whom It May Concern
My name is Rob Diamond. I’ve been directing, writing and producing feature films for over 20 years. In addition, I’ve been teaching film acting at my studio Rob Diamond’s Actors Lounge since 1998.
I’ve had the pleasure of directing numerous seasoned professionals. Anthony LeRoy Lovato has been an actor I’ve directed many, many times and he has always been a pleasure to work with. He shows up on time, knows his lines, hits his marks and speaks the truth. I have been very impressed with his work ethic, talents and ability to work well with others. I wish him nothing but success and look forward to working with him for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Rob Diamond
Rob Diamond Films
(801) 244-4317
robdiamondfilms@gmail.com
View Credits on IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1070766/?ref_=rvi_nm
Feb. 19, 2021
Dear Anthony,
I hope you don’t mind me reaching out to you, but I happened to be searching for a YouTube video this week of something of mine that a theatre company had recorded when I stumbled across three monologues of mine that you’d performed and put up on the site.
I felt compelled to write to you to let you know that I was absolutely blown away by what I saw. Your performances of Hank, Horatio and Denny were all superbly done, and all utterly different. As a playwright, it’s always so rewarding and gratifying when you get to see an actor perform a character you’ve created in the way you’d envisioned it while writing it – and you did just that. With all three characters, you created living embodiments of what I’d imagined in my head while writing them. It was a pure pleasure to behold.
You’re clearly an immensely talented actor with a terrific range, and I hope that you continue to do amazing things in your career.
Thank you for truly making my day earlier this week – my hat’s off to you.
All the very best,
Andrew Biss
www.andrewbiss.com