Tasya Teles came to my attention because of her sensitive performance as Dolph's wife in the new film 'Skin Trade'. After checking out her various sites, I found her to be a great person to interview. Tasya shares her unique and various stories on life in and out of film. Time to take a trip to Canada, and explore the beauty, Tasya it is your turn to shine!
On
your bio it says you studied commerce in college then fell in love
with the theater, curious as to how the pursuit and transition from
one diverse career to the other took place, did the power to create
and act stem from watching a theater show, movie?
Those
two disciplines couldn’t be more different, and my decision to go
into Commerce was a difficult one. At the time I was modeling in
Canada, but at 17 years old, with two parents who are professors,
modeling (or acting, or traveling, or anything non-academic) was out
of the question. I picked Commerce because it felt like a safe bet,
and I knew that as an artist, an understanding of my finances would
be valuable. Let’s face it. Artists aren’t known for their
accounting skills.
As
the semesters slowly ticked past I was craving art and inspiration
again. Freedom. By my third year I was a starving artist, and
started loading my schedule with art classes, from painting and
drawing, to English, and theatre. Acting was always my true love,
but it was too precious to me. I was too afraid I would fail. After
convincing myself to go back to theatre, it was over. It became my
obsession. I knew acting was the only path for me. I finished my
degree shortly after, and completely lost myself into the acting and
training world. I haven’t looked back.
I
noticed you have a wealth of scene study training, and material in a
wide variety of directions. Is there something from your schooling, a
message, a teaching that has stuck with you all of these years?
Training
is paramount. I didn’t have a strong understanding of just how
hard you have to work as an actor until studying with Larry Moss. He
is like every actors best and worst friend. He pushes you beyond
your limits and shows you what it means to work hard.
Since
working with him, I liken acting to being an Olympian. How far do
you want to go? There are so many areas to develop – which ones are
most important to you? Like an athlete, I want to push myself as much
as possible without injury and develop myself to operate at the
height of my capacity. Again – without injury! You can’t win a
race if you’re on crutches! Our body is our instrument, so we have
to treat it carefully and keep it tuned up and ready at all times.
Relaxation is important, but finding ways to continually be growing
and learning is equally important. That’s what makes life
exciting!!!
I
watched some highlights of the TV series you were in called 'Rogue'
looks like a rather sexy drama, what is your process for filming the
romantic scenes in that, or any film or TV show?
Haha!
Oh my GOD! That 'Rogue; scene was intimidating. I was excited about
it, because it was written so wildly, but with all the craziness
surrounding the sex scene, it was daunting. I got these red pages
handed to me, that no one else on set was allowed to see except the
three actors in the scene and a few crew. It was my first network
show, and I was trembling. Swinging between bone crippling fear and
a weird curiosity of how it was all going to go down, my coping
mechanisms went from sitting in total silence, to chatting
uncontrollably to anything, anyone, who would listen. I think I was
talking to a pole for a long while before noticing that no one was
there. Sex scenes are always awkward – it’s inescapable. I try
to get around the awkwardness by heightening my focus so that
everyone else in the room disappears, and it’s just me, and my
scene partner.
My
process is very simple: I focus on the minutiae of each moment.
Because the camera captures every subtlety and shared exchange, I
really allow myself to take my time as if working in slow motion, so
as to not close myself off from my scene partner. I study my
partner’s eyelashes, lips, tip of their nose. I try to stay as
relaxed as possible and trust my scene partner to do the same.
That’s when those beautiful, real, intimate moments are born.
Dispensing
with the fluff, chat about your character Rosa Cassidy in 'Skin
Trade' director Ekachai told me how impressed he was with you, and
many people auditioned to play Dolph's wife. Perhaps discuss the
dynamic of interactivity with Dolph, I saw a photo of you and actress
Chloe Babcook in what appeared to be an informal setting, did the
three of you discuss being a family unit on screen. I ask this
because your character felt natural, not forced, you seemed at ease
in scenes with Dolph.
Ekachai
was very smart in organizing a few lunches and dinners for us to get
to know each other on a personal level before we started shooting.
Chloe, Dolph, and I shared a wonderful lunch together, which led into
a family shoot where we all bonded in that goofy and natural way that
we all do unknowingly when hanging out with our own families. During
a picnic scene, I was preparing the sandwiches, Chloe kept arguing
with me wanting more junk food to eat, Dolph became the calm voice of
reason, arbitrating between the two women squabbling around him. It
was a really important day in solidifying our characters, and the
family ties between us. Dolph has a very gentle nature about him,
despite his tough exterior, and those lunches were important in
seeing beyond that.
I
discovered Rosa’s deep love and devotion to her hardworking
husband, Nick, and a very real protective nature she holds for both
her husband and daughter. That lasts to this day, Chloe and I see
each other regularly and sometimes she jokes that I am still
mothering her…sigh. Motherhood is a thankless job!
'Skin
Trade' showed the horrors of Human Trafficking and the subversive
nature of traffickers even on a fictional lever. Did you audition for
the film for the message or for the opportunity to work with many
talented actors. What was the most enjoyable scene or day on set of
'Skin Trade'?
It’s
funny, the day before my audition I had just finished a really
intense year of work, the industry was about to shut down for the
December holiday season, and I just needed a break. I was planning a
trip to Thailand to visit an organization called COSA I encountered
earlier in the year when visiting Thailand with my mom (which combats
human trafficking), and I needed to rest up before my travels, and
all the chaos that December brings.
“No
more auditions for me! Please!” I begged my agent. He agreed that
I needed a break, and wished me a Merry Christmas. Within an hour I
see his name pop up on my phone, and I suspiciously answered to him
saying, “I know you said no more auditions, but this one is made
for you.” I read the breakdown, and sure enough he was right.
This role was perfect for me.
I
believe that human trafficking is the human rights issue of our time.
At the time I was putting together the foundation for my
organization, ‘The Unslaved’ – an organization that combats
human trafficking, and it felt very serendipitous to be offered an
opportunity to work alongside such great actors on a topic so close
to my heart. I couldn’t say no.
The
best day on set was the day we got to set fire to our set, with lots
of explosions and craziness! (And incidentally the day Rosa gets
hurt.) Call me crazy but I love being in the middle of some good
explosions and gore.
Were
your interior scenes shot in Thailand? If so how did you enjoy being
in the country? If not, what was the physical location? Share a story
perhaps a humorous one from 'Skin Trade'.
We
shot in Thailand, which is just a magical place. I feel a strong
connection with Thailand, and its citizens, so I was extremely happy
being there. Not to mention Thai food is my favourite cuisine, so I
was like a kid in a candy store!
We
shot during the political unrest in January 2014, when the Thai
people were protesting and ‘Shutdown Bangkok’ locked up the major
arteries of the city. Yet despite the traffic, the show must go on!
The rallies were peaceful, but they meant early rises to get through
the traffic to set. The set designers did a fabulous job creating our
entire house inside a studio lot.
There
were so many stories, but one that comes to mind is the day Dolph and
I had to shoot the love scene. Thai people are also very shy, and it
was so endearing how bashful they became once the clothes came off.
As our DP, Ben Nott, shared with me: “Everyone on set is more
uncomfortable with love scenes than the actors themselves.” This
is especially true in Thailand, with groups of Thai people racing
towards you with their eyes to the ground holding robes. Plus I hold
the title for taking Dolph Lundgren’s onset virginity, which is
kinda cool ;) I don’t know who was more nervous!
Living
and working for the most part in Canada, I noticed you had cool roles
on The 100 and a small role on the amazing sci-fi show Continuum.
Both of those shows and Skin Trade are full of action, do you enjoy
action as much as the romantic side of films? Perhaps share a story
from The 100 set, it is an amazing show, very enjoyable to watch.
Working
on The 100 was amazing! There is nonstop action, and a lot of stunt
work so it was a joy watching everyone perform. To be honest, I love
both equally. Lately I think I’m developing a penchant towards
action – maybe The 100 is rubbing off on me. Although, what’s
tough about action is the toll it takes on your body. One day, after
sitting in a cage all week getting broken, battered and bruised, the
final take was a scene where I had to spit in Bob Morley’s face,
who plays Belamy. We were both so exhausted, it was the final shot,
and there was no saliva in my mouth, no matter how much I tried!!!
The director, and everyone on set started giving me tips on how to
‘hock a loogie’ – basically launch a spitball. No dice. I just
couldn’t do it.
Finally,
having exhausted every other technique, they handed me a cup a water
which I had to spit, and aim overtop the camera crew, through the
small grates of the cage, and into Belamy’s face. Talk about a
challenge. Poor Bob was on the receiving end of my watery spit for,
oh say, 15 takes. But he was a good sport, we had some good laughs,
hahaha.
How
about directors or actors you would like to work with but have not
had the opportunity to. Do you have a favorite actor, actress,
director?
Like
most artists, you always want to work with the greats! Steven
Spielberg, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Kevin Spacey, Bryan
Cranston, reign high on my list. But I do want more comedy in my
life!! I would love to work and laugh alongside Kristen Wiig, Bill
Murray, Zach Galifianiakis, Wes Anderson, Will Farrell, Larry
Charles… Oh the list could go on!
However,
since seeing Birdman, working with Alejandro
G. Iñárritu would be a dream!
Are
you still modeling a bit or concentrating on acting now? Any desire
to produce, work behind the camera in production?
Oh
I think every girl would be lying if they said they didn’t enjoy
playing dress-up and doing a little photoshoot. I love modeling, and
will always love it. I occasionally choose work with brands and
people I like, such as Astrid Lily and Anna Kosturova, who I am
working with currently, however acting will always remain my focus.
On that note, I do have plans to direct and produce in the future,
stay tuned!!
Chat
about upcoming projects for 2015?
Upwards
and onwards! Lots of exciting stuff happening this year, the most
immediate being a Sci-Fi story, titled ‘Ethix’, which goes to
production this summer. I get to try my hand at producing in this
one, as well as playing a wicked robot named Penelope. Otherwise
it’s time to get a dog, finish my move to LA, as well as get back
on track with my yoga schedule. I also need to clean my closet,
which is a massive project that might have to wait until 2016 ;)
Thank
you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to conduct
this interview, please keep in touch on your career happenings as the
interview can of course be updated.
For More info on Tasya go to her official sites!
