Actor Roger Dorman chatted with Digital Journal’s Markos Papadatos about starring in the horror film “Karen,” and being an actor in the digital age.
On starring in ‘Karen,” he said, “I faced many emotions acting in ‘Karen.’ I was humbled and excited at the same time to be part of such a movie where I could play a character so vastly different from who I am as a person. As actors, we always relish the challenge of pushing ourselves emotionally and professionally. However, I was very nervous and intimidated by what I might face playing the role of a brutal, racist cop who thought he was above the law by taking that law into his own hands.”
“I didn’t know how far I could or should take it in the film. Fortunately, I received so much support and acceptance from the main leads in the movie, Taryn Manning and Cory Hardrick. They helped me with input as to how far I should or could take it. Everyone was so kind and helpful, despite what it may have looked like on camera every time my character appeared in the film interacting with them,” he said.
He played the role of Officer Mike Wind. “I most appreciated the challenge of fighting to find that brutal character of Officer Mike Wind. He had a temper, crossed the line too often as a cop, and was a racist. This character was so different from who I am that I found it exhilarating to work with my acting coach to find the emotional obligations necessary to pull off a performance that matched those qualities authentically,” he said.
“I was able to pull them from different experiences in my life that matched the emotions needed that had nothing to do with racism or anger toward anything in the film. As a method actor, I am always trying to reach lines and scenes with the emotional obligations required. It took me over four months and hundreds of hours working over skype with my acting coach to bring out the performance I delivered. I am pleased to have the role of Officer Mike Wind behind me,” he said.
He opened up about his Lifetime film “Cheer for Your Life.” ” This movie is a teen drama thriller that follows a group of high school cheerleaders who suffer through a humiliating “cheerleader initiation week.” Still, things turn much worse when one of the cheerleaders is found dead. When another turns up missing, things get crazy. It’s quite an intense teen movie that has quite the plot twist at the end,” he said.
“I play the role of the investigative cop (Officer Hansen) whose patience starts to run thin when he senses the girls aren’t entirely truthful with him about what is going on. His frustration reaches a boiling point when he understands they are intentionally keeping critical information from him that would help him protect all of them from themselves. Not to mention help save other cheerleaders from similar disastrous consequences,” he explained.
On being an actor in the digital age, he said, “With all the restrictions and fears about Covid the past two years, I’ve been disappointed about my own anticipated “payoff” of having movies I’m cast in showing in theaters. I’ve got to admit; it’s a bit strange.”
“There are probably more people viewing our films from home and on their various devices than probably before in theaters just because of the convenience and ease of access. It just feels a bit different. With all the above said, I think it’s probably a paradigm shift. Streamers and various social media forms are here to grow, evolve, and stay, not disappear,” he said.
For young and aspiring actors, he said, “If you decide to become an actor, work your butt off learning the craft.- Anything worth doing is worth doing right. When given your chance, consistently deliver. Be the person on set who is exceptionally dependable and solid through your preparation and readiness. No one wants to babysit or deal with an unprepared actor on set.”
“All producers, directors, and actors want to work with those they know they can depend on and deliver time and again. It’s an ebb and flow between actors on set, and you can’t get there if you’re not ready,” he added.
“It’s incredible to find yourself in a scene where things just flow, and one actor is feeding off another back and forth. Such experiences create bonds for life between actors, directors, and producers. Impressions are never overlooked when they happen, and people talk. You’ll be supported, referred to, and guided by the best in the industry if you can smash it like that,” he said.
On his dream acting partners, he responded, “Well, I’ve worked with some incredible actors. I am so grateful to have worked with Aaron Eckhart, Taryn Manning, Raymond Cruz, and Cory Hardrict. Still, if I were to have my wish, I’d love to work with Matthew McConaughey. He’s so incredibly soulful and rich in all he does. I think I’d learn a lot working with him. He’d bring so much out in me that I could hopefully deliver back to him, the film, and the audience.”
“Other actors I admire and would love to work with are Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, Christian Bale, Denzel Washington, and Matt Damon, to name a few. I’d love to work with Helen Mirren, Meryl Streep, Scarlett Johansson, and Jennifer Lawrence, among the female actors. All would be incredible and so intimidating to work with,” he said.
“Still, I’d relish the chance to rise to the occasion and do what I always do in my life. Work exceptionally hard, come prepared, and courageously face the emotional obligations necessary to deliver a solid, authentic, heartfelt performance,” he added.
On his definition of success, he said, “To me, success is a process. It’s the daily effort made to become better and face what is necessary for that given moment in time. We can only live in the present. When I do that, usually, good things come from it. I’ve never been hurt by being overly ready and prepared. Any result is only created by the little efforts at the moment that add up over time, and eventually to something positive in the end.”
He remarked about “Karen,” “It is a movie that addresses head-on dark and disappointing issues that are realities in our society. Those being racism, police brutality, and up-in-your-business “Karen” intrusive moments. Some may dismiss the narrative because it’s uncomfortable to talk about and almost is too on point. Others may undoubtedly laugh at Karen and her outlandish behavior. But, if you can understand that being “too on point” IS “the point” of the story being told, then you’re in an excellent place to view it.
“It deals with brutal racism that is uncomfortable to see and police brutality that is hard to watch, but these things do happen in our society. I hope the film starts a new discussion around these topics that can be productive, not harmful, to our country and the world,” he concluded.
