Yet again, I have the lovely Lesley Diana of the Promotion People to thank for introducing me to the work and talent of another up and coming Vancouver star, Adam Lolacher. While his name may be unfamiliar to you (it was for me too), his star is on the steady ascent, and it was a joy to connect with him. Today, it is my honor to share our recent Q & A with all of you, my loyal readers!
RH: Why/How did you decide to pursue a career in acting/entertainment? What kind of training have you had to prepare you for this career?
AL: I started playing basketball at an early age and always got a rush from playing in front of a crowd, performing. After an injury, a friend turned me onto theatre/drama in high school. It kind of happened by accident as I was very shy, but eventually, training and putting myself out there in front of people helped me open out of my shell. I guess I just fell in love with it and had a lot of fun learning. I’m still learning.
As for training, I started with community theatre and indie films. I said “yes” to everything. I did a musical when I was seventeen. I’m not a great singer, but my dancing improved 😉
Since you have worked both on the stage and in film, what do you see as the biggest difference between the two mediums? What do you most enjoy about the two and what are the challenges with both?
Stage always has my heart. It groomed me and helped me grow from the ground on up, literally. There’s nothing like the buzz you get from walking on stage. It’s a drug. Theatre is everything. The audience can see everything from head to toe. TV/Film is all about stillness and eyes. I love them both equally, although TV/FILM pays more money.
I really enjoy working with the script, so in theatre, you have some leisure time to really break it down and explore. In TV/Film, you may only have a day or so. I’ve got a call from my agent and I’m on set the next day (cramming all night to learn lines).
They’re both extremely challenging and require discipline and focused concentration. I love it. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to shut everything down or out and completely focus one hundred percent on the task at hand.
What was your first official on-screen professional role and what are your memories about it?
Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind. It shot in Montreal and I was cast as a SOC role. Now, Mr. George Clooney was directing and I was nervous. When we got to set, the second AD came up to me and said I was replaced because I was miscast. Go figure. I still got to meet Clooney and Sam Rockwell, so I didn’t really care. That made my day.
What have been your most memorable roles up to 2019 and why do those roles stand out?
I’m grateful for everything but I’d have to say it’s the roles I’ve written for myself. Most recently, SNAKE, from our short film A Snake Marked. It’s definitely not a role I would be cast by Vancouver casting. I had to go there and do the work and convince myself.
How did your time working on Rogue inspire you to begin to write and produce your own films/shows?
Working on Rogue and with Matthew Parkhill changed my life. It opened my eyes and motivated me to do more of my own stuff. I saw everything. I basically got paid to learn. When you’re in that environment and immersed in it, you think you can do anything. It really is a team game.
Please tell us about your work on A Snake Marked. Please also tell us a little about the story and the experience of filming that short film. Also, I understand you’re working on a feature version. Any updates on that?
Juan Riedinger, the director and close friend, and I co-wrote the film after I did one to two years of research. I was even talking with a real prisoner down in the USA for research. We shot the film in a closed-down youth detention centre where Juan and I slept in the prison for two nights guarding all the gear. There was no power, washrooms or running water. We basically froze, and our crew and cast was awesome. It took a toll on me, but was well worth it. I think we just got into our twentieth film festival as well.
I am working on a feature version. I’m almost done with the first draft and have some interest in it from investors. The feature is definitely different than the short, but certainly has the same style.
Anything else upcoming or in the works that you can mention?
It should be out Fall 2019 and was directed by Arnold Lim and produced by Ana De Lara and Robin Chan. I’m also developing a TV show and looks like I’ll be doing a play in 2020 🙂
When you’re not busy in the world of film and television, what do you like to do in your free time?
Sleep. Haha! I enjoy the beach and hanging out with my friends and family. I’m a simple guy who needs a vacation 😉
One of the themes I witness over and over again in this business is the way in which successful artists like Adam make the choice to create their future rather than simply waiting for it to be handed to them on a silver platter (something that seldom happens, even in the movies). In fact, in my experience, those who wait for the perfect time or even a dramatic sign from the heavens may discover too late that a host of optimal chances has passed them by, and if they do not roll up their sleeves and actually do the work, there is a good chance they will leave this planet with an extensive range of regrets. I think it is safe to say that Adam is not one who will never have to wonder “what if…” because this industry professional has made the decision to chase his dreams in spite of any obstacles or disappointments that may come his way. I do not know of many actors who would share the story of their first professional role and how it fizzled out through no fault of his own. Moreover, it seems to me that Adam possesses the attitude, drive, and stamina to remain undaunted and never retreat when the going gets rough. In my humble opinion, those qualities and more practically ensure that his career will continue its upward swing, and I am quite intrigued to witness all that is coming his way.
If you have never had the opportunity to watch any of Adam’s works, I invite you to visit all of his links below and look up some of his past and present works (there’s even a Hallmark movie in the bunch). While you are enjoying your analysis of his film and TV credits, you might consider following him on social media if you are so inclined. Regardless of what the future holds for Adam, I am excited to highlight yet another actor in the business who is humble, gracious, and fully focused on creating quality works for the enjoyment and enrichment of others, and I can hardly wait to see more from him in the near and distant future!
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