Placeholder canvas
Friday, March 29, 2024

20 questions with Dakota Daulby

Meet Vancouver-based actor Dakota Daulby.

Meet Dakota Daulby

19-year old Dakota discovered his love for acting as a young teen after witnessing the craft at the Vancouver acting school from which he is about to graduate, New Image College. Interestingly, the school’s “real world training” mantra has been nothing short of a master class in practical experience for him as he simultaneously navigated school and work, shooting no less than three feature films – two of which will make their debuts later this month at the Vancouver International Film festival – and landing a recurring role on a hit TV series produced by Steven Spielberg. Despite the balancing act that has been work and school over the past couple of years, Dakota has found time to give back by volunteering at the Arts Centre and Theatre, a Maple Ridge community centre for young artists, which he hope he can devote more time to in the future.

Find out more at https://dakotadaulby.com or follow him on Twitter.

20 Questions with Dakota Daulby

1. Your first job.

When I was thirteen, after school, I’d shovel horse manure for a neighbor. It’s not as bad as it sounds though, on a good day I got to take the horses for a spin so it was actually a pretty great first job.

2. The job you always wanted as a child.

When I was about ten I watched the film Zoolander by Ben Stiller and ever since I’ve wanted to be a male model.

3. Your pet peeve.

When people don’t turn off their high-beams when driving behind you at night. We filmed Black Fly out in Maple Ridge and it would happen all the time, drove me insane.

4. Your hero.

It might sound cliché, but I guess my Mom & Dad… and my Grandpa. He is one of the kindest, most earnest people I know – he always manages to see the good in everyone, which is a rare quality.

5. Your biggest indulgence.

Popcorn, for sure. My mom just bought a popcorn machine and it just sits in her living-room calling my name every time I walk by.

6. One thing no one knows about you (and you’re willing to share).

I have a terrible habit of falling asleep while getting my hair cut. So bad, that one time I had my ear sliced

7. Three things you would want with you on a deserted island.

If this is a tropical island, then, a six pack of Coronas, a stereo spittin’ out classic rock and a beautiful woman. Then just sit back and pray to God no one finds you.

8. The one word your best friend would use to describe you.

I’d like to imagine he’d say “brilliant” but I think it would more along the lines of “obsessive”, which isn’t a bad thing. Aside from friends and family, my life is my career. It takes hard work to succeed. During production for Sitting on the Edge of Marlene and Black Fly, my cast mates and I would spend hours prepping and developing our characters. We were all hard workers and failure wasn’t an option.

9. If you were not a performer what would you be doing right now?

If I wasn’t acting I’d be a writer or director, which coincidentally is what I’m currently doing. I have such a passion to curate art I can’t imagine not ever being involved in it somehow. I’m a huge advocate for creating your own work. Either that, or I would be a world explorer like Indiana Jones.

10. Hero or villain.

I’ve been lucky enough to be on both sides of this fence. On Falling Skies I played quite the villain, and now in both Black Fly and Sitting on the Edge of Marlene, I play “the hero,” so speaking from experience, being the villain is way more fun.

11. Your life’s motto/mantra.

“You never know how far you will have to run while chasing a dream” – Unknown. If you’re not willing to work hard to achieve your dreams then you obviously don’t want them bad enough.

12. Your favourite movie.

My favorite movie of all time would have to be Gladiator by Ridley Scott. The day I get to do an epic film like that I can die a happy man.

13. The last book you read.

The last book I read was called “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brian. It’s about a platoon of American soldiers in the Vietnam War.

14. If you were a cartoon character what cartoon character would you be?

I would be Johnny Bravo – blonde hair, strong, good looking and great with the ladies. Though, I think if you were to ask anyone else they would pitch me more as Shaggy from Scooby Doo.

15. What will it say on your grave marker?

I’ve always thought it would funny if I changed my name to Not Dakota Daulby before I die, just to confuse people when they try to find my grave.

16. Who would you most like to have dinner with?

Quentin Tarantino.

17. Your idea of happiness.

Happiness for me would be to write, act, direct and produce my own material. Being able to control my career and help other artists develop theirs.

18. If you could go forward in time, what will have been your greatest accomplishment in 10 years?

In the present I am extremely proud of these two films, Black Fly and Sitting on the Edge of Marlene.  If I had to jump forward 10 years then my greatest accomplishment would be actually producing a TV series that I’ve been developing for a few years.

19. The one thing in your life that makes you most proud.

Knowing that I can put the necessary work into a massive project like Falling Skies and Black Fly and coming out the other end to see that I was able to contribute to an interesting and enduring piece of art work.

20. To be or not to be?

Is that the question?

Join the Discussion

Follow Us on Social Media

Advertisement

Latest Articles