Actor Pierre Macko
We recently sat down with world class actor and performer Pierre Macko about his latest projects and plans for the future. Here is what he had to say:
Please introduce yourself to the readers and how and when did you first get into performing?
I was born in Belgium, I’m a French citizen, but my family decent is from Poland. In school I studied communication, so I worked a little as a journalist and hosted a radio show. After school, I did some theatre performances, I loved it but I was always attracted to cinema, so I decided to start acting in front of the camera. I went to Paris for training in Method acting, I really loved it and when I went back to Belgium, I kept on training and submitting myself for roles. I got into some shorts and commercials. That’s how it all began for me.
What inspired you to get into this industry?
I always wanted to do it but for some reason, I always thought I was not able to, I was kind of shy. But, after theatre and on camera training I realized that I felt great when I was performing, I let myself free and enjoyed it so much. Now it has become an addiction, when I’m not acting, I miss it a lot… I guess I love to be someone else!
What kind of training have you had, if any?
After some theatre performances I started to take on camera classes, first in Paris with Method Acting, Stanislavsky, Meisner. Then I took classes in Brussels with a personal coach in English using the Chubbuck technique. I also trained for casting techniques with another coach in Brussels. When I was in Los Angeles, I did a couple of master classes with great coaches over there as well.
What has been your favorite role to play so far?
I would say when I played Richard Lionheart in the TV series Via Crucis, I was the leading role and it was so interesting to play such an historical character, to read about it and trying to get inside the character was very interesting. Plus we filmed it in fantastic places like Castles in Belgium and wonderful historical places in Italy as well. Oh yeah! I forgot to mention the costumes! Even if it was heavy sometimes to wear those metallic coats.
What has been one of the biggest achievements in your career so far?
I am very fortunate that I had the chance to work with wonderful people from all over the world. I’ve had the chance to work in France, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, UK… for so many international productions and made connections, from the US to Russia and I love it. It is fantastic to gain the trust of people, to get leading roles in such a competitive business.
What other projects do you have coming up?
I’ve got a leading role in a feature called ‘Tracker’ and a role in a series called ‘Eden’. Both will be shot in Belgium and a short for a film Festival in Paris. Hopefully many other projects to come, like I said, I am addicted to acting now, I need my fix!
Who would you most like to work with?
Anybody? I would love to be in a Martin Scorsese movie with Leonardo Di Caprio. I love Leonardo’s work. I’ve always been fascinated by his career since he was a kid in ‘What’s eating Gilbert Grape’ and when he played my favorite poet Arthur Rimbaud in ‘Total eclipse’. As for Scorsese… come on… one of the greatest ever!
What are your plans for the future?
To continue my career internationally, in the US and keep on climbing the stairs to further success and achieving my plans to meet and work with the best from the industry.
What is your advice to aspiring performers?
Keep on working, wherever you are and whatever you do, keep on trying… Train, get a good coach, surround yourself with people who have the same passion as you and don’t take rejection too personally. Everybody gets a no sometimes, but you will also get a yes sometimes … Don’t forget it’s show business! So forget the business side of it! Nowadays, it’s very important to know about it too… and dream big and enjoy the journey.
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