Dennis Mailu is one of the biggest stars to come out of Kenya. The actor, who has spent many a day working in London, now lives in Los Angeles. He has appeared in numerous international movies, plays and television shows, and is now developing his own projects which he collaborates with some of Hollywood’s elite.
From movies and TV shows to stage productions and glamorous red carpet events, Dennis Mailu has some tips to share and inspire on how to make it in acting.
Welcome Dennis, what has been some of the best advice you have been given in your career so far?
To be decisive in intent, resilient in rejection and patient in success. The three elements require mental fortitude which is key to build in the entertainment industry.
As an actor, do you have a favorite medium… TV, film, stage?
I love the different aspects of each medium however in my view the ultimate pinnacle is TV. I love the idea of nurturing a character over a course of time and getting to learn what drives them, the evolution of given circumstances as well as their multitude of interactions within the narrative. I got to experience this in a web series called a minute to love or not!
What do you do to prepare for an audition?
As the sides for the audition are usually limited, I center my preparation on the five W’s to build my world and character in the script-what, who, why, when, where. After all, acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances and building that environment is crucial.
How important is it to go beyond the lines?
It is important to comb through the lines and understand the subtext that they portray. Understanding tone, character and the space they reside in allows you to go into a state of complete preparation that enables a free fall in performance. A free fall meaning a state that allows you to use your instincts and be in the moment.
What 3 things do you live by?
Gratitude, Self-belief, and Respect.
How important is building a community to you?
Your network is your net worth. Having like-minded, goal oriented individuals as friends and colleagues is what propels your career and satisfies your artistic curiosity.
How important is learning what makes you unique as an actor?
Acting is a journey of self-reflection. Knowing yourself allows you to present your upbringing and life lessons into performance- that is unique!
We have seen you on so many red carpets. Does it ever get old?
No it doesn’t! Expanding the network and collaborative conversations during events while heralding achievements is part and parcel of the exciting career.
How do you stay motivated?
Firstly, I keep my mind sharp by journaling and reading motivational books. Secondly, I keep my body sharp through exercise and thirdly, I stay current with industry news and material.
Would you ever dabble in producing or directing?
Yes! I have already helped produce three films (RAW, PREY and Postmark Dyersville). My future step would be to direct a passion project that I have dear to me. I am currently working on a script.
How can people find and follow your journey?
Yes, my work can be found on IMDb.me/DennisMailu, socials are instagram.com, facebook.com and my website is dennismailu.com
Thank you Dennis Mailu, we cannot wait to see what you do next!
