HI MATHIEU! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO MATHIEU SILVERMAN IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
I am 14 years old although turning 15 next month. I’m in 9th grade and go to school in New York City. I enjoy acting, modeling, skiing, and playing Minecraft with my friends. I’ve been taking flying lessons since I was 13 and am currently working towards my private pilots’ license. I also play the piano.
HOW DID YOU START AND HOW WAS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY?
I auditioned for my school play in 4th grade and got a lead role. That was my start and I’ve been hooked on acting ever since. My first professional experience was as a background character on Orange is the New Black. It was a lot of fun and it made me realize I really wanted to be in front of the camera.
HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED TO BALANCE YOUR SCHOOLWORK, ACTING AND YOUR OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES OVER ALL THESE YEARS?
I have learned that I need to prioritize. School work always comes first. My parents have taught me that it’s important to get a good education. Acting comes next and for the most part all the roles I’ve done have taken place on the weekends with the occasional day of missing school. When I have free time outside of school and acting, that’s when I do my other activities like flying.
TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHERE YOU HAD DIFFICULTY WITH A CHARACTER. WHAT WAS THE ROLE AND WHY WAS IT CHALLENGING?
The character was Ely Rosen in the short film Still Harlem and it was the most challenging because it was my first real role in a short film. I wasn’t used to acting in front of the camera and with many people around I was really self-conscious. But the director and executive producer were great at offering advice and getting me to loosen up. The film included a lot of experienced actors and they treated me as an equal. That also helped calm my nerves.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE IN ADVANCE FOR A ROLE?
I try to learn everything I can about the character. I imagine what kind of clothes would they wear, what foods they might like, and how they behave in different situations. Figuring this out also helps me learn my lines faster.
HOW IMPORTANT IS DEVELOPING A PERSONAL STYLE WHEN IT COMES TO ACTING?
Well, I have my rituals to help calm my nerves and put me in the right mindset. I also think because every character is a combination of the writer’s vision and the soul I work to give them, my personal style in an important ingredient of what eventually happens. But at 14 years old, I’m still learning and working out what my style is.
WHAT TYPE OF ROLE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PLAYING IN THE FUTURE?
A comedic role. I love comedy and have been told I have good comedic timing. It’s so much fun to be able to laugh and have the ability to make others laugh. It was the kind of role I started with in the 4th grade. People still tell me that they remember how funny it was – 5 years later!
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
I’m hoping 2021 will be a good year. It has been slow due to Covid, but I’m hoping that more opportunities will start coming, but in the meantime, I am taking classes and doing some fun projects with friends.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOUR FANS AND OUR READERS?
Don’t give up, follow your dreams and stay healthy during Covid!
To know more about Mathieu Silverman don’t forget to follow him on Instagram @theofficialmathieu
