Late Night with the Devil: An Interview with David Dastmalchian
Ever wonder about the persistence and perseverance required to make it as an actor in Hollywood? In this episode of Last Podcast On The Left, actor David Dastmalchian opens up about his journey, from auditioning extensively while earning minimal income to finally landing breakthrough roles.
He shares insights into his experiences working with industry legends like Christopher Nolan, Heath Ledger, and David Lynch. Dastmalchian discusses the audition processes, on-set dynamics, and character preparations involved in major films like The Dark Knight, Dune, and Twin Peaks. The episode offers a glimpse into the realities and challenges of pursuing an acting career, as well as the rewards of realizing childhood dreams.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Mar 19, 2024 episode of the Last Podcast On The Left
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
1-Page Summary
David Dastmalchian's Acting Career and Roles
Early Acting Work
Dastmalchian's role in The Dark Knight, despite being small, was pivotal in transitioning him to full-time acting, according to Marcus Parks. The audition process, including a camcorder audition with Christopher Nolan, landed Dastmalchian his breakthrough. Parks also discusses Dastmalchian's financial struggles, with years of earning minimal income while auditioning extensively.
Major Roles
In Dune, Dastmalchian played Piter De Vries, though some scenes were cut from the theatrical release. He will star in the upcoming Late Night with the Devil, intrigued by the script about a late-night talk show host, which required studying classic hosts like Carson.
Working with Heath Ledger on The Dark Knight
Parks reveals Ledger had a positive presence on set. Dastmalchian shares that Ledger was a profound conversationalist, introducing him to music like Animal Collective and discussing parenthood.
Twin Peaks and Working with David Lynch
Working with Lynch fulfilled a childhood dream for Dastmalchian. His unconventional audition involved conversing about his day on camera. Upon being cast in the Twin Peaks revival, Dastmalchian realized it was a David Lynch project.
Goals, Motivation, and Persistence as an Actor
Dastmalchian organized goals to stay focused. He submitted himself for unpaid roles to gain experience. Parks discusses actors' financial struggles, like earning $27,000 and collecting unemployment, showcasing the perseverance required.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Marcus Parks is a podcaster known for his work on the podcast "Last Podcast on the Left." In this context, he is discussing David Dastmalchian's early acting career and the impact of his role in "The Dark Knight." Parks provides insights into Dastmalchian's journey in the entertainment industry and sheds light on the challenges he faced before achieving success.
- David Dastmalchian's audition for The Dark Knight involved a camcorder audition with director Christopher Nolan. This audition was a crucial moment in his acting career, leading to his breakthrough role in the film. The process helped him transition to full-time acting after facing financial struggles. His performance in the movie was pivotal for his career progression.
- Studying classic hosts like Carson for Late Night with the Devil is significant because it helps actors understand the nuances and characteristics of iconic talk show hosts. By immersing themselves in the styles and techniques of legends like Johnny Carson, actors can better embody the essence of a late-night talk show host in their performances. This research allows actors to tap into the legacy and traditions of the late-night talk show genre, enriching their portrayal with authenticity and depth. Understanding the influence and impact of past hosts like Carson can inform the actor's interpretation and portrayal of their character in the context of the late-night talk show setting.
- Dastmalchian faced financial struggles early in his acting career, earning minimal income while auditioning extensively. This period of financial instability required him to persevere through challenges to establish himself as an actor. He even took on unpaid roles to gain experience and advance his career. These struggles are common among actors starting out in the industry.
- David Lynch is a renowned filmmaker known for his unique and surreal style. Many actors consider working with him a dream come true due to his artistic vision and the cult following of his projects like "Twin Peaks." For Dastmalchian, being cast in a David Lynch project like the Twin Peaks revival was a significant milestone in his career and a personal fulfillment of a childhood aspiration.
- In the audition process for Twin Peaks, David Lynch had actors engage in casual conversations on camera rather than traditional scripted auditions. This unconventional approach aimed to assess the actors' natural presence and ability to engage in spontaneous dialogue, reflecting Lynch's unique and creative style of casting. Lynch's method allowed him to gauge the actors' authenticity and suitability for the project beyond their acting skills. This process often led to unexpected and intriguing interactions that helped Lynch in selecting the right actors for his projects.
Counterarguments
- While Dastmalchian's role in The Dark Knight was pivotal, it could be argued that it was his talent and subsequent roles that solidified his full-time acting career, not just a single role.
- The breakthrough from The Dark Knight audition might have been significant, but it's possible that other factors, such as networking or previous work, also played a crucial role in his career advancement.
- Dastmalchian's financial struggles are not unique in the acting industry, and while they highlight his perseverance, they also reflect a broader issue of economic instability faced by many actors.
- The fact that some scenes of Dastmalchian as Piter De Vries in Dune were cut could be seen as a normal part of the film editing process rather than a reflection on his performance.
- Starring in Late Night with the Devil is a career move that might be risky, as the success of such a film is not guaranteed and could potentially not contribute positively to his career trajectory.
- Heath Ledger's positive presence on the set of The Dark Knight is a subjective experience and may not have been universally felt by all cast and crew members.
- Ledger introducing Dastmalchian to new music and discussing parenthood is a personal anecdote that, while interesting, may not have had a significant impact on Dastmalchian's professional acting career.
- Fulfilling a childhood dream by working with David Lynch is a personal achievement for Dastmalchian, but it doesn't necessarily equate to critical acclaim or professional success in the industry.
- The unconventional audition for Twin Peaks might be seen as a unique opportunity, but it could also be argued that such non-traditional methods may not always be the best way to assess an actor's suitability for a role.
- Realizing that the Twin Peaks revival was a David Lynch project upon being cast might suggest a lack of research or awareness on Dastmalchian's part regarding the projects he auditions for.
- Organizing goals and submitting for unpaid roles is a common strategy among actors, and while it shows dedication, it may not always lead to success in a highly competitive industry.
- The financial struggles mentioned, such as earning $27,000 and collecting unemployment, are part of a larger conversation about the sustainability of acting as a profession and the need for systemic change within the industry.
Related Shortform Content
Arnold Schwarzenegger | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade
David Spade, Dana Carvey, Arnold Schwarzenegger
David Ayer & Jon Bernthal: Unfiltered Truths of Hollywood & Life | Real Ones
Jon Bernthal, David Ayer
Jessica Chastain | SmartLess
Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, Jessica Chastain
Get access to the context and additional materials
David Dastmalchian's Acting Career and Roles
David Dastmalchian has traversed a remarkable journey in his acting career, from turning his life around after battling personal issues to becoming a recognizable face in major films.
His Early Acting Work
After getting clean and finding his footing on the Chicago theater stage, Dastmalchian landed a breakthrough role that would set his career on a new path.
Getting clean and returning to acting in Chicago theater
Breakthrough role in The Dark Knight
Marcus Parks reflects on Dastmalchian's audition process for "The Dark Knight," where the second audition was memorably with Christopher Nolan and a handheld camcorder. Despite only working on "The Dark Knight" for a few days during the big parade sequence in Chicago, this role was pivotal in transitioning Dastmalchian into a full-time actor, even though the pay was just scale. On his first day on set, he was provided dummy sides for secrecy and discovered his true role only when filming commenced. He portrayed a henchman of the Joker, disguised as policemen, and participated in the plot to assassinate the mayor.
Struggling financially but gaining experience as an actor
Despite his role in "The Dark Knight," Parks speaks of Dastmalchian's financial struggles, with years earning as low as $27,000, during which he collected unemployment benefits and attended hundreds of auditions for roles.
Major Roles
Dastmalchian is known for his roles in notable films like "Prisoners," "Blade Runner 2049," the "Ant-Man" series, and "All Creatures Here Below."
Dune
In "Dune," Dastmalchian played Piter De Vries, and he discusses scenes that were ultimately cut from the theatrical release. The deleted scenes include one where his character drinks saffo juice during the invasion, looks out at the palace being bombed, and delivers a monologue elaboratin ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
David Dastmalchian's Acting Career and Roles
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Dummy sides are fake script pages given to actors during auditions or filming to maintain secrecy about the actual script. They are used to prevent leaks of sensitive plot details or twists. Actors may not know the full context of the scene they are performing when given dummy sides. This practice helps protect the storyline of a movie or TV show until it is officially released.
- Don Lane, Carson, and Letterman are iconic late-night talk show hosts. Don Lane was an Australian television personality known for his talk show "The Don Lane Show." Carson is a reference to Johnny Carson, who hosted "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" for decades. Letterman is a nod to David Letterman, famous for hosting "Late Night with David Letterman" and "The Late Show with David Letterman." These hosts are renowned for their contributions to late-night television and their unique styles of comedy and interviewing.
- The '70s voiceover and crackle effect mentioned in the context of the film's tr ...
Counterarguments
...
Related Shortform Content
Arnold Schwarzenegger | Full Episode | Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade
David Spade, Dana Carvey, Arnold Schwarzenegger
David Ayer & Jon Bernthal: Unfiltered Truths of Hollywood & Life | Real Ones
Jon Bernthal, David Ayer
The True Story Behind the 'Suicide Squad' Director's Cut | David Ayer tells Bernthal on Real Ones
David Ayer, Jon Bernthal
Get access to the context and additional materials
Working with Heath Ledger on The Dark Knight
Henry Zebrowski and Marcus Parks reflect on their time on the set of "The Dark Knight" and the late Heath Ledger's influence.
Ledger's positive influence on set
While the details of his time with Ledger on set weren't fully discussed, it's implied that Heath Ledger had a positive presence during the filming of "The Dark Knight." Marcus Parks reveals that he had the opportunity to have conversations with Ledger, and though the exact influence isn't elaborated upon, it’s clear that Ledger was engaging and personable.
Memorable conversations about life, acting, and music
Ledger wasn't just an iconic on-screen Joker; he was also a profound conversationalist and a guiding influence to his fellow actors. Dastmalchian shared that he and Ledger would talk about music, specifically recalling how Ledger introduced him to the band Animal Collective and Panda Bear.
In more personal discussions, Ledger spoke about his own child and parenthood. Hi ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Working with Heath Ledger on The Dark Knight
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Henry Zebrowski and Marcus Parks are actors and podcast hosts known for their work in the comedy and true crime genres. They are part of the popular podcast "Last Podcast on the Left," where they discuss various topics including true crime, horror, and the supernatural. In this context, they are reflecting on their experiences working on the set of "The Dark Knight" and their interactions with Heath Ledger during filming.
- Heath Ledger engaged in meaningful conversations with his colleagues on topics like music, acting, and personal life. Ledger's discussions often revolved around music, with mentions of bands like Animal Collective and Panda Bear. Additionally, Ledger shared insights on parenthood and offered support and reassurance to his peers during personal discussions. Ledger's interactions showcased his depth as a conversationalist and his supportive nature on and off the set.
- David Dastmalchian is an actor known for his roles in various films and TV shows. He appeared in "The Dark Knight" alongside Heath Ledger. In the context of the text, Dastmalchian shared conversations with Ledger about music and parenthood, highlighting Ledger's supportive nature. Ledger's reassurance to Dastmalchian regarding fatherhood showcases a more personal side of their interactions on set.
- Heath Ledger was a talented actor known for his role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight." He had a daughter named Matilda, born in 2005, with actress Michelle Williams. Ledger was known to be a loving and devoted father ...
Counterarguments
...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Twin Peaks and Working with David Lynch
David Dastmalchian shares his journey to fulfilling a childhood dream of working with David Lynch and his magical experience on the set of the "Twin Peaks" revival.
Childhood goal to work with Lynch
Dastmalchian always idolized David Lynch, seeing him as a hero and a guru. Though not explicitly stated in the conversation, it's indicated that working with Lynch was one of Dastmalchian's three life goals, a dream that dates back to his childhood.
Auditioning process and being cast in Twin Peaks revival
His path to achieving this goal began unconventionally. Dastmalchian submitted himself to audition for a USC short film upon learning that one of the casting directors had connections to Lynch's own casting director. This set the stage for the opportunity that would follow. Dastmalchian received an unexpected call to audition for a top-secret Showtime project. Upon arrival, he signed numerous NDAs—a hint at the project's significance.
He auditioned in a sparsely furnished room, in front of Joanna Ray, with only a camcorder and a couch. Rather than performing a pre-scripted scene, Dastmalchian engaged in a conversational interview about his day. It was during this unconventional process that Dastmalchian realized he was auditioning for a David Lynch project, as Lynch is known for his preference for conversational auditions.
The surprise continued when Dastmalchian learned the project was none other than the highly anticipated revival of "Twin Peaks." K ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Twin Peaks and Working with David Lynch
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- An NDA, or Non-Disclosure Agreement, is a legal contract between parties to protect confidential information shared for specific purposes. It establishes a confidential relationship and safeguards proprietary data or trade secrets. NDAs are common in business dealings to maintain confidentiality and can be mutual or one-sided. They are crucial for ensuring that sensitive information remains protected and not disclosed to unauthorized parties.
- The University of Southern California (USC) is a prestigious private research university located in Los Angeles, California. It is known for its diverse academic programs and notable alumni, particularly in the fields of entertainment and sports. USC is a member of the Association of American Universities and is recognized for its strong athletic programs, including the success of its sports teams, the Trojans.
- Joanna Ray is an American casting director known for her work in the film industry. She has collaborated with renowned directors and actors, including Quentin Tarantino, David Lynch, ...
Counterarguments
...
Related Shortform Content
David Ayer & Jon Bernthal: Unfiltered Truths of Hollywood & Life | Real Ones
Jon Bernthal, David Ayer
110 - The Big Vent (w/ Glenda Rovello) | Just Jack & Will with Sean Hayes and Eric McCormack
Sean Hayes, Eric McCormack, Glenda Rovello
The True Story Behind the 'Suicide Squad' Director's Cut | David Ayer tells Bernthal on Real Ones
David Ayer, Jon Bernthal
Get access to the context and additional materials
Goals, Motivation, and Persistence as an Actor
An actor's journey is one of self-imposed goals, undeterred motivation, and unwavering persistence, as demonstrated through one actor's personal anecdotes and strategic approaches to his craft and career.
Using goals to stay focused and motivated
The actor organized his objectives into life goals, annual goals, and more immediate goals to maintain focus and motivation in his career, especially during times when job prospects seemed fleeting. He would reflect on his top three life goals daily to determine what actions he could take to further those ambitions. Even something as small as reading a book related to his goals was seen as a positive step forward.
Submitting himself for unpaid roles to gain contacts and experience
Understanding the importance of career development, the actor frequently used Actors Access, an online submission platform, to put himself forward for potential auditions. He aimed to increase his experience and exposure, knowing that even non-paying roles could nonetheless be valuable. He once submitted himself for a student film, where the trade-off was not monetary compensation but rather a contribution to his reel and acting credits. His level of preparation did not vacillate with the project's budget, as reflected by his intense rehearsal for the project even if he wasn't fond of the script. Furthermore, he took the opportunity to express his thanks to the casting director by sending a postcard, showcasing his professional courtesy and networ ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Goals, Motivation, and Persistence as an Actor
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- A reel in the context of acting is a short video compilation showcasing an actor's previous work, such as scenes from films, TV shows, or theater performances. It serves as a visual resume, allowing casting directors and producers to quickly assess an actor's range and abilities. Actors use reels to demonstrate their acting skills and experience to potential employers in the entertainment industry. Having a strong reel can significantly impact an actor's chances of landing roles.
- Financial hardships faced by actors can stem from the unpredictable nature of the profession, leading to fluctuating income levels. Actors often experience periods of financial instability due to irregular work opportunities and varying pay scales. This can result in challenges such as low annual incomes, reliance on side jobs, and the need to navigate periods without steady work. Actors may need to develop resilience and persistence to sustain their careers through these financial uncertainties.
- Actors, like many self-employed individuals, may be eligible for unemployment benefits during periods of low income or job scarcit ...
Counterarguments
- While setting goals is beneficial, too rigid a focus on structured goals can sometimes limit an actor's flexibility and openness to unexpected opportunities.
- Daily reflection on life goals is a good practice, but it can also lead to constant self-pressure and dissatisfaction if not balanced with appreciation for current achievements.
- Reading books related to goals is positive, but it's also important to diversify knowledge and skills beyond one's immediate goals to become a more well-rounded individual.
- Submitting for unpaid roles can be a stepping stone, but it can also perpetuate a culture where actors are expected to work for exposure instead of fair compensation.
- Using platforms like Actors Access is common, but relying too heavily on such platforms may neglect other avenues of networking and opportunity.
- The value of non-paying roles for experience is clear, but actors must also be cautious not to be exploited in an industry that can take advantage of their need for exposure.
- Maintaining high levels of preparation for all roles is commendable, but it's also important to allocate one's energy wisely to avoid burnout.
- Networking, such as sending postcards to casting directors, is strategic, bu ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Create Summaries for anything on the web
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser
