We managed to catch up with Suzanne to talk about her successes, how it feels to take on Hollywood, and what is next for the beautiful British Actress.

HW: How long have you been in Los Angeles, Suzanne?

SM:It’s been about eighteen months now and I am loving it.

HR: How did get the part of Vanaya in Gentlemen Broncos?

SM: My manager got me the audition, I remember they told me I’d have to shave my head for the part if I got it, and I laughed, I never thought I end up getting it. But, of course I did. It was my first feature film role so I was really excited.

HR: How did you feel about shaving your head for the role?

Well, at first I thought we would use a bald cap or something. When I realized the film was really going to happen and I had to be bald, it took me a while to get used to the idea. I remember looking a pictures of Natalie Portman with her buzz cut and thinking it didn’t look so bad.

At the end of the day I want to be able to stretch myself and play a range of different characters. It’s all just part of the job. And being bald really made me feel like Vanaya, I didn’t feel like me.

HR: What was real life like with a shaved head?

SM: Very different! I wore a wig for the first 3 weeks when I got home, just because I had literally no hair and it looked a little shocking! In real life I’m pretty shy so I didn’t want people staring…. but after about 3 weeks I got so fed up of wearing it I embraced my buzzed head and only wore the wig for auditions. People were so nice to me, it was the funniest thing…I’ve never had so many compliments in my life!

HR: Gentlemen Broncos was your first major role in a feature film, and you were opposite Sam Rockwell! How was that?

SM: Crazy! Insane! I was so incredibly nervous that I constantly worked on my lines, I think I read the script about five times, I was determined to do well and be professional.

HR: How was it like working with Sam?

SM: Wonderful. He is very focused, he totally transforms for his character. He did a lot of improvising, some of which was so hilarious I broke a few times. He was an inspiration and I learned a lot by working with him.

HR: What about  Director Jared Hess?

SM: Again I was so nervous! There was so much equipment and people around I remember thinking, “I do not wanna look like a beginner , I want them to be confident about me.”  But Jared was so nice and made me feel very comfortable. He was completely invested in every part of the film and had a very clear idea of how he wanted the characters to be. I learned so much on this film by working with Jared and watching him interact with the other actors. It was such an amazing experience.

HR: How did you prepare for the role?

SM: Originally I made Vanaya very real, and tough, which is what I did for the audition., But the first day on set Jared took me aside and said he wanted her to be more of a characture. My inspiration was ‘The girl in the Ivory Tower’ from ‘The Never Ending Story’, kind of ethereal with a bit of ditztyness thrown in. That changed everything obviously! I worked a lot on her voice to create the character.

HR: You are originally from England, how have you adapted to living and working in Los Angeles?

SM: I really love it here, it’s so different to how I thought it would be! What’s interesting about LA that no one ever tells you is how compartmentalized it is. I live on the east side which is a different world to the west side…there’s something for everyone. I love the energy the city has.

HR: What’s next for you?

SM: Well, I just got back from Slamdance film festival in Park city, where I had a film showing.  A wonderful indie movie called “The Scenesters.” a . It was the first film fest I’ve had a chance to go to so and it was a lot of fun.  I am also getting excited about the UK release of  “Gentlemen Broncos.” It will be great to have my friends and family at home see it. Other than that, I am constantly meeting people, going to auditions and just started writing my first screenplay, which is so much fun but very challenging.

Hollywood Revealed recently sat down with Foldy and asked him what advise he had for young actors looking to get their careers on track for 2010.

HW Revealed: What are the key things an actor needs to do to succeed in this business.

Peter Foldy: First of all an actor needs talent. Unfortunately we have lowered our standards with the current crop of cheesy TV shows and many people get by on their looks and their limited ability. An actor needs to constantly act, whether it’s on a show or in a film, or in class. The more you do it, the more comfortable and better you become. The camera doesn’t lie. It really does see the truth. There is a certain skill in being open and honest in front of the camera and thirty crew members. Many people give great auditions but freeze up on set. Or have trouble dealing with the technicalities of film making, such as hitting their marks, remembering continuity, etc. All that comes with practice. Keep learning by doing.
Secondly, an actor has to understand the business. How it all works. I personally don’t put much stock in cold submissions to agents and casting directors. We live in Hollywood. Work hard at making contacts. Network so that somehow you can get through the doors. Get someone to help you. Find a mentor if possible. Again, being in class, being around other actors gives you a chance to find out what is going on, who is signing with who etc. There is no stock answer on how to best find an agent or a manager, but without one, life in this business will be difficult.
Lastly, never stop believing in yourself. If you give up, it’s over. It may be hard. It IS very hard, but if you believe, and you have proven ability, it can and will happen for you. It is always darkest before the dawn, and just when it seems that NOTHING is happening, something amazing comes along that can move your career forward. If you truly want this, put in the time and MAKE IT HAPPEN.

HW Revealed: What do you look for when considering an actor for a job?

Peter Foldy: Well, first of all, they have to be right for the part. They have to look right, and be able to deliver what we are looking for. They have to have some experience. I have been burned by people who looked right, gave good auditions, but could not deliver on the day.
Actors have to be easy to get along with. With films costing what they do, in the millions, there is no time for people who are difficult. It is stressful to make a film. Ask anyone who has directed one. It’s like going into battle. You want to surround yourself with positive people who can work as a team to give the project the best chance possible at success. Ideally their agents and managers will also be team players and not be “the bad guys” in negotiations, with exorbitant demands. I’ve seen it happen and it can make your relationship with the actor strained. You can’t help thinking, I wonder if he is the one telling his agent to be the jackass.

HW Revealed: Name the three favorite actors you’ve worked with and why?

Peter Foldy: Well, this is tough, but I would say David Warner, the great English actor who you might know from “Titanic.” He was a huge star in England back in the day in a film called “Morgan.” Working with him in a film I directed called “Tryst” was awesome. He brought something special to the role, and I would always keep the camera rolling after the scene was done as David had a habit of giving you one little extra moment. A gesture, a look, a reaction. Something cool. He was totally professional. Had no time for set politics and always got the job done.

Paul Rudd would be another. I worked him on two short films. His first time acting in front of the camera in something other than a TV commercial. Paul was very comfortable and easy going. It was kinda obvious that he might become a star. His acting ability was strong, and it has only gotten better over the year, again from doing it so much. It’s cool to know that I directed him on film before anyone else.

Number three would be Eugene Levy, the guy who played the dad in “American Pie.” Eugene was not very funny off set as most people imagine him to be. He was professional and perhaps a little distant, but in front of the camera he was awesome, giving a lot of himself, and not settling till we all felt that the scene was the best it could be. Eugene has this look and a talent that is very unique, and that is why he will work for as long as he wants to.

There are many other actors I loved working with. Some less famous than others, but you only asked for three. I respect actors for what they do. I have tried it and I know how hard it is to be good.

HW Revealed: What is the single most important piece of advice you could give to aspiring actors?

Peter Foldy: Never give up.

HW Revealed: In your opinion, what is the best way to begin a career as a professional actor?

Peter Foldy: Get GREAT headshots. Network. Meet as many people as you can. Take classes. Be nice, and not an asshole. Inspire others. What goes around comes around. Do as many of those cold reading workshops for casting directors as you can afford. Think outside the box. Back engineer someone’s career. If you think you could be the next Leo DiCaprio, study Leo’s career. See how he did it. Who did he know, or meet along the way? In Hollywood, it’s possible you will run into someone from his world, or just someone who can give you that break you need. You can’t do this alone. Don’t even try. You need a team around you after a certain point, so along with nurturing your talent, build your team. And make sure one person on that team is a CLOSER. Someone who can make the right deals for you, and get you though the doors you need to go through. Again, all this is assuming you truly HAVE THE ABILITY it takes to compete in this business.

HW Revealed: What makes a good actor in your opinion?

Peter Foldy: Talent, charisma and the ability to combine the two to create a viable, marketable entity that can “put out” in front of the camera or in front of an audience.

HW Revealed: What things does an actor need to do in order to succeed on a real movie set?

Peter Foldy: Confidence that he or she belongs there and can deliver on the day. The knowledge and the experience to know the technical side of film acting, such as hitting marks, working with props and understanding eye-lines. Lastly–and it always comes down to it, TALENT.