Interview with the actor Liaan Ferreira, Award Winner for the Short Film ‘Visor’
Hi, Liaan! It was a pleasure having your film at NYIFA and huge congratulations on your ‘Best Actor’ award! You played ‘Mason’, the lead character of the short film ‘Visor’. What should the audience expect to see?
At the beginning of the film, you get to know something about the character and the time period. The year is 2025 and a recluse artist believes covid-19 is still at full swing. Pushing away his family and friends with his obsession to stay safe.
Tell us more about your character. What is his personality like?
The character shows growth in moral and ethical qualities, such as integrity, honesty, courage, and a well-developed background, making the character three-dimensional. Illustrating the character’s sociology, psychology, and physiology. Since the film is a visual experience, the sociology and psychology, along with the physiology, are subtly portrayed visually by the physical movements and the dialogue the character displays in particular situations. The physicality of the character and his actions combined with the dialogue of the character change from the exposition and conflict as “Mason” goes through the rising and falling action of the story. Every shot and frame of the film counts to accomplish the action and progress of the story. His personality is very sporadic with an explosive intensity.
The actor Liaan Ferreira and the official poster of ‘Visor’
Where did you get the inspiration from in order to give depth to your character?
My inspiration came mostly from drawing from my own life and how at times I feel like a recluse artist myself. I can relate to how the character thinks. With covid 19 being a global pandemic and forced us to reevaluate our life’s. It drastically changed our perception on what is “normal” and what we perceive as the “new normal.” Feeling alone and misunderstood can bring out a frustration with an array-of emotions.
Tell us a bit about your background. When did you decide to become an actor?
My love for acting started at age 11. Performing on stage in the theater really molded my acting style and honed my unorthodox method. I had a wide variety of acting coaches, trying to find my own style that works for me and find something different and original. There isn’t a book that I haven’t read about the performing arts and I always challenge myself as an artist. Constantly consuming knowledge and trying new techniques to attempt to reach that level of performance that is unforgettable. This year has been an exceptional year for me as an actor. I am extremely honored and grateful to be the recipient of 15 “BEST ACTOR” awards with 21 nominations globally – from Hollywood, Los Angeles to your phenomenal festival in Manhattan, New York City – New York International Awards, Canada, Paris, London, Italy, Amsterdam, Asia and Istanbul.
‘Visor’ was directed by Daniel Desmond. Did you know him before, or was this your first time working together?
This was the first time we worked together. I got contacted via a social media message by Daniel asking if I would be interested in playing the lead role in Visor. After reading the script, I knew this was a project I wanted to be apart of. The character’s complexity really excited me.
Do you have any on set stories you can share?
We went over our lines on the first day on set. And I decided to have some fun with them for our first ever meeting on day one and use a Texan Cowboy accent. The cast members with very concerned expressions on their faces. Daniel the director looked at me and said “you sound like a cowboy” and “Mason is not suppose to be American.” I just smiled at them and kept at it. As soon as we were about to start filming, as always I conduct myself in a very professional manner and got into character with the right accent specification to everyone’s relief. We had a good laugh and after that the director gave me creative freedom and I think that really took the performance and character to a whole new level.
What is the message that ‘Visor’ and/or your character convey?
The stress of the pandemic took a toll on our mental health and ability to accomplish our goals. Taking a beat and some distance to evaluate what we can and cannot handle is a big part of finding balance in our personal life. To learn it is okay to ask for help. You can get support from your family and friends. They are your support system in times of crisis. Asking for help is a strength.
What are you currently working on? Is there any upcoming project you would like to share?
Yes, two very exciting projects-that-I Wrote, Direct and also Star in. I really enjoy playing a “villain” and characters with depth – John Burrows – a sociopath. Second project – a cowboy gunslinger that would much rather give up the world to safe the one he loves, instead of being the “hero” and safe the world by giving up the one he loves.
Connecting to Liaan Ferreira:
Official Instagram: @liaanferreira
Facebook: facebook.com/liaan.ferreira.3
Twitter: twitter.com/liaanferreira23
