I present Merlisa ‘Determined’ Langellier, she is our Valentine Special interview personality. We took time to seat with her and discuss her work, and career. I trust this will be interesting for your read. I found her quite interesting, enthusiastic and engaging.
Since acting Merlisa “Determined” Langellier has won several Aawards and received several acting nominations. She has won “Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards” Viewers Choice Award for Best Actress in Diaspora 2012, She also Won “NAFCA” ( Nollywood African Film Critic Award) for Best Docu-Drama Film 2012, Merlisa Won the “USAfrica Best of Africa Award” for International Heritage Actress of the Year 2012. Merlisa was Nominated for an “African Oscar” for Best Actress in a supporting lead role in Diaspora Film 2012, Nominated for “Nations of Pan African Award” Best Actress of the Year 2012, Nominated for “NAFCA Award” for Peoples Choice Award 2011 and 2012.
Merlisa was born on the beautiful Island of St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. Raised by her mother Raymona a strong, beautiful, woman who worked hard to support and encourage a close knit, strong family. Witnessing her mother’s strength, compassion , wisdom and love for her children fuels her inspiration and builds the foundation that keeps her focused, grounded and driven. Merlisa has earned a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Texas Southern University.
While at Texas Southern she also studied Theatre Arts, taking part in several stage plays at Ollington Smith Playhouse & The Encore Theatre. She then went on to study under Robert Simms at Master Theater Company. Merlisa has graced the stage of several professional stage plays, through out the years such as “Madea” Greek play, etc. Her desire to attend Law School took a detour as her passion and love for acting has taken her on an unforeseen route in Television and Film. She is currently the Host of Caribfest TV and Caribbean Vybez TV: shows seen in the Caribbean Islands and on local TV networks in the United States.
indieactivity: What acting technique so you use?
Merlisa Determined (MD): Techniques I used for acting vary depending on the project but for the most part I rely on what is know as the Stanislavski method. A method that allow actors to draw careful consideration of a character’s psychological motives and create a personal identification with that character. Getting into the character’s emotional state of mind and recalling emotions or sensations from the actor’s own personal life experience.
Describe wrong impressions about acting?
Merlisa Determined (MD): The first wrong impressions I find many actors hold about acting is everything is glamorous and everything comes easy (but to me what they see is the calm after the storm… which I personally feel it’s a never ending storm.) Once you have landed a role and complete that project successfully, guess what here comes the storm again and what I refer to as the storm is the showers of NO that will come raining down. Not because your not talented or have what it takes but you might not be what they are looking for at that particular time so develop a TOUGH SKIN and always, always continue with acting classes or improving and learning different techniques that could help sharpen your skills as an actor that way you STAY READY as an actor. I believe acting is a forever growing and learning process especially when it comes to dealing with different types of acting such as tv, film, commercial and stage. I believe all acquire a different type of acting skill to help enhance and help you capture that true essence of that particular art of acting.hr
What acting books do you read?
Merlisa Determined (MD): “Fight your Fear and Win: Seven skills Performing Your Best Under Pressure, At Work, In Sports, on Stage” by Don Greene, Ph.D., a renowned sports psychologist, teacher at the Juilliard School, and “stress” coach to top executives and entertainers.
Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Merlisa Determined (MD): “I”ve discovered that my creativity is entirely within my control. I create my own states of creativity or blockage based on how I process the information coming to me all the time. The way I interpret this information is largely responsible for the quality of my experience of life and how I perform in my own life. Whether I am dealing with an agent, producer, director, auditioning, hanging with friends or simply relaxing. It suggests a profound transformation in the way we view what is possible for human beings. It challenges us to push the limits of the known and discover the vast resources within ourselves. Furthermore, helped me see clearly what my strengths and weaknesses were and thereby, focus my efforts on those particular skills which would improve my performance as effectively, efficiently, as possible.
How do you keep fit as an actor?
Merlisa Determined (MD): Mentally I like to read different books, newspapers, magazines sometimes reading out loud with different voice expressions. Physically I love working out with my brothers, Jason who is an M.M.A. (Mix Martial Arts) Fighter, Shawn who is a Professional Trainer and Ajani who lives a Healthy eating lifestyle along with endurance workout. Combination of my 3 brothers keep me fit and healthy. Also lots of mirror exercises working on facial expression and so on.
