Sandra daCOSTA | Banana Fusion Magazine Feature & Interview

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. BANANADESIGNS.CA 2012

Photography Credit: Sibel Gray | MUA Credit: Wendy Tinning 

Photography Credit: Sibel Gray | MUA Credit: Madeline Rouge

Sandra’s aptitude and skill along with her dare-you-to-look-away sex appeal have made her an unstoppable force within the acting and film community. For this informal celeb whose goal is to achieve global domination, Sandra is still the girl next door! Sandra positions herself in such a way that she is able to make her own career choices, which involves continuing to do indie films while taking the steps to advance her career on a larger scale. “It’s just what feels right, and perhaps that’s what makes me unpredictable.”

Sandra has also safe guarded herself by not getting swallowed up by what she considers the industry’s engrossment with looks. “There’s more to acting than trying to be the prettiest girl in the room.” Beauty for beauty’s sake is not what excites her most. “It’s the opportunities that cross your path and those roles that are rooted in truth and imagination, those are the roles that you can actually sink your teeth into.”

It was Sandra’s ability (which she discovered at a young age) to lose herself in movies, books and music that truly gave her a sense of belonging, which is why Sandra finds herself here today. It’s hard to envision that the ‘calm, cool, and collected’ beauty could ever be a cutthroat competitor. But Sandra recognizes that you have to know the rules before you can break them. This Mediterranean beauty has raw talent, no question about that, but she also has an extraordinary and unflappable work ethic.

Photography Credit: Sibel Gray | MUA Credit: Madeline Rouge

Where are you from originally? 
I was born and raised in Kingston Ontario as Sandra Marie daCOSTA, before moving to Toronto in 2000.

Can you tell us what made you want to become an actor and how you got into the business?
As a kid I always found it incredibly easy to transform a story or movie into a world in which I could immerse myself in. My imagination was and is my entertainment. I’m a day dreamer who began my career quite innocently enough with several appearances in music videos and it just took root from there.

Interesting, so your life has been rather hectic recently, wouldn’t you say?
Life is always hectic I find, whether I’m a “working actor” or if I’m in between jobs. I’m always hustling and auditioning for the next big gig and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Everyday I work on my craft whether I’m reading and keeping up-to date with what’s in production, to spending anywhere from 1-3 hours maintaining my social media outlets, to watching and studying film and creating opportunities to showcase myself. I leverage short films to hone my craft and studies so I’m always working on some aspect that’s relevant to my career.

What are some of your favorite films?
Some of my favorite films are Jaws, Cape Fear, Outsiders, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe, Risky Business, Matrix, Aliens, Pan’s Labyrinth, Scarface, Fight Club, Top Gun, Interview With The Vampire just to name a few.

You have 3 short movies coming out in 2012-2013. Care to tell us a little about them?
I’ve got 3 shorts coming out in 2012 that have begun making the festival rounds. The first is called The Sentry which is a psychological noir adaptation of the comic book series created by Marvel. The film deals with issues of alcohol abuse, a failed marriage and grandeur visions of a failed superhero dealing with his demons. Screenplay adaptation written and directed by Christopher Tung.

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/TheSentryFilm
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/#!/TheSentryFilm
WEBSITE: http://thesentryfilm.tumblr.com

The 2nd is called The Agreement which is making it’s premiere at the Detroit Windsor International Film Festival. It’s a provocative comedy/drama that pushes the boundaries of the cliche “all is fair in love and war”. The character that I portray is named Maxine... she is cunning, underhanded and shameless. Written and directed by Cody Campanale.

PRODUCED BY: LESSER MEN PRODUCTIONS
WEBSITE: http://www.lessermen.ca/LESSERMEN/home.html

Photography Credit: Sibel Gray | MUA Credit: Madeline Rouge

The 3rd is The Devil Walks Among You. Taking notes from Tales From The Crypt (1972). The Story establishes itself within a seedy blues bar where a spoken word is being performed by Lily Mastema (the character I portray). To the crowd she is a complete stranger, but little do they realize what truths are about to unfold. With flashbacks to a 50’s styled diner to assist in the storytelling, it’s anyone’s guess what will be revealed. Written and directed by Ryan M. Andrews.

PRODUCED BY: BLACK GUARDISM CREATIONS & MOONLIT ROAD ENTERTAINMENT

What are some of your favorite roles to date?
I’ve loved all of them! I’ve learned something about myself with the development of each of the characters I’ve portrayed, but I definitely have my favorites. My top 2 are Maxine (Short Film - The Agreement). There’s something about portraying someone who is unlikeable while maintaining a likeable performance, and Betsy (Feature Film - SICK: Survive The Night). Betsy is the first character I’ve portrayed that required a physicality that I hadn’t had the pleasure to undertake until I came across her in 2011. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that more opportunities and characters like that of Betsy cross my path. Who doesn’t love a chick that’s packing heat?

I agree.. Are there any directors you would love to work with?
Within the Indie scene I’d love the opportunity to work with homegrown talent’s such as Jesse Thomas Cook, John Geddes, Chad Archibald, Gabriel Carrer and Paul Roberts. Mix in a little Cronenberg, Scorsese, Josh Whedon, Michael Bay, Spielberg, Tarantino, and David Fincher to spice it up.

Any actor or actress you would kill to work with?
Tom Cruise! I’d kill to work with him.

Does your family and friends support you in your career?
My family and friends do support me and what I do but at different capacities. Which works out at the end of the day.

How do you prepare for a new role, or character you are about to play?
The preparation for a new role or character varies for me from one character to the next. I try not to set limitations. I look for the greatest risk and add dimension. It’s all discovery, imagination and impulse.

Is it true when they say some actors get emotionally attached to the characters they are playing? Has that ever happened to you?
I suppose some actors get emotionally attached to the characters they portray but I don’t feel that has ever happened with me but I will say that there is one character that I hope to revisit as a means of developing her further and that is the role of Betsy in the Feature film SICK. I feel that there is much more to be discovered about her and what makes her tick.

Do you have any specific goals as to what type of roles you would like to do in the future?
My specific goals are to attain roles that are physical, relentless, and challenging. I’d like to do more character driven roles. My dream role is to be the next female James Bond or Indiana Jones.  

Anything you would like to add as far as your career in movies/TV?
With regards to film and TV I’d love to get more comedy under my belt, as well as high action, fast paced films. I’m also a big fan of the Grind-house genre so Exploitation films are on the to do list as well. Historical dramas are making huge waves right now in TV. Some of my favorites are Spartacus and Game of Thrones which have highly influenced my goals.  

Any bit of advice for those looking to get into the industry and what to expect?
I’m the last person to give advise... (Laughs). But I will say do what’s right for you, trust your instincts, and work your ass off!

Photography Credit: Sibel Gray | MUA Credit: Madeline Rouge

Finally, what’s coming up for you that you can announce and want to plug? What I’m most excited to announce is the theatrical release of my latest feature film SICK - Survive The Night (expected release late 2012). The story takes the audience 2 years into the outbreak, where a remaining few struggle to survive with supplies running scarce and the infected making their presence known. I play Betsy an Uzi totting survivalist.

How can people get in touch with you?
http://www.wix.com/sandra-m-dacosta/sandradacosta
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3398617
http://themoviestarnextdoor-dacosta.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/#!/MissSandraD_

Sandra, thank you for the having this interview with us. We wish you the best of success in your career and good-luck.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. BANANADESIGNS.CA 2012