Please meet Dave Martineau. He is an actor who lives in the Niagara Region but travels to Toronto to work. Dave is also the president at DMKL Productions Inc.
Dave never dreamed or imagined that he would ever become an actor. Once he turned 50, it all changed for him. Everyone had to reference him as 49.1. He was not inspired to act and just one morning in July of 2015, he woke up and decided that he wanted to get into acting. He began searching for an agent, met with her and was signed with representation. Although he did not have an acting resume, he had been performing all of his life.
This is what he had to tell us:
The first audition that I went on ( and this was literally the first ever audition that I went on ) was for a gaming app and I was to be goofy character. The director said “You’re having a picnic with your wife. When I say Action, you jolt up like your body has been taken over by a child playing a video game and you sing BOOM BOOM.” “BOOM BOOM. Got it”, I said. My ‘wife’ and I sat down on our blanket. The director told us to make some small talk. She said something like “How was your day?” I said “I’m going to tell you something. The director said to ‘Jolt’ up when he says action. Since last night was my first hockey game of the season, there’s not a hope in hell I’m jolting up.” I heard them all laugh. “Action”. I get up. Do my thing. While I didn’t get the main role, they did indeed give me a role in the commercial. The next audition was to be an over the top sports announcer. I got a call back! I thought, This is easy. However, the next few roles called for a little more depth and realized that I was out of my league. So, I took some acting lessons over the next year.
Three experiences that I can point to as most rewarding.
a. I ended up getting one of the leads in a musical stage play. I went in to audition for the role of a ‘mean’ producer which was mostly a cameo with no singing – only a few lines. I didn’t fit the role. They then asked me to try for another role. I read some lines. “You’re perfect for it!” I read a little bit more. Me: “I told you I’ve never been on stage before. Now you want me to play this main character who has lines? Who sings? Who dances? Who sings a solo with dance routine? And you want me to do it all in an Irish accent?!” “Yes” Well I did it. Played the role of Harrigan in Dreamlight Studio’s production of Destination Broadway.
b. Auditioned for the lead of a music video by a band called Wintersleep. A fantastic Canadian band with a Juno to their credit and had played on Letterman. Called for a small town delusional character. That’s me!!
Got the role. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LorAG1M6Wi0
c. Finally, the third thing is this crazy journey I’m currently on trying to make a movie. It really goes back to 2009 when I was the Publisher of the Niagara Falls Review and volunteered as campaign chair of the United Way of Niagara Falls & Greater Fort Erie. The Niagara Falls food bank’s cupboards were bare. So, under the brain child of Bob Gale ( a local business man ), we camped out for five days and nights at one of the busiest intersections of Niagara Falls to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness and poverty and hopefully generate a few dollars for the food bank. There were ten of us: Bob, myself, the current mayor and 7 others.
While the event started out slowly, over the coming days, the town rallied. Restaurants pitched tents around us selling lunch and dinner tickets. Neighborhoods marched down the street with dozens of people pushing wheel barrows of food, or pulling wagons or carrying bags of it. Sports teams showed up. Some residents showed up with rolled up coins donating $7 saying it was all they had but wanted to be a part of it. At the end of it all, the town rallied and donated $302,000.
Below are the stories in the paper of the beginning and the end of the event:
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2009/08/22/10-determined-men-finally-say-goodbye-to-the-tent-life
So, after telling this story to someone on a set, they said “This is a movie!!”
I’ve gone on this journey over the course of the past year trying to piece it together.
My first few phone calls were “Hi. My name is Dave Martineau. I have no idea what I’m doing but here’s my story.” The reaction each time caught me off guard where people would say “That’s amazing! Come tell us about it!!” I’ve been so fortunate to have many donations to the point where I’m on my home stretch of raising funds for this production. (If there’s anyone out there who would like to invest!!! Just sayin’…) 25% of profits will be given to the food bank. I’ve met with a famous documentary maker. I have former star of Road to Avonlea and Gemini Award Winner Michael Mahonen playing the lead. I’ve met face to face with two VPs of one the world’s largest film distribution companies. It’s been crazy and almost unbelievable but I think we can make a big difference with this film. Even though this ‘rewarding experience’ is not yet at its conclusion, so far it has been very rewarding.
I don’t think I have enough breadth of experience to determine my favorite character although a bit quirky of a character seems to be a better fit.
We asked Dave what advise he would give to someone just starting out in the acting industry. This is his answer:
My advice would be to have no fear of failure. It is only through failing multiple times (some with more talent may fail far less!) that success will be achieved. And, it seems to me, that as much work needs to be put in by the actor, if not more, as the agent puts in.
We look forward to learning more about Dave and see what lies ahead.
