Daniel Robinson, Broadway star, actor, singer and director, was kind enough to chat toĀ EFĀ Editor Pip last week about his forthcomingĀ Broadway BaresĀ documentary and his passion for the cause it supports. Earlier this week we brought you part 1 of our interview and today we’re bringing you part 2.
In this second and final part, Daniel talks to us about his experience working on his breakthrough movieĀ The Big Gay Musical, his love of singing and makes us feel lazy by talking about how he juggles his incredibly busy life.
Letās talk about The Big Gay Musical. That was your big movie debut wasnāt it?
It was my big debut yeah. It was very exciting and I have to be honest I didnāt expect it to be as big as it turned out being. Iām not saying it was huge but itās definitely had an effect on my daily life. Daily I get so many emails and it makes me feel so good. People all over the world are emailing me about how itās changed them; how they look at religion and how they look at themselves. Itās a beautiful thing. I guess itās just the way I was raised. A lot of people ask me about my decision to go into a movie likeĀ The Big Gay MusicalĀ ā itās out there, itās a big title to put on your belt. At first I was a little hesitant.
My mother always told me just to be myself and not have to explain myself so I never really apologised for it. Iām a normal person and being gay doesnāt really define me. It was just a project and I felt like when I read the script it was something I could bring my own essence to. I could bring a voice to that gay person who doesnāt feel like theyāre out there and big and gay and fabulous. I wanted to bring my own take to it. I feel like itās done really amazing things for me. The documentary (Broadway Bares) is another step. Sometimes I forget that Iām an actor as well and I have these two halves. I love it and I love what I do. I couldnāt ask for a better artistic and spiritual experience. Iām very happy.
One of the things I loved about the movie is that it showed all kinds of gay people and not the safe Hollywood stereotype. I think that was really admirable.
Yeah, I agree. Thatās the way it was cast which was lovely. What was really great for me was the work that went into the movie. Usually you have a director and itās very specific what they want. Working with Casper (the director) he took a little bit of a step back and he knew we would figure it out; I think he saw that. He made the choice to step back and let us create our characters because we were all so passionate about it. We had all been in theatre work so you develop something 8 times a week. It was a really amazing. The stories of our characters really eloped and just went to a great place throughout the film. We all really got along, especially Joey Dudding my co-star, and we spent a lot of time reading, figuring out what we wanted to say and making sure we didnāt play to the gay stereotype. We made sure we were really us and it was a really great experience for us.
Was it as much fun to film as it looked?
Yeah it was. It was really fun. It was hard I have to admit because I was doing Hairspray at the time, I was in a Broadway production, and I was doing that 8 shows a week as well as filming the movie. I donāt really remember a lot of filming because it was so fast. I would go to work then Iād go film, Iād go to work then Iād go film. Every waking moment I was on stage or on film. It was so fast. You had to be in your underwear so youāre trying to eat good but not eat at times. It was like āI have a shirtless scene today so I have to be carefulā so thereās a lot of times that I really just donāt remember a lot of it. Not because I was starving myself but because I was so committed to the work and what went into it. I was trying to make it as best as I could make it.
When you put yourself on film itās kind of like in stone; itās not gonna change, the performance isnāt going to change. But when you do a performance in a Broadway show every single night you have to put in the exact same performance, if not better, every time. It was a lot more work than I expected but it was a lot of fun.
It was a great platform for you as it showed off your acting, your dancing and your singing. My favourite scene in the movie is where you sing āI Want To Be A Slutā. Are you planning on releasing any music?
I would love to. Itās definitely something Iāve considered. My boyfriend is actually an amazing, amazing singer and an amazing songwriter. He writes music all the time and weāve talked about doing some stuff together. Itās project after project and Iām trying to remain sane. He has been an incredible support system for me. Heās been so supportive and so unbelievable. Thereās a possibility and heās the person thatās going to push me to do things like that and explore all options. I want to continue dancing as well.
I have a dance company thatās kind of in the mix right now that might be forming. Itās going to be more about dance media/dance film. I have a production companyĀ Daniel Robinson ProductionsĀ and Iāve got a lot of dance films that are starting to develop and things are getting bigger. Itās going to always be a big part of me; being an artist, being creative and singing and dancing. Itās all going to be part of my life but itās just in what capacity. Itās always great to stand back and inspire others to do it. To be a director and know what makes a good film and acting wise what does it bring to it and to have that eye. The best directors are people who know how to watch people and how to bring it out of them because theyāve been in that position.
Do you actually time to have a life?
Erm (thinks about it)ā¦not right now no (laughs). For example itās 4th July weekend and my boyfriend is with his parents and my flatmate is away with his girlfriend so I was going to be home this weekend by myself. I donāt want to relax though, I want to work because I wonāt be bothered (laughs). I want to get stuff done and have a conscious streamline of work. I do have time to myself but quite honestly that time is right before I go to bed and right when I wake up. I am taking a vacation next week ā Iāve been forced by my boyfriend ā for 4 days to go to his parentsā house but when I get back Iāve got a zillion things. Iām filming a music video for this girl Rachelle Rak. Iām working more on the documentary and then Iām going to Pittsburgh for a dance thing.
Itās busy but you know what? Iāve accepted the fact that my life right now is my work and I love that. Iām not the guy that goes āletās go to a movie and relaxā. Thatās not me. I wish it was but I feel better about myself and my work if Iām constantly committed to it. I always want to have my footprints in the sand. I always want people to look back and see that I did something and made a change ā made a difference for the right reasons. Not just ego but to make the world better and to inspire others. Inspiring is the most important thing to me so in my free time I like to say I work because I do. I love it.
Will we ever see on stage in the West End?
I donāt know. If I had the right opportunity of course I would. I came over forĀ The Big Gay MusicalĀ for a moment, I was actually in Wales doing a film festival, then I went to London for a week and Iād never been before. It was unbelievable and I fell in love with the city. I would love to come back. I think itās a great city. I would love to do something in the West End, it would be incredible. Put the word out (laugh).
Find out more about Daniel and hisĀ work atĀ BroadwayBaresDocumentary.com,Ā DanielRobinsonProductions.comĀ andDanielRobinsonOnline.com