Actor Luke Dimyan stops by on Close-Up Culture to tell us about his work on The Chosen, writing and directing his own project, being inspired by The Mask, and much more.
Hi Luke, how are you finding the challenge of playing Judas on The Chosen?
It’s a very unique problem because the challenge doesn’t really come from the character himself but the perspective that the audience has on me at all times. I’ve played complicated characters before but this is the first time I’ve played someone where people are actively looking for my characters’ faults and mistakes as a main focus, as they’re all awaiting the inevitable betrayal. No matter what he does, most people expect the worst from him. I don’t like to play into the obvious too much so I do my best to ignore it and focus on my work, displaying as many layers to this character that I can whether they’re noticed or overlooked.
I believe the show has allowed you to travel to numerous locations. How have you find the filming experience?
The filming experience has been very tough but fruitful. As an aspiring actor I usually like to face challenges head on without any complaint, but I’ve definitely found my stamina being tested when an entire day or week of filming is spent standing in the hot sun. The soles of my feet started to feel nonexistent. But the camaraderie built between the cast and crew on those hard days kind of made it worth it for me.
Not too long ago you made a short film called The Prophet, which had a successful festive run. How do you reflect on the challenge of writing, directing and starring in a project?
Oh man, The Prophet was interesting. It was a learning experience mostly but I’m still very proud of it. It was during the pandemic and I hadn’t been cast in The Chosen yet so I put all of my volatile emotions from the quarantine, social media, and political discourse of 2020 into this one script. I shot it with only three other people on location, all funded out of my own pocket. I set my expectations very low and I worked hard to do everything right, and in the end I got out exactly what I put in.
The challenge was exhilarating and I was surprised that I had actually made something from it close to what I had envisioned. But I held it back from being great with a simplistic shot list and dialogue/acting heavy script and story. For my next project I’d rather not hold myself back with low expectations and shoot for the moon with what I could possibly accomplish as a creator. To really make a good film.
Are you looking to work behind the camera more often?
I wouldn’t mind to for friends and people I like working with, but I don’t think that’s where my skills lie. However I do love learning about all the crew positions that work behind the camera. How that team communicates to accomplish difficult shots on hard days. I wouldn’t mind being a part of a team like that, but until I have more free time I don’t think it’s something I’d actively pursue.
I heard Jim Carrey’s The Mask inspired you to get into acting. What was it about the film that resonated with you?
I’ve been an avid fan of animation ever since I was a kid. I think it’s a medium of art that goes highly under-appreciated despite its merits and is usually quickly dismissed as kid stuff. But animation has a way of moving the soul the way music does, instinctively and with an imagination that can’t be grounded in reality. So when I saw The Mask, basically the film equivalent to my favorite Looney Tunes cartoons come to life, my mind was blown. I didn’t know a human being could be so expressive, energetic, and fun. I was instantly inspired, hungry for more. It wasn’t soon after that I realized that energy, those types of animated magnetic characters and performers could be found in so many films, T.V., and theatrical productions (i.e Robin Williams, Gene Wilder, Eddie Murphy). People had made careers out of it. And this energetic, loud kid wanted to take part.
What are your passions away from the camera?
I’m a hobbyist at heart. I really like crafting or fixing things around the house that are within my skill set. But I also like writing a lot. I like creating and drawing, imagining worlds and characters to inhabit them with. I recently became a DM (dungeon master) for my friends DnD group and was surprised at how well I took to it. I hope to find time to discipline writing into my life permanently, maybe with some goals or projects that I can work towards. But I think simply I just like to create things. I just hope that someday they’ll be good enough that I can share them with others.
Do you have any other projects or ambitions to share with us?
I just recently wrapped a short film that I did with my good friend Cairo Smith for Askari Productions and I’m looking forward to filming The Chosen Season 5 this coming spring. I’m also working on various spec scripts for T.V. Shows and Films that I’m hoping to make a reality, as well as my second short film that I hope to produce next fall.
Photos by Joanna Degeneres
Follow Luke on Instagram – @dimwitted_dimyan