Interview with Banshee extra David Moreno

Interview with Banshee extra and former marine and professional wrestler, David Moreno.
Interviewer: Jason Neil
Date: 09-12-12

BansheeFans.com: Hi David. How are you today?

David Moreno: Hi Jason, I am doing well and thanks for taking time to interview me for those who have been extras on the new show Banshee. Really looking forward to seeing my episode air.

BansheeFans.com: I bet. I can’t imagine what it’s like to know you are going to be on a show like this. Tell us a bit about yourself.

David Moreno: Well Jason, I am from Tampa, FL just recently moved to Charlotte, NC. I am a former Marine, got out in 1997, was a independent professional wrestler named Ricky Romeo in Florida and some parts of Georgia for about 9 years. Currently working and trying to get on more shows as I have heard that North Carolina is a hotbed for movie production.

BansheeFans.com: So you have asperations of being a full time actor?

David Moreno: I don’t know about full-time, but I definitely wouldn’t turn it down, right now I am good with extra work, but if someone gave me a speaking role I wouldn’t turn it down and do the best job possible. I like to think like with professional wrestling, I can play the lead role or the villain. I just need the opportunity and the extra role was a good start to give me a taste and yet I want more chances. Anyone interested, contact me!

BansheeFans.com: Lol. How did you hear about the show Banshee?

David Moreno: I heard about Banshee from my sister who was an extra on Homeland Season 2 and told me to email them, from there they told me about Banshee and the opportunities with them for extra roles.

BansheeFans.com:: Was it hard to get onto the show as an extra?

David Moreno: I think it was, because not everyone gets chosen. They tell you what they are looking for and you submit your pictures and then they decide who gets called back so I was lucky enough to get the call. They were looking for extras to play Marines so I had plenty of experience with that.

BansheeFans.com: What all information did you have to submit to get chosen?

David Moreno: I had to submit my name, #, height, weight, clothing sizes, and a picture for them to review and make their decision.

BansheeFans.com: What was it like on the set of Banshee?

David Moreno: It was a blast! We had an afternoon call around 1pm, and everyone in the production company was very professional and friendly and made sure that all the extras were doing well and taken care of and couldn’t work with a better group of people. I wasn’t sure how long of a day it would be, but we were there till about midnight and went through several different takes from different angles. Never realized what went into filming one scene, let alone one whole episode.

BansheeFans.com: Had you ever acted before?

David Moreno: I have never acted professionally, but professional wrestling does require some type of acting and getting the crowd to believe in you and what is going on in the ring.

BansheeFans.com: What kind of instructions were given before the shoot? Like, were you told you would be shooting the shot from different angles over and over gain?

David Moreno: They would tell us how they wanted us to enter, where our starting position would be and where our ending position would be and everything is so detailed as well as telling us which angles they were shooting from. Very detailed and to the point.

BansheeFans.com: What did you do between shots? Were you aloud to watch other scenes being filmed or were they secretive about it?
David Moreno: Between shots we just sat around the set and talked with the other extras or actors, had some laughs, watched them film other scenes in which we had to be very quiet as to not interrupt the shot and we just hung out like we were at a party.

BansheeFans.com: Were there alot of retakes? Did the director show any frustrations? Did any actors have breakdowns or throw up out of nervousness?

David Moreno: There were at least a minimum of 10 retakes for every scene to make sure they got the best shots. The director didn’t show any signs of frustration as everyone was a consummate professional and just did as they were told. No, no one had a breakdown or threw up.

BansheeFans.com: It sounds so perfect and fun. I wish I lived closer so I could be an extra. I’m assuming they fed you. What was that like?

David Moreno: Oh man the catering was amazing! Of course we ate after the main actors and crew ate but they had plenty of good entrees for breakfast lunch and dinner. We were very well fed and taken care of. Lunch was hamburgers, chicken breasts, salad, rice, potatoes and dinner was similar other than prime rib, salmon, chicken.

BansheeFans.com: Did you and the other extras go out to celebrate the occasion afterwards?

David Moreno: Some extras went out afterwards but I had to work early the next morning so I just went home.

BansheeFans.com: Yeah, some have to work for a living. You mentioned you were cast as a Marine. What kind of roll were you filling as a Marine?

David Moreno: I was portraying a Marine that was watching a sparring session for an MMA champion at the Banshee Casino with other fellow Marines that were specially invited by the champ’s trainer to watch a closed training session.

BansheeFans.com: Will your scene be on the season premeir?
David Moreno: I am not sure if I will be on the season premiere, but I believe that the episode that we filmed that day was episode 3 from what I could gather. I will be watching the whole season and hope to be cast on other episodes as well dependent on if I can get off from my day job to do it.

BansheeFans.com: So did the role as a marine give you reason to believe that it might be needed again?

David Moreno: I knew ahead of time that it was just for that day, but I have gotten other emails to play roles such as swat team members, and police/military roles but due to work schedule, haven’t had a chance to do so, especially being new to the job and to Charlotte..

BansheeFans.com: That is awesome. They must have liked your work. Did you get to meet any of the stars?

David Moreno: All the stars were hanging around the set, but honestly the only one that really interacted with me and the others was Frankie Faison who was in Coming to America among other movies and television shows.

BansheeFans.com: Frankie has a lot of experience. He was also in all of the Hannibal Lecter films. Did he leave a lasting impression?

David Moreno: Yes, he did as he was as genuine as can be and took his time to sit around and shoot the breeze with us and have some laughs. I was constantly trying to make the other extras laugh throughout filming while on break.

BansheeFans.com: What was your favorite part of filming?

David Moreno: The ability to portray someone else and get to be a part of the bigger picture and learn what it takes to create an episode. Plus getting to meet some very down to earth people on set.

BansheeFans.com: Did you meet Alan Ball or Greg Yaitanes?

David Moreno: I didn’t see either of them, but did see the director of the episode but his name escapes me.

BansheeFans.com: Well we’ll find out soon enough. What was he like?

David Moreno: The director was pretty much all business, didn’t chit chat too much with anyone of us but did offer advice on what we need to do better in each shot.

BansheeFans.com: What kind of advice did the director give you personally?

David Moreno: He just told us to relax, and show high energy in what we were doing, and I was lucky and was selected along with two others to be in a few scenes and one of them was myself and two others walking into the casino in front of the main star of Banshee, the sheriff.

BansheeFans.com: I bet you’ll be posting that snapshot all over facebook huh? What are you predictions for the show? Do you think it will be a hit?

David Moreno: I think the premise of the show is very different than you have seen before and should be a great hit, as TrueBlood was a huge hit so hoping that Banshee follows their lead.

BansheeFans.com: Are you a Banshee Fan?

David Moreno: I definitely am a Banshee fan and hope to get back for more episodes and will keep you posted.

BansheeFans.com: Do you want a give a shout out or plug anything?

David Moreno: I want to thank everyone for taking their time and reading this article and also to Tona Dahlquist Casting who thanks to them made a dream of mine become a reality.

BansheeFans.com: Thank you for your time David. Good luck in your future and don’t forget to join us on our after-show chats. The first will begin as soon as the pilot episode goes off.