Don’t Say My Name tells the story of human trafficking survivor Adriana, after she bravely escape her captors. The film stars Cameron Arnett, Cory Kays, Brooklyn Wittmer and is directed by Federico Segarra. “I portray a corrupt judge who helps the traffickers. I’m very proud of being a part of this film. Too many people don’t know what “trafficking” is. This film casts a very necessary spotlight on what it’s all about.” -Pierre Rumpf. “Don’t Say My Name” is Produced by 24 Flix and Selan Films, it’s premiering at select theaters around the country.
You have worked as an attorney, real estate broker and police officer. What led you to act?
Aside from doing some acting in grade school and junior high school, and my mother who always begged me to pursue acting, in 2016 I answered a Boston Casting advertisement on Facebook looking for real police officers to be background actors in the movie Patriots Day. Upon answering the call and doing multiple background roles in Patriots Day, it was during filming that I realized, ‘I’m not doing background, I’m going to pursue principal work.’ So, I did just that.
How have these jobs translated into your acting career?
Being a police officer was the reason why I was hired to do background acting as a police officer. The casting director knew that there was no better type of actor to do police background acting than a police officer, her/himself. Being an attorney contributed to my landing the role of a judge in the movie, Don’t Say My Name, which has just started premiering around the globe this month.
Tell us about your role as “Journalist Howard” in a documentary short called, Half the History – Shirley Chisolm: Catalyst for Change. What intrigued about this role?
It was a small role, but what interested me in the production was the fact that it was historically accurate and all about the first black woman elected to U.S. Congress. I was also impressed by the fact that it was directed and produced by a well-reputed, LA-based production company. I was also flattered that they asked me to be a part of their production.
You played the lead role of “King Herod” in the Biblical drama/action (short) film, A BLOOD THRONE, produced by the Garcia Brothers and Mount Harvest. How did this role challenge you?
It challenged me in a few ways – spiritually, physically and ensuring that I did not let the Garcia Brothers down: Spiritually, because I had to become King Herod, who was one of the most evil men in the Bible. That’s not naturally easy for a Christian, such as myself; Physically in a couple of ways. Namely, the shooting hours were very long, which exhausted me completely. There were nights driving home when I started to nod-off while driving. Fortunately, I didn’t fall asleep. Additionally, there was one scene that took an entire day to shoot, during which I was in water that was very cold. I began to forget my lines, which confirmed for me that there was something wrong, because I had the script completely memorized. Thankfully, we had a Paramedic on the set who said, “Hold on a minute!” He came over to me and took my temperature – it was abnormally low. I was suffering from hypothermia from being in the cold water for so long. After getting out of the water for a bit I warmed-up and my lines rolled-off my tongue again; and, The Garcia Brothers (Xavier and Jonathan – two very gifted writers, directors and producers) wrote a masterful short that necessitated my “bringing it” to their Biblically-accurate film. Fortunately, I guess I did, because the film won many awards and I was nominated Best Actor in a Leading Role at the International Christian Film Festival in Orlando, Florida – the largest Christian film festival in the world. I didn’t win, but being nominated alone was an award in itself.
What do you bring to the craft that no other actor can bring?
That’s a great question. I think my renaissance-like, professional background (Attorney, Real Estate Broker, Police Officer, EMT, Heavy Equipment Operator, U.S. Army Veteran, etc.), along with the numerous licenses, qualifications, and experiences I possess, empowers me with almost any type or category of acting role I pursue. Dare I say, there aren’t many actors out there that have had as many professions/professional experiences from which they can apply to their acting role. In that way I think that makes me unique . . . not-to-mention, blessed.
You starred as “Captain Oliver Schilling” in the Narrow Street Films feature-length, period (1906). How do you switch gears from drama to comedy?
Immediately after being King Herod in A BLOOD THRONE, I wanted to pursue the other end of the spectrum of acting. Specifically, I did evil when I portrayed Herod. Therefore, I yearned to do comedy because it proves “range” in an actor. After doing Herod, I didn’t want to be typecast as an actor who is unidimensional, but, rather, someone who is, or can be, comedic – multi-dimensional. In actuality, I’m not at all like Herod. But most who know me think I’m funny. I like that. So, when the accomplished author, Killarney Traynor, told me that she wrote a comedy, that she was going to direct it, and her talented brother of Narrow Street Films was going to produce it, I naturally said, ‘PIIIIICK MEEEEE!!!’ After auditioning, she did. As such, switching gears from drama to comedy was easy for me.
What roles are you looking for next?
I’m receptive to mostly anything because I’d like to do many different types of roles. Yes, anything that would expand my talent. I’ve always wanted to do a Western. Perhaps it’s the inner (now-adult) Cowboys and Indians boy inside me. To play a police officer, since I am a police officer, would also be fun. Or, an attorney in a film involving court-room scenes.
Share your upcoming films.
My newest film is, Don’t Say My Name. Produced by 24 Flix and Selan Films, it’s premiering at select theaters around the country (I’ll be co-hosting Boston on December 1st with Q&A thereafter with cast members), then Cannes, London, the Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, and others, before it is distributed.
Additionally, I’m a guest star in a recently released YouTube series called, King Cobras: Men’s Group that’s produced by the Garcia Brothers and Mount Harvest. It’s a sketch comedy series about Miami’s violent crime-rate miraculously dropping. The city’s violent men demand answers at a community MEN’S GROUP. This sketch comedy follows their interactions with Pastor Alejandro as they sit through his hilarious failed attempts to preach the gospel.