DAVID BANKS
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1471036/
David Banks ticks all the boxes. He would make a terrific James Bond as he embodies all the old world charming characteristics which have been scientifically proven to make women swoon. Tall, dark, handsomely sculptured, intuitively attentive and funny, I want to buy whatever it is Mr Banks is selling and companies know this. That is the David Banks aphrodisiac effect and the reason why he has been cast in over 100 commercials. He holds the Guinness Book of Records for an Actor appearing in the most television commercials. George Clooney has Nespresso but David Banks got Samsung, and then 99 more. David Banks is a Los Angeles based professional Actor, Musician and Writer. He has been cast in films as everything from the Good Guy to the Serial Killer and women can relate to him as either the one who got away or the Tinder date that went horribly wrong. David is a practicing Christian who is compassionate, kind, and profoundly humble. Effortlessly intoxicating, Pizazz News just had to interview him.
Thank-you so much for agreeing to be interviewed David; I am just thrilled, giddy and excited to have you join me on Pizazz, welcome. I have questions to ask you!
Q
You have worked with the infamous Danny Trejo on a pilot where you are an Actor playing a Director and he is a Zombie killer wielding a machete. We all recognise and know Danny Trejo from films such as Desperado, From Dusk til Dawn, Machete, and Spy Kids. He is also the guy sitting at the table in the Old El Paso Taco commercials; would it be fair to say that commercials are an avenue for Actors to practice their craft and make a living from it?
DAVID BANKS and DANNY TREJO
A
Absolutely! I have always preached this about commercials. They are the best way for an actor to practice their craft. I actually enjoy them much more than the TV/Film experience. In most cases it will only last a day so I enjoy every bit of it, from the opportunity to work with a new director to of course the full belly of gourmet food (In most cases) [LAUGHS]
Q
I ask you about commercials because you are an authority on the matter; having featured in over 100 yourself. Are you addicted to being in commercials or is it just coincidence?
A
I’m not going to lie…..I AM ADDICTED! It’s my drug of choice! I guess it could be worse [LAUGHS]
DAVID BANKS as an ANGEL in Trumoo Milk Commercial
Q
Commercials range from 15 seconds upwards – what kind of real time and costs are involved in making these visual advertisements and how do auditions for commercials differ to auditions for a feature length film?
A
I was blown away when I started to hear how much money went into one single commercial. Hundreds of thousands! So much is riding on a single 15 – 30 second spot. Although the audition process for commercials is so different from the TV/Film experience. It’s like night and day. The room is so much lighter and high spirited in the commercial world vs TV/Film. You can almost feel the tension in that world. Plus the nerves seem to be much heavier in those rooms. Often because there is much more dialogue for an episodic or film audition. I usually want to get out of those rooms as fast as possible and back into the commercial audition room.
Q
Have you done any commercials overseas? I recall watching you on television (I still watch it) in what looked like an Australian commercial; was that shot in Australia or America?
A
Most of the commercials are shot here in Los Angeles, although there has been a handful of times they travel outside of this crazy town. I prefer getting out of here at any excuse possible. Hell, take me to Kansas, Kentucky, or Kathmandu…..Just get me out of California! [LAUGHS] My favorite so far was Thailand! I think I had Thai tea for breakfast lunch and dinner for a week straight. It was pretty spectacular. Or maybe I just like using that word SPECTACULAR.
Q
You co-wrote a movie with *David Rountree called CUT! The plot summary on IMDb says,
“Nothing is as it seems as an ex-con and aspirant filmmaker set out to manufacture a horror film by scaring real people; however, when it goes too far and someone actually dies, the pair decide that killing for real on film is the way to make a truly terrifying movie.”
Was the film inspired out of truthful frustration of playing the nice guy, a protest against Method Acting, or was it just two guys getting together and doing a good old-fashioned horror movie?
A
CUT!!! was a little bit of both. I think we were both tired of playing the same predictable characters and wanted to really think outside of the box. David Rountree and I have been best friends for many years and have always fallen into the same roles. Not that it was a bad thing but we really wanted to go against the grain and the norm. A serial killer was probably the furthest thing from my typical character. But we are both HUGE horror fans so it made it that much sweeter.
Q
I imagine as an Actor it would have been easier to relate to the character as you co-wrote it; what research did you do to give your character Lane Hayes a truthful through-line of thought?
A
As far as research for the film, Living in LA and watching the news will give you more than enough for a dozen films. It seems like its getting worse and worse every year. Although finding original content can be a bit tricky these days. We would call each other every night and bounce ideas off each other. The whole process was a lot of fun!
Q
I have heard you say in an interview that you did not develop or embrace any fetish for the role, not even one?
A
Ok well I might have developed one fetish for the role. Maybe the need to bring him back for just one more. [LAUGHS]
Q
What has been the greatest risk you have taken so far as an Actor in a role?
A
The greatest risk would probably be making the decision to do actually jump in head first and do this for a living. Especially when the odds are ultimately against you. I did love hearing people tell me “there is no way you will stick with this” My ADHD basket case brain was all over the place. It just pushed me to prove them wrong. But I don’t blame them for saying it. I actually secretly thank them.
Q
If someone handed you a cheque and said, ‘There you go David, bank that – (pun) just put some numbers in and go make a film!’ What kind of film would you make?
A
COMEDY COMEDY COMEDY!!!
ALL THE WAY!!
Q
Let’s say you could cast anyone you wanted to in that film, we will set a limit of 10 Actors, who would you cast and who would you get to direct that movie?
A
I would take the best of the best dramatic actors and force the funny right out of them. Oh and I would bring back John Hughes to direct it (:
Q
Would you love to play the mouth-watering character James Bond? I know I would love to see you in that role but I may be biased as I am a David Banks fan.
A
Awww thanks for that. I would probably laugh too much. I still don’t see myself as a serious guy. It would be a pretty amazing challenge though.
Q
I found an audition of you for SNL – have you done Stand-Up, do you continue to do it, and how brutal is it?
A
Stand up comedy was more of a dare. I was terrified of the entire auditioning process when I first started. I would shake uncontrollably. I figured if I could stand up in front of a dozens of people there would be no reason I couldn’t win over an audition room…..years later HA HA
Q
Which stand-up comedians never fail to get you laughing?
A
I love Pablo Francisco and Theo Von!
Q
Did you like Jerry Lewis?
A
Jerry Lewis was in a league of his own. Definitely one of the all time greats!!!
Q
What about Woody Allen?
A
I like Woody Allen in his darker directing dimension.
Q
You were in the Nutty Professor with Eddie Murphy – is he as intense as the grapevine says he is? What about Dave Chappelle?
A
Eddie Murphy is laser focused and I really respected that! You can learn a lot from someone who takes his comedy seriously.
Q
More recently you were in the film Half-Magic. You must have been in Actor’s heaven with such fine company; Heather Graham, Molly Shannon, Stephanie Beatriz, Jason Lewis, Luke Arnold (ONE OF OURS – AUSTRALIA!!), Thomas Lennon, Angela Kinsey, Johnny Knoxville, Chris D’Elia, Michael Aronov and Alex Beh; being a professional Actor, were you not just even mildly blown-away to be in such awesome company?
A
Speaking of nerves, they were off the charts with this team! So many of my comedic favorites all in one film. You can’t help but be a tad terrified. But using that energy and putting it into my character was an absolute blessing. It was a non stop laugh fest!
Q
Heather Graham, bless her, wrote the film and it was her first Directorial debut. I read a few interviews she gave and she strikes me as not only a physically stunning woman but highly intelligent with impeccable taste in humour. What was it like for you auditioning for the part?
A
Heather is just as amazing as you would imagine. She had a vision and knew exactly what she wanted. Her talent is insane!! Plus she has the worlds best laugh. The audition was me portraying a crazy and deranged stalker fan of Chris D’Elia who would pester him. It wasn’t really a stretch for me.[LAUGHS]
Q
In the last few weeks, the outrage that has graced the globe about Hollywood studio chief Harvey Weinstein has been described by Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald as follows;
“The scandal that has exploded around ousted Hollywood studio chief Harvey Weinstein has deepened dramatically following a series of explosive allegations of rape and a secret recording allegedly capturing Weinstein trying to lure a model to his room.” Michael Idato, Sydney Morning Herald
Heather Graham was one of a number of high-profile celebrity women to speak up about this. What can be done to protect women in the Entertainment Industry?
A
Doing exactly that! Speaking up and not being afraid to expose people like this. Ultimately it will save so many others from years of the same abuse.
Q
You are a Drummer in a band (I bet you look amazing with sticks) do you rehearse a few times a week and do originals or covers? I understand you do Metal – do you like Metallica? What about Kiss, Guns N Roses and Bon Jovi?
A
I really love picking up my sticks not only to practice but to vent after all this LA traffic [LAUGHS] It’s the worlds best therapy. My band has a much softer taste in music as I do. I usually go from Ozzy, Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer, and when I want to mellow out just a little I will put on Metallica. Ok you caught me, there really isn’t a time for mellow when it comes to my taste.
Q
Do you have a song from your band that you could share with us?
A
I do. (Scream) There I go with my aggressive music taste again. I had to beg the guys to throw the folk out the window for a minute and write a heavier tune.
Q
What project are you currently working on and are you enjoying it?
A
I’m getting ready to work on a film called Preacher 6 with a handful of amazing actors.
Natasha: Thank-you so much for your time and being incredibly kind and gracious David Banks you are just AWESOME .God-willing, I may even get to see you as the new James Bond (Double Swoon and possible Heart Attack).
David: It’s been a real pleasure talking to you and most of all getting to know you. Social media still blows me away on a daily basis. Getting close to people half way across the world is such a God given gift.
Many blessings Natasha.
DAVID BANKS
Tastefully Shirtless – he would make a great 007
You’re Welcome.
*David Rountree, David’s co-writer and director in the film Cut!, according to IMDb, was the ‘hunk’ in the infamous Britney Spears music video ‘Oops!… I did it Again.’ I had to go watch the video to see this hunk as it’s been a while – for research of course, to confirm the accuracy of the information and nothing at all to do with satisfying any lascivious thoughts. I am happy to say Pizazz News readers that he was indeed that hunk. So Google him and look for a guy missing a shirt with boyish good looks and muscles.
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