Pedro Miguel Arce – Alive and Well

Q) What are some of your current projects that you are working on?

A) I signed on to a Mafia style movie called Every Last One. It is a cool concept and  is an unusual mob movie so I am really looking forward to that. I also have 50 Cent’s movie Get Rich or Die Tryin’. I started working on that with 50 Cent and Terrence Howard. I am also in conversation for some other projects, but that’s all that has been finalized.

Q) You are starring in George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead. Please tell us about the premise and your character, Pillsbury.

A) The movie is basically the fourth installment of his zombie series and by now zombies have completely taken over the world. There are just certain areas that humans live in, within in cities there are certain areas that are blocked off that are safe for humans to live in. The part that I play is called Pillsbury. I play the same kind of facet as Dennis Hopper’s character, who is basically the President of his city. He’s hired a group of mercenaries to protect the city from zombies coming in. Also, it is our job to go out and get supplies. We’re the ones that have to go out and get supplies from cities that have been infected with zombies. Basically, you have to fight your way in and fight your way out and bring back food and whatever essential supplies that are needed for the city.

Q) What made you want to be a part of this project?

A) I wanted to work with George. If you are going to do a horror film, George is the person to do it with. Basically, it was the opportunity to work. The man is a legend; he invented zombies. If you are going to do a zombie movie, it’s got to be a George Romero movie.

Q) What was it like working with infamous director George A. Romero?

A) George is probably one of the nicest people you could ever meet. It shows so much when he is working with his actors. He’s so generous with his time. He’s a creative person and he’s always there to give a hand and let you do your thing. As actors, we like to think we some input in what we do and it’s amazing how he just lets you play your character.

Q) You’re in the up and coming 50 Cent movie, Get Rich or Die Tryin’. What was the atmosphere like on the set?

A) It was a lot of fun once you got rolling. Some of those guys had been there for a while, for the few days that we had been working together, and when I got there I was kind of like the new guy. Eventually, we all warmed up to each other. Jim Sheridan is a great director. You learn from these people. Terrence Howard is also a very talented actor and everybody was great.

Q) Why did you decide to get into acting?

A) At first I did not want to do it. I had been offered to play a football player in a movie when I was playing football in university. I just went in to see what it was all about, but I ended up not getting chosen and didn’t get the part. Eventually, I took a class or two in acting. After I did my first part, I thought, “This is it, I’m in love with it.” It is an incredible feeling to do something like that. You are bringing a character to life and you get to play for a living.

Q) Who would you most like to work with in the future?

A) I would love to work with Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. I love their style of filmmaking. I actually had the opportunity to meet Mr. Tarantino and Mr. Rodriguez at and it would be a great honor to work with these guys.

Q) What has been your favorite project to work on?

A) So far, my favorite project has been Land of the Dead. It was such a team effort and it was so much fun to make. Everybody I know was really great to work with. People like John Leguizamo, Simon Baker, Robert Joy and Asia Argento are all great actors and it was a lot of fun working with them. It was such a team environment. We working out in the cold for most of the night and we had the producers out there with us. It was like all of the generals were out there in the trenches with us.

Q) What was your transition like from Toronto to LA?

A) I had lived in Miami before moving up to Toronto, so I knew kind of what to expect (as far as living in the US again). I think the biggest thing was getting rid of a little bit of a Canadian accent that I had developed over the time. The “eh” and “aboots” were taken care of very quickly. The weather is amazing here so that made it a lot easier, I love the fact that you can go down to the ocean and hang out when ever you want.

Q) What do you do in your spare time? 

A) I am currently doing a lot of writing. I have a lot of ideas in my head, regarding different things that I like to do. I am trying to get as much of my writing done as possible. I’ve got a couple things completed and I am just trying to get them and bring them out to fruition. I wouldn’t mind working on all sides of the camera, in front of the camera and behind the camera to do some filmmaking.