Words by Carol Wright | Photographer: Kristia Knowles
We got to chat with young actor Roger Dale Floyd about his role in Greenland and acting alongside Gerard Butler.
Did a certain TV show or movie spark your interest in acting?
Well, my dad’s an actor. I wanted to do what he does when I was four years old because I would see him on TV or tape an audition. I just knew I wanted to do it. He told me we should wait for a year. After a year I still wanted to do it, so he started teaching me. So not a certain show or movie. Unless you count the acting skills of Peppa Pig.
Tell us a bit about the film you’re in Greenland. What about the film interested you?
Greenland is a thriller, action, disaster movie about a giant comet named Clarke that hits the planet. It’s pretty awesome because the story is really exciting and there’s lots of action. It’s also a movie about family and hope. Things get pretty intense and scary, too.
Nathan loves space, which was great because I do too. He’s really excited about the comet Clark at first, but then things go very bad. He loves his family. He has Type 1 diabetes which can be scary for him. But I think he is very brave because he never gives up no matter how crazy things get when Clark arrives. I’m very lucky to have been able to do the film with so many talented people. I learned a lot.
Can you relate to your character Nathan?
Definitely. As I said, I love space. Studying planets and space is one of my favorite subjects in school. I can also relate to how much he loves his family and how much he wants to help and be brave. I think everyone gets scared but doing things even though they scare you is important.
What did you learn from your co-star Gerard Butler?
Besides how to do a Scottish accent, he taught me that you have to work very hard in show business. Talent and good looks are great, but those alone aren’t all it takes to be to be successful.
Morena and Ric helped me a lot too, with my focus and character.
You also are in the new show Stargirl on the CW. What did you do to step into the shoes of Cameron Mahkent?
Hunter was great. I got to spend some time with him before the shooting, which was very helpful.
What advice do you have for aspiring actors?
I guess I’d tell them to learn everything they can, to practice all the time, and never give up. It’s what my family teaches me, and it’s worked so far.