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- Photo by Stewart Marcano Photography
Backstagemom had the privilege of getting to know rising star, Tania Gunadi. Tania was born in Bandung, Indonesia. She co-starred in the Disney Channel Original Movies “Pixel Perfect” and “Go Figure”. She has also had guest appearances on TV shows including “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, “Boston Public”, and “Even Stevens”. Currently, she is a regular on Disney’s TV series “Aaron Stone” as Emma. In 2009, she played a minor role as an alien Starfleet cadet in the movie “Star Trek”, directed by J.J. Abrams.
Backstagemom- I heard you won the lottery in Indonesia. Tell us about that.
Tania Gunadi- Yes, I won a green card lottery from the United States when I was a teenager living in Indonesia, I never thought I would ever see America, I had only heard about it from my sister and read about it in magazines.
BSM- When did you decide to pursue acting and what drew you to the arts?
TG- Well, when I was living in Indonesia, I was really never exposed to the art world. It was here in Los Angeles when I was working at Pizza Hut (my first job) where I first learned about acting. A friend of mine told me that I should audition for this Disneyland commercial, and I didn’t understand what an audition was exactly, let alone what was involved in a commercial. But I went anyway because she told me all I needed to do was pretend to be on a roller coaster and scream. “Oh, I can do that” I said to myself, “as long as I don’t have to say much,” since my English wasn’t very good at all. Long story short, I booked the commercial as one of the 15 people in the roller coaster. However after many, many times riding the same roller coaster, the lead actors all got sick, and many others were just nauseated. Except for me. I was cheery and laughing a lot because I had never ridden a real roller coaster before, and it was my first time at Disneyland. So the director decided to make me the only principal actor in the commercial. And he hired me for 2 more commercials after that. When I got my paychecks, I told my mom that I couldn’t believe there was a job where I can make a living and have fun at the same time!! So I decided to pursue acting. Haha, I guess it’s a long story huh?
BSM- You play a pretty tough cookie on “Aaron Stone”. Are those really your moves or is it a stunt double?
TG- Actually, I learned all the same moves that my stunt double did, but it wasn’t always me in the scene where safety was a big concern. Those fighting scenes are my favorites!! I loved learning all the fight choreography, especially when we got to turn your average prop like a chair or a mop into a fighting weapon. I also enjoyed training with the stunt team because they were so professional, fun and they have really cool moves!! Oh, and I didn’t have to go to the gym much during shooting since I got a total workout by doing stage combat with them! Haha
BSM- How do you like working with all the boys on “Aaron Stone”?
TG- The boys are silly and fun. With our crazy schedule of filming 2 episodes every 8 days which meant 14-17 hours per day hanging out together, doing scenes, and trusting each other for the fight choreography, it was very nice to work with a team of actors who are pros, supportive, and funny at the same time.
BSM- What do you think ultimately made the producers cast you in this role?
TG- They told me that they like the choices that I brought at the audition. And one of the producers told me on set that they also like my spirit. Hey, I like hearing that! Who wouldn’t?
BSM- How have your parents supported your acting?
TG- In the beginning they thought I was crazy. They asked me how I could be an actor with broken English and no knowledge of acting at all. And because they know I’m pretty sensitive, they were afraid that I’d be hurt being in this business. I told them that living in America had changed my life. I believe that everything is possible and this is a country where opportunities are presented equally to all people. So, slowly but surely my parents began to support my acting career. Oh, and my mom even worked as a featured extra in one of my guest-starring roles I had on TV because casting was looking for an Indonesian mother, and they couldn’t find one. She was so proud and couldn’t stop talking about it to all her friends. When the show aired she watched it over and over, it was funny!
BSM- I heard you have your own charity. Tell us about it, and how it came to life.
TG- I started Fairy Tale Charity right after I did the Disneyland commercials. After receiving the income from the commercial, I realized that I could do so much for the elderly, sick and disabled in lesser fortunate villages in Indonesia. For example, with just $250 I could build a well for easy access to clean water for 7 families or more. So that’s how I started.
When I was 12, my Mom took me on my 1st train ride to the capital city, Jakarta. In that slow ride, I looked out the window and saw poor neighborhoods that I didn’t know existed. In particular, there was this old lady, skinny and frail sitting next to a big heap of trash. It was raining and she was just sitting on the ground looking at the train and hugging herself, wiping her face occasionally from the rain. I was sad and felt helpless. I then promised myself that one day when I’m a grown up – I’m going back to poor neighborhoods like that and offer the sick and elderly help.
And then the dream came true. A couple years later I won a green card lottery and moved to the States, booked my first acting job and was able to use my savings to start Fairy Tale Charity.
BSM- What is the best thing of being on a Disney show?
TG-The best thing is that I get to be part of the wonderful Disney family. Disney has taken care of me and has been very kind to me. Disney has taught me the value of family, friendship and working together. And I love the fans because they are mostly kids, whom I just adore. When I was growing up in Indonesia my dream was to be a school teacher, so now that I get to meet and hang out with kids, it just really is a fun time.
BSM- Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
TG- Haha, in 10 years? Wow, I guess I see myself continuing to enjoy my life and hopefully have my own production company so I can make movies and put all my friends in them. ☺
BSM- Do you still get nervous auditioning? If so, how do you handle it?
TG- Yes, sometimes I get nervous, I think that’s pretty normal. But I’ve learned how to handle it well (I think ☺). It’s nice when you’re playing a character that has a nervous quality to them so you can channel all that stuff into the scene. But if the character is a confident type of person, and there is no reason for her to be nervous, then I just take a few minutes to myself, go outside or whatever so I can just chill a little. And then I have my little secret where I remind myself that this is not brain surgery, no one is gonna die, there is no right or wrong- this is acting, and it really is supposed to be fun.
BSM- What advice would you give to young actors pursuing acting as a career?
TG- My advice would be for them to listen to their heart for their heart knows what’s best for them! I’d also say try and be diligent about looking for and staying on the positive side of what you’re wanting in your career as well as the people you surround yourself with because in doing that, you’re sure to find success. ☺
Biography- Provided by Wikipedia
Photos by Stewart Marcano Photography
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