Oct. 28, 2006
 
‘WE ARE MARSHALL’: Arlen Escarpeta’s Acting Career Began with One Line on ‘Boston Public’
 
By Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Writer
 

Arlen Escarpeta speaking at an actors workshop at the experimental theater in the Joan C Edwards Performing Arts Building on the Marshall Campus Friday, Oct. 27, 2006
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Already an athlete and working actor, Arlen Escarpeta knew when McG described “We Are Marshall” and the part of Reggie Oliver to him that he had the heart to be Reggie. After initial auditions, his agent told him that further auditions were going to be held. Escarpeta sent a long email to McG’s company --- Wonderland South and Vision --- telling him that “as an actor, I’m beyond ready” for this role.
 
The next day he received a call and reported for a second audition prepared for “an all day football camp” workout. Instead, the audition consisted of several poses with a football. At its conclusion, he was told, “here, you keep this [ball] and start practicing your throwing.”
 
When the filming of the football scenes began in Atlanta, Escarpeta had in the words of the real-life Reggie Oliver “done his homework” and learned a lot about his life. Oliver found himself impressed by the actor’s dedication to stay true to the role. “He had on green and white, he passed the looks test…people said we looked like father and son,” Oliver said.
 
Reggie Oliver left, Arlen Escarpeta
Actually, the 25-year-old Escarpeta had learned a lot about the former Herd quarterback in Huntington where “everybody had a Reggie Oliver story.” He quickly learned “this is a powerful story we are getting ready to do” so when the camera rolled he had already found the special something “inside” to bring to the part.
 
Although he attended a performing arts high school, Escarpeta quickly learned that professional acting can not be earned with a diploma or a degree. “Faith and God had to step in,” the performer said.
 
HNN: How does a young actor learn to handle rejection in Hollywood?
 
Escarpeta: Rejection is God’s protection. As an actor there’s so many jobs that you always want, that you think you have to have, that you think this is my big break or this is the moment for me to shine. A lot of times it does not work out in your favor. Someone else gets the job. All in all, you get the job that’s right for you. You get the job that’s yours. When I look back on things that I have wanted so bad, I auditioned for “Coach Carter,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Glory Road,” and I was right there for all of those projects. It did not happen. I was down. I did not know what was going to happen. Had I done any one of those film, I wouldn’t have been able to do “Marshall” cause they wanted a fresh face. I got the part that was right for me. I booked the job that had my name on it. Huntington has been great to me and for me. It’s been wonderful.
 
HNN: How do you keep your confidence up when you are getting those “no’s?”
 
Escarpeta: It’s knowing that those no’s are going to come. As an actor, you do not stop learning. There’s no such thing as a professional acting degree. You are forever a student; you are forever going to learn. You do not get to a place where it is just ‘easy.’ It’s always an uphill battle. There’s always going to be a ‘no’ or a ‘maybe.’ The yes’s aren’t always there. When they’re there, it’s a good thing to hear.
 
HNN: What was it like filming the football scenes in Atlanta?
 
Escarpeta: It was hot., but for me it was not that bad, I’m from Belize (Central America) . I’m used to the tropical heat. The two a days, the football pads, and the sweat. I felt bad for the crew who had to wash our gear. It was a good time; a lot of fun.
 
HNN: You actually had to work out and practice
 
Escarpeta: We played football. We had two a days. I had to memorize the plays as a quarterback, I had to memorize my footwork… am I handing off to my left, or my right, is it a keeper, a pitch , am I tossing the ball, where’s the receiver going to be . We definitely had our work cut out for us.
 
HNN: How did McG do directing football action?
 
Escarpeta: McG is a genius. McG’s goal to directing is his passion. If he believes in a story and wants to tell it, that passion is going to come across. He’s a passionate, gentleman who believes in Huntington, who believes in Marshall.
 
Before I booked this movie, McG and I were talking . He said, ‘this movie is about heart, faith, keep going and pushing even if you are taking baby steps you are moving forward. If you get this part and it works out the way it’s supposed to, I want people to see that heart that I know you have.
 
HNN: You indicated a liking for Huntington, does this mean once the marketing and hype of the flick fades, you will come back?
 
Escarpeta: Why not, it’s really a great city. It’s fun. I like it as it is small, and it is quaint, and very much a close knit community. That’s me at home. I’m a home-body. I like to keep my little circle tight. That’s what Huntington is, a really nice tight circle. I’ve been welcomed into that circle and I don’t think I’ll be leaving anytime soon.
 
HNN: Athletes and actors often are looked upon as role models and put on a pedestal. How do you feel about this ‘responsibility’ in terms or your craft?
 
Escarpeta: It’s part with the course. I just left the Bob Shell Juvenile Detention Center, I went to Job Corps, to Capital High School, Harless Elementary and they brought some kids in from Kellogg. Once you are in that light, you have to know that people recognize and look at you a different way. I do not care what anyone says, but you are in a medium that touches millions and millions of people. If you don’t do some good with that or take advantage and set someone on the right path or give someone words of wisdom, then you are wasting your time. You do not deserve to do what you do. I’m not supposed to be here. This is not my right to be an actor. I feel privileged. It’s necessary for me to be able to give back. It’s absolutely necessary.
 
HNN: What about the controversy that flows from clashes between media and celebrities i.e. paparazzi.
 
Escarpeta: You are being seen by millions of people. And people want to know. They want to see. As long as you keep it natural and normal , it will be natural and normal. If I start hiding my face, running, and making a big hoopla out of it, then its going to be a big hoopla and it’s going to be crazy. You see that with certain celebrities. They keep it very mellow and very normal and you do not see them in these crazy shots. They will be in magazines, but it is very much a natural thing. For me, my key is to stay who I am. You want a picture, you’ll probably catch me on the basketball court because I love basketball. I’m not going to knock anything that I do.
 
It’s part of the course. I’m glad to do what I do. I won’t complain. Oliver and Escarpeta will be grand marshals of the MU Homecoming Parade Saturday, Oct. 28, then prior to the game, lead the fans in the “We are Marshall” chant.