headed for Hollywood, thinking an experienced and art-driven theatre actor would be valued. He was wrong and after a year of struggling to break through he returned to New York. His astrologer/psychiatrist mother then introduced him to a book called Freature Films at Used Car Prices, by Rick Schmidt. The advice within led him to the realization that he could take control of his career by making his on movies. He wrote a short film based on his own experiences as an actor, called Multi Facia, which was shot in less than three days at a cost of $3,000. Not only did he write and star in the film, but he also directed and produced it. Multi Facial was eventually accepted for the 1995 Cannes Film Festival where it got tumutuous reception.
Vin returned to Los Angeles where he and a friend worked together to raise almost $50,000 through telemarketing to fund the making of his first feature, Strays. Six months after the shooting, the film was accepted for the 1997 Sundance Film Festival, and although it recieved a good reception, the film didn't sell as well as hoped. Yet again a disappointed Vin found himself back in New York only to recieve a dream call from his newly aqquired agent. Steven Spielberg was impressed by Multi Facial and had invited Vin to meet him on the set of Amistad. The pair immediately clicked and Vin found himself appearing in Spielberg's next blockbuster, Saving Private Ryan, in a role especially written just for him.
Multi Facial went on to earn Vin more work. Director Brad Bird was looking to cas the title role in the animated film The Iron Giant. By coincidence, a woman who had been Vin's assistant at Sundance was now working for Bird. Know that Vin's voice would be perfect for the part, she gave Bird a copy of Multi Facial, which led Vin securing the part.
Next, he won the lead rold of Richard B. Riddick in the character-driven sci-fi film, Pitch Black. Despite the small budget and low-dey marketing, his performance has earned him a legion of decoted fans and the recognition he deserves. He has since starred in Boiler Room, The Fast and The Furious, and eagerly awaits Knockaround Guys, and Diablo.
He seems to be a ready-made tough guy for the action genre, but Vin has already proved himself more than that. A modest, wise man who falues his family; an intelligent tenacious character who took control of his career; a sensitive, perceptive actor, who brings the depth to his characters: he has shown himself to be a multi-faceted person. Vin Diesel is at the beginning of a Meteoric Rise. |
