Doc Shaw discusses new film, ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’

APES_DocShawCGI

Doc Shaw made a name for himself in entertainment during his years as the wise-cracking teen on “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.” Shaw is now stepping into the realm of blockbuster films as the character Ash on the new movie Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.


Shaw recently sat down with rolling out and discussed his role in the movie and provided insight on his career as an actor.


How were you introduced to such a unique role?

I went in with the stunt coordinator and worked on the movements of an ape and the sounds of an ape. We had to lower our center of gravity to walk like an ape. The audition was mostly to see if I could deal with the physical attributes of an ape. They eventually cast me and I spent three months in Vancouver and three months in New Orleans.


How does the storyline pick up where Rise of the Planet of the Apes left off?

This film is set a decade after rise. The virus has spread and most humans have been killed. The remaining survivors have setup their own camp and they don’t know the apes are still there. They eventually stumble upon the apes and this is when all Hell breaks out. It’s the balance of making war or friendship with an unfamiliar race.

What underlying message will viewers get from this film?

I think this movie teaches people to accept others for their differences. Hopefully, we all can build more bonding relationships. If you were a fan of Rise, I’m sure you will enjoy Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

It is a grind. You have to be dedicated and make sure that this is what you want to do. There will be a ton of bumps in the road. You may be faced with a period where there is six or seven months when you don’t work. You have to stay focused and grounded. It’s also important to have a good support system.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join our Newsletter

Sign up for Rolling Out news straight to your inbox.

Read more about:
Also read