Anna Belknap interview

"Television star makes home town appearance"

DAMARISCOTTA - Anna Belknap is hooked on acting and has worked hard to become a regular feature on a network television drama. The 1990 Lincoln Academy graduate and daughter of David and Louise Belknap of Damariscotta spoke to drama students at Lincoln Academy on Dec. 19.

A regular on “CSI: New York,” Belknap and her husband Eric Siegel spoke of the pathways that they took to become recognized and marketable for television and the professional stage.

“We have very different experiences in the entertainment industry,” said Siegel who grew up in Los Angeles where everyone he knew was in show business.

Belknap, on the other hand, attended Middlebury College after graduating from Lincoln Academy.

“I knew I wanted to be an actor inside,” she said. “In the third grade my teacher told me I was an actress.”

Although during her college career she considered going into marine biology or law, as a sophomore she tried out and got a part in a play.

“It was an amazing experience, I was hooked,” she said.

After college she continued her experience with Middlebury's professional acting company while waiting tables. She then went to San Francisco to gain a masters through the American Conservatory Theater. She then moved to New York City.

“I did a lot of work in bad theaters that had rats in the dressing rooms,” she said.

Belknap was able to land a few bit parts in series such as “Law and Order.” That was followed by roles in “The Handler” and “Medical Investigations.” Her big break came this year as she was cast as Detective Lindsay Monroe in 14 episodes of CBS's, “CSI: New York.”

“Auditions are hair raising,” said Belknap of the process of passing several preliminary rounds before being brought before 30 network officials. “That is intense.”

Once part of the show, Belknap worked 16-hour days in order to shoot a few short scenes.

“We film everything out of sequence. You have to match the emotions. It is very internal,” said Belknap who said emotions are indicated by very small gestures but have to accurately continue the moods established in preceding scenes.

Siegel said he thinks he is more suited for the stage.

“I am more like a ham. I am loud and big,” he said. “It is very delicate work on camera.”

Belknap said you do not have to be glamorous to get into the movies but it helps.

“In Hollywood they like it when you are young and beautiful. If you are banking on your beauty you will be done when you are 30,” she said.

The key to her success she believes is understanding who she is and working hard to sell that image.

“You have to know who you are and go with that. Your face is telling a story,” she said.

Siegel reminded students that even if you make it to the big time stage or television, most of the time will be spent unemeployed between parts.

“Only 2 percent of the actor's guild is working,” he said.

“It is tough work but it is so rewarding,” added Belknap.