Playful performer

Ter stays happy in his new role

By Thanakrit Charoenphon
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb

Chantavit Dhanasevi (Ter) rose to fame with his breakthrough role in the 2010 blockbuster comedy movie Guan Muen Ho (Hello Stanger). Before that, he worked as a movie scriptwriter and supporting actor for several GTH films.

In 2008, he tried his hand as a leading actor in the ghost movie Coming Soon, which won him the worst leading actor prize at the online Rotten Durian Awards. Ter almost gave up his acting career, but instead decided to work hard on his acting skills. After starring in two consecutive blockbuster comedy movies, his is typecast as a playful guy.

In his latest TV series, Phu Gong Yod Rak (Beloved Captain) on Channel 3, the 31-year-old actor played a soldier who tried to win his attractive captain’s heart.

Student Weekly got an opportunity to meet with this busy star at Channel 3, where he told us about Beloved Captain as well as his music video experience.

Student Weekly: How did you practice your Suphan Buri accent for Beloved Captain?

Ter: I went to Suphan Buri for two days. I spoke with everybody in the market and heard several accents. I consulted with the producer about what kind of accent he wanted and he decided it must be strong.

To get used to the accent, I used it every day for four months. I was serious about it because if it didn’t sound real, viewers might not believe in the character.

Student Weekly: What were your impressions of your co-star Margie Rasri?

Ter: I didn’t expect her to be so funny. After we first met at an acting workshop, I immediately felt close to her. We’re the same kind of person and are both fun and cheerful. The only difficulty while working with her was trying not to laugh.

Student Weekly: Of all the characters you’ve played, which is your favourite?

Ter: I like them all. Each character makes me happy in a different way. I also like actresses who can act well and my co-stars have been great. Margie was fun and I also enjoyed working with Ice Preechaya and Noona Nuengthida.

Student Weekly: Do people expect you to always be funny?

Ter: Not really, but I understand their expectations. I used to be a serious person and found that other comedians are similar because they use all their humour in their jobs. After work, we don’t have the energy to be funny anymore. We’re exhausted and need a break.

However, people still expect us to be funny. Recently, I changed my mindset by thinking that acting isn’t a job. It’s just meeting and joking with friends. I try to get close to actors and crews, so I don’t feel like I’m working, but like I’m hanging out with friends. Then I don’t feel tired.

Student Weekly: Are you afraid of receiving another Rotten Durian Award?

Ter: No. If I got another, it means I have a flaw and need to improve. When I got the award, I didn’t know how to act. I just made facial expressions without building up feelings. The award made me realise that, as an actor, I should be honest with viewers. Then, I took classes to understand acting more. I’m still not so good though.

Student Weekly: How did you feel playing a sad character in the White Rose music video “Sanya Thee Mai Jing (Dear You)”?

Ter: I liked it. I agreed to play this role as soon as I read the story. I was looking for something new. I have the image of a playful and funny person, so I usually get comedy roles. But White Rose wanted me to change character.

Student Weekly: Was it difficult to play this gloomy character?

Ter: It was difficult to act alone. In a dramatic scene, a co-star is important because they will share their emotions with me. Since I was alone, I had to invest emotion in myself.

Student Weekly: You’ve written a movie script for the famous Hong Kong actor Stephen Chow. How did that happen?

Ter: Stephen Chow liked one of the GTH movies, so he contacted the director, Tong Banjong. I‘m one of the scriptwriters for a movie which has financial support from both GTH and Stephen Chow’s company. It will be a Chinese movie with Chinese actors, but the scriptwriters and director are Thai. We’ve already finished the script.

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