Danielle Arce talks about “The Horologist.”

Danielle Arce headshot

Independent films are the heart of the film industry. That being said, it is exciting to introduce this up and coming short film “The Horologist.” by writer/director/producer Marcelo Dietrich! The story centers around Alex Gate, who grows up with an obsession with time after the passing of his father at a young age. He finds he must protect his revolutionary invention from his fathers long-time rival Martin Heinemann.

Actress Danielle Arce plays Ave Gate, Alex’s wife. She is here with Eclipse Magazine to tell us more about the film.

Danielle Arce is an actress, model, host, and comedian. She performs stand-up almost every single night and has performed at various venues and clubs all over the US. She is an experienced sketch comedy writer as well. When she is not performing, she does martial arts. With over 18 years of martial arts experience, she also does stunt work. This multi-talented actress is excited to talk about “The Horologist”.

This film is an official selection of and premiered at the Jerome Indie Film & Music Festival in Jerome, Arizona earlier this month! Congrats! Tell me about the film “The Horologist.” and what it’s about.

It’s about a young man whose father passes when he was a kid. His father was involved with a project that controls time. When his father passes, it has a big impact on him because they were so close, so he tries to fulfill his father’s project when he grows up.

So you play his wife?

Yes, I play his wife. My character’s name is Ave. They grew up together and they were friends since they were little. Even as a kid, his father played by Marcelo jokes with him and says is that your girlfriend. It is kind of cute that they’ve known each other forever. Ave is a very educated, well spoken, smart, classy individual, really loves her husband. She does very well for herself. There is some of my personality there, very fun, very silly, but she’s very well put together.

This is a dramatic film, but you’re a standup comedian and you’re “half girl, half unicorn” too! (laughing)

Yes, it’s a little joke (laughing). My friends started calling me a unicorn when they found out how much I do. I just don’t stop. They say, “You can’t find anybody like you. You’re a unicorn!” I was watching “The Office” when I had oral surgery and I was out for a couple of weeks. There was the little doll that was half girl, half unicorn. I thought it was hilarious.

It is a little different from the character you are playing. Are them some parts of you, the comedic spirit, in this character?

Somewhat. There’s a scene where she is a little tipsy and can’t wait to see him on the phone, and there is that flirtatious vibe, but I do shed a couple tears.

How did you get involved with this film?

Marcelo Dietrich had reached out to me from twitter. Social media is amazing. He found me on social media. He saw all of the projects I had been involved with in acting, modeling, and comedy. He liked what I did and he respected my talent. He sent out a message saying “Hey, I think you’d be perfect for this role. What do you think?” I said “Send me a script” and automatically I said, “Hey this sounds really great!” He told me who everyone else was on board and I knew a few of the people that were going to be on set. I knew this was going to be a really great project.

You have different acting vignettes online. Are you a writer as well?

Yes, I write sketch comedy, and I also just started a youtube channel. I wanted to do my own thing. I was getting frustrated of doing group projects and sketch shows with other people I am a hard worker and I don’t want to work with other people who aren’t as hard working as I am. It is like the group project where you are in high school and you are the one doing all of the work. I decided to branch out and do this on my own. So I started writing on my own. Standup comedy was helpful. I write for my standup and I write for my blog and my sketches.

Is this entire project filmed in Arizona?

Yes.

Are you based in Arizona?

I am in California. I was living in LA for 2 years. I am temporarily in San Diego. I am originally from Arizona. I’m here in San Diego because of my boyfriend who is in the Navy, but we will be permanently back in Los Angeles soon. It’s not too far to travel to Arizona so it didn’t take much for me to go down there. I travel a lot.

You do mainly comedy. Do you feel there is much of a transition between drama and comedy?

Honestly, not as much as you think because whenever the camera is on you, I am a character. With comedy, it’s not trying to be funny, it’s just being. It’s all in the writing. It’s me being a different character but different writing. Because of the way the film is written, it is not comedic.

I love dramatic acting. I don’t do it often. I used to do it quite a bit until I fell in love with comedy, improve, and standup. I’m trained to do drama. It’s definitely a fun challenge.

Any great stories from behind the scenes?

It was a really homey, comfortable vibe on the set. I never felt uncomfortable or alienated. Everybody was friendly and warm. I felt like I knew most of the people on set and I didn’t even really know anybody. I can’t be dramatic all the time so I was cracking a lot of jokes. I’m sure there will be a blooper reel coming out with all my silliness.(laughing) All the actors were super friendly. Tyler was fantastic to work with who played the lead character. It was a comfortable and fun experience.

Horologist crew

Did you see a part of yourself playing Avie?

I’m not on the screen too long. I only have two short scenes in the film. I feel that her role is important. From playing her, I was able to connect with her because I’m in a relationship with somebody in the military. He is gone for quite a bit of time. Right now, I won’t see him for another two months. In the film, Ave’s husband loses track of time because he is focused on his work. I was able to connect with her and feel that pain because she never feels like she has time with him. He is never there. I really related to her in that sense.

You have to make the most of time, because once time is gone, it’s gone.

Exactly. He was late coming home and Ave prepared this elaborate evening but it fell through because he came so late. I’ve been there. I was waiting for my boyfriend to come home, but he can’t home for another week or month. I didn’t feel disappointment in him, just the situation. I understand it.

It’s truly a performance to watch.

Yes. Marcelo constantly texted me how excited he was with my performance. I don’t like watching myself doing dramatic too much and critique the crap out of myself, but I’ve never had this much praise in a performance, so I for one am excited to be in this dramatic role.

The Horologist poster