Up Close … with promising actor Ramoss Vidot |27 March 2018

‘The main challenge for me is being emotional on screen’

Ramoss Samuel Vidot, aged 17 years, hails from the district of Baie Lazare and is currently following his studies at the Seychelles Institute of technology (SIT). Ramoss practices different forms of art including acting, singing and even writing songs. In his free time Ramoss also likes to ride motorcycle and bikes, fixing cars and of course he also enjoys being on the set of positive movie (and the series) -- an initiative of the Youth Action Movement (YAM) to tackle issues and raise awareness mainly on sexual reproductive health. The movie formally entitled ‘Positively Hurting’ was first released on December 1, 2016 to commemorate World Aids Day and the first episode of the series, ‘Positive’, was released in 2017. Ramoss is also a part of his district’s youth council.

Tell us more about the initiative and the movie and series ‘Positive’?

“In ‘Positive’ we aim to tackle a lot of issues, mostly those that we have seen on television such as bullying, teenage pregnancy and drugs. Through ‘Positive’ we have also tried to portray the different ways in which people can stop these practices and better their life. I think all these issues are alarming, it’s just that people don’t take it seriously enough. In ‘Positive’ we don’t try to measure which of the mentioned issues are more important. Instead we [address] all of it together to make something better for everybody.” 

Tell us about your role and the character you play in both the movie and the upcoming series ‘Positive’?

“I play the role of Zachary Waters, the older brother of Alexandrie Waters. At first I was not the one who was supposed to be playing Zachary Waters. As the actor who was supposed to be playing that character could not make it, that’s when I stepped in. I did not choose the character instead the character chose me. I want the audience to pay close attention to my character and the one of my brother; a lot goes down between the two of us …

In the movie released in 2016, I also played Zachary Waters. In that short movie Zachary gets his brother (Alexandrie) out of rehab. In turn Alexandrie wreaks havoc on Zachary’s life. Later in the movie Alexandrie fell ill, eventually he is brought to the doctor and finds out that he is HIV/Aids positive and ends up killing himself.

Most of those who have seen the movie did not like the fact that Alexandrie died so that’s when we came up with the idea of doing a series out of the movie ‘Positive’.”

What kind of feedback have you received with regard to your fictional character Zachary?

People love my character. However, I’ve been told that I tend to look at the camera a little bit more than I should.

In your opinion did the movie reach its target audience? Did it have an impact?

“So far it has not done exactly what I wanted it to do... but it has made a difference in a lot of people’s lives in ways I did not even know it could. But it has not have the overall impact that I expected it to have due to the fact that not everybody knows about the existence of the movie ‘Positive’. Maybe if we could play it on the big screen it will make a bigger difference…”

What would you say was one of your best moments while on set?

“There were so many great moments. I remember once we were  filming one of the most serious scenes, and I couldn’t get my serious [expression] right, so my co-star started laughing at me, and in that moment I started to dance, so everyone started to dance … the director told us to stop, but we didn’t. Eventually this scene ended up in the final series and I will be seen dancing in the first episode of the series.”

And what would you consider most challenging about acting? 

“The main challenge for me is being emotional on screen; it’s very difficult to cry, it’s very difficult to be sad or disappointed about something, but when the scene turns out great then, I’m happy.”   

Do you think we should make more use of movies as a medium to spread awareness on important matters?

“I stick with the arts because this is what I stand for. I rather use the arts than use words. I love acting because it gives the actor the opportunity to be someone that he/she cannot be in his/her everyday life.”  

Youth Action Movement came up with this initiative because it was felt that all the workshops, the marches and other means being used were not attracting enough young people. So we decided to do something that the youth would enjoy. Youth love to watch TV so we did a movie.

We also wanted to make something different and so we chose a movie because it is not commonly used to pass important messages here in Seychelles.

Any last word?

“One should think twice before doing anything as everything has its consequences. Do not stand for what people think you should be. The aim is to have a good life… and feelings are a part of life, you are not living for somebody.

To learn more about the ‘Positive’ initiative visit and follow the ‘Positive’ facebook page.

By Shantana Barbé