Exclusive interview with  Gabriella Surodjawan, American  Actress

By Jean-Paul Eliard
12 October  2025

Hi Gabriella, I am very happy to do this interview.
 

Could you introduce yourself to the visitors of cinema-movietheater.com?

Hello, my name is Gabriella Surodjawan i live in albuquerque new mexico, and i’ve been acting for 10 years now. last year i was blessed to have the opportunity to work with the television show SWAT. 
 
What do you like when you read the script?

What really made me fall k love with the SWAT script, is that it would be my first time working on an action filled set.
Although the plot of the episode was chaotic and action-packed, with the character I was given I had a lot of room to make the character of Emma my own.

And what did you think when you discovered your character Emma (S8.E2)?
It was an opportunity to expand on my acting abilities and build my craft, because i had never been in a role like this. I was excited to push my limits, and take on this new role. 

Can you tell us how you got your role?
Of course! Every audition process is a little bit different. I had auditioned for SWAT a few months prior to being pinned for this role, while on a trip with my father out of the country, i got an email asking if I was available for the shooting dates.
After some back and forth we communication with my team, I had received an email saying I had been booked for the role of Emma.
My father and I flew home, went to a fitting, and a few weeks later we flew out to LA to start shooting SWAT. 
 
How did you prepare for your role?
In the weeks leading up to the shoot dates, I prepared for my role in the same way I always do.

I developed the role of Emma deeper than what the script had given me.

This helps me connect with Emma and see aspects of my own personality in the character to make my performance more natural.

When it comes to emotional performances, my goal is not to convince an audience of the emotions that I’m feeling. but to connect so deep with a character that I actually feel this emotions. In the days leading up to shooting SWAT, I isolate myself throughout the day to do emotional check in’s.

On the day of, I try to isolate myself as much as possible, so I can stay in the mindset and give my best performance. 

How was the shooting with Shemar Moore, David Lim, Patrick St. Esprit ,..........and the director Cherie Gierhart?
I have to admit, the day that I came on set I was extremely nervous.
Although I’ve worked with big time actors before, and in many different settings. This would only be my second time working in LA. As soon as I was taken from my trailer to set, all of my nerves were gone.
Director Cherie Gierhart, was one of the most welcoming and down to earth directors I’ve ever worked with. In an environment that could be triggering for some due to the fake firearms and weapons, she was intentional in making sure everyone was comfortable and felt safe.
As the youngest person on set that day, all of the actors naturally welcomed me into the culture and had an interest in my personal life.
Even after multiple hours of crying, it was the other actors in the room that made my experience that day truly enjoyable.
More specifically Shemar Moore, consistently checked in with me emotionally and left me many words of encouragement from one actor to another.
All of the actors and crew that were on set that day, gave me an experience that I’ll never forget. 
 
Where is this TV series shot? 
I believe SWAT shoots in many different locations, but we filmed at one of their base locations in Los Angeles. 

Do you watch yourself, during the TV broadcast?
I always dedicate myself to watching anything I’ve been in at least once. But I won’t lie, it’s not an enjoyable experience.
Although I am very thankful for my opportunities, and I believe I perform well, I’ve never been comfortable watching myself in my roles.

When and why did you choose to become an actress? Is it a film, an actress.........?
 When I was in the fourth grade, all of my friends had decided to audition for the school play Robin Hood and out of boredom I decided to tag along. After two days of auditioning, I had been given the role of chef #3.

Throughout rehearsals, I slowly began to grow more and more interest in acting. On the day of the performance I felt stage fright for the first time, but the second I walked on stage in my chef hat and looked out into the crowd, I knew I loved what I was doing.

From that day forward, my interest only grew and I started performing in community theatre. Through community theatre, I got in contact with my first agent Carissa Mitchell, after signing with Carissa I did a few background acting jobs and the rest is history. 

What is your next challenge / project?
To be transparent, my current challenge is balancing being a full time student and having a passion for my craft.
Although some days are more busy than I’d like, I care deeply about both my education and my career in acting.
I continue to work on my craft and audition, so hopefully a new project will be coming soon. 
 

Do you have anything else you'd like to add?
For anyone interested in pursuing a career in  acting, or for anyone in the entertainment industry, I always like to remind you to stay patient, stay passionate, and prioritize your mental health.
Although I love my career, and have gained some of the most unforgettable experiences, it can be easy to lose who you are and what you value. In the days I’ve struggled the most, it’s always helped me to look back on where I came from. 
 
Thank you very much for your interview Gabriella, I wish you the best.
 

More information about  Gabriella on Instagram and on IMDb.

My Preview :

An excellent episode.
The actors and actresses are Perfect as usually
With a mention for  Gabriella, I hope we'll see her again soon in an other serie or movie.

My mark :

09 / 10