How far would you go to get the best shot? Far enough that it could cost you your life?

These are questions that Belizean actor Arlen Escarpeta pondered while portraying the professional storm-chasing cameraman Daryl in the intense tornado thriller "Into the Storm," which hits theaters nationwide Friday, Aug. 8.

While Escarpeta clearly values his life, he understands how compelling and jaw-dropping a natural disaster can be after doing research and delving into his role. He also has a new respect for the camera work, courage and skills it takes to capture powerful angles from behind the lens.

In "Into the Storm," the fictional town of Silverton is "ravaged by an unprecedented onslaught of tornadoes." Overpowered by these natural forces of "erratic and deadly cyclones," the storm trackers predict the worst is yet to come.

While most run for cover, Daryl, along with his professional storm-chasing team, including Allison Stone (Sarah Wayne Callies -- TV's "The Walking Dead"), Pete Moore (Matt Walsh -- HBO's "Veep," "Ted") and Jacob (Jeremy Sumpter -- "Soul Surfer," TV's "Friday Night Lights"), runs towards the vortex along with local thrill-seekers who try to nab that once-in-a-lifetime shot.

The special effects include man-made torrential rain, fierce winds and huge hail, a "fire-nado," a one mile-wide tornado and an amazing perspective from inside the eye of the tornado.

"I think one of the craziest days was the golf-sized hail. They were like cue balls that they had specially made ... We had to run through this barrage of ice. It felt like it was real, and you had the ice plunging at you and into the pool," Escarpeta told Latin Post.

"I think Steve [Quale] trusted us as much as we trusted him," Escarpeta said of the multi-faceted director who directed "Final Destination 5," which also starred Escarpeta. "There are cameras that we have, there are cameras that the Titus [a solid steel vehicle made for tornadoes with a mini weather center inside] has. Each person has their own individual storyline or motivation for what they are doing."

"The prop steady cam was great. It was really fun to work the angles, the balance and to figure out how to walk very smoothly and gently, but also be strong enough to hold the camera and tilt it up and down and so on ... And the hand-held cameras, you could jump, run, anything ... wherever I went, my camera went. I really enjoyed it," he said, according to New Line Cinema.

Central American Roots & Acting Career

Escarpeta is proud of his Central American roots. He was born in Belize, on the northwest coast of Central America -- it borders Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the south and west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. He came to the U.S. when he was 3 years old with his mother and sister after his father passed away, and he returns to visit his homeland often.

"Being from Belize, I absolutely love my culture for so many reasons. The food is absolutely amazing, the music is enchanting, it's smooth, sexy and fun. There are so many different elements there ... You have the Creole people, the Mennonites, the Mestizos, the Mayans and the Asian Belizeans. There are so many different kinds of people there. One of the most beautiful things I find when you go there and people ask 'what are you?' The words that come out of everyone's mouths are 'I am Belizean,'" Escarpeta explained.

"Belize is such an amazing place -- the Mayan Ruins, the Blue Hole, we have the second largest barrier reef in the world, the rain forest and the animals. It's an absolute treat," he added.

While Belize's official language is English, Belizean Creole and Spanish are often spoken there. When Escarpeta first came to the U.S. he spoke Spanish, but had to quickly adapt and learn English.

"When I moved to the U.S. in the late '80s, they weren't pro-bilingual. I would get in trouble when I would speak Spanish in school," he said. Today, he says that he would love to play a Spanish-speaking character. "It's a beautiful language," he added.

At the young age of 10, Escarpeta was cast as the lead in his school play in William Shakespeare's "Hamlet." He pleaded with his teacher to give someone else the part, but she was steadfast in her faith in him. Escarpeta knew he had to learn the lines or face the consequences. In turn, he discovered he had a photographic memory and he pulled it off. Like the famous line in "Hamlet," "To be or not to be?" When it came to acting, it was meant to be. "It's so funny, acting found me," he said.

"The only reason I decided to become an actor was because it made me feel good about myself, and it gave me this burst of self-esteem, I was like 'I did something that I didn't think I could do,' and I loved the way it felt," he said.

Escarpeta, who also starred in "Friday the 13th," has acted alongside Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman and Forest Whitaker. He recently appeared in the sci-fi drama, "Extant," produced by Steven Spielberg and starring Academy Award winner Halle Berry. Currently, he's starring as Bobby Brown in the TV film, "I Will Always Love You: The Whitney Houston Story," opposite Yaya DaCosta as Houston and directed by Angela Bassett.

His other TV roles and appearances have included "Law and Order: SVU," "Boston Public," "American Dreams," "The Shield," and "Without a Trace," among others.

Of acting, Escarpeta says, "One of the most important things that I have taken away is, don't take yourself too seriously, but don't squander the moment."

Check out the official trailer for "Into the Storm, which hits theaters nationwide on Friday, Aug. 8.