- There is a lot of heart and soul compressed into this little film.
- The funniest mistake I consistently make is never knowing how formally or informally to dress for which occasions. A friend took me to a screening at LACMA of a film Leonardo DiCaprio produced. I was wearing jeans and a 'Shot on Kodak' tee from a recent project assuming it was a casual event. I sat in front and was more than a little mortified when Leo himself came out from backstage to introduce the film and snapped some pictures on his phone of the audience.
- One of my best stories [...] has to be working on the feature film Chappaquiddick. I played Ted Kennedy's secretary in the senate in what I believe would have been the opening scene of the film. Though the scene was ultimately cut in the editing room, I had a marvelous time on set.
On the day of filming, I got a honeywagon, which is the tiniest little dressing room in a trailer you can get on set - as a newbie I was so thrilled to have it and go to hair and makeup. I got to work directly in a continuous walking two-shot with lead actor Jason Clarke who was a kind castmate especially considering how green I was as an actor that day.
After we wrapped, I spoke briefly with our director, John Curran, who encouraged me to make greater headway in my career as an actor. That gave me the vote of confidence I needed to take bigger risks for my career. Thankfully, I'm already starting to see the rewards. - My college roommate, Hanna Mitchell, a person of truly great influence as a career-long activist, taught me three principles we must abide by to take care of our planet and ensure our own survival: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. I especially appreciate efforts to increase sustainability on film sets, which can otherwise produce so much waste.
- When I think about my family and friends who have offered their support in so many forms and favors and all the actors, directors, teachers, agents, bookers, managers, casting directors, casting interns, peers, modeling agents, models, role models and cast and crew I have worked with - I think if gathered everyone would hit the seat minimum to be declared a small Broadway-sized theater; so, you know who you are and I'll thank you in person.
- I made a big mistake two years ago when I was offered an audition through a referral for the title role in a feature film for a major studio that got a wide theatrical release. I didn't take the audition because I was out of the country. They ultimately cast an actress who was very similar to me. I soon believed I'd blown my one chance for a breakout role.
On reflection, I came to understand that I need to work even harder to put myself in the path of opportunities of a similar scope. To that end, I decided to put myself in the position to audition for work more frequently so I moved to Los Angeles, the epicenter of casting for the American film industry. - Value the little things as much as the champagne moments. Too often we are seduced by the iceberg illusion of success. The tip of the actor's iceberg that the public sees is say, walking the red carpet or receiving an award. Supporting that fleeting moment for the actor is ten plus years of training, criticism, trolls, auditions, callbacks, moving, networking, sacrificing the security of a traditional job, relationships and missing out on time with family and friends.
You have to find a way to celebrate screening for an audience of five as much as you envision you could appreciate winning an Oscar. Savoring the work itself and the little victories is what helps you to survive the other 'thousand natural shocks' the actor's life is heir to, as Shakespeare put it.
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