Tag Archives: Acting

Rory Nicole Ogden | Acting Interviews

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Rory Nicole Ogden Acting InterviewsChild actress Rory Nicole Ogden has accomplished more since November 2012 than many artists twice her age. In winter 2012, she made the decision to fulfil her dream of becoming an actress and before she knew it, Rory was auditioning for (and getting) small roles in films. Then came a short film called “Just a Kid,” a delightful story about a young girl (Julie) who tries to cheer up her brother after his heart is broken. Rory landed the role, and that began a trend that continues to now.

 

What made you become an actress?

I fell in love with the idea of being in the movies and TV when I was young.  I thought the movie Transformers was so incredible I felt like I had to be in that life. I kept asking my Mother but she thought it was a phase.  I never stopped asking so my Mom talked to a friend that is an actress in LA.  The friend said to put me in classes and when I realized how much work it really was I would most likely change my mind.  The classes were two hours away and once a week for 12 weeks my Mom would drive me down there and sit in her car and wait for me.  I discovered that I loved it more than I thought, even with all the work it really takes.

 

 Did you train and, if so, where?
Yes Plaza 7 Agency in King of Prussia PA with a great Improv Instructor Jimmy Carr
My classes taught me about Improv, Slating, Monologues and working with other actors.  I didn’t realize there was so much work that went into every aspect of acting but I loved it.  I still use the monologue I picked there because it really suits me.  One of the important things I learned there is if I screw something up like my Monologue to just go with it, if I don’t show people I messed up they wont know.  Its acting right lol!

roryactress

Career Highlight

I just finished up a project for Cartoon Networks Adult Swim that will be airing in Nov or Dec.  It was such a unique experience.  They did a 3D scan of my body so they could make an exact replica of my body.  Than they made silicone molds of my face to reproduce my face for some neat things they did in the project that I can’t say yet!  What other 13 year old gets to do such cool things? Cross your fingers I get to go back and do more.

 

Lowest Point

A student film that I did very early in my career.  It was a bad production done in a house with a dog that could be smelled 20 feet away and cats and more dust and cobwebs than a Halloween house.  We would get there 10 minutes before our call time and the team would show up 45 minutes later.  It’s why I very rarely do student films.

 

 Hardest Thing About Being an Actress.

 

Finding time to practice and learn scripts while having a normal life as a teenager.  For adult actors its often their only job but as a student If I miss school for work I still have to make up everything I miss while doing my current work. My Mom’s condition to keep acting is to get good grades.  So I don’t have a choice there!  I also play Varsity Field Hockey as the Goalie so missing games hurts the team. I also love going out with friends and doing lots of social activities.  Twice I have been lucky enough to do roles with my best friend.  Most of the time you go on set and you don’t know anyone and that’s tough being a kid.

Do you make enough money from acting, if not, what else do you do?

I have saved some money up for College from acting but I also like to spend it :)  I plan on attending NYU or UCLA.  To study acting and film making.  My passion is gong around to Jacob Whitesides concerts and getting VIP tickets.  It’s a good thing my Mom likes Jacob!

 

Best and Worst audition.

 

Best

Just a Kid which was my first audition.  I had so much fun with the Director Michael Scotti Jr.  He was so fun to work with and Immediately felt the character was perfect for me.  A week later I was offered the role.  The Director later told my Mom the part was down to two people and when he was deciding he got a Thank you Note from my Mom and that sealed the deal!

Worst

I had two worst auditions.  Once was for someone I had worked for before who I loved but I went to the audition coming right off the plane from Florida with a case of sun poisoning.  I was having trouble talking and I didn’t know why I actually went to the hospital after and my tongue had swollen up with the sun poisoning.  Needless to say I didn’t get the part.

The other bad audition I had was the student film I did that was a nightmare.  I was put on the spot to tell an embarrassing story and I told a story of my mothers and I could see her turning red while I told it.  I don’t think she wanted it told.  I must have babbled for 15 minutes.  I never expected to get the part but I did.

 

Advice for other actors.

 

Make time for all your dreams don’t just make time for acting.  Play sports, go to dances and do all the things other teens do.  In fact I don’t tell my classmates I act but sometimes it comes out.  One time in Computer class we were learning how to use Google and the teacher had us Google the person next to us and my classmate freaked out and began telling everyone when he saw my website and IMDB.  Also if you really want to act start with training it’s the most important thing you can do.<

What is the most important thing for actors to do to improve their career?

I think you have to keep learning and doing different stuff.  Like I prefer comedy its a lot more fun but I have been doing other stuff so I can show that I can do anything.  I don’t want CD’s to look at me and pass on me because they only think I can do comedy.

Role Models

Selena Gomez- I have a lot of respect for her.  I always thought she was a good actress.  I grew up watching her on Wizards of Waverly Place.  It became my favorite show.  Selena is also a great singer another passion of mine.  Recently she disclosed she has Lupus and it makes me realise what a strong woman she is to be able to do all of the things she does even when she is sick.

Funniest Thing that happened on Set

While filming my first film just a kid I had to ride my bike down the street.  The DP, Director and Producer were in a van following me down the street filming me.  A person saw this and called the police thinking I was going to be abducted.  The police came rushing to the scene.  After questioning me and them they realised it was only a film.

 

 

Amanda Holden Struggles With Nerves on First Day of Shoot

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Amanda Holden struggles with nerves on first day of shootHaving last appeared on stage in the nationally acclaimed ‘Shrek the Musical’ back in 2011, Amanda Holden made her long awaited return to the stage in what could prove to be her toughest role yet.

 

In a behind the scenes video documenting her latest acting role, Holden is seen to struggle with nerves and even forget her lines on two occasions in front of impatient directors.

 

But as is always the case in show business, all is not as it first seems.

 

Holden, a mother of two children herself, was actually filming a spoof advert in her latest role as the face of Pebli Town, a revolutionary new pre-school toy that fuses traditional play with the latest technology.

 

With Holden reciting her lines to a team of directors made up of three children, Pebli Town is designed to give youngsters full control of four traditional play pieces and a physical play board that in turn interacts with a tablet to bring the toy to life.

 

“As an actor, it’s not often you’re asked to perform poorly in front of directors that are a similar age to your own children,” said Holden.

 

“What has impressed me most about Pebli Town is that children are really the directors of their own show. It’s also a toy that allows parents to be more involved whilst accommodating for all key developmental and educational needs a parent would want for their child.”

 

With four exciting interactive game modes, Pebli Town is designed to help develop children’s problem solving skills and hand eye coordination whilst sparking creativity, imagination and self-expression.

 

“As a performer myself, I think it’s really important that children are given the opportunity to express themselves and show their creative side at play time,” admitted Holden, who is mother to nine-year-old Alexa and three-year-old Hollie.

 

“I know from my experiences that children can be incredibly creative if encouraged in a fun way.”

 

As an established actress, singer, presenter and judge, the daily juggle between career and family life remains an admittedly challenging one for Holden.

 

“Like every mother, sometimes it feels a little like the time you have to spend with your children is going, it’s slipping away. It’s about finding a balance and making sure you get to spend the right amount of time with your family and my current workload absolutely allows me to do this.”

 

“It’s scary how quickly your children grow up so its important parents spend as much time with them as possible.”

 

“Even physically, Lexie went from a size two to a three in two months and she has gone to school with a sort of side, low ponytail and there’s no Alice T-bar shoes anymore, she has got slip on shoes. Because Holly is three and a half and looks up to her big sister, she tries to dress the same and appears more mature than an actual three and a half year old. You can even have a full conversation with her.”

 

With Pebli Town representing a new age of toys being brought to life through technology, the current trend of parents allowing their children to have unfettered access to their own tablets and mobile devices is growing, with children now spending an average of two hours 56 minutes in front of a screen every day.

 

According to a recent survey by ComRes, 84 per cent of parents believe there are educational benefits in their children having access to tablets and smartphones, a statistic Holden supports.

 

“It can only be a positive thing introducing children to technology in a way that is safe, controlled and benefits their educational development,” said the 44-year-old.

 

“Pebli Town has got the balance right as 99% of all game play is still done on the board so you avoid having your children glued to a tablet.”

 

As for Holden’s future career ventures for the rest of 2015, her relentless workload doesn’t look as though it will ease up just yet.

 

“I am filming something for the BBC now and doing a load of stuff for Text Santa. As for acting, there is a possible musical in the running but I can’t tell you too much at this stage. Watch this space!”

 

 

Actor Interviews: Rakesh Dasgupta

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Actor Interviews- Rakesh DasguptaWhat made you become an actor?

It all started while I was in school. I never really had any friends to talk during my school days. I was experiencing domestic violence almost everyday; I could not find anyone to listen to me. I was getting bullied at school. All these experiences started giving me depression at that age and I was so helpless. But I always loved to watch movies and I liked portraying those characters I saw in the movies. Its hard to explain but when I used to portray the characters in front of the mirror I used to (kind of) become those characters from within which helped me for that short span of time to forget everything surrounding me. I found this to be a very helpful technique to stay away from my depression and the unwanted ambience. As time progressed, I just got hooked up with this acting.

Did you train and if so where?

Sounds weird but I must say my initial training started in front of the mirror. Being a commerce graduate I never had any formal acting qualification. Until 2013 when I started taking informal acting and accent removal classes in Sydney with some of the experienced actors.

Career Highlight

Instead of taking names of some of the projects that I have worked on, I would like to consider my career highlight to date being given the opportunity to go to Hollywood and perform in front of the film directors and casting directors. Also getting representation offer from one of the leading agencies in USA during my first week in Hollywood was something completely unexpected. (Well its a different thing that I could not accept the offer for having no work rights in USA)

Lowest Point

Those first days in Sydney when I did not have a place to live and was visiting Salvation Army to ask for food as I didn’t have any money with me. I don’t want to speak too much on my lowest points in life as I think people who want to pursue acting, want to become actors and have big dreams would get discouraged and scared listening to my past. So I would prefer to keep this point short.

Hardest thing about being an actor

1. Getting job – you can be an acting degree holder from the best acting university in the world and you might have the best acting talent but you might not get any acting job. If you ask me why, I don’t have that answer. It’s the way it is. 2. Uncertainty of the future – as an aspiring actor you never know where you will end up in the next 5 or 10 years time; you can end up with stardom or you can just end up with nothing. 3. No financial security – In the early stages of acting career, it does not pay you much, if at all to make both ends meet. It’s very likely that you might just end up with one meal a day as that’s all you would be able to sometime afford being an aspiring actor.

Do you make enough money from acting, if not, what else do you do?

At this stage of my career I do not make enough money from acting to pay all my bills. As such I have to do other stuff like working in supermarkets, gas stations, doing gardening work etc etc. I prefer these kind of odd jobs instead of a full time desk job because they provide flexibility to attend auditions and shoots.

Best and Worst audition

Best audition – When I had four days time to practice my lines which is quite unusual to get such a long time to prepare a script. I knew my lines and moves to perfection and was very satisfied with the way I performed in the audition room. The casting director appreciated my performance and I was so convinced about getting that role but guess what, I didn’t get the role.

Worst audition – I was driving to this audition and my car broke down in the middle of the highway. I had to get my car towed to the nearest gas station and then I got a cab and was able to reach the audition venue just on time. It was summer and I was profusely sweating. I went to the audition room and I couldn’t recall half my lines; I left the script in my car which made me look so unprofessional. I came out from the audition room dejected with no hope. Two days later my agent informed me that I got that role.

Advice for other actors

Firstly you should only pursue acting if you enjoy the actual art; If your reason to pursue acting is to become famous, you got a bad news coming – you are in the wrong business. Do not have a back up option because if you have a back up option you are basically preparing for failure. Acting is a business in which ‘YOU’ are the product that you sell, so maintain yourself (a good physique is always an asset in the acting business). When you are an aspiring actor you will get naysayers coming by default who will tell you that it cannot be done – just ignore them. Most importantly, you have to honestly believe in yourself that one day you will become a successful actor; Well, if you don’t believe in yourself, who else will.

What is the most important thing for actors to do to improve their career?

Practice Practice Practice! Practice your art, work on your art whole year, not just two days before going to an audition. Doesn’t matter if you practice lines in front of the mirror in your room, in the middle of the beach or in an acting school, but do something everyday to improve your confidence level.

Role Models

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Dwayne Johnson, Johnny Depp

 

Anne Hathaway Losing Roles To Younger Actresses At Grand Age of 32

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AnneHathawayAAFeb09Being an actor is hard and being an actress even more so. An actresses career used to be over by the time she was 40. Thankfully, there are still some roles for actresses in their 40s now, but it seems that ageing is still a disadvantage for a woman in film. Women have always had a tough time in film but recently more actresses have been speaking out about sexism and ageism. Sometimes with depressing results. In this months Glamour magazine, cover girl Anne Hathaway said that she was already losing roles to younger actresses. “I can’t complain about it because I benefitted from it, When I was in my early twenties, parts would be written for women in their fifties and I would get them. And now I’m in my early thirties and I’m like, ‘Why did that 24-year-old get that part? I was that 24 year old once. I can’t be upset about it, that’s just the way things are.” She admitted.

Anne also says “…there are fewer roles [for women] and the competition is just as fierce as ever. I look around at my peers and I’m so blown away by their talent…and we’re all trying to get the same parts.” She had to audition for her role in The Intern. In the great interview she also says she doesn’t beat herself up as much anymore. Buy this months Glamour and have a read.

 

 

A Director In Search Of An Actress by Paul Vates

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Pity the poor director who raises his head above the parapet and publicly proclaims ‘Is there anyone interested in playing Nora?’

If you’ve read my previous articles about the process of staging A Doll’s House, you’ll know it’s audition time. The chosen poster used to represent the internal struggle within the protagonist’s mind …

A Director In Search Of An Actress by Paul Vates1

… but now represents the director’s (Kevin Russell’s) horror as the emails began to arrive. The number soon reached 200. How do you find the Special One amongst all those? Stories abound of some producers and directors abhorring hotmail email addresses, detesting specific drama schools or, even, flinching at the names of rivals on CVs. One famous director is known for whittling the list down by deleting every third email and removing every third application from his pile.

Ask any HR Manager attempting to fill a vacancy in a company – it’s a nightmare .So can it all be that random, relying so heavily on luck?

Ohhhh, yes.

Kevin told me that ‘it’s so silly what goes through my mind when looking at headshot after headshot. Whether they can act or not seems irrelevant. The first time acting gets involved is at the audition itself, but that seems so far away.’

He does, though, admit other skills are required. For him – and this is just Kevin, no one else (before someone complains that’s not how it’s done) – Kevin wants a clear CV, a photo that shows a certain attitude and a covering letter that indicates a little thought has gone into the application. The rest is gut instinct on his part.

Gradually, the audition list was reduced until sixteen actresses were invited to the venue, Barons Court Theatre. Then I joined him in the process, as a guide, a shoulder to cry on and the-fella-that-reads-along-with-the-auditionees.

The pressure is on them: 1 – to turn up on time; 2 – to resemble the person in the photograph (you’d be amazed how many don’t); 3 – to enjoy themselves. We assist with the last part, aiming to create a jovial and inspirational atmosphere.

So – the big news … Drum roll … An actress has been chosen and she did say ‘Yes.’ Her name is Alexa Matthews. When asked she said, ‘I have always wanted to play the role of Nora and as soon as I saw there was an opportunity to do so I applied immediately. She’s a complex character and makes such an interesting journey though the play and one that as an actor you can really challenge yourself with, this really excites me.

A Director In Search Of An Actress by Paul Vates3 Alexa Matthews – Photo by Michael Shelford

‘The audition was lots of fun and Kevin and Paul have a way of naturally making you feeling at ease. What I loved was that Kevin directed me in some of the chosen scenes with Paul and we got it up on its feet. Auditions can be a really surreal environment but instead of sitting behind a desk Kevin and Paul were much more involved.’

Where was she when she heard she had been offered the part? ‘I had just boarded the plane to France for a friend’s wedding with my boyfriend and received the email just before taking off. I was so excited to hear the news and couldn’t wait to get back to discuss the play further.’

The whole production rests on Alexa’s shoulders – so no pressure there. It’s such a famous role, it is natural to feel nervous about the months ahead. Alexa said, ‘I really hope that I do the play justice and that the audience come away feeling like they have seen a great version of the play. I hope that they are tickled with its lightness but also come away with an understanding of the fresh and relevant messages it has to convey.  Importantly I hope they have a great evening out and that as a company we also have lots of fun.’

What Alexa may not realise at the moment, though, is just how many macaroons she will have to consume during the run. I think I may keep count… but more on that later.

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen will be performed from November 3rd to 22nd at Barons Court Theatre, west London. Tickets are selling fast, so if you fancy stopping by call the box office direct on 020 8932 4747 or email londontheatre@gmail.com to reserve seats.

www.newdreamstheatre.co.uk

Facebook: New Dreams Theatre

Twitter @KevinNewdreams

 

 

Big Mack: Michael Ball leads the cast of Chichester’s big summer musical

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THEATRE REVIEW

Mack and Mabel
Chichester Festival Theatre
Until 5 September (and then on tour)

Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Book by Michael Stewart (revised by Francine Pascal)

www.cft.org.uk
Box Office: 01243 781312

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan

From the moment that the blistering overture kicks in you sense that something special is in store. And so it is. In addition to a belting orchestra, there’s a clever set and technical wizardry, glorious frocks and a phenomenally talented cast, led by Michael Ball and Rebecca La Chance in the title roles.

But although billed as a musical comedy, the plot isn’t an endless stream of lighthearted froth by any means. Nor is it a conventional musical theatre romance. The true story of Mack Sennett, the legendary silent movie director famed for his Keystone Cops, and Mabel Normand, a hot dog seller spotted by Sennett and transformed into the darling of the silent screen, in many ways the tale is more reminiscent of Albert Square than Hollywood. Just with more songs.

Told retrospectively, Michael Ball col.Anna-JaneCasey(Lottie)andCompany.PhotoManuelHarlan.317nvinces absolutely as the ruthlessly driven Sennett whose sole aim in life is to make ‘em laugh. Broke and alone in his studio before being turned out, he recalls the past; the lies he told, the cast and crew he bullied and the love he  treated far too casually. And then there’s the crushing blow that he was wrong about the Talkies which, in spite of his prophecy to the contrary, did actually catch on, diminishing public appetite for his silent pie-in-the-face two-reelers.

Resigned to his rudeness and lack of romance, Mabel continues to love the difficult but charismatic Mack. Reaching a point, however, when the occasional moment of tenderness is no longer enough, and with Mack unwilling – or unable – to make any greater commitment to her, she allows her head to be turned by a rival producer. Having taken drugs before to cope with Mack’s punishing schedule of movie making, she is soon a regular drug taker, slugging down hard liquor in between shoving cocaine up her nose. By the time Mack finally realises that she needs help as much as he needs her it’s all far too late.

Rebecca La Chance is terrific. Vocally enchanting, she pitches Mabel’s initial passion, zest and energy perfectly. As times change, and her fading hope and enthusiasm becomes apparent, it pierces the heart.Fluid, visually stunning and audibly fabulous, all credit to director Jonathan Church and his creative team, whose collective expertise is harnessed to great effect. Choreographer Stephen Mere, at the top of his game, must surely be one of the world’s best. Inventive, stylish and almost poetic in their gracefulness, his routines are simply dazzling. nce(Mabel),MichaelBall(Mack)andcompany.PhotoManuelHarlan

But ultimately it is Michael Ball’s show. Giving Mack real substance, and following on from his triumphant performance at Chichester a couple of years ago as Sweeney Todd, he cements his status as a supremely talented singer who can really act. Balancing the aggressive bully who is consumed by his work with the man who is also capable of flashes of sweetness, loyalty and at some level self-awareness, Ball manages the emotional and personality gear changes with complete aplomb. It is a remarkable performance and not until the curtain call is there so much of a glimpse of the slightly camp luvvie who willingly sends himself up.

Another Chichester musical with all the hallmarks of success, I Never Promised You a Happy Ending may well be one of the big numbers,   but you’re sure as Hell guaranteed  joyous entertainment. If you can get a ticket, grab one.

Rose McGowan Fired By Agent For Calling Out Hollywood Sexism

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rosemcgowanfiredbyagentRose McGowan has been fired by her agent for pointing out how sexist a casting was. The casting was for an Adam Sandler movie she auditioned for. The script notes stated “push-up bras encouraged,” and the name of the male lead rhymed with “Madam Panhandler.” The Charmed star tweeted:

She went on to say “It was just so dumb. I was offended by the stupidity more than anything… This is normal to so many people.” She then said she was “not trying to vilify Adam Sandler,”

Unbelievably, the tweet made her agent fire her. She went back on Twitter to say: “I just got fired by my wussy acting agent because I spoke up about the bulls— in Hollywood. Hahaha. Douchebags… Bring it… The awesome thing about being an artist? You can’t be fired from your own mind. Freedom.”

Depressing. It seems that Hollywood still has a way to go when it comes to equality.

 

Interested in acting? Read Catherine Balavage’s book on acting, How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur. It has gotten numerous five star reviews and has been called the ‘best advice available’ by numerous sources.

 

 

Review: Educating Rita – Minerva Theatre, Chichester

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Educating Rita
Minerva Theatre, Chichester
Until 25 July
Box Office: 01243 781312
www.cft.org.uk

Picture credit: Manuel Harlan

ichesterFestivalTheatre'sEducatingRita.PhotoManuelHarlanzpfile000

In her quest for choice and betterment would Liverpudlian hairdresser Rita throw herself into an Open University degree course today? Nah. More likely that she would develop an app for stylists.

Written and set in the early 80s (and with more than a little doffing of its hat at Shaw’s Pygmalion), what Willy Russell’s play lacks in modern relevance is more than compensated for in the performances of Lenny Henry and Lashana Lynch.

As Frank, the disillusioned tutor and one-time poet whose career is now just a means of funding his drinking, Henry could be a shade more embittered. But visibly relaxing into the second act, first night nerves squarely dealt with, he hits his stride.

Frank’s passion for teaching is reignited when Rita explodes into his office with a desperate thirst to learn. His feelings for her grow fonder and when he realises that she has all but achieved her dream of being educated the ensuing bender upon which he embarks is not inspired by a wish to toast her success. Beautifully pitched by Henry, who is well paired with his co-star – their chemistry gives the production a palpable boost – the final scenes are especially touching.

Lashana Lynch is on track for Big Things. Exuberant, warm, funny, ambitious, determined and childlike in her wonder of academia, Lynch manages to convey it all, stealing the hearts of the audience while she’s about it. A two-hander is a huge mountain for any actor to scale but Lynch makes it look effortless.

Not so the transitions from scene to scene. Limited to a point by both script and Ellen Cairns’ bookshelf-lined set, Rita’s arrival to each tutorial at the start of each new scene is clunky.

But this is a minor grip and overall this production, in educational terms, falls only slightly short of getting a First.