Rebekah Kennedy is the young theatre, television and film actress that has already been recognised by respected directors, producers and critics worldwide. Having found success on stage, Rebekah pressed on to the next stage in her acting career; screen acting. She immediately began to work on short-films, television shows and feature films. With many projects slated to come out in 2011, Rebekah is quickly paving the way for a promising career.
1. How long have you been acting?“Well, I started in theatre, so I’ve been acting on the stage since I was twelve. I feel like I’ve been doing that forever. Film, however, has been a newer venture, and I haven’t been doing that for very long. I really dove into it this year and it’s been a wonderful adventure so far.”
2. Who are your main influences?“As far as film goes, I really look up to Natalie Portman. She’s had such a smooth transition from a child star career to an adult one, and that’s not always an easy task. She always picks really challenging roles and never appears to take the easy road. She seems to balance everything well and that’s something I really look up to.”
3. Explain your current/near future project.“I actually just wrapped an exciting new feature called
The Book of Babylon directed by Arik Renee Avila. It’s an action adventure film where I play the lead; 16 year old Faith Riley. Basically, ‘an ancient artifact called ‘The Book of Babylon’ is opened, wreaking supernatural havoc on the world. A young girl, Faith Riley, must go on a quest to find the book and close it. Unknown to Faith, a paramilitary organisation is killing anyone in their path to the secrets hidden within the book.’ It was such an amazing experience. I spent a month and a half in Austin filming it. So, currently, I am not exactly sure what my next project will be. I have a few things in the works, but nothing I can officially announce yet.”
4. What has been the greatest moment in your career so far?“This is a tough question because I’ve had a lot of great moments. I was really ecstatic when I found out I booked the role in
Seasons of the Witch. It was pretty exciting to find out I was going to meet Nicholas Cage and Ron Perlman. But honestly, this year has been amazing, and the opportunity to work on each film has been a true great moment.”
5. If you could work with anyone on a film, who?“Ah, I don’t think I can pick just one! So, I will name a few, haha. Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Meryl Streep, Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Brittany Robertson, Dakota and Elle Fanning, Saoirse Ronan and Chloe Moretz. That’s just naming a few, haha. I really have a list of people I would die to work with.”
6. Why do you love acting?“You get to be other people! Haha. There is something magical about stepping into someone else’s shoes, thinking completely different, acting in ways you could never get away with in your actual life. I love getting to experience something new, and then being able to hang it up at the end of the day. And I really love making other people feel something. Whether they walk away happy, sad, or really angry, for that brief time, they took that adventure with me. That’s magic.”
7. Who has been your favourite person to work with on a film so far?“Oh gosh, I can’t pick a favourite person, haha. I’ve gotten the chance to work with some amazing people, and to pick wouldn’t be fair. This year, I feel like I’ve learned something from each actor I’ve had the privilege to work with, and they’ve all been so kind. To get the chance to work with such a caliber of talent is something an actor dreams about. I do want to give a shout-out to all the actors in
House Hunting. They were such a generous bunch and all truly a pleasure.”
8. What has been your favourite project this year?
“Ah! Another tough question. I definitely can’t pick, haha. They have all been dreams come true and it’s been an honour to be a part of each one. I just can’t pick one, they’ve all been amazing!”
9. What do you hope to achieve in the near future?“I really just hope to be able to continue acting and to keep growing and learning from those around me.”
10. Do you have any exciting upcoming projects or news?“I do! I have a film called
Season of the Witch, which stars Nicholas Cage and Ron Perlman, directed by Dominic Sena, that will be coming out on January 7th. It’s about a group of 14th Century knights that need to transport a suspected witch to a monastery. I play a young peasant girl in that.
Then, I have a teen horror webseries called
Throwing Stones, directed by Bart D. Van Bemmel and Jason A. Wheeler, that will be airing January 5th on Koldcast TV and Mingle Media Television Network. In that, a group of High Schoolers are given Saturday School to teach them a lesson, but they learn that there’s a killer waiting for them! I play Chrissy Holden who is known for her bad-girl reputation and having a horrible attitude.
I also have
House Hunting, which stars Art LaFleur and Marc Singer, directed by Eric Hart,
Blood is Blood, which stars Mehcad Brooks and Sid Haig, directed by Fred Andrews, and another webseries called
Yankee Rose, directed by Troy Hart. I’m not sure of the release dates for these yet. Haha.”
11. Do you have any advice for people looking to become successful actors/actresses?“To not give up! The road to success isn’t an easy one, but with hard work, persistence, and patience, I think people would surprise themselves. My mom also always says that if success was just handed over, then I wouldn’t really appreciate it. So, if they love acting, then they just need to keep going for it.”
12. Did you find it hard starting out as an actress?“Yeah, for sure. Not the acting part, as much, but just finding my way through the business of it. Trying to figure out exactly what I was doing wasn’t easy. Haha. But the more you do, the more you figure things out, or sort of. In fact, I’m still learning. Surrounding yourself with awesome supportive people helps.”
13. Who is your mentor?“When I was growing up, it was definitely my parents. They are such strong people and have always inspired me to go after my dreams. They’ve always believed in me, even when I haven’t. They are still very inspirational in my life, but now my husband is a big supporter and always pushes me to go further. He is one of a kind.”
14. Do you have any mottos or quotes that you live by?“Two things I try to remind myself of everyday are: ‘Life is too short to be miserable’, and ‘I would rather be broke and doing what I love than rich and hating every second of it’.”
15. Did you study acting or anything else?“I do. I started studying acting when I was twelve. I also started taking dance lessons, as well. Then, I started voice lessons at fifteen. I continued to study acting and dance. I majored in Musical Theatre in College, and also studied at the CAP21 Program at NYU. I still continue to learn. I don’t believe any actor should believe they know all there is to know.”
16. What are some of your favourite places to travel to?“I really love NYC. I haven’t been in quite a few years, now, but it really is a city that never sleeps. I love that there’s always something to do. Times Square is beautiful at night, and I really love going to see Broadway shows. Plus, I have some great friends that live there.”
17. Who has been the most exciting person to meet in all of your years?“It was definitely a thrill to meet Nicholas Cage. He’s such a nice guy and it was so refreshing that he was so down to earth. It was also a delight to meet and work with Art LaFleur.
Sandlot is one of my favourite movies, and he’s just such a generous actor and a joy to work with.”
18. How would you describe your acting philosophy?“I’ve studied several techniques that I live by and use. But, I guess when it really comes down to it, it’s about staying in the moment and just being honest. Really putting yourself in that character’s position and letting yourself feel what they are. Then just letting go.”
19. How do you deal with criticism?“Sometimes, it can be tough to hear criticism or anything negative. But, I’ve had to learn to be okay with the thought that not everyone will like me or my work. All I can do is my best, and truly appreciate the people really value my work, and not to worry about the others.”
20. What was your breakthrough?
“Well, the biggest project I’ve worked on so far is
Season of the Witch, and I feel incredibly lucky to have worked on that. But, I also feel
House Hunting really pushed me into the film world.”
21. How can fans contact you?
“They are welcome to follow me on Twitter or through Facebook. I always respond!”
22. Are there any particular charities you support?“I definitely support St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the ASPCA, and the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center.”
23. What does “A Touch of Passion” mean to you?“I think it’s important for people to be passionate about something in their life, no matter what it is. And then that they follow that passion as far as they can. Just a touch is all you need to get started!”
Make sure you visit Rebekah’s Official Website:www.rebekahkennedy.com
Subscribe to her Youtube Channel:
www.youtube.com/filmactress
Follow her on Twitter and Facebook:
www.twitter.com/rebekahkennedy
www.facebook.com/rebekahkennedy
And check out her Official Blog:
http://bekahkennedy.blogspot.com
Interview Archive Date: 12/12/2010
Thank you to Rebekah for this interview
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